B&M’s huge donation to help disadvantaged across Greater Manchester

A cash injection from our Manchester Community Fund will help a local charity continue to support disadvantaged and vulnerable people across Greater Manchester.

Thanks to B&M's donation of £20,000, Odd Arts will be able to create specialist theatre and arts programmes to help build confidence, self-esteem and skills of people in need in the local community.

The charity works with people in prisons, schools, youth centres, as well as people with mental health issues – and much more. Through their programmes the charity aims to reduce risk of (re) offending, build safer communities and improve mental wellbeing and work based skills.

Odd Arts has revealed how the donation will be used:

• £5,900 has allowed them to deliver six session programmes on Healthy Relationships and Communication with adults who experience serious mental health challenges in either secure or supported accommodation.
• £5,870 has enabled them to deliver a three week programme on Healthy Relationships with adults in prison, helping to build better communication skills to deal with stress, trauma and mental health challenges.
• £1,250 has gone towards a short film, photography and craft project with young people and children living in Manchester Women’s Aid refuges, who have experienced domestic abuse.
• £750 will deliver a theatre performance and interactive workshop with young men detained in a youth offending institute.
• £500 has gone towards painting a mural within a secure children’s care home with young people. The mural displays positive messages about personal identity, healthy relationship and hopes for the future. It has been painted by the young people themselves with help from artists.

Rebecca Friel, Director of Odd Arts, said: "We see increasing numbers of people affected by unhealthy and abusive relationships, having a huge impact on them throughout their lives.

“This funding has enabled Odd Arts to deliver some very specialist theatre and arts programmes to a number of disadvantaged and vulnerable groups. The projects have been varied, but all with a focus on working with the people most in need.

“One project worked with adults experiencing mental health challenges that meant they were currently living in secure or supported housing. Using theatre, arts and specialist theory based techniques we have increased their communication skills, build confidence and self-worth, and equip them with the ability to build and maintain healthy and supportive relationships in the future.

“Overall we have delivered 7 projects across Greater Manchester, working intensively with around 65 vulnerable individuals".
Area Manager, Phil Wilkinson, said: “My team chose Odd Arts because of the amazing work they do for the disadvantaged and vulnerable people in the local community.

“They’ve shown that through creative and art based programmes we can help people in need develop their confidence and skills set, which will create a happier, healthier and brighter for them.”