Our Digital Planet – an outdoor street gallery exhibition by Nominet Trust, visits Brighton from Thursday 16th August until Monday 3rd September

Celebrating the positive impact the internet has had on our lives

Our Digital Planet, an exhibition showcasing 24 powerful images demonstrating the power of the internet to change our lives for the better, is coming to the Brighton Promenade from Thursday 16^th August until Monday 3^rd September.

The internet has the potential to make a positive difference to our own lives, the lives of those around us and the world we live in too.   It offers something for everyone – young or old, introvert or extravert, technology savvy or technology shy. There is no ‘one size fits all’ approach.

Through a series of interesting and thought-provoking insights and images, the Our Digital Planet exhibition aims to highlight the broad and far-reaching impact the internet is having. During the exhibition visitors who have never used the internet, or those who are not so confident, will have the opportunity to get online with guided and friendly support from organisations including, Online Centres Foundation - the organisation behind the 3,800 strong UK online centres network  which offers access to computers and the internet and support to use them.

Whether it’s helping to improve education or employment prospects, reducing feelings of social isolation, helping us to campaign for good causes or championing democracy across whole nations, the internet has opened up a wealth of opportunities for  individuals, communities and organisations the world over.

 

Get online with friendly, guided support

If you’ve never used the internet, want to gain more confidence in using it or you’re simply interested in finding out more, then pop along to Our Digital Planet and have a chat with Nominet Trust’s friendly team of internet volunteers.

The internet station will be open Monday to Friday, 10.30 – 4pm (it will be closed on the Bank Holiday Monday, 27^th August).

 

What’s going on in Brighton

As well as drop-in internet sessions, people can also get involved in a variety of other activities designed to help explore the internet with confidence. With support from local and national organisations, the activities are all designed to help get more out of the internet.

Wed 16^th – Fri 18^th August: The local UK Online Centre will be on hand to help you get online.

Mon 20^th – Tue 21^st August: Drop-in internet sessions

Wed 22^nd August: Bring old snaps along and ‘pin’ them online to map 

Brighton’s history. The Historypin team will be on hand to lead the way

Thurs 23^rd – Fri 24^th August: We’re Altogether Better, the organisation behind the award-winning charity BeatBullying, will be on hand to demonstrate a number of different programmes that can help young people to help each other, along with tips and advice on how they can safely explore the internet.

Tue 28^th - Wed 29^th August: Drop-in internet sessions

Thurs 30^th – Fri 31^st August: For everything you need to build a website that makes a difference come along to the MadeWithJam Website Workshops

To find out more about the exhibition, please visit www.ourdigitalplanet.co.uk

Burgess Hill Theatre Club - casting call!

Burgess Hill Theatre Club is currently in rehearsal for the comedy Fur Coat and No Knickers, by Mike Harding, to be performed in October 2012. The Club is currently looking to cast 2 of the remaining male roles. Rehearsals are on Monday and Friday evenings and the show is on 17^th-20^th October and 26^th – 27^th October. The play is the Club’s entrant in this year’s Brighton and Hove Arts Council Drama Awards.

**Cast in rehearsal:  Matthew Tweddle, Matt Roberts, Karen Carroll, Graham Wood and Rebecca Wilson

The roles to be filled are Hamish, the best man. Playing age is flexible and the character is a hooray Henry. He is a friend of Mark’s from the rugby club. The other roles are to be played by the same actor and comprise, Ron Greenhalgh, father of the groom - playing age 40-60yrs. He runs a Mercedes garage and is a self-made businessman. The other roles are a drunken man and policeman, both to be played by the same actor and scenes are short with limited dialogue.

To find out more information or to organise an audition please contact Samantha Payne, Director, on 01444 473569 or sampayne24@gmail.com.

Free business advice for entrepreneurs and SMEs with childcare onsite

Working parents and budding entrepreneurs from Brighton and across Sussex will have a unique opportunity to get tailored business advice from a range of specialists at the Officrèche business day on 16 August.

Sussex’s unique nursery with office space for working parents is collaborating with local social media agency, SocialSparkle, to offer entrepreneurs and SMEs a chance to quiz experts about a range of business services and network with their peers at the free event.

The business day will be held at Officrèche from 9am to 1pm. It will feature experts from the worlds of accountancy, graphic design, public relations, law and others, who will be on hand to offer free advice and guidance to attendees.

Liz Moody-Stuart, founder of Officrèche said: “Working from home around young children can be tricky and getting out to networking events even more so. Here at Officrèche, we like to help people make that step from working at the kitchen table to becoming more involved in the world of business. During our business day, we hope to give even more people the opportunity to concentrate fully on their business and overcome any hurdles currently preventing them achieving success”.

Officrèche is the brainchild of Brighton resident Elizabeth Moody-Stuart, who came up with the concept to meet her own childcare needs. It offers flexible, pay-as-you go office space with on-site childcare. Liz, who has a two year old daughter and a seven month old son, struggled to find childcare that suited her needs, so she decided to createsomething for working parents.

Liz continued:  “Parents often decide to branch out in a different work direction after the birth of a child. If they go freelance or start a business, there are so many services that are vital for success. We’ve gathered about 10 service providers, including

• an accountant (www.bainbridgelewis.co.uk)
• a life coach (www.lisawestbury.com)
• a graphic designer (www.fdm-design.co.uk)
• an app designer (www.fatpebble.com)
• social media experts (www.socialsparkle.co.uk)
• an IP lawyer (www.rawlisonbutler.com)
• a PR/copywriting guru (www.catherineross-communications.co.uk)
• a telephony/IT back up wizard (www.sussexbackup.co.uk)
• and someone to make your soles happy! (www.reflexologyinbrighton.com)

“The office floors of Officrèche will have the above experts sitting at tables, coffee mug at elbow, ready to answer questions. “

Attendees don't need to be members of Officrèche to come to this Business Open Day – or have kids – although those that do can leave their children downstairs with the staff while they pop upstairs. It should be a great opportunity for everyone involved.

Officrèche offers parents:

• A secure, nurturing and fun environment for their under 5’
•  Highly qualified staff following the EYFS curriculum
•  A space to work within metres of their children
• An opportunity to combine breastfeeding and childcare

And:

• Online booking just the week before childcare/office hours are needed
• Pay as you go or subscriptions for a better deal
• A 90 day shelf life for unused childcare/office hours
• Internet access, printing, scanning and a meeting room 
• More childcare/office hours through nursery volunteering

Officrèche is 5 minutes walk from Brighton station, a four-storey building with free-flow outdoor space for children from 0-5 years old. We’ve invested in the very best nursery team and we’re welcoming parents and children right now.

Have a look at www.officreche.com, call Michelle (the nursery manager) on 01273 434244 or email info@officreche.com.

KOOSA Kids Marathon Olympic Challenge on 16th August

This summer, KOOSA Kids are hoping to run the combined distance from the Olympic Stadium in LONDON to Hampden Park Olympic Stadium in GLASGOW in aid of their chosen charity for 2012, MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION ®

To achieve the Olympic goal, ‘fun run' events have been organised for staff and children throughout July and August. The total distance run by staff and children will be tallied, with the aim of reaching the target of 343 miles between the two Olympic stadiums.

The KOOSA Kids After-School Club Fun Runs have already taken place and were a big success.  There is another opportunity for children to take part in this Olympic Challenge at any KOOSA Kids Holiday Club on Thursday 16^th August.

Lee Partner, KOOSA Kids Director, says ‘We have received a great response to this challenge so far, and parents have been very generous in donating to our nominated charity, Make-A-Wish Foundation.  We really hope that all children will want to take part in the final Fun Run on 16^th August.’

Please visit www.koosakids.co.uk to find your nearest KOOSA Kids Holiday Club and to book your child’s sessions during the summer holidays.  Sponsor Forms are also available to download on-line, or at all KOOSA Kids venues. 

Should your child be unable to attend on 16^th August, but you would like to support Make-A-Wish Foundation, on-line donations will be very much welcome via Just Giving : www.justgiving.com/koosakids

KOOSA Kids Staff are also taking part in the challenge and helping to raise money for Make-A-Wish Foundation.  The Staff Fun Run takes place on Saturday 11th August at Ash Manor Secondary School.

FREE Bug Hunter's Fun Day in Hove on 9th August!

Children’s party company Cookery Doodle Doo are working in partnership with local charity, Friends of St Ann’s Well Garden and The Garden Café to bring a new unique free fun-day to Hove.

The Bug Hunter’s Fun Day will be a free afternoon of family bug-themed entertainment in St Ann’s Well Garden on Thursday 9^th August. Cookery Doodle Doo will be providing maps and equipment to encourage children to explore the local mini-beasts including butterflies, snails and woodlice.

After exploring the historic gardens, children can get creative decorating their own freshly-baked themed biscuits, making bug artwork and speaking to the Park Wardens about their exciting finds!

Katie Elfer, Founder of Cookery Doodle Doo said “It can be a challenge in the holidays to find new things to do with the family – especially if the weather is a bit unpredictable! The Garden Café is a cosy haven when it’s raining and perfectly located for a bug-hunting adventure in the beautiful gardens. Cookery Doodle Doo are excited to be working with the Garden Café and Friend’s of St Ann’s Well Garden to launch this free family fun day for local children.”

The Bug Hunter’s Fun Day will be held at The Garden Café in St Ann’s Well Garden on Thursday 9^th August from 12-4pm

More details about this free event are available at http://cookerydoodledoo.com/events/bugs/ or by phoning the organiser Katie Elfer on 07588692955.

For more information please contact event organiser Katie Elfer:
M: Katie on 07588692955
E: info@cookerydoodledoo.net
W: www.cookerydoodledoo.com
Twitter: @cookerydoodledo