#media2012 citizen journalism accreditation

#media2012 was launched at Abandon Normal Devices festival in 2010 and is a nationwide network for citizen journalists, designed to assemble social media and community media activity around the 2012 Games. #media2012 formalises an international community of Olympic Games citizen journalists who have worked towards ensuring there is an alternative media channel to the Games that people can access and which articulates a very different story about the Games than is communicated via official media channels.  

The network has hubs across the UK, and in the North West they are the Abandon Normal Devices Festival and Lets Go Global in Manchester.

Fore more information on the newswire and accreditation as a #media2012 journalist, go to http://www.media2012.org.uk/2012/02/the-media2012-charter/

Apprenticeship Grant for Employers (AGE 16 to 24)

The newly-launched ‘AGE 16 to 24′ programme is aimed at helping eligible employers to offer young people employment through the Apprenticeship programme, by providing wage grants to assist them in recruiting their first apprentice.

The National Apprenticeship Service will provide up to 40,000 apprenticeship grants with a value of £1,500. The £1,500 is in addition to the training costs of the Apprenticeship Framework which are met in full for young people aged 16 to 18 and 50% for those aged 19 to 24.

Priority will be given to small and medium-sized employers with less than 50 employees in England and the funding provider expects to support at least 20,000 of these to recruit an apprentice for the first time.

Applications for assistance can be made at any time. http://www.apprenticeships.org.uk/

Creative Textiles course

Bolton Central Library, Le Mans Crescent, BL1 1SE

8 week course starting Saturday 5th may 2012, 10.30am-1pm

Fee: £31.00 or free to those on means tested benefits

A practical textiles course designed to encourage learners to develop their own inspirational flair. An opportunity to learn a variety of inspiring textiles techniques including hand embroidery, embellishment and applique, which can be applied as decoration on garments, accessories and home furnishings.

To book your place contact Susan Danaei at the WEA on 07810 415765

Neo Artists Bolton presents Printmaking Taster Workshops

Saturday 7th April 10am – 4pm

‘Photo Screenprint’ Denis Whiteside

This workshop session is an introduction to the process of creative screenprinting using photo stencils. During the session students will participate in a six-hour workshop covering each step of the photo screen process, including photo emulsion coating and U/V exposure to positives.

Under expert tuition you will gain hands on experience, learning how to make stencils, register paper and create layered prints to take home.

Saturday 21^st April 10am – 4pm

‘Monoprint’ Ian Irvine

Monoprints are the simplest and most direct form of printmaking, being only one step removed from drawing and painting. There are various methods and approaches using rollers, brushes, pencils, turps, rags and any combination. On this one-day taster you will see various methods demonstrated and, because it is a quick process, produce some prints of your own on the day. Inks, rollers and plastic or metal plates will be provided on the day, but you can bring any painting or drawing materials yourself.

Saturday 19^th May 10am – 4pm

‘Introduction to gum Arabic transfer’ Anita Henderson

A brief introduction and demonstration will take you through the process of transforming photocopied images into atmospheric prints. This will be followed by the opportunity to experiment with this rewarding technique.

Saturday 23^rd & 30^th June 10am – 1pm

‘Collagraph and Mixed Media Printmaking’ Lisa Moore

Two part course – Collagraph is an experimental form of printmaking, which involves adding layers of texture to a surface and cutting away areas of a surface, which makes it possible to combine both relief and intaglio printmaking methods in one print.

It is a very expressive and exciting form of printmaking and can produce some amazing images.

Saturday 14^th & Sunday 15^th July 10am – 1pm

‘Relief Printmaking including Caustic Soda etching on Lino’ Lisa Moore

Two part course – Relief printmaking is one of the most accessible forms of printing that can be done at home without the need of expensive equipment or a press. During this taster workshop you will learn the basics of relief printmaking using lino. You will also be shown the more advanced skill of caustic soda etching.

Creating Changes free training course – Participative Facilitation Methods for Working with Community Groups

Location: Burnley

Creating Changes is a project offering free community development training to a wide range of local support and development organisations, so that they can improve their practice in supporting small groups and networks.

The courses are mainly aimed at community activists and paid and unpaid workers who, within their ongoing roles, support the learning, development and actions of small groups and networks and who are interested in developing their skills, knowledge and understanding of how to use participative approaches in facilitating informal community development learning as part of such work. Workers do not need to be generic Community Development Workers.

To book, go to http://www.fcdl.org/events/324-course-a-21-22-june-2012-more-information