Up for Arts project
Up for Arts is an exciting project which aims to get people involved in the arts and crafts and increase community engagement across Merseyside. It harnesses the power of speech-based radio to raise the profile of volunteering and inspire people to get creative in their area.
Up for Arts is based within BBC Radio Merseyside, where it benefits from free radio airtime. The project produces a wide range of broadcasting including radio features, trailers and promotions as well as stories about arts participation and volunteering to inspire and motivate listeners. All materials are produced by Up for Arts Broadcast and Helpline Manager, Helen Jones.
Features direct listeners to the radio station helpline which is run by a 15-strong volunteer team, affectionately known as the A-Team! They refer listeners to amateur arts groups all over Liverpool where hundreds of volunteering opportunities exist. They are also able to give advice and information about arts participation.
Up For Arts also runs arts taster events and workshops to engage with BBC Radio Merseyside listeners, hard to reach communities and priority groups.
These enjoyable occasions help people to see the health, social and community benefits of arts participation and volunteering. Participants regularly come away with new skills, greater social confidence and new friends!
The project is funded by a Liverpool PCT through their decade of Health and Wellbeing Decade of Health and Wellbeing and is based on the Five Ways to Wellbeing established by New Economics Foundation.
Voluntary Arts England intends to use this model in other areas in partnership with BBC local radio.
You can hear Mick Ord, Managing Editor of BBC Radio Merseyside, talk about the work of the A-Team and the role of the radio station in an interview that was broadcast on 15th January 2012.
Interview with Mick Ord from BBC Radio Merseyside