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New fund launched so Ukrainians can study at prestigious Manchester music school

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 29th June 2022

The Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) has launched a new fund to support displaced Ukrainian students.

With the devastating conflict continuing to rise, and as the Russian invasion of Ukraine said to be “turning lives upside down” every day, the Manchester-based music school has launched the new fund with the aim of ensuring Ukraine does not suffer the loss of “a generation of musical talent”.

The RNCM says the fund will give young Ukrainian musicians the chance to fulfil the dreams they have been working so hard to achieve.

As the students will be leaving behind a country that has been occupied for four months, on top of funding fee bursaries, the RNCM will also provide additional support for living costs, English language training, and wraparound support that will include counselling, and health and wellbeing care.

The RNCM wants to ensure the students feel “safe and supported”.

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“We want to do everything that we can to ensure that these young musicians who have been displaced from their training have every opportunity to flourish, both in their music and as part of the communities of the RNCM and the city of Manchester,” explained Manus Carey – Deputy Principal at the RNCM.

The Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) has launched a new fund to support displaced Ukrainian students / Credit: RNCM

“It’s unimaginable to think of what is happening in Ukraine.

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“But as part of the international community of musicians, it is our aim to give these talented young musicians a sense of hope.”

One of the RNCM professors, Rob Buckland – Head of Saxophone – has spoken about the impact the fund has already had on one of his “really talented” Ukrainian students, who has a “special gift for melody and phrasing”.

Read more: Brits donate over £100 million to fundraising appeal for refugees fleeing Ukraine

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Explaining the importance of the fund, Rob said: “To be able to provide this young saxophonist with the support to be able to live and study in Manchester, to find the very best in herself, and feel safe and secure in the incredible learning environment that is the RNCM, will mean more to her than she can ever say.“

All donations made to the RNCM Ukrainian Musicians Fund will go towards ensuring that gifted young musicians from Ukraine can continue their future in music.

Donations can be made here.

Featured Image – RNCM

News

A literacy charity is making its way to Manchester bringing lots of FREE books

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

A charity dedicated to literacy is coming to Manchester in May providing families and individuals with plenty of free books.

Led by Bookbanks, this London-founded organisation was set up in line with food banks to provide people with access to free books and now they’re coming all the way to Manchester.

This charity started in 2022 all thanks to writer and journalist Emily Rhodes, who has read her fair share of books and wants to give this privilege to anyone who might not be able to get their hands on any.

The charity has seen widespread positive reception quickly expanding into Norfolk and is now partnering with various food banks in Manchester, marking the organisation’s first Northern venture.

Bookbanks gives out an average of 30 books per week, per site and has distributed over 5,000 books so far at food banks.

Crates being organised in Manchester food bank.
Crates being organised in Manchester food bank.
Credit: Publicity Picture (via Supplied)

Titled Bookbanks after the fact that they work very closely with food banks to provide books far and wide to food banks across the UK, they also host a range of interactive events.

Alongside all the fantastic work the team do, there’s a handful of free workshops and author events on offer for all ages and backgrounds, to further build the connection between people and their books.

Currently, there are two famous figures backing this book-based charity, Elizabeth Day and Andrew O’Hagan, both of which are no stranger to a pen and paper.

Day is an award-winning author who has written nine fiction and non-fiction books to date, while O’Hagan is Booker Prize nominated and is London Review of Books’ Editor-at-Large.

Bookbanks relies on the general public to spread their message further and there’s even a section on their website detailing how you can get involved to continue distributing books within food banks.

One of Bookbank's many free author events, some of which will hopefully take place in Manchester.
One of Bookbank’s many free author events, some of which will hopefully take place in Manchester.
Credit: Publicity Picture (via Supplied)

Whether you’re an avid runner or keen to try something new why not raise money for and be sponsored by Bookbanks, knowing you’ve done your bit to bring books to those who need them most.

If you don’t fancy lacing up those trainers and heading out for a run, why not donate any old books you’ve finished reading to this book-focused charity and allow others to discover a whole new world of reading.

Read more:

Bookbanks first official Manchester site will launch on Friday 2 May at Manchester Central Food bank and a second site is already in talks at Greater Together Manchester’s Social Supermarket in Miles Platting.

To find out more ways to get involved as a company, publisher, member of public and more, you can find all information on their official site HERE.

Featured Image: Publicity Picture via Annabelle Williams

News

Touching tribute paid to man and his dog who died together in fatal collision

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Touching tribute paid to man and his dog who died together in fatal collision

The family of a man who was killed in a fatal collision last month, alongside his beloved dog, have paid tribute to him.

Andrew Old, 61, had been walking along Greenwood Road in Wythenshawe when he was struck by a vehicle that had been involved in a collision.

He had been waking his ‘lovely’ dog, Liddy, who also died at the scene.

Emergency services rushed to the scene on Sunday 9 March but tragically both Andrew and his beloved pet passed away.

Paying tribute to him, Andrew’s family said: “Andrew was our happy go lucky brother and he is so sadly missed by us all.

“We miss his smiles, his laughter, his jokes and his hourly phone calls.

“Words cannot describe the shock and disbelief that we feel due to the loss of Andrew, we are absolutely devastated.

“Andrew tragically died only metres from his home, whilst walking his lovely dog Liddy.

“The only solace we have is that Andrew and Liddy were not alone at such a horrific time and that they were together. Andrew and Liddy will always be in our hearts.”

Read more

Featured image: GMP

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