£9,000 boost for art project

A collaboration between Oldham Coliseum and young people connected to the Barnardo’s Asha Project has been boosted by a £9,000 donation.

The money, from the Kerrching youth opportunity fund distributed by Oldham Youth Council, will go towards the “O-UR” Stage project.

Asha has linked up with the theatre’s education and outreach department to produce a piece of work to be performed for other youth groups.

The Asha project offers services for young people and their families in Westwood and Coldhurst.

It aims to promote well-being, achievement, enjoyment and health through family support, out-of-school activities, volunteer programmes, leisure and educational opportunities and nutritional work.

The young people taking part will also be working towards their bronze and silver arts awards — accredited qualifications achieved through using the arts in a productive way.

The process will also be recorded to make a DVD for schools in Oldham.

The Coliseum has been working with the Barnardo’s Asha Project for more than a year.

The Kerrching funding will go towards developing participants’ theatre skills and allow them to run creative projects with other young people around Oldham.

Kerrching is a funding body which provides money for schemes which give young people the opportunity to influence leisure activities.