Alex has just completed his Bursary volunteer work at Phoenix Primary School where he was working as a teaching assistant. He says he wouldn’t have achieved what he has achieved without the bursary. "It was a really big help”.

'Blood on the Bath Tiles', Alex’s film, is about an American moving to a flat in London which he discovers has a murderous past. The ‘Blood on the Bath Tiles’ trailer is available on youtube. The festival shows films from all over world "it’s a prize in itself to be accepted” says Alex.

To view the trailer click on youtube or here.

“You’re Never Too Old to Learn”
(May 2007)

At 65 Barbara Galt graduated from Wirral Metropolitan College with a BA in Fine Arts. After beginning her own community arts project she says: “You’re never too old to learn.”

Barbara, a graduate of the Kensington Community Bursary Project, says the money and support recieved from her Bursary encouraged her to give something back to her community.

“The Kensington Bursary helped me through my studies and I gained a lot of encouragement to explore the possibility of funding from Community Champions and to set up a new project with confidence.” Says Barbara.

The arts project is designed to encourage the older members of the community to learn new skills and become involved in arts and crafts. Barbara said “Kensington has a very diverse community with a lot of talent, so it’s a good way to bring people together.”

The arts classes take place once a week at METAL, Marmaduke Street, and have already attracted a number of artists from the experienced to beginners with ages ranging from 50 to 90.

Barbara is even teaching one of members of the Kensington Bursary Panel, Chris Markham, who was involved in funding Barbara’s degree studies. Chris says: “When I saw the project advertised I was suprised to find it was Barbara who was running it.

“Art has been one of my interests for a while, so to see that Barbara had set up her own project so soon after graduating is quite commendable.

“The bursary she recieved has obviously allowed her to gain her skills, but it has given Barbara a motivation to give something back to the area. It has encouraged more people to persue their interests and also engage with their community.”

Chris added: “I was impressed to see the range of arts covered, plus all of the materials were provided.”

Keith Black, of the Kensington Community Bursary Project says: “It is good to see our Bursary students helping the community and contributing in a positive way to the regeneration of the area.”

For further information on the Art Workshop for the Over 50’s please contact Barbara Galt on 0151 263 8122.

Bursary Graduate now Bursary Assistant
(July 2005)

Paul Harris’ association with the Kensington Bursary Project has taken a new turn.

Paul graduated from Liverpool John Moores University with a BA (Hons) in International Business Studies and Spanish. Now, he has landed a job – as an assistant in the Bursary office, working for Merseyside Network for Change.

“Once I’d finished my degree, I had no idea that I would still be involved with the Bursary Project. When the Bursary panel and Bursary Officer Keith Black were looking for a new assistant, they decided to use the pool of skills in the area and look among the Bursary graduates, which was great for me as I’m really enjoying my new role.”

Paul was studying in Seville, Spain when he heard about the scheme. “The money I received was not only useful for books and living costs but also it allowed me to travel around Spain,” he said.

Paul volunteered at Kensington Junior School as a classroom assistant and donated over 80 hours of his time to the community.

“Working at the school was my way of saying thank you to Kensington for giving me this money to help with my studies and I really enjoyed my time there.”