Author: rebeccadenniff

  • Celebrating FEAST at Easter with Flash Company Arts

    Celebrating FEAST at Easter with Flash Company Arts

    This Easter, Flash Company Arts had the huge pleasure of delivering FEAST activities across Whitby and the surrounding villages as part of North Yorkshire Together’s FEAST programme.

    Thanks to the support we received, we were able to offer free, creative, and welcoming sessions that brought local children and young people together for a brilliant few days of art, movement, games, food — and lots of fun.

    A Youth-Led, Creative Approach
    We made sure our sessions were flexible, energetic, and youth-led. The children had a say in what we did — inventing games, choosing activities, and bringing their ideas to life. Over the course of the project, we wrote songs, made snacks, painted portraits, played games, tried yoga, and explored all kinds of creative activities. The vibe was lively, supportive, and full of energy, with lots of chances for the kids to try new things, show off their skills, and have fun.

    Building Confidence and Community
    What really stood out for us was watching the kids grow in confidence as the sessions went on. Some arrived feeling shy or low in mood, but with the right support, we saw real change. New friendships blossomed, creativity took off, and children who struggled at first became more engaged, more confident, and really proud of what they were achieving.

    Food, Wellbeing, and Sustainability
    Healthy eating and wellbeing were at the heart of everything we did. The children helped plan and prepare snacks, tried new fruits and foods, and learned simple ways to stay active and feel good. Physical activity was part of every session — around 90 minutes a day — with lots of fun and movement rather than just sports.

    We also take sustainability seriously. Through our Surplus Food Project, we help reduce food waste, and we’re proud of our Carbon Literacy Award. We also encouraged the children and families to think about their own environmental impact and small changes they can make.

    Strong Foundations
    We put safety, inclusion, and support at the core of everything. All of our staff are well-trained, and we made sure there were clear policies in place so every child could join in at their own pace. Accessibility and fairness were key to how we worked.

    Looking Ahead
    The impact of FEAST at Easter will last long after the holidays. The connections made, the confidence built, and the creativity sparked have made our work even stronger.

    If you want to get involved in what’s coming next, we’d love to see you! Pop into Flowergate Hall for a chat with Rebecca and the team — we’ve got some exciting plans for the summer ahead, and we’d love for you and your family to be part of it.

  • Back of the North Wind – Folklore event

    Back of the North Wind – Folklore event

    Something Magical is Stirring in Whitby Tonight… 🌙

    If you’re anywhere near Whitby this Good Friday (that’s tonight!, April 18th), head to Flowergate Hall for an unforgettable evening steeped in myth, music, and moorland mystery.

    🎭 At the Back of the North Wind, hosted by the brilliant Bob Fischer, blends folklore, film, music, and storytellingin a beautifully atmospheric celebration of the North York Moors and their haunting legends.

    Expect tales that echo through the hills, sounds that stir the soul, and a vibe that’s equal parts eerie and enchanting. It’s part of the Beacon for the Arts Festival – and best of all?

    🎟️ No booking required. Just turn up.
    🕖 Doors open at 7PM
    📍 Flowergate Hall, Whitby

    Bring your curiosity and a coat. The North Wind is calling..

  • Shaping the Future of Volunteering in Whitby – Have Your Say!

    Shaping the Future of Volunteering in Whitby – Have Your Say!

    Whitby Community Alliance and Community First Yorkshire are inviting local residents, organisations, and volunteers to contribute their thoughts on the future of volunteering in Whitby.

    Following a successful ‘Vision for Volunteering’ session held in January, a dedicated online space has been created to continue the conversation and gather input from the community. Volunteers are the heart of Whitby, playing a crucial role in supporting local services, events, and community projects. Now, residents have the opportunity to help shape a vision for how volunteering can grow and thrive in the future.

    Padlet has been set up to capture ideas, reflections, and suggestions from anyone interested in strengthening volunteering in the town. Whether you’re an active volunteer, part of an organisation that benefits from volunteering, or simply have thoughts on how to make volunteering more accessible, your input is invaluable.

    Rebecca Denniff of Whitby Community Alliance said:
    “Volunteers play such an important role in our community, and this is a chance to ensure that volunteering in Whitby is sustainable, rewarding, and open to all. We want to hear from as many people as possible to build a vision that truly reflects our town’s needs and ambitions.”

    How to Get Involved

    Anyone interested can visit the Vision for Volunteering Padlet here:
    👉 https://padlet.com/RebeccaDenniff/vision_for_volunteering

    The Padlet is open to all, and contributions are welcome from individuals, charities, community groups, and organisations across Whitby. Participants can read through ideas already shared, add their own thoughts, and help shape a collective vision for the future of volunteering.

    For more information, please contact:

    Rebecca Denniff
    Whitby Community Alliance
    Flash Company Arts
    Flowergate Hall, Whitby, YO21 3BA
    📧 flashcompanyarts@gmail.com

  • Boost Your Wellbeing with Flash Company Arts This February


    February is shaping up to be an exciting and creative month with Flash Company Arts, as they roll out a whole raft of engaging activities designed to help you boost your wellbeing. Whether you’re a music lover, an art enthusiast, or just looking for a fun way to unwind, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

    What’s On?

    Flash Company Arts has lined up a diverse selection of activities, all aimed at fostering creativity, relaxation, and community connection. Here’s what you can look forward to:

    🎻 Folk Band (Wednesdays, 10:30 AM – 12 PM) – Love traditional tunes? Join the folk band and play alongside others who share a passion for folk music. A fantastic opportunity to learn, collaborate, and have fun.

    🎸 Guitar Jam Sessions (Wednesdays, 1 PM) – Grab your guitar and join in! Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, these jam sessions offer a great way to express yourself through music.

    ☕ Flash Arts Café Sessions (Fridays, 1:30 – 3 PM) – A relaxed, social setting where you can enjoy creative discussions, art activities, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

    🎨 Drop-in iPad Arts Sessions (Mondays, 1:30 – 3 PM) – Explore the world of digital art with expert guidance. Whether you’re a complete novice or looking to develop your skills, these sessions offer a unique way to experiment with creative technology.

    ✍️ Whitby and Grosmont Writers Group (Second Monday of the Month) – A supportive space for writers to share their work, exchange ideas, and develop their craft. Whether you’re an aspiring author or an experienced wordsmith, this group is the perfect place to find inspiration.

    🧘 Happy Seal Yoga (Tuesday Nights at the Hall) – Looking for a way to unwind and reconnect with your body and mind? Happy Seal Yoga meets every Tuesday night at the mall, and you can book directly with them for a refreshing and revitalizing session.

    🎭 Lobster Pot Youth Theatre (Wednesdays, 4:30-6:15 PM) – Our amazing youth theatre is an exciting opportunity for young people to explore drama, build confidence, and work together on incredible performances. This year, they’ve chosen to stage Shakespeare’s The Tempest—a bold and brilliant choice! Best of all, it’s completely free for young people to participate.

    🎶 Whitby Community Choir (Wednesdays, 7-8:30 PM) – Love to sing? The Whitby Community Choir is open to new singers, welcoming all voices and experience levels. Come along and enjoy the magic of group singing in a warm and friendly environment!

    📌 No Booking Required! – All of these fantastic sessions are drop-in friendly, so you can just turn up and take part—no need to book in advance!

    Why Get Involved?

    Engaging in the arts isn’t just about creativity—it’s also a powerful tool for mental and emotional wellbeing. Studies have shown that music, art, and social activities can help reduce stress, improve mood, and enhance overall mental health. Flash Company Arts provides a friendly, inclusive space where you can connect with others, try something new, and give yourself a creative boost.

    So, why not take a break, pick up a guitar, paint on an iPad, write a story, or even step onto the stage?

    Join In!

    No matter your experience level, Flash Company Arts welcomes you to get involved and embrace the joy of creativity this February. Drop by a session, bring a friend, and make time for your own wellbeing.

    📞 Contact us:
    📱 Phone: 07508 641880
    📧 Email: Rebecca.flashcompanyarts@gmail.com

    For more details, feel free to reach out—we’d love to hear from you!

  • July 2024

    Flash Company Arts has been working with volunteers and community members to prepare our community allotment for planting.  It has been such a rainy year so far that we have been taking advantage of the sunshine. We look forward to getting some seasonal vegetables in the ground so that we can distribute fresh, homegrown vegetables through the community fridge.  If you want to get involved with this or volunteer for the community fridge, pop into Flowergate Hall for a chat – we would love to have you involved!

    We were lucky enough to receive a donation from Ingrid Flute Cottages to keep our Wednesday music club running.  The sessions are entirely free, and young people have the chance to get free music lessons, learn new art skills, and have some food with new friends. 

    Our plans to deliver another fun-packed four weeks of our award-winning FEAST sessions are well underway, but a handful of free places are left. Get in touch if you need help booking or if you’re not sure if you are eligible for free places—we are here to help!

    In September, we are launching a new community voice group, ‘Whitby Community Voices’, where we can talk about what we love about our communities and how we can bring new opportunities and experiences to our brilliant town and villages.  We already hold a monthly Whitby Community Alliance meeting on the third Tuesday morning of the month for organisations to get together, share information and ideas, and make plans. We hope that a group of community members will bring even more brilliant, joined-up thinking to the table so that we can try out new ideas and raise our voices together for change in a positive way.  If you would like to be part of the first meeting, look out for information on our social media or email rebecca.flashcompanyarts@gmail.com to be added to our group list.

    During the summer months, our projects will all be working on a fabulous immersive installation for Flowergate Old Chapel as part of our ongoing ‘Edge of the World’ project. The theme is ‘Flowers of the Forest’, and our ambition is to decorate the chapel with community-made flowers.  You can get involved either at one of our Crafternoon sessