MAGIC ME annual report 2012/13 2

About Magic Me brings the generations together to build a stronger, friendlier community. Our projects often link unlikely partners. Young Magic people aged 8+ and adults aged 60+ team up through shared, creative activity. Intergenerational groups meet on a weekly basis in schools, museums, older people’s clubs, care homes, community and cultural organisations. Projects are led by our team of freelance creative artists: musicians, visual artists, photographers, printmakers, writers and drama specialists. They design activities to stimulate conversation and an Me exchange of ideas. As well as coming from a “You come in as strangers, you leave as friends” wide age gap participants are often diverse in culture and faith. Older Participant Our annual programme combines tried and tested models with trialling new ideas and projects. A lot of our work takes place in Tower Hamlets, East London, but a growing desire for intergenerational work has pushed our boundaries further afield, with national and international consultancy and training work. 3 Chair’s report THIS YEAR we workED with Welcome to this year’s annual report. I hope you will enjoy reading about the projects and people who made 2012 another incredible year for Magic Me. 13 With the Olympics on our doorstep, we schools were proud to create a collaborative artwork, 231 12 depicting High Street 2012, the Mile End Road, older people care workers 65+ which was displayed on the 205 buses running & activities from the City towards the Olympic Park. 10 organisers museums/arts To celebrate the Year of Active Ageing and organisations Solidarity Between the Generations, Magic Me 13 was invited to exhibit at EU House. A private 6 Student view brought together funders, participants and care homes Placements supporters. 4 267 people Universities Cocktails in Care Homes continues to grow in 18-64 popularity and recognition winning an award. 13 5 teachers I would like to extend special thanks to the centres for (+ 3 Assistants) volunteers who not only participate in Cocktails, older people but have also supported other projects, helped 8 out in the office and raised funds. Trustees Looking ahead to next year, we are grateful to Cllr Lesley Pavitt, Speaker of Tower Hamlets, for 27 194 17 choosing Magic Me as one of her two charities young people Funders Buses on 5-17 to support for the next year. the ‘205’ route 7 Corporate Jacqui Christian, Chair of Trustees Partners 4 london 2012 2012 was a big year for Magic Me. Mapping the Change With the world’s eyes on East London The Olympic Park construction brought for the Olympic and Paralympic change and upheaval to neighbouring Games, we celebrated the rich cultural communities. Younger people from the heritage of the area and shared our Hackney Empire Youth Theatre joined work with thousands of people. older people to explore the impact of ongoing regeneration to their area. View from the Top Using their own experiences, oral We invited people to come and meet history transcripts and verbatim theatre London’s real East Enders and to get a techniques, the group created and flavour of life on High Street 2012, the presented a public performance at road that leads from the City to the Hackney Museum, the project hosts. Olympic Park. Over 120 Tower Hamlets school children and older people Queen’s Diamond Jubilee made a 10 metre artwork exhibited inside the double decker 205 buses, Clara Grant School pupils and older and a podcast of local stories. The people from Fern Street Settlement artwork was launched at the offices of have been working together with Magic our project partner Allen & Overy in Me every year since 2006. Between June 2012. arts projects, the School and Settlement maintain an ongoing relationship. In Download the podcast and view the summer 2012 participants marked the artwork on our website. Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, creating a series of mosaics. They learned about her life making links with their own lives and community change over 60 years. 