One Man, One Journey, One Life, One Vision!

'One Vision' the musical takes you on a journey of one man's struggle to live an ordinary life, through a series of sketches, poems and songs from the rock band Queen.

The Skillnet Group, a social enterprise, has helped to support people with learning disabilities produce and perform a musical at The Theatre Royal in Margate in November.

'One Vision' the musical was parted funded by Kent County Council’s Kent 2012 Campaign’s Small Grants Fund which is administered by the Sports, Leisure and Olympics Service.

The musical is about a man who decides to leave his residential home and find a flat of his own. The story follows him on his journey using sketches and the songs from Queen.

The aim of the production is to show people that with the right support you can follow your dreams and live an ordinary life the same as anybody else. Skillnet hope to support people with learning disabilities to take the lead in making changes in society and ensure they have the opportunity to be involved in their local community and not simply included in it.

'One Vision' the musical is a powerful example of the positive contribution people with learning disabilities can make to society.

Skillnet hope to roll out the production to theatres across Kent in 2009 and those who attended the Theatre Royal will agree that the Show Must Go On!

Kent County Council was delighted to support this event through its 2012 Small Grants Fund as not only did it involve young people being inspired to create a piece of theatre relevant to their own lives, but very much epitomised some of the Olympic and Paralympic Values such personal excellence, equality and courage.

For more information on Skillnet and “One Vision” the musical, contact louise.jones@skillnetgroup.co.uk

For more information on how to apply for the Small Grants Fund and make initiatives like this a reality please contact thomas.marsh@kent.gov.uk

 

Design a Mascot for London 2012!

From ‘Waldi’, the stripey Daschund which was the first official mascot from the Munich Games in 1972, through to the ‘Fuwa’, the five mascots of the Beijing Olympic Games, mascots have played an increasingly important role in the delivery of a Games.

London 2012 are seeking creative agencies to design and develop mascots for the Games. This year's Beijing Games had five mascots - Beibei the fish, Jingjing the panda, Huanhuan the Olympic flame, Yingying the Tibetan antelope and Nini the swallow.

London 2012 intend that the mascots will be brought to life in many different ways, including in toy form, on clothing, in film and animation, on the gaming and digital platforms and in physical form. London 2012 are looking for a  design will reflect the ‘best of British’ and reflect the London 2012 brand – ambitious, bold and creative. 

London 2012 Commercial Director Chris Townsend commented:

“Those of us lucky enough to go to Beijing this summer saw first hand the magic of the mascots – whether it was the soft toy version, entertainment at a venue or simply photo opportunities at the airport. They help set the tone for the Games and we’re very excited about kicking this process off today.

This country is home to – in my view – the world’s best creative industry and this is an opportunity for them to play a key role in making the Games both memorable and a great success.”

London 2012 began the process of creating mascots for the Games by inviting the creative industry to register interest in designing what will become some of the key visual icons of the London Games. 

The successful agency will also be expected to develop a full marketing and communication plan to support the launch of the mascot. Both the Olympic and Paralympic Games will have separate and distinct mascots. 

The winning agency or designer will be selected by summer 2009 and the mascots will be unveiled in the summer 2010.

Designers have until 21 November 2008 to register their concepts.

This could be your opportunity to design the next Cobi the Dog, a star of the Barcelona 92 Games!  

To view a Google seach of past Olympic mascots - follow this link

If you are interested in applying further information can be found online at www.london2012.com/business.