Cumbria university students secure cash for Carlisle community arts scheme

By Kelly Eve

Last updated at 15:43, Friday, 27 January 2012

Students at a Carlisle university campus are launching a new Olympic-themed community art project that they hope will help them forge closer links with residents.

Robbie George

University of Cumbria students have secured funding from a national scheme to run a series of art sessions for residents who live near its Brampton Road campus.

Residents will have access to the top facilities at the campus over the eight-week scheme as well as benefiting from the skills of art students.

The sessions will include drawing, painting, embroidery and photography.

Sports coaching student Robbie George, who is an officer for the University of Cumbria Students’ Union, helped secure the £1,000 funding from the National Union of Students’ Be A Champion scheme.

Supported by the NUS Olympics Fund, grants are awarded to projects that aim to foster the Olympic values of respect, friendship and excellence.

The judging panel saw such great promise that they increased the amount awarded to allow the project to be opened up to more students and locals. The Carlisle project begins on February 8.

Cockermouth-born Robbie, 28, said: “It’s amazing that the potential of this project has been recognised enough for the NUS to grant us this huge sum. We’re now looking for the people of Carlisle to also recognise the positive impact it can have and come down to the art sessions each week.”

Fellow Students’ Union officer Tom Underwood added: “We are delighted to be able to offer this project to the community and to our students.

“This project has great potential to bring students and the local residents of this part of north Carlisle together to work on something that they enjoy doing.”

The sessions are open to adults who live around the Brampton Road campus.

Organisers say that anyone currently out of education or work and looking to learn new skills is particularly welcome. For more details, call Tom Underwood on 01524 590817 or email tom.underwood@cumbria. ac.uk.

First published at 14:05, Friday, 27 January 2012
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk