LUMIERE MATCH FUND

ARTICHOKE AND COUNTY DURHAM COMMUNITY FOUNDATION JOINED FORCES TO DOUBLE LUMIERE GIFTS, MAKING AN EVEN GREATER IMPACT

In 2023, Artichoke partnered with County Durham Community Foundation to double selected Lumiere gifts. At no extra cost to supporters, the new initiative unlocks additional funding for the year-round Lumiere Learning & Participation programme and the Poverty Hurts Appeal.

 

To support Lumiere is to support one of County Durham’s great treasures – an event that brings art, culture and magic to everyone, while enriching local lives throughout the year. To be able to offer businesses match funding once again, and the chance to support our Poverty Hurts Appeal, is a win-win situation that can only strengthen and uplift our communities.

MICHELLE COOPER CHIEF EXECUTIVE, COUNTY DURHAM COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, LUMIERE 2023, EVENT PARTNER

LEARNING & PARTICIPATION

Your gifts enabled people throughout County Durham to engage with year-round creative opportunities for free as part of the Lumiere Learning & Participation programme, improving wellbeing, developing skills, and building social connection.

Since 2009, more than 12,800 people across County Durham have taken part in Lumiere Learning & Participation projects, from creative education in schools, to training and employment for young people, to communities working with artists to create Lumiere artworks.

I find it very powerful and I find myself very happy about it, that I’ve been chosen to have my artwork up in Durham.

YEAR 10 STUDENTS, DURHAM FEDERATION SCHOOL, ARTICLE 12 PROJECT, LUMIERE DURHAM 2021

Selected businesses and individuals who supported Lumiere had their gift matched by County Durham Community Foundation, and a proportion of that gift was committed to fighting poverty and enriching lives in County Durham all year round.

 

POVERTY HURTS

Poverty is a harsh reality for more and more families and individuals in County Durham. The impact of poverty is felt across all aspects of life – limiting the hopes, opportunities and potential of thousands across the County, who have so much to offer.

 

In County Durham:

  • 38% of children in the region now live below the poverty line.
  • The severity of child poverty jumps sharply in different areas. For example, the child poverty rate in Neville’s Cross is 5%, leaping to 45% in Shildon and Dene Valley.
  • Local food support services say requests for food that does not need to be cooked have risen by 50%.

 

The County Durham Community Foundation Poverty Hurts Appeal brings businesses and communities together to fight poverty and enrich lives for families and individuals across County Durham.

By supporting Poverty Hurts, you help people to build an enriched life for themselves and their families and for the future generations of their families. Your gift will not only fight poverty in County Durham, but will go towards; improving health, wellbeing, and education, helping people develop life skills, reducing inequalities and enriching lives.

 

YOUR SUPPORT IN ACTION 

In the last year alone, the Poverty Hurts Appeal has helped an estimated 34,650 children and adults facing hardship by awarding £618,594 in grants to small but vital charities at the heart of helping local communities.

We hope the project will increase confidence, improve healthy eating and address people’s financial position in terms of what they can do; and give the opportunity to attend a warm building.

OUR CONFIDENT COMMUNITY PROJECT, WILLINGTON OPEN DOOR METHODIST CHURCH

This [Poverty Hurts] will help people establish social networks, encourage people out of their homes, reduce the impact of and help people learn skills to manage the effects of the cost-of-living crisis.

RT PROJECTS

To find out more about how to support Lumiere, please contact: [email protected]. 

For more information about Poverty Hurts, visit County Durham Community Foundation.