5 “Magic Me is a wonderful thing. It touches so many people’s hearts and souls in East London.” Older participant london 2012 View from the Top 6 In 2002 The Women’s Library, Europe’s largest collection of material relating to the lives of women, opened in Aldgate. The exhibition ‘Beauty Queens: Smiles, Swimsuits and Sabotage’ sparked the idea for a creative project led by Magic Me. Women aged 14 to 80+ gathered to explore ideas of women and beauty and created photographs and poetry, presented on the opening night of the exhibition. The project became an annual event, with some older women returning each year. For each project young women from Mulberry School for Girls and local older women met weekly for workshops at the Library. Over 95% of Mulberry students are from Bangladeshi Muslim families and the older women come from a broad range of backgrounds. The groups focused on a different theme each year, always drawing inspiration from the Library’s rich collection and from their own experiences and stories. “The Magic Me project always Ten Years at has an enormous impact on the young people who take part.” The Women’s Library Head Teacher, Mulberry School for Girls 7 Sue Mayo, Magic Me Associate Artist, Wild Wild Women worked with diverse Magic Me artists Our chosen theme captured the each year, enabling groups to create energy, creativity and unique photographs, a soundtrack, sculpture story of the thousands of women and performances. whose stories fill the Library; those who broke rules and conventions, Where the Heart Is pursuing justice and equality. In 2012 the women shared stories of love: the love of place, of family and The Wild Wild Women group friends, of ideas. Where the Heart launched a twitter campaign, Is featured in LIFT 2012 (London collecting a flock of tweets about International Festival of Theatre) women from around the world. They and on Woman’s Hour, BBC Radio 4. created a performance featuring Download the podcast of stories at these women, their own stories, and www.magicme.co.uk. those of family and friends, presented at a sold out show on 1st May at the The Women’s Library@LSE Kobi Nazrul Centre. Throughout 2012 we joined Wild Wild Women Research Report campaigns to keep The Women’s Library collection in its Aldgate As part of our two year research home, when London Metropolitan programme, New Perspectives, Dr University no longer wished to Caoimhe McAvinchey (Queen Mary, manage it. Fired up by women’s University of London) has captured struggles, the group became activists, the learning and discoveries made featured in the The Sunday Times and over the ten years of projects, with Guardian letters page. However, in a focus on working with women- January 2013, the collection passed only intergenerational groups and to LSE, in Holborn. We knew our intergenerational arts practice in a 10th project would be the last in this heritage venue. Her research report amazing series. will be launched in November 2013. 8 Tower Hamlets is a culturally diverse “ If we can get this right in Tower International Reach area where the traditional East End Hamlets we will be on the way Lessons learned in Tower Hamlets meets the City of London and the to community cohesiveness.” inform the way that we work with our Canary Wharf business districts. Half Cllr Lesley Pavitt, partners across London and beyond. the population in the borough live Speaker of LB Tower Hamlets Through publications, training and below the poverty line. collaborative projects, Magic Me’s experience benefits communities Soaring property prices and not nationwide. As populations age enough public housing mean around the world, the desire for younger generations move away intergenerational activity is growing to find affordable homes, which and our expertise is in demand. often means family and community networks suffer. 47% of older people Requests for training, most recently live alone; the national average is from Germany, South Korea and 33%. The borough is one of the most Brazil, enable us to share our expertise deprived in England. High levels of and learn from other communities and unemployment, poverty, long term cultures. ill-health and disability mean life is a daily struggle for many people.

