The NE-Generation Team

NE-GENERATION PROGRAMME MANAGER

Ben joined the company in September 2009 to head up the NE Generation programme. NE Generation is the North East’s Legacy Trust UK programme, and will be delivered by the Regional Youth Work Unit (NE), with Arts Council England as the accountable body. NE Generation , through Legacy Trust UK, forms part of the region’s plans for the Cultural Olympiad – the culture programme inspired by the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. NE Generation aims to bring about a shift in the way in which children and young people and the North East’s arts and cultural sector collaborate and work together; developing a more tuned in and children and young people focused cultural sector where young people in the North East experience, participate in and generate arts and cultural activity on their own terms.

Ben was brought up on a farm in Warwickshire and started his career as a young actor with the RSC. Throughout the 90’s, he began to grow his directing/training/programme development work, spending time as Associate Director for both Chester Gateway and Contact Theatres . In 2000 he was appointed Artistic Director of Theatre Venture in East London, followed in turn by Director at NAYT in 2004. In late 2005, Ben broke his leg in spectacular fashion and spent three and half years in and out of various hospitals getting patched up. In 2006, Ben became an Associate Practitioner for the RSC, delivering work on crutches and falling over a lot.

As well as working with NE Generation, Ben writes across radio, theatre, film and TV, is an Associate Artist at Az Theatre in London and is on attachment to BBC Radio Manchester through being one of the recipients of the Alfred Bradley Bursary Awards 2009. Ben was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in 2005.

Ben lives in rural Co Durham with his partner, two children, a dog and massive house spiders. He finds it hard to believe that having moved so far away from London to work, he ends up in an office next to a Geordie Arsenal supporter. However, another colleague believed Ben was in his late-20’s ‘max’ which made things a little better: Ben is 44 and supports Tottenham.

Contact: ben@rywu.org.uk 0191 440 4410

NE-GENERATION SUPPORT WORKER

Tom Browne is the support worker for the NE Generation Project (more about that later) and has been in post since January 09. He has been involved in youth work since 1985 in both statutory and voluntary sector projects. It began in 1985 in Kenton Youth and Community Centre where Tom volunteered for 7 years whilst child minding during the day, and now he is here at the RYWU. In between Tom has worked in the west end, and North West Newcastle. His last job was Millennium Volunteer Development Worker in a post that covered Newcastle and Gateshead.

His main area of work is supporting young people involved with NE Generation. This is a Legacy Trust UK funded programme which is part of the Cultural Olympiad. Sixteen young people from across the north east have formed part of the commissioning panel along with five members of the steering group. They have developed the application, assessment and selection process for the programme. It will develop partnerships between young people’s projects and cultural groups or organisations to produce exciting new cultural projects. Tom’s role is to ensure young people can attend meetings, residential, work days and have meaningful involvement throughout the 3 year project.
Throughout his career Tom has been involved with volunteers and volunteering, he understands what a huge positive impact volunteering has on many people, organisations and the world as a whole. He believes young people, as with anybody else, should be able to give up some of their time to develop their skills and knowledge, get real work experience in an area that interests them, and help others.

In his spare time Tom walks his dog and in the summer tries to play cricket. It has been heard that occasionally he is okay and the rest of the time he is rubbish.

Contact: tom@rywu.org.uk 0191 440 4410

NE-GENERATION PROJECT AND INFORMATION OFFICER

Anna is the Project and Information Officer for NE–Generation and began working at the Regional Youth Work Unit in July 2010.

NE-Generation is the Legacy Trust UK programme for the North East and forms part of the region’s plans for the Cultural Olympiad – the cultural programme inspired by the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

NE-Generation aims to bring about a shift in the way in which young people and the North East’s cultural sector work together. Focusing on culture, collaboration and change, NE-Generation is investing in creative opportunities for young people across the North East. Anna manages the Cultural Innovation Fund and is responsible for communication, monitoring and general administrative support for the whole programme. While working at the Unit, Anna is also studying for an MA in Community and Youth Work at Durham University.

Anna is a passionate Christian and her faith is a massive part of her life, she volunteers with her local church working with young people in the community where she lives. Anna has amazing friends and loves sharing her life with them. When she needs some time to unwind, Anna can be found reading, writing, jogging and swimming, but not all at the same time of course.