Local students win Royal Opera House design awards

SAM Tam from LIPA 6th Form College and Nicole Whiteside from City of Liverpool College win Design Challenge; a nationwide competition run by the Royal Opera House

On:- Wednesday, 7 June 2023, the Royal Opera House celebrated the 2023 winners of its prestigious Design Challenge; a nation-wide competition that opens the door to the arts, providing an opportunity for young people across the country to get invaluable insight into vocational careers. Sam Tam won in the set design category and Nicole Whiteside won in the costume design category. Both were recognised for the real skill, originality and creativity of their submissions.

Design Challenge is a free, hands on programme that provides students with practical insight into technical and production practice, encouraging them to apply their understanding to a professional context, and develop the skills required to embark on a career in technical theatre craft. Launched in 2011, and open to anyone studying Art and Design, from:- GCSE to Foundation Degree level, it requires applicants to try their hand designing sets, costumes, wigs, makeup or a marketing campaign for a designated opera or ballet production. Students research and produce design prototypes in response to their chosen Director's Vision, relaying their ideas and process in a 90 minute portfolio pitch.

The challenge is part of the Royal Opera House's national programmes, which reach thousands of Schools through teacher training and direct engagement, and embed culture at the heart of communities from Cornwall to Cumbria. The aim of these programmes is to strengthen the arts in Schools, build teachers' confidence, inspire the creativity of the next generation, and break down barriers to music, dance and design in targeted areas across the country.

Nicole Whiteside said:- "It was such hard work, but having my costume displayed here, it has made it so worthwhile, and I would do it all over again."

This year's prizegiving event, hosted in the Royal Opera House's Linbury Foyer, celebrated the Challenge's 2023 winners, tasked with creating designs for The Magic Flute. Over 450 students entered, from 28 Schools and colleges across the UK. The exhibition of winners' work will be open to the public until:- 21 June 2023.

Work by all finalists was seen and scrutinized by judging panels of professional designers and creatives at the ROH; including several senior staff members in the Royal Opera House's technical and production teams.

Jillian Barker, Director of Learning and Participation at the Royal Opera House, said:- "The Royal Opera House is thrilled to have hosted the winners of our flagship Design Challenge programme. Having spent the day touring the Royal Opera House and meeting practitioners in departments across the building, the winners were presented with their awards in our Linbury Foyer. We hope this will prove life changing both for those who attended, but also the many who sent in submissions; an experience that inspires creativity, builds their confidence and opens up opportunities for them to build a career in the arts industry."

Next year's Design Challenge will open on:- 21 June 2023. Students from across the country are encouraged to enter. Find out more from:- ROH.Org.UK.

Cross Government action for carers

MINISTER for Care, Helen Whately held a reception at No. 10 Downing Street for unpaid carers, on:- Tuesday, 6 June 2023, to mark Carers Week and champion the vital work they do.

More than 30 unpaid carers, young carers and representatives of unpaid carers organisations attended the event, which also provided a forum for discussions on how to boost recognition and support for carers in the community, both by Government and the public.

Minister for Care, Helen Whately said:- "Over 4 million people in England are unpaid carers. Carers Week is a time to focus on the huge efforts of carers, show appreciation and focus on what more we can do to support people caring for loved ones. Making sure carers are recognised in health, social care and education is a priority; along with helping people recognise themselves as carers so they can tap into local carers networks and support. I care about carers. I'm going to hold a cross Government roundtable with other Ministers to make sure that carers' needs aren't just recognised in social care, but in every aspect of their lives."

The reception, held in partnership with Carers UK, provided an opportunity for a wide range of carers and carer organisations, as well as others who engage with unpaid carers through their work, to gather and discuss next steps on bettering support for carers.

Addressing the reception, the Minister called for communities across the UK to come together to recognise the huge contribution unpaid carers make to society.

On behalf of the charities supporting Carers Week, Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said:- "Carers Week is an important annual opportunity to recognise the vital contribution made by the UK's estimated 5.7 million unpaid carers looking after relatives or friends who are older, disabled or seriously ill. While often a rewarding role, caring for a loved 1 also comes with its challenges. This week we highlight just how important it is that unpaid carers are acknowledged and supported by all parts of the community. Yesterday's Downing Street reception was an exciting occasion for unpaid carers to come together and be recognised for their contribution. We welcome the Minister for Care's commitment to a cross-Government roundtable which will be an important opportunity for Ministers to consider the financial and practical support many unpaid carers really need. Led by Carers UK, this year's Carers Week is supported by Age UK, Carers Trust, MND Association, The Lewy Body Society, Rethink Mental Illness, and Oxfam."

The Government remains firmly committed to reforming adult social care for all, including those with caring responsibilities. In April it published the Next Steps to Put People at the Heart of Care plan, reflecting the enormous contribution of carers throughout and including a funding package of £25 million for unpaid carers, further details of which will be announced in due course.

For 2023 to 2024 the Better Care Fund also earmarked £327 million to support Local Authorities with health and care services, including providing carers with advice, support, short breaks, and respite services.

In addition, the Care Quality Commission will be holding Local Authorities to account on adult social care through new assessment of the delivery of their Care Act 2014 duties, including those related to unpaid carers, such as undertaking an assessment of a carer's needs for support.

To better understand how unpaid carers access support, the Government is looking into new ways of collecting data through a potential new survey for unpaid carers and is working with NHS England to streamline the ways unpaid carers are registered in health records. This work means the needs of carers will be more closely monitored and will inform decisions around what more can be done to provide them with the support they need.