Our Approach Magic Me provides opportunities and places for strangers to meet and become good neighbours and friends. Working together in creative ways, participants learn from one another, making connections which strengthen their community, building resilience to cope with tough times. Projects are developed with participants, so we address real needs and aspirations. 9

“ThisH projectow is an we work opportunity for us older participants to see the future grow in front of our eyes.” Older Participant 10

work with schools 11 Weekend at Wilton’s They reimagined the East End using Magic Me and Duckie took over Wilton’s song, film, music, photography and Music Hall in May 2012 for a spectacular storytelling. In June they performed cabaret extravaganza for adults of all in Hall as part of the Summer ages! Three intergenerational Magic Me Music Festival, 2013. groups, 60 young and older people, took View our Songlines documentary on to the stage and performed alongside our website. professional Duckie artists to three full houses followed by an all decades disco, Holler hosted by star DJ Amy Lamé. A mixed choir for adults of all ages, The project deliberately used different Holler, met weekly for two years. They artforms - photography, singing, dancing performed at the Capital Age Festival, and puppetry - to build relationships Winter Spitalfields Music Festival and between participants. Magic Me worked with the Royal Opera House Associate Artist Sue Mayo tracked this to perform The Owl and the Pussycat project for her research into relationship on the Regent’s Canal as part of the building through the arts Detail and Cultural Olympiad in Summer 2012. Daring. Their repertoire ranged from gospel to folk and jazz. Holler paused in Autumn Songlines 2012 when many of the singers joined Have you ever wondered what a the Songlines project. journey through Tower Hamlets would sound like in song? Building on the success of Wilton’s, we collaborated with Spitalfields Music for another public production. From January - “It’s been a wonderful lesson June 2013, 60 young and older people about sticking something out, worked together taking inspiration from and seeing something come into the indigenous Australian practice of fruition.” recording the narrative and history of a Student, St Mary Magdalene’s work with schools place through music. Academy, Weekend at Wiltons 12 “I always wanted to go Grand Explorers Staying Connected to the Emirates! And we Grandparents and their grandchildren Older participants asked us for ways were in the fourth row! I came together at the V&A Museum of to keep in touch in between Magic would never have had the Childhood over four years (October Me projects, so we set up a monthly opportunity to do this. My 2009 – July 2013) to work with Magic programme providing regular contact grandson is very jealous!” Me artists. Families have made and outings. Magic Me older participant puppets, designed memory trees, built mini museums and explored Art Go & See and Film Club from the Kitchen Cupboard. Inspired Trips range from watching an Arsenal by the collections at the Museum, match, to visiting the Olympic Stadium, groups also drew on their personal Gallery and Kew Gardens. experiences, family stories and objects Our programme is varied, often for the final artworks. The programme organised by participants. In April 2013 was funded by the Big Lottery Fund. the group documented their visit to Stepney City Farm and later hosted an Digital Intimacy exhibition of their photos. Do online social platforms make us feel more connected or enhance We also meet every month at Rich Mix to feelings of loneliness? How do watch a film, have a coffee and chat. To get different generations interact online? involved contact Clea on 020 3222 6064. Always keen to try new ways of Meet & Greet working, from April-May 2013 we delivered our first all-male project Imagine getting only one card on partnering with Gendered Intelligence your birthday? Or not having one at and Opening Doors London. An all? We designed a special range of intergenerational group of adult men greetings cards to keep in touch with who identify as gay worked together our participants and to celebrate special to express their views and personal occasions. Care home residents enjoy experiences of online dating platforms getting a birthday card; it is especially through movement, dance and important for those with no families. photography. They showcased their Volunteers also love receiving cards. work at a performance at the Central With interactions increasingly online, a School for Speech and Drama in May, personal, old fashioned approach goes a to much acclaim. long way. 13

“ What I found fascinating was the harmony that we had as a group which was great and I will certainly miss coming here on a Saturday and having that friendship and togetherness...” Digital Intimacy Older Participant

