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May 2020 May 2020

deemed essential and the requirements for social distancing would be difficult to KEEP CULTURALLY CONNECTED WITH
enforce and would take away from our already stretched staff; but we hope to ARTSREACH
restart this as soon as possible. There has been much speculation about potential
for increased fly tipping. As a matter of interest, the latest statistics for April show
that fly tipping is down based on the same period last year, but we will continue Artsreach are still working to try and bring us comedy, music, drama - even if it's
to monitor this. online!

Dorset’s touring arts charity Artsreach celebrates its 30 birthday in 2020 but,
th
Good News rather than bringing audiences, artist and volunteers together, the Artsreach staff
team and Board of Trustees have had to make some difficult decisions in the
The virus has led to almost current situation, cancelling live performances set to take place in community
unrelentingly bad news, so I am venues such as village halls.
going to end with a small but good
news story. Dorset Council has been The team continue to monitor the situation relating to the Coronavirus pandemic,
supporting people calling in to the listening to Government and Public Health advice and planning accordingly. The
helpline, but they’ve also been impact of this pandemic on our Country is still unfolding but in the meantime, the
proactively working with people in, Artsreach team continue to work remotely and are exploring how best to support
some might say, unusual ways. They our artists and communities at this time and in the future.
supported a lady who has been Artsreach is very grateful for the excellent support being given by our principal
shielding with her husband, and funders, Arts Council England and Dorset Council. We are working hard to explore
who were advised to sleep what our next programme might look like, and as always, we will do this in
separately to ensure their health communication and partnership with our fantastic team of volunteers across the
and safety.
county.
As a result, she had been sleeping
on a recliner chair in the lounge as
they didn’t have a spare bed. This Digital Diary
was really not helping her get a In the meantime, until
good nights’ sleep, nor her general health. The team was able to secure a grant we can come together
from Dorset Poverty Action Group and they bought a single bed. The highways to enjoy professional
team kindly collected it from the store and delivered it. The lady rang to say a big performances once
thank you as it was the first time, she'd slept the whole night in weeks and she’s more, we hope that we
already feeling better. And she's also linked to a volunteer to help with collecting can brighten your day
prescriptions. The bed was delivered just in time for her birthday. What a great gift
just a little by keeping
and another example of Dorset's approach to supporting people through this! y o u C u l t u r a l l y
Connected - many of

our touring friends are
Useful information available
working hard to keep in
There is a great deal of information on the Dorset Council website, this includes touch with us all by
contact information and ideas for things to do, including for children when releasing lots of lovely creative content online. In response, we have built
they’re at home. Here are some of the links: a ‘Digital Diary’ on the Artsreach website, which will be regularly updated. The
page will be constantly changing so keep checking back and keep sharing it -
Online resources for families https://mailchi.mp/dorsetcouncil/online-resources we’ve seen some wonderful performances so far.
Schools and families: https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/emergencies-severe- The Artsreach Team
weather/emergencies/coronavirus/schools-and-families.aspx

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