STAFFORDSHIRE THEATRE INITIATIVE GETS £500k BOOST FROM BET365 BILLIONAIRE DENISE COATES

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]New Vic Borderlines the award-winning Staffordshire based initiative using theatre in social contexts has been given a golden nod of approval from Staffordshire Bet365 billionaire Denise Coates, in the form of a £500,000 cash boost to develop its work further.

The Denise Coates Foundation has pledged to give half a million pounds to the theatre initiative over the next five years to support its ground-breaking community outeach programme and ongoing work with disadvantaged and vulnerable young people in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire.

THEATRE MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Launched in 1999, New Vic Borderlines was set up by the New Vic Theatre in Newcastle under Lyme, and works with individuals, groups and communities facing social and economic challenges, including young people at risk of offending, children and young people in care, young carers and others at risk of being marginalised.

The aim of the programme is to use theatre to help individuals find new and positive ways to better understand themselves, their communities and their responsibilities, and is acknowledged as a national model for the ways theatre can be used to work within the community.

“Borderlines offers a unique freedom of expression for young people who would otherwise have little or no escape from the chaos and uncertainty of what life for them is. They are free from judgement in a safe unthreatening environment where ideas and creativity flourish with a lasting support.”

Staffordshire business woman Denise Coates, daughter of Stoke City FC chairman Peter Coates, made her fortune from the rapid growth and success of Stoke based online gambling company Bet365.

Coates is regarded as one of the most powerful women in the UK and  listed as 52nd on the Forbes Tech Billionaires list, with a fortune estimated at $3.6bn (£2,5bn).  She was honored with a CBE in 2012 for her services to community and business. She setup the £100million Bet365 Denise Coates Foundation in August 2012, and to date has donated tens of millions of pounds to dozens of UK charities and initiatives to help support projects both home and abroad.

Fiona Wallace, New Vic Executive Director, said: “We are extremely grateful to the Denise Coates Foundation for its generous support of New Vic Borderlines. This partnership will make a real and much needed difference to the lives of local children and young people from disadvantaged communities. Last year we worked with nearly 15,000 young people and this support will help us to continue our work, and enable us to offer further support to the children of struggling families through a number of planned projects.”

Denise Coates CBE, Denise Coates Foundation, said: “Theatre can be an enriching source of education, inspiration and pleasure. The Borderlines programme engages those that may not otherwise gain exposure to the activities and to an environment that will expand their life experiences and encourage them to push and challenge themselves creatively. The Programme has the potential to make such a positive difference to individuals’ lives which is at the core of what the Denise Coates Foundation exists to do. This is why the Foundation has made a substantial long-term commitment to provide financial support to the work undertaken by the New Vic.”

The new partnership will continue the solid relationship between the theatre and the foundation, which began in 2015 with support of the New Vic Theatre’s refurbishment and upgrade.

SEE BORDERLINES LATEST WORK

New Vic Borderlines is based in Staffordshire, and undertakes work of regional, national and international significance and is acknowledged as a national beacon for the ways theatre can be used to work within the community.  Their latest timely Docu-Drama ‘Message Not Delivered’ focusses on the dangers of distraction driving, and has been touring schools around Staffordshire.

You can see a filmed version of the powerful piece on 10th March 2017 11am at the New Vic Theatre.  To book a space contact Rachel Reddihough at New Vic Borderlines on 01782 381368 or email her rreddihough@newvictheatre.org.uk

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SUMMARY

New Vic Borderlines uses theatre to help people find new and positive ways to understand themselves, their communities and their responsibilities.  It challenges destructive and anti-social behaviour, builds self-awareness and self-worth and develops positive attitudes.

Borderlines partners with a variety of local and national organisations, and works with individuals, groups and communities facing challenges such as young people at risk of offending, and adults with learning difficulties.

Award winning work

New Vic Borderlines is the award-winning initiative using theatre in social contexts and has won a number of awards for its work, including:

• British Community Safety Award for achievements in helping to reduce crime
• Global Ethics Impetus Award (twice), Citizenship Foundation
• Sustainable Staffordshire Award for contributions to a sustainable Staffordshire
• Clarion Award, International Institute for Visual Communication
• UK Skills for Care National Award for Excellence and Innovation

You can read a great article about what goes on behind the scenes at Borderlines here[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner offset=”vc_col-lg-6 vc_col-md-12″][vc_column_text]

INFORMATION

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