staying connected 14

Cocktails in Care homes 15 Residents in care homes told us “I really loved the party! The Private members club, Shoreditch they missed evening activities so we care home was really buzzing. House designed a retro cocktails started throwing cocktail parties with It didn’t feel like we were in the menu and trained 20 volunteers in them. Working with volunteers and home. It felt like we had taken Mixology in Summer 2012. six care homes in East London, we them to a social at a bar or host monthly parties for older people, club “ The Circle Works their families and staff. The project Care Home Manager, Growing out of the Cocktails project, started as a small pilot in September Silk Court Care Home adult volunteers and residents of 2011 with just three care homes and 15 Westport Care Centre devised an volunteers. This year we ran 41 parties Our Partners interactive singing and dancing for 152 residents with 134 volunteers. A Cocktails in Care Homes is enriched by performance about memory. This grant from the Henry Smith Charity is contributions from our volunteers and project was in memory of former enabling us to spread the idea further corporate partners, including Clifford local teacher Geoff Sanders, who to reach more people. Chance LLP and the Bank of England. knew the value of music and singing In January 2013 we started working in everyday life. Parties offer an occasion residents with John Lewis Stratford. Their look forward to, a reason to get Visual Merchandise team work with Clifford Chance Tea Parties dressed up and an opportunity to residents and volunteers to come up As well as bringing people into care make new friends. Care homes are with monthly themes and use in-store homes, we also actively promote often described as islands and, by props and materials to design and taking residents out. Clifford Chance contrast, East London is a bustling and build decorations. Past parties include LLP host quarterly champagne tea vibrant area. With Cocktails we aim to Old School Hollywood Glamour, parties with musical performances for bring the outside world into the care Bringing the Garden Inside and Costa the residents of all our partner care home environment and vice versa. We del Cocktail Beach Party. homes. Staff from Clifford Chance do this by making parties markedly join the residents at the parties. Past different from each other through MA Applied Theatre students from events include a Cockney Sing Song the use of themes and live music. We Goldsmiths, University of London did with the Pearly Queen of Bow and a actively challenge stereotypes of the a placement at Silk Court Care Home piano recital with Esther Cavett. entertainment residents will want, over four months delivering pre-party providing a platform for current artists sessions with the residents, creating to showcase their work. From folk themed parties and running pampering musicians to gypsy jazz to reggae, sessions, where they helped the parties cater to a wide range of tastes. residents put on costumes. 16 New Perspectives Wild Wild Women Reflecting on, and learning from A report on our ten years of women research the work we do is an important only arts projects at The Women’s aspect of our methodology. New Library. Working with Lead Artist Sue Perspectives, our two year research Mayo, Dr Caoimhe McAvinchey (Queen programme funded by the National Mary, University of London) captured Lottery, via Arts Council England, the learning and discoveries made aims to unpick some important during this decade of work. The report questions around intergenerational will be available in November 2013. arts practice. Challenging Ageism Detail and Daring From September 2013 we join forces Using Weekend at Wilton’s as a with Sundial Centre older people, case study, this report looks at and Oaklands School 6th formers to how different artforms can support challenge ageism. It’s a three stage groups to build relationships project: in diverse ways. Sue Mayo Lights – shining a light on the problem, (Goldsmiths, University of London researching ageism and its damaging and Magic Me Associate Artist) impact on people of all ages. followed the development of three intergenerational groups. She Camera – working with experts from shared her findings at a seminar the BFI (British Film Institute) to create a in Autumn 2012 at Clifford Chance short animated film campaign. LLP. Download the report from our website: www.magicme.co.uk. Action – premiering our film at the BFI, then screenings with discussions for diverse audiences and a social media campaign to get people pledging to think twice before thinking ageism. Look out for the film in May 2014. 17 Artists Volunteers Magic Me artists are skilled Volunteers have a crucial role at People professionals with a broad range of Magic Me. Without them we could experience and knowledge from the not reach as many people as we performing, visual, literary and media do or produce large scale events. arts. All our artists are experienced Our volunteers range from project who in using their artforms in community assistants, admin support, Cocktails group settings and many also have in Care Homes party hosts, specialists training and skills in education, social (e.g. photographers and media make it work, conflict resolution and working specialists), and corporate volunteers. with people who have dementia. This year volunteers have:

Partners Supported Magic Me participants Happen during 151 project sessions All Magic Me projects are done in partnership. Whether with a Hosted 41 Cocktail parties for 5 care care home, school, day centre or homes museum, our projects are by nature Raised over £2,000 through a collaborative and involve a range of Charity Bike Ride different professionals: from carers, We estimate that volunteers gave to teachers, to arts education officers 2,793 hours of support, valued at over to family members. £33,478. Clear communication and good To become a Magic Me volunteer relationships are essential to the contact Clea on 020 3222 6064. healthy development of a project. Our heartfelt thanks to all our partners this year! “Volunteering with Magic Me makes me feel part of my local community. To me this project is like a family.” Volunteer 18 Where the Heart is 2012 with LIFT Catherine of Siena Church; Allen & Overy LLP Janet Brooke, Printmaker The Women’s Library, Mulberry School for Girls Surya Turner, Writer/Creative Facilitator & local older women Dan Scott, Sound Artist Sue Mayo, Writer and Theatre Practitioner People Rosie Hervey, Student placement, London Lesley Pinder, Film Maker Metropolitan University Jules Wilkinson, Sound Artist Tom Barnecut, Production Manager Holly O’Neill, Volunteer Project Assistant Songlines with Spitalfields Music we work John Scurr Primary School and Pat Shaw House; Wild Wild Women Shapla Primary School and Sonali Day Centre; Osmani School and The Sundial Centre Sue Mayo, Writer and Theatre Practitioner Julian West, Musician Polly Beestone, Puppeteer and Visual Artist with Ellie Rees, Film Maker Zoe Palmer, Singer Liane Harris, Photographer Kate Treadell, Volunteer Project Assistant Verity Standen, Musician Surya Turner, Writer/Creative Facilitator Grand Explorers Roshi Nasehi, Musician St John’s Primary School, Globe Primary School and St Elizabeth’s Primary School pupils & grandparents at The V&A Museum of Cocktails in Care Homes Volunteers and residents from Pat Shaw House, Childhood Silk Court Care Home, Hawthorn Green, Westport Miles Openshaw, Writer Care Centre and Mildmay Care Home. Polly Beestone, Puppeteer and Visual Artist Dyra Trikka, Ellie Watmough & Jo Pearce, Madhumita Bose, Visual Artist Volunteer Party Organisers David Pollendine, Drama Practitioner Thanks to our performers James Riley, The Laura Purling & Niamh Linnane, Volunteer London String Quartet and Valerie Noble Project Assistants Thanks to our Corporate Partners Bank of England, Clifford Chance LLP and John Lewis Diamond Jubilee Mosaic Stratford. Clara Grant Primary School & Fern Street Settlement Kathyrn Gilfoy, Drama Practitioner Go & See and Film Club Amanda Westbury, Mosaic Artist at Rich Mix Lucy Ellery, Volunteer Project Assistant Magic Me participants and volunteers Ida Casilli, Volunteer Film Club Manager View from the Top Various locations. Thanks to Stepney City Farm. Canon Barnett School and ; Osmani School and Stepney Jewish Care; Weekend at Wilton’s with Duckie St Agnes RC School and Our Lady and St Oakland’s School, St Mary Magdalene’s Academy, Bethnal Green Academy and older people from Sundial Centre & Drover’s Day Centre 19 Liane Harris, Photographer Associates Professional Partners Douglas Nicolson, Photographer Sue Mayo, Associate Artist Chiara Ceolin, Photography Polly Beestone, Puppeteer Anna Scrine, Development Consultant Chloe White, Film Maker Julian West, Musician Dr Caoimhe McAvinchey, Researcher, Helen Jermyn, Photography Verity Standen, Musician Queen Mary, University of London John Wallett, IDZ Design Shamita Ray, Dance Practitioner Lucidica Ida Casilli, Neri Kamcili, Paula Glassman, Williams Murray Hamm Volunteer Project Assistants Freelance Artists Ali Campbell The Young Foundation and all our good neighbours in 17 & 18 Victoria Park Square Digital Intimacy Amanda Westbury Gendered Intelligence, Age UK Camden, Anita Mckenzie Opening Doors, Central School for Speech and Bhavesh Hindocha Students on Placements Alkistis Dimaki Drama David Pollendine Brioni Gallagher Kieran Sheehan, Movement Artist Douglas Nicolson Anniken Jensen and colleagues Douglas Nicolson, Photographer Ellie Rees Laura Purling Jake Kelly, Gendered Intelligence Facilitator Emma Higham Ellie Watmough Eduardo De Oliveira, Volunteer Project Gloria Ojulari Sule Assistant Julian West Kate Lovell Office Volunteers Kathryn Gilfoy Muna Abdi Directors & Trustees Kieran Sheehan Jacqui Christian, Chair Larry Achiampong Cynthia Edwards Wilson, Secretary Lehni Lamide Davies Cocktails in Care Homes Paul Shaw, Treasurer (until Oct 2011) Lesley Pinder Volunteers Sanjay Vyas, Treasurer (from Oct 2011) Liane Harris Thanks to all 135 of you! Fahad Abdi, Trustee Madhumita Bose Sue Clive, Trustee Miles Openshaw Annual Report Photography Akthar Hussain, Trustee Polly Beestone Barbara Beasley Helen Kenney, Trustee Sara Clifford Chiara Ceolin Sue Mayo Liane Harris Core Staff Surya Turner Rosie Hervey Susan Langford, Director Verity Standen Clea House Charlotte Woodward, Programme Director Zoe Palmer Helen Jermyn (maternity leave from Sept 2012) Frances Kearney Sarah Wickens, Programme Manager Professional Volunteers Anita McKenzie (Maternity Cover Sept 2012-Oct 2013) Alison Harvie, Communications Douglas Nicolson Clea House, Community & Communications Inga Thordar, Website Sub-editor Eduardo de Oliveira Manager Stephen Davies, Accountancy Steve Ryan David McCleery, Administrator Ben Du Preez, Project Assistant (Jan – June 2012) Lisa Chima, Project Assistant (May – June 2012) 20 Incoming Resources Unrestricted Designated Restricted Total Total funds funds funds 2013 2012 financial 30,864 — 8,040 38,904 99,377 Donations and Legacies Activities for generating 492 — — 492 408 summary funds Investment Income 1,595 — — 1,595 840 For the year ending March 2013 32,951 — 8,040 40,991 100,625 This summary is taken from Magic Me’s full independently examined accounts, a Incoming resources from 118,008 — 104,174 222,182 194,993 copy of which is available upon request. charitable activities Other incoming resources 4,811 — — 4,811 2,395 The Auditor’s report contained no 155,770 — 112,214 267,984 298,013 qualifications. Total incoming resources

