DFGF Voices
The newsletter of Dyslexia FeelGood Funday (DFGF)
Issue #1 | 7 Oct 23
Expect & excuse the typos!
Our funders: Arts Council England
🥳 Hope You had a
Happy Dyslexia Awareness Week🥳
Monday 2 October - Sunday 8 October 2023
We were trying to get this newsletter out during these dates, but technical problems, alas, made this impossible
This year The British Dyslexia Association (BDA) chose Uniquely You as the theme to celebrate the special Week in the dyslexic calendar.
They wanted to celebrate the rich diversity of the dyslexic community. Interestingly enough their use of the fingerprint in the branding for the Week represents the uniqueness of each individual as, similar to fingerprints, no too dyslexic people are the same and as the BDA remind us just like a fingerprint we are, ...'Special ... Distinctive ... Exceptional' with fingerprints being additionally 'complex, detailed and beautiful' Just like each and everyone of us dyslexic individuals!
Read more about Dyslexia Awareness Week and discover more about the great work of the BDA, here.
... Happy Black History Month
1 - 31 October and beyond. Go to IBHM for more details.
October marks the annual celebration of Black History Month (BHM)
Because Dyslexia FeelGood Funday (DFGF) is all about art and the benefits from it; art in it's broadest sense, I wanted to do a brief tribute to Black British dyslexic artists.
First up is Benjamin Zephaniah, writer, dub poet, musician, lyricist and actor.
A Brummie by birth he is well known for his powerful, verse and more recently his portrayal of preacher Jeremiah "Jimmy" Jesus in the BBC hit drama series, Peaky Blinders. Read more about Benjamin here.
Then there is the fabulous Judi Love; stand-up comedian and presenter. Comedy is creative and a form of art ... right??
Anyway it's great that everywhere I turn these days Judi's there, whether it's on Channel 4's Task Master or ITV's Loose Women. You name it and Judi's probably appearing in it! Read here about her documentary shown last year during BHM and called 'Black and Proud’
We did it!!
DFGF granted Arts Council funding ... second time lucky.
After many late nights, lunch times spent form filling, conducting phone and virtual meetings while at my day job, months without going out at the weekends ...
FINALLY, FINALLY my hard work has paid off and this time round, my second submission to the Arts Council National Lottery Project Grants fund was successful resulting in a modest grant to take forward the work of Dyslexia FeelGood Funday in the shape of the
Funday event on:
Saturday 9 March, 12 noon - 8pm and
Colour the Music, Saturday 18 May 2024,
1 pm - 3pm the online art & music workshop.
More details coming soon!
More on DFGF &
what it's all about
Dyslexia FeelGood Funday (DFGF)
... So DFGF events are all about:
-Building the confidence of members of the dyslexic community
-Enabling the making of connections with other like minded individuals
-Gaining and improving skills
-Developing and thriving
-Improving well-being
-And simply having FUN!
At DFGF we want individuals and families to turn up at events and have the chance to try different activities and really enjoy them,
so-much-so that they carry on doing them beyond the life of the event(s)!
We want people to be comfortable and feel that they are in a safe space with understanding and similarly like-minded individuals who they can connect with.
In order to do that we want to give our visitors and audience valuable information & tasters along the way to help them link up with activities which will benefit them by raising well-being, interest and self-esteem. Things which can all be at low levels in a dyslexic person's life.
We'll achieve the above through the bi-monthly newsletter, DFGF Voices, (what you're reading here right now!😉).
In DFGF LIVE! the bi-monthly Taster Sessions (see page 7- What's on) we start off with 'Under 5s Interactive Storytime Fun with Tyan' - Eventbrite sign up here).
These will be led by the DFGF Artist-Partners, wetting your appetite ahead of the exciting workshops and drop-ins they'll run at the Funday.
Lastly well-being and connections can also be achieved via the friendly social, fundraising events. The first one of which is the Sponsored Walk - see the What's on, page 7 for further details.
Artist Spotlight
Each month we will put one of the DFGF Artists in the spotlight to learn a bit more about what they do & how they got where they are - All ahead of the Big Funday Event next March 2024.
Photo by Lidia Nikole on Unsplash
Photo by Lidia Nikole on Unsplash
Spotlight Continued &
What's on
Spotlight on: Dramagical Entertainment Ltd.
Tyan, the creative genius behind Dramagical Entertainment Ltd, is a master of merriment and a virtuoso of verse. With her enchanting program “Stories and Rhymes with Tyan,” she’s spinning tales and tunes that have children (and their parents!) utterly captivated.
Imagine a world where nursery rhymes meet global beats, where traditional tales are sprinkled with a dash of the extraordinary. That’s the world Tyan creates in her musical workshops. She’s not just reciting Humpty Dumpty; she’s taking you on a grand adventure, one rhyme at a time.
Her program is as diverse as it is delightful. There’s something for every little one, from the tiny tots in the “Shufflers” class to the energetic explorers in “Walkers and Talkers”. Each session is a whirlwind of fun, perfectly tailored to the child’s age and stage.
So, if you’re looking for a dash of drama, a sprinkle of song, and a whole lot of fun, look no further than Tyan and Dramagical Entertainment Ltd. It’s not just entertainment - it’s “Dramagical”! All sessions use British Sign Language. (BSL).
Find Tyan, Dramagical , & the latest events by following:
Dramagical Entertainment LTD & Dramagical4all CIC: www.dramagicalentertainment.com
www.instagram.com/dramagicalentertainment https://www.instagram.com/storiesandrhymeswithtyan
What's on
Photo by israel palacio on Unsplash
Photo by israel palacio on Unsplash
DFGF LIVE! Artist Taster Sessions with
Dramagical Entertainment Ltd.
Under 5s Interactive Storytime Fun with Tyan
At the first DFGF LIVE! Online Zoom event come along and meet Tyan one of the DFGF Artists as she hosts the Under 5s Interactive Storytime Fun with Tyan session.
Tyan Jones; children’s entertainer, actress, teacher, song writer and more will engage children with magical storytelling. The session promises to be highly entertaining, encouraging the children to sing, dance, move, dress up and be characters in the enthralling storytime tale. The little ones won’t want to miss this!
Throughout the session Tyan will use and teach simple British Sign Language (BSL).
Also find out more about the FIRST EVER Funday to be held next March 2024.
Under 5s Interactive Storytime Fun with Tyan will be held ...
On: Sunday 15 October 2023.
Time: 11 am - 12 noon
Sign up on: Eventbrite.
If you would like to contact us then please email us at:
Email: info@dyslexia-funday.com or call us
On: 07 90 87 15 308 or 07 94 10 24 742.
N.B. We mainly work on Thursday's, but whenever you email/call we will try and get back to you as soon as we can, but please expect some delay.
Thank you.😁 Read more here & sign up on Eventbrite.
What's on
You can also catch Tyan at her FREE,
"Hello Winter!"
Arts and Crafts Session mixed with
Storytelling
Event taking place ...
On: Sunday 26th November 2023
From: 10 am-12 noon
Location: Pitzhanger Manor and Gallery, Ealing, W5 5EQ.
For All Ages.
To get more details: www.dramagicalentertainment.com www.instagram.com/dramagicalentertainment
What's on continued
Get your walking boots on!
3K Sponsored Walk to raise additional funds
"Save the Date to get sponsored and join in on this walk to raise additional funds to host the interactive arts-based Funday event on Sat 9 March ‘24 at a primary school in Willesden, NW London".
Photo by David Gavi on Unsplash
Photo by David Gavi on Unsplash
Ok so you might say, 'why on earth do you need to do a sponsored walk if you've just reported on receiving a grant from the good people at the Arts Council'?? - See 'We did it!' on page 3.
Well ... the answer to that is simple! The Arts Council encourage their projects to fundraise to provide some of their own funding towards their work. Hence the sponsored walk.
We need more funding to cover things which the grant couldn't stretch to or pay in full, for instance:
-More art resources
-More staff time for the role of Volunteer Co-ordinator which is soon to be advertised ... Days to increase from 10 to 20+ days if possible
-More volunteer resources for their training days
-Prizes for arts & crafts competitions etc.
-Visitor tote bags with goodies & treats
Taking part in the 3K Sponsored Walk means helping to raise valuable funds. It's also your chance to meet and mingle with like-minded dyslexics and neurodivergents, make connections, have some exercise (of course good for mental well-being as well as physical health) and as ever, simply just to have a fun time too!
Interested? Then please get in touch.
Date of the 3K Sponsored Walk:
Sunday 29 October 2023
Time: 1 pm - 4 pm followed by
Healthy Snack Bar
Where: Willesden, London, NW2.
Email us at: info@dyslexia-funday.com for further details of how you can get involved or you can ...
Phone us on: 07 90 87 15 308 or 07 94 10 24 742.
N.B. We mainly work on Thursday's, but whenever you email/call we will try and get back to you as soon as we can, but please expect some delay.
What's on
The Main Events
Dyslexia FeelGood Funday (DFGF)
The Funday itself
DFGF is funded and supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
It is a FREE! arts-based interactive event primarily for dyslexics & neurodivergents of all ages, but allies and the neuro-majority will also be free to attend and will be most welcome.
Photo by Alexander Grey on Unsplash
Photo by Alexander Grey on Unsplash
What to expect
At the Funday there will be Workshops & Drop-in Stalls in spoken word, under 5s fun, drama/theatre performance, arts and crafts, dance , music and lots more!
Workshops in the WeCreate Workshop Space
-There will be fun interactive art workshops such as the Under 5s theme based session;
-What’s your dyslexic animal? Arts and crafts for 5 yrs+,
-Theatre Gym drama games and skits for 16 yrs+ /adult,
-Your Journey - A Spoken Word Workshop for all ages creating pieces reflecting on dyslexics' life journey.
