NEWS:
Ding-Dong, Ding-Dong!
2020 has been *quite* the year.
For many it has involved great sadness and huge difficulties, and we hope you and yours have managed to stay safe and well.
Below are some of the home-based festive things we’ll be doing to take our minds off what is going on in the world outside, and to help distract us from missing our families and friends.
A Christmas Carol – The Old Vic, London
One of us at SK (looking at you, Michael) is a proper Christmas grump. If you fancy channelling your inner Ebenezer, the Old Vic has your back. They are live streaming performances of A Christmas Carol from the 12th to 24th December. You can book your tickets here.
Mr Wilson’s Second Liners – the Old Court, Wigan
A firm Manchester favourite, Mr Wilson’s Second Liners perform classic dance anthems with a New Orleans’ twist. They performed a live session for the Old Courts last Friday and you can catch up with it here or at the top of the page.
The Old Courts run an amazingly vibrant venue in Wigan which we have missed since March. While the arts centre has been closed, they have continued to serve the community they love with food and craft parcels, welfare phone check-ins and free online events. We’re looking forward to seeing these guys back in action when this is all over. (We can’t wait to see what they do with Wigan Pier.)
Carols from the Palaces – Historic Royal Palaces
If old school carols are more your thing, Historic Royal Palaces are broadcasting Nine Lessons and Carols from the palaces to celebrate the festive season. The service is live on 21st December and will be available to watch again until 4th January. Go here for details.
Hacienda NYE 24 House Party – United We Stream, GM
United We Stream has been a godsend in many ways since March. They have beamed live gigs to peoples’ homes to help people to stay entertained (and safe), all while raising money for the blighted creative arts sector. To help you say a proper hardcore ‘do one’ to 2020 they are live beaming a NYE party.
Just hit this link and donate whatever amount you can afford. You can dance 2020 out without putting your turkey sandwich down!
Big Change MCR – Street Support
Instead of sending cards and gifts, this year we have donated to Big Change MCR. Big Change pays for practical items that individuals need to build lives away from the streets. Go here for more information.
Help & Support
If you need support or someone to talk to during this period, here are some useful contacts:
Samaritans 116 123
CALM 0800 58 58 58
Mind 0300 123 3393
YoungMinds 0800 018 2138
No Panic 0844 967 4848
Get Connected 0808 808 4994
We wish you and your family all the best in these unusual times and are looking forward to catching up with you in person when it is safe to do so.
Take care.
Images courtesy of: