COVID 19 UPDATE

People Express holds the health and wellbeing of our participants, artists and staff as our highest priority. Throughout the pandemic we have adhered to government guidance and our office has been closed during lockdowns. With the government road map announcement, we are confident that we can now begin face-to-face delivery and have a planned phased return for our programme. We will continue to keep in contact with all community groups and project participants during this time, and will design a timetable for each project safely returning.

Staff
Project delivery staff (Julie Batten and Kalila Storey) continue to work full time, this is a combination of home-working and office based. The best way to contact them is via email or mobile phone (see contact section).
Julie Goodwin (Finance Office) works 3 days a week (Monday- Wednesday 10am-3.30pm) from our office. She is contactable via email (see contact section).

Board
Trustees have set up a COVID-19 sub-group that has overseen all preparations for reopening the office, monitoring the well-being of staff and restarting project delivery.

The Old Pressing Shop (office base)

It is no longer a legal requirement for masks to be worn in our building. It is the choice of visitors whether they choose to wear one.

We have disposable facemarks available at the entrance of the building for the use of visitors. We also have hand sanitising stations set up throughout the building.

Face to Face Project Delivery

People Express is regularly checking Government Guidelines and risk assessing all delivery on a project by project basis. We are planning the restart of face to face delivery of all projects, with the exception of those designed to take place online.

We recognise the contribution and value of our work, particularly for young people, in reducing isolation, addressing issues around low confidence and self-esteem and supporting new social groups and peer support networks. It is important to us to continue to provide as many opportunities as can for young people and communities at risk of exclusion to have fun, feel connected and continue taking part in the arts and creative activity.

Here is an example of how we adapted one of our projects, Passport to Music, so that we could safely go ahead earlier this year:

Anxiety and Isolation

People Express is aware that the impact of COVID-19 is causing additional stress and anxiety. We would like to highlight these online resources: