IN PHOTO:The Shine Choir with GAMP Officer Adam White (back centre)
Shine Choir was established two years ago and is a growing group of 53 young people between the ages of 5 and 15 years, who meet weekly on Monday evening. The Choir is made up of children from church groups and local schools throughout the GAMP area and is ‘free’ to join. The Choir performs throughout the year at a range of community events, for example, they sang extremely well at the Rotary Club’s Christmas Carol Service and the Mayor’s Civic Carol Service. The Choir also performs and produces a show twice a year in St Clare’s Church Hall. Supported by GAMP through the Neighbourhood Budget allocations of Durham County Councillors, Eddy Adam, Kate Hopper, Sarah Iveson, Jed Hillary, John Clare, Mike Dixon and Joan Gray. Funding was used to help purchase specialist equipment, for example, a sound system (including words on screen) so that our children with hearing disabilities can participate more fully. Microphones for the smallest voices were also purchased along with a custom built ramp and rail system, so that members with mobility issues can access the stage more safely and without the need for assistance. Currently, some members of the Choir need to be carried onto the stage by volunteers as they can’t use the steep steps onto the stage. In addition, stage seating and a new stage fire curtain will also be purchased. This will make the stage area safer and more conducive for members with additional needs, for example, hypermobility issues. The equipment and adaptations to the stage area will also benefit a number of other community organisations who use St Clare’s Church Hall, for example, Brownies/Guides, youth clubs, older persons groups, Messy Church, church choir, Women’s Fellowship and the various community film clubs. Shine Choir also received a Small Grant from GAMP to purchase T shirts for all their members.