All these are designed to help develop confidence, skills & interests, create connections and increase well-being.
All workshops are run by experts.
In the Main Space - The FeelGood Zone
-There will be a live salsa band with salsa lessons,
-Another Under 5s session,
-A Food Court,
-Arts and crafts drop-in stalls led by the workshop leads,
Chill Lax Room an area of calm for those needing it.
Event date: Saturday 9 March 2024
Time: 12pm – 8 pm.
Venue: Anson Primary School, Anson Road, Willesden, London, NW2 4AB.
Sign up coming soon!
Colour the Music
Online art and music workshop
Photo by Daniel Olah on Unsplash
Photo by Daniel Olah on Unsplash
DFGF is also hoping to run an online music and art workshop separate from the main Funday event due to be led by an Artist Duo who create educationally based comic books.
...During the online session, the artist will use music to encourage the audience, individually and in groups, to draw, paint, colour a comic strip/picture which they feel represents the lyrics, music and rhythm.
One half of the duo is a musician and the other a comic artist. The former will use their musical ability to demonstrate to the audience how they can depict their musical interpretation of the piece by listening in close detail and considering the various aspects i.e. calm, crescendo, tone, pitch, rhythm etc. to inspire the narrative and images.
The other half of the duo will supply drawing, colouring/illustrative and storytelling tips, helping the audience to build the narrative of their story/comic strip.
When: Saturday 18 May 2024, 1pm – 3pm.
Title: Colour the Music
On: Sat 18 May 2024
Time: 1 pm - 3 pm
Age range: All ages (from 4/5 yrs upwards)
Location: Online session – Based on GMT, UK time.
Get involved!
Event Volunteering Role and
Paid 10 Day Role as Freelance
Volunteer Co-ordinator
We will be recruiting for Event Volunteers and a Volunteer Coordinator in the next couple of months. Please read on if these are of interest.
Being an Event Volunteer involves
-Welcoming event visitors putting people at ease and helping to ensure a safe space and comfortable environment for all participants
-If you're creative and want the chance to put that to good use or you're eager to find ways of starting to develop your creative skills then this could well be the role for you!
-You'll assist visitors in all aspects of the Funday at the Entrance, in the FeelGood Zone, Chill Lax Room and in the WeCreate Workshops as well as helping at the Let's MakeIt table - see page 4 More on DFGF for details.
-Also if you just want to try your hand at something different then WE WANT TO HEAR from you!
Requirements
-Age: 18 years +
-The role requires minimum commitment of 15 hours over 4 days before the Funday event and including the event itself.
-Maximum commitment might include up to 20 hours over 6 days i.e. group interview, induction, specific training, Funday volunteering, evaluation meeting.
-A Clear DBS check may be required
-Sessions will either be at the weekends or if occurring in the evenings will be done over Zoom.
N.B. At the moment these are approximate and subject to change.
What we offer
-Full training given
-Paid travel expenses for journeys within London Zones 1-6
-Snacks and light lunch provided!
Volunteer Co-ordinator Role
At DFGF we're looking for the ideal person to co-ordinate a 30 strong team of volunteers.
-Have you worked with volunteers before?
-Do you have a clear DBS check?
-Are you experienced in the knowledge of DEI, Safeguarding, Volunteering Policy and Good Practice?
-Do you have the right to work in the UK, do you have a unique taxpayer reference (UTR) to work as a freelancer?
-Do you have an understanding of dyslexia and neurodivergence?
YES! Then we would love to hear from you.
Pay: £1500 for 10 days
Hours: 9 hour working day with 1 hour unpaid lunch. This can be split over two days.
Working days: Must be available Wednesdays and/or Thursdays
Please note that the role would be as a freelancer and you would be responsible for paying your own tax and national insurance.
10 day role - it is hoped that there may be the possibility of funding for increased days, but this cannot be guaranteed.
Based in London: This is a hybrid role - some remote working as well as in-person working will be required
Start date: Mid Dec '23/Early Jan '24
End date: End of Mar 24/Early April 24
Your Voice
Share your artistic side
Got a picture you want to share, a poem you'd like other's to appreciate or another example of your creativity you'd be happy provide? Then please feel free to send it over and we'll share it right here.
Interested? Then please send your contribution to us.
Email us at: info@dyslexia-funday.com
Phone us on: 07 90 87 15 308 or 07 94 10 24 742.
N.B. We mainly work on Thursday's, but whenever you email/call we will try and get back to you as soon as we can, but please expect some delay.
Photo by Helena Lopes on Unsplash
Photo by Helena Lopes on Unsplash
Contact us
Email us at: info@dyslexia-funday.com
Phone us on: 07 90 87 15 308 or 07 94 10 24 742.
Website to come in the not too distant future!
If you wish to unsubscribe please type UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line and mail to: info@dyslexia-funday.com Thank you.
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