Resources expended Unrestricted Designated Restricted Total Total funds funds funds 2013 2012

Costs of generating funds — — — — — Costs of generating 3,000 — — 3,000 3,000 donations and legacies Intergenerational 125,955 12,500 98,328 236,783 207,744 Charitable Activities

T&D Activities 10,681 — 8,475 19,156 1,428

Total Charitable Expenditure 136,636 12,500 106,803 255,939 209,172

Governance costs 944 — — 944 910

Total resources expended 140,580 12,500 106,803 259,883 213,082 Net income/expenditure 15,190 (12,500) 5,411 8,101 84,931 for the year

Fund balances at 1 April 12 8,329 31,734 92,268 132,331 47,400

Fund balances at 31 March 13 11,019 31,734 97,679 140,432 132,331 21 INCOME & EXPENDITURE People involved 267 43 AGE 18-64 AGE 65-74 194 38% 6% 188 AGE 5-17 AGE 75+ 28% 28% 482 210 FEMALE MALE 70% 30% 422 128 white 61 81 asian 61% Black other 18% 9% 12%

In 2012/13 we ran 151 workshops in LB Tower Hamlets and Islington. 692 people were involved with 54 people involved in two or more projects. We had 3,000+ downloads of our 2012 artworks; 1,738 downloads of our Detail and Daring report; and 4,376 of the Our Generations Report. 22

HOW YOU CAN HELP

HAIL A CAB You can help us reach more people each Help a frail older person join in for £10 year. Individual donations are vital!

Visit www.magicme.co.uk to donate BUY A TREAT online. Treat a young person to a two hour Or give the old fashioned way and send workshop with an older friend for £20 a cheque to “Magic Me”, 18 Victoria Park Square, London, E2 9PF. FUND A DAY OUT Take 10 older people for a day out for £50 THROW A PARTY! Host a cocktail party in a care home for £100 23

Mrs Annie Brand Mrs Joan Bennett Mr Bill Witham Mrs Joyce Burfield we remember Ms Bridget Sullivan Mrs Lena Parson Mrs Caroline Benfield Mrs Margaret Plasckett All Magic Me participants Mr David Smith Mr Maurice Leipsagar who passed away in 2012/2013 Ms Elizabeth Louis Ms Medora Christian Mrs Ellen Hurley Mr Micky Mee Mr Gordon Donaldson Mrs Millie Czechowicz Mrs Greta Ivers Read Ms Rose Hayday Mrs Gwendolina Howell Mr Roy Ngoga Mr Harry Lipman Mr Samuel Andrews Mr James Drake Mrs Stella Wells Mr James Hanlow Ms Winnie Clark Thankyou Funders & Donors AB Charitable Trust Aldgate & Allhallows Foundation The Baring Foundation The City Bridge Trust East London Business Alliance Esmée Fairbairn Foundation The ExPat Foundation The Haberdashers’ Company The Henry Smith Charity High Street 2012 LB Hackney LB Tower Hamlets Lucas Tooth Boys Training Fund May and Stanley Smith Charitable Trust National Lottery, via Arts Council England Taurus Foundation The Touchstone Trust for Education Corporate Support Allen & Overy LLP Bank of England Magic Me Clifford Chance Foundation 18 Victoria Investec Park Square John Lewis Partnership London E2 9PF Kajaine Ltd Tel: 020 3222 6064 Shoreditch House [email protected] Williams Murray Hamm www.magicme.co.uk Registered Charity Partners who funded or part funded No. 328331 European Commission Representation in the UK Family and friends of Geoff Sanders Mulberry School for Girls V&A Museum of Childhood, Big Lottery Fund

And many individuals donors & regular supporters

Annual Report printed by Allen & Overy LLP