The CCG 10th Anniversary
Apr, 6 2023
The Creative Communities Group is celebrating its 10th anniversary. The CCG was formed by Russell Hogarth and his colleagues in recognition of his 2012 University Honorary Fellowship.
Russell humbly acknowledged the input from the members and the strength of the group over the last decade, “The CCG members are all very proud of our philanthropic, voluntary organisation and the contribution that we are making in society and to education by supporting active citizenship, lifelong learning and empowered citizens.
The Creative Communities Group has been doing an amazing job over the last 10 years in connecting the University with our local community, helping to build social capital and collaborative partnerships.
CCG members believe in the power of partnerships and how working together can transform communities and educational institutions.
Working closely with a local community partner can achieve more than can be done alone, as communities can tap into different knowledge sets to generate and expand new understandings of social problems and situations – they alone, know what needs to be achieved in their own backyard, and the CCG listens, advises and supports worthwhile causes without judgement or agenda.”
Russell would like to thank all the CCG members who have given their time, voluntarily over the last 10 years and for all their help and support. We wouldn’t be here today without your hard work and dedication.
A special thank you goes to Nigel Farnworth for managing The Creative Communities Group.The CCG have received many letters of support and recognition over the years, for which they are very appreciative.
The CCG network has over 300 national and international members, with representation across:-
- Europe
- Australia
- Nigeria
- Hong Kong
- The Caribbean
- Ukraine
- China
- Canada
- America.
For more information, click on the CCG website link ( https://www.ccguk.org/)
The Creative Communities Group celebrated their 10th anniversary in style by organising the annual one billion rising dance event, which takes place every February and is part of a global movement that enables people to stand together, in peaceful protest against violence towards women and girls.
“V-Day is a global activist movement to end violence against women and girls started by author, playwright and activist Eve Ensler. On 14 February each year, in the centre of Preston, we stand together in solidarity to raise awareness of the one billion and rising violent attacks against women and children.”
The CCG first brought this event to Lancashire nine years ago and have held it in the centre of the city,in the local university and in the very heart of our community. This year the CCG teamed up with award-winning inclusive dance company DanceSyndrome
https://www.uclan.ac.uk/news/one-billion-rising
The one billion rising dance routine was again co-ordinated by World Salsa Dance champion Phil Kaila, Salsa Northwest and the video and photographs courtesy of Denise Swanson.
Discover more about the One Billion Rising movement by visiting the following website link (https://www.onebillionrising.org/)
Russell Hogarth (Chair of the international Creative Communities Group) expressed his joy in response to the combined celebrations,
“We are delighted to hold this event again this year and it’s the first time we have held it in public since the pandemic. I was also thrilled that my colleagues at DanceSyndrome suggested holding the event in their dance studio that’s situated in the very heart of Preston.And for me, the added bonus is the fact that I am a patron for DanceSyndrome, and this year it’s also their 10th anniversary! Congratulations to DanceSyndrome colleagues.
I was delighted to see our current Mayor and previous Preston Mayors taking part with vigour and enthusiasm.It was a fabulous way to celebrate The Creative Communities Group 10th anniversary and to share it with our friends and community partners.”
The annual One Billion Rising event is just one of many successful events the CCG has triumphantly pulled off over the last decade. With it’s real interest in people and the lives of those affected in the local community, it continues to be a pillar of strength, especially after the last couple of years or so.
A champion of hope for a creative community.
^Alex Ashworth CCG UK Blogger
