As you may know, soulambition is linking up with Northern Ireland charity Beyond Skin to bolster the effects of its arts programmes, by building in confidence/assertiveness skills for participants. Beyond Skin is now launching a new internet radio station, Homely Planet and is inviting unsigned artists playing world/roots music to contribute.

"Homely Planet Radio aims to highlight the positive aspects of multiculturalism on society through music and cultural education and how people living in Northern Ireland representing different cultures/religions contribute in a more positive way to the economic and social status of the country when they unite together.

RADIO

+ Radio's uniqueness will be location majority recording/broadcasting in contrast to the traditional stationary studio.

+ The music focus will be on world & roots unsigned musicians within Northern Ireland.

+ Cultural education will be another dimension to Homely Planet. The education element will focus on equality & social issues, religion and other areas related to multiculturalism.

+ Shows will be broadcasted in the language in relation to the feature (eg: Polish musician feature broadcasted in Polish language).

+ Other organisations can use airtime to run their own broadcast if it is in keeping with Homely Planet objectives/theme.

+ Funding bodies can sponsor individual programs

+ The purchase of airtime for groups (themes must fit with Homely Planet criteria)

+ Groups/individuals can apply for funding to other sources with regards to running broadcasting/programming/projects within Homely Planet.


HISTORY

On the 28th of August 2006 in Newtownards, musicians from all around the world who have come to live in Northern Ireland joined together for a special one-day event. The event, headlined by International artists Aziz Ibrahim (Stone Roses), Dablir Singh and Narciso Saul not only gave people the opportunity to see these world class artists but also showcased musicians living in Northern Ireland representing places as diverse as Zimbabwe, Poland, Argentina, China and India.

Homely Planet was to highlight one of the positive effects the diversity of cultures has had on the Northern Ireland music scene. The majority of artists would be those living in Northern Ireland but representing different countries.

The event was a celebration of music and culture highlighting the unity in the diversity with people coming together to hear a wide range of sounds from throughout the world.

Two of the main organisations assisting the running of the 2006 event were Ossia Music School and Beyond Skin. Both organisations are active within the arts in Northern Ireland, Ossia focusing on Education and Beyond Skin addressing racism through music.

Both Ossia and Beyond Skin have relationships with many communities and individuals in Northern Ireland representing different cultures and have a clear understanding of needs that can be reached through the arts. Homely Planet was triggered by a project called 'Motion' (www.themotionproject.net) which featured musicians from many countries working together to record a CD in Northern Ireland, which developed into a touring program.

Within 'Motion' the participating musicians were performing artists in their own right with many involved in bands.

Homely Planet aimed to highlight the talent of these musicians as individuals and part of a collective. The inclusion of well know world music performers was an additional bonus to the event, allowing local Northern Ireland artists to share a stage with accomplished performers.

The suggestion of radio has been around since the launch of the Motion Project CD in 2006, from musicians involved. The idea of a radio program broadcasting in relevant languages to the shows being aired has become a shared vision."

LINKS

http://www.homelyplanet.co.uk/
http://www.beyondskin.net
http://www.beyondskin.net/themotionp...
http://www.ossiamu

Eating Disorder Awareness Week is this week; Monday 25th Feb to Sunday 2nd March. I asked Charlotte Allinson at eating disorder charity beat to tell her more about the issues involved and beat's work in tackling them.

TD: Who is beat?

CA: beat is the UK's national charity helping people affected by eating disorders. This can be sufferers, carers, friends, relative and professionals.

beat's aims are to change the way everyone thinks and talks about eating disorders, to improve the way services and treatment are provided, and to help anyone believe that their eating disorder can be beaten. We do this by challenging the stereotypes and stigma that people with eating disorders face, campaigning for better services and treatment and providing information, support and encouragement to seek treatment and recovery.

TD: What is the goal of Eating Disorders Awareness Week (EDAW)?

CA: The goal of EDAW is to raise awareness of eating disorders and the issues of those affected by eating disorders. Every EDAW we produce a report and launch this at the House of Commons. The subject this year is 'Failing Families', we have reported on how families are being failed in a number of ways, such as not receiving the treatment and care that their loved ones need and not getting the support needed to care for someone suffering from an eating disorder. We have also released 5 video clips produced by young people to educate different audiences about eating disorders.

