In December, the Community Foundation’s Philanthropy Fellowship hosted an event at the Unity Theatre with special guest and patron Cherie Blair.
The Community Foundation, which coordinates The Philanthropy Fellowship, and its patron, Cherie Blair, welcomed guests to the theatre to see three originally-produced performances by local youth theatre groups. Unity Youth Theatre opened with a compelling piece that looked at issues of immigration and welfare, followed by a serious performance by Collective Encounters which emphasised the severity of cuts to local services and the impact a lack of opportunity can have on future generations. Open the Door (Theatre in Education) closed the show with a humorous pantomime-style version of well-known classic Cinderella to show how bullying, loneliness and neglect can play a part in many young people’s lives and how they can overcome these challenges, resulting in a positive future. Cherie Blair was invited to share her thoughts on the evening and the work being done to alleviate some of the pressures on local young people.
Patron Cherie Blair said: “I am delighted to support this unique event tonight. Merseyside has always been a place close to my heart and the fortunes of its young people are of great interest and importance to me. I’m pleased that the Community Foundation has undertaken its rightful convening role tonight in order to educate and call people and organisations together to take action to improve local young people’s lives.”
Community Foundation Chief Executive Cathy Elliott added, “A thoroughly enjoyable and educational evening was had by everyone who attended, demonstrating the importance of togetherness and celebrating what can be achieved when community, business and philanthropy combine.”
The aim of this event was to highlight some of the challenges faced by local young people on a daily basis and to offer the audience an opportunity to make a difference in their communities through the work of the Community Foundation’s Philanthropy Fellowship.
The Philanthropy Fellowship is a forum of diverse people working collectively to improve local communities through a shared passion for philanthropy. By redefining what philanthropy means in a modern-day society, the Fellowship encourages people to contribute in whatever way is right for them thereby influencing truly effective giving.
Philanthropy Fellow Cara Newton of Hill Dickinson Solicitors said “The Fellowship is the start of a movement of people coming together to achieve positive change. There's a tough climate at the moment and a lot of communities are facing challenges – it feels like exactly the right time for the Fellowship to flourish by bringing like-minded people together for such an event.”
