Project Motorhouse

Red Zebra’s Gilly Thomas, our Roving
Reporter, has been out and about
visiting voluntary and community
groups to find out more about the
amazing job they do. Here she
highlights four of the groups she has
visited and shares their passion for the
people they are involved with.
Project Motorhouse
Project MotorHouse is a transformative project
designed to give Ramsgate facilities which it
currently lacks by turning a council liability into a
community asset. Project Motorhouse has taken an
option on Ramsgate’s derelict West Cliff Hall and
Gardens (aka the old motor museum) and are
working with award winning architect Guy Hollaway
to transform the site overlooking Ramsgate port
into three state of the art cinemas, a flexible
theatre, an outdoor theatre/cinema, a restaurant/
bar, a café, a gallery, a function room and offices.
Their plans for the site arose out of consultations
with local businesses, local youths, residents
associations, arts and environmental organisations
to identify the community’s needs.
Estimates show that 1.7 million people will directly
benefit from Project MotorHouse during its first 10
years of operation. A recent independent Green
Book analysis shows that public investment in the
project would represent good value for money.
Project MotorHouse has been identifying young
people in the 14-18 age group who with the
appropriate help, may eventually become
Thanet’s employers of the future.
Project MotorHouse intends to work with its
anchor tenants to develop the potential of
Thanet youth, offer employment and encourage
entrepreneurship.
For more information click here
Red Zebra’s Gilly Thomas, our Roving
Reporter, has been out and about
visiting voluntary and community
groups to find out more about the
amazing job they do. Here she
highlights four of the groups she has
visited and shares their passion for the
people they are involved with.
All in One Property Enterprises
All in One Property Enterprises is a social enterprise company with
an objective to provide work experience, training and education to
unemployed individuals in Dover.
In the last year, they have offered three full time positions to: one
long term unemployed and two young unemployed individuals. We
also have one apprentice working with us too.
They are a business that supports our community: we manage our
local community centre and run a small community food produce
project to encourage healthy lifestyles.
I spoke to Paul Russell the Director of the organisation and he told
me that one of the people he had been able to give a job to had
been unemployed for 25 years. They had given him a chance and he
is doing really well. Paul said ‘I was in a similar position once myself,
I know what it feels like to be without a job. You sort of lose hope’.
Paul explained that they had won the contract for the new Medway
Rochester Railway Station where they are carrying out extensive
landscaping works. As a team they are willing to take on both large
and small works and are looking to expand their clientele.
If your organisation is interested in having work carried out by All in
One Property Enterprises click here
Red Zebra’s Gilly Thomas, our Roving
Reporter, has been out and about
visiting voluntary and community
groups to find out more about the
amazing job they do. Here she
highlights four of the groups she has
visited and shares their passion for the
people they are involved with.
Bright Shadow
Bright Shadow is an organisation based in Herne Bay
that exists to enable people with dementia and those
affected by it to live well and to thrive. I spoke to
Rhiannon Lane, one of the Directors at Bright
Shadow. She explained that Bright Shadow uses
creativity and performance to create a means for
people with dementia to express themselves. They
use mediums such as song, movement, music, story
making, puppetry and other sensory stimuli.
Rhiannon shared many touching examples of how
Bright Shadow had helped people. One example
was a workshop based on a Wimbledon theme with
strawberries and cream, bunting and Cliff Richard
songs. Jean, a participant, enjoyed bouncing foam
balls on a lightweight tennis racket for quite a while.
With a huge grin she exclaimed
“I used to play tennis as little girl”
Rhiannon mentioned a new community programme
they are setting up in Thanet for people living with
dementia and their carers. ‘We have been so
grateful to Heather Biddles, Development Officer at
Red Zebra’ she said. ‘Heather knows the local
community well and has helped us ensure we reach
the right people’. Details of the project,
commencing in February 2016 can be found here.
My time with Rhiannon left me in no doubt that all
those involved with Bright Shadow passionately
want to see people with dementia feel productive
and purposeful. Visit their website to find out more
here.
Red Zebra’s Gilly Thomas, our Roving
Reporter, has been out and about
visiting voluntary and community
groups to find out more about the
amazing job they do. Here she
highlights four of the groups she has
visited and shares their passion for the
people they are involved with.
Broadstairs Town Shed
I chatted to Bob Girardot at Broadstairs Town Shed. He explained Town Shed was a community
based workshop, predominately for the 50+ age group. “We are mostly men (although a few
women come along) who get together, and participate in meaningful and rewarding DIY/
woodwork based activities”. Bob explained Men’s Sheds’ started in Australia, where there are
now 1000, with sheds now in 20 countries, and almost 187 in the UK. They have proven to help
tackle loneliness and isolation and have a positive impact on older men’s well being, quality of life
and life expectancy. At the Broadstairs Town Shed there are over 80 members. Bob explained ‘it's
great to see new friendships being made, and people's confidence and enjoyment growing. The
social interaction is just as important as the woodworking.’ The Broadstairs Town Shed opened
it's doors in May 2014. Bob said “It's been a team effort and we've had lots of support to make it
happen”. Broadstairs Town Shed are excited about welcoming more people who'd like to get
involved, either to one of their regular sessions, or to arrange a one off or regular activity for
groups or individuals. For more information go to their website here.