TD: How widespread are eating disorders in the UK?

CA: There are an estimated 1.1 million people in the UK affected by eating disorders.

TD: And how serious is the issue of eating disorders?

CA: Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of all mental illnesses.

TD: So how do you tell the difference between an eating disorder and a short-term change in eating habits?

CA: The difference is that eating disorders are not just about food or eating habits, they are very much about a person's emotions and feelings. Eating disorders develop as a way of trying to control parts of a person's life that they feel are out of control and as the eating disorder develops it takes control of the sufferer.

TD: Do eating disorders affect males as much as females?

CA: 10% of people with eating disorders are male.

TD: Are there any common causes of/triggers for eating disorders?

CA: Common cause are low self esteem, negative body image, a traumatic event, family struggle, bullying, a need to be perfect.

TD: Where can people with eating disorders get help?

CA: It is important that someone suffering from an eating disorder does get help; at first this can be by talking to someone they trust. They can also contact beat in a number of ways; we have helplines and e-mail services. Our website has a large amount of information and support. It is also very important to seek help from a G.P. as they can assess a person's general health and refer them on to more specific help.

TD: How can friends and relatives help someone with an eating disorder?

Family and friends often feel helpless because eating disorders can cause the sufferer to change their personality, they may not want to spend time with friends or family, they may have mood swings and lose their temper, they may also reject any help or support that is offered to them. It is important that friends and family are as patient as they can be and let the person know that they are there to support and help them when they are ready. Friends and family can also go onto our website to find out more about eating disorders and can contact our helplines and e-mail services for support.


You can add beat as a Bebo friend at:

http://www.bebo.com/Profile.jsp?Memb...

and watch the videos here:

http://www.bebo.com/FlashBoxHistory....

If you're suffering from an eating disorder, there is a lot of help and support available to you to help you beat it; you do

Connect2 A Slice of £50m Lottery Cake For BALLYMONEY RAILWAY BRIDGE & ACCESS LINKS

Your Vote Could Make The Difference: Online Voting Opens MONDAY 26th NOVEMBER

Log on to www.thepeoples50million.org.uk and vote for Sustrans'Connect2 on Monday 26th November. Don't forget to register before you can vote.

http://survey.sustrans.org.uk/ballymoney

The first opportunity to help bring a slice of a £50 million Big Lottery Fund grant to Ballymoney starts on Monday - so everyone is encouraged to get online to support Sustrans' Connect2, and transform
walking and cycling in our local area. By going to www.thepeoples50million.org.uk and voting for Sustrans' Connect2 everyone can help bring new local travel routes to the doorstep, making it easier for millions of people: both locally, and across the UK to walk and cycle for everyday journeys. Internet voting starts Monday 26 November, at 9.00 am and closes at 12 noon on Monday 10 December.

RESULT!!!

Sustrans Connect2 Wins The Peoples £50 Million!

£50 million won and we couldn't have done it without you!

This is fantastic news, and thanks to everyone who voted for Sustrans' Connect2 in the People's £50 Million Lottery Giveaway, and for your help in winning £50 million of funding from the Big Lottery Fund for Sustrans to invest in walking and cycling UK-wide. This really is an amazing achievement for our charity and the many local authority and other partners with whom we will work on Connect2. We simply couldn't have done it without you and your votes.

We start work on delivering Connect2 in January 2008. Our local authority partners are poised ready to go, and will be adding matched funding from their own transport and other budgets to the £50 million from the Big Lottery Fund. This is a five year project, and in total we have already identified local authority funding to support Connect2, and we are working hard to bring even more funding to the project so that we can ensure as many people as possible benefit from Connect2.

We will continue to update our Supporters on progress during 2008, please join us as a Supporter if you aren't already, our Supporters are the foundation of the organisation and without them Sustrans would simply grind to a halt. If you would like to sign up for our e-newsletter please go to www.sustrans.org.uk and click on email newsletter. In the meantime can I take this opportunity to wish you a very Happy Christmas and New Year and to thank you again for supporting Sustrans' Connect2.




John Grimshaw MBE
Founder and Chief Executive Sustrans