Get off your sofa: Here are five positive things you can get involved with in Coventry
So much good karma
Sometimes it can get a bit boring just lying in bed and binging on Netflix, especially when you’ve watched everything at least three times. So, we’ve put a list together for anyone who wants to stretch their legs, get more involved in Coventry and make a positive difference (cleaning your dishes and eating a vegetable once a week doesn’t count).
In the run-up to Coventry becoming the City of Culture, below are a few examples of how you can help your community, up your vitamin-D intake and level-up on good karma thanks to The National Lottery.
EGO Performance
Who are they?
EGO Performance are a theatre production company which create inclusive and educational work within schools, businesses and local communities.
What do they do?
EGO Performance provide a safe and affordable meeting place for people of all ages and abilities to develop their communication and presentation skills by hosting acting classes and holding theatre productions. They celebrate people’s differences and aim to make the arts as inclusive as possible.
How can you get involved?
EGO Performance welcomes all ages and abilities. They don’t hold auditions so anyone can become a member regardless of their current level of acting experience. You can also volunteer and get involved behind the scenes with production preparations, or support the charity by hosting a fundraising event.
Click here for more information
Shoot Festival
Who are they?
Shoot Festival is a diverse new festival which showcases the best of Coventry and Warwickshire’s up and coming talent.
What do they do?
The festival aims to give emerging talent a professional space to film their acts without the need to spend thousands on studios, equipment and videographers.
How can you get involved?
By volunteering as part of the Shoot Festival team you can gain experience in all areas of production, promotion and general festival organisation admin such as booking locations, acts and working out the logistics.
Click here for more information
Grapevine
Who are they?
Grapevine Coventry and Warwickshire is a local charity delivering vital services and sparking social movements for vulnerable people. They want people and communities to have the energy and confidence to tackle life’s challenges and make the most of opportunities.
What do they do?
Grapevine offer practical guidance, advocacy and support centred around the person. They help them get the hope, insight and supportive relationships they need to take control, turn their lives around and realise their potential. Practical tools and training also help people build their collective power to tackle the problems they’re facing and sustain movements for change. By working with systems and services like the NHS and local authorities they get at the root causes to understand and solve real problems – for good.
How can you get involved?
Grapevine volunteers play a crucial role in supporting people to live fuller lives. You can get involved in a whole range of projects, activities and events, help people to express their views and opinions, and to achieve their ambitions. They work with volunteers to find a role that suits them best – you don’t need previous experience, but must have a can-do attitude. Their #connectingforgood initiative, for example, is looking for some extra hands, voices, ideas and enthusiasm to help them promote this campaign and combat isolation.
Click here for more information
Central England Law Centre
Who are they?
Central England Law Centre is an organisation that provides legal help to those unable to afford it. They are the largest centre of this kind in the UK.
What do they do?
The Centre provides free specialist legal advice on social welfare to those most in need and uses legal processes to help fight social exclusion in relation to health, housing, debt, benefits and employment.
Central England Law work to create a more equal society by influencing policy at a local and national level. They work inside public sector services to help find new, more effective ways to uphold people’s rights. They advocate for people, challenge unfair decisions, take cases to the highest courts and work in partnership with other support services.
How can you get involved?
Whether you’re just starting out in your legal career, are an admin whizz, a techie, a PR guru, a photographer or a fundraising expert, you can volunteer at the Central England Law Centre. As a volunteer, you’ll receive a full induction and training programme, out of pocket expenses (up to a set limit), and practical experience.
Click here for more information
Coventry Refugee and Migrant Centre
Who are they?
The Coventry Refugee and Migrant Centre exist to welcome and meet the needs of refugees and migrants as they settle in Coventry.
What do they do?
The Centre supports refugees and migrants to integrate and contribute to city life. In the last year, they’ve offered over 10,000 appointments with their Advice Team about things such as health care, schooling and laws, to more than 3,000 people facing difficulties. They believe in empowering asylum seekers, refugees and migrants to shape their futures.
How can you get involved?
You can help by volunteering at the Coventry Refugee and Migrant Centre or by hosting fundraising events. For example, in early March, a team of volunteers ran the Coventry Half Marathon for their destitution fund. Any activity, big or small, can help raise money for this centre.
Click here for more information
With two years to go until Coventry becomes UK City of Culture in 2021, The National Lottery is funding £5.2 million to invest in the community, arts, culture and heritage. So keep your eyes out for all the new initiatives opening up to students in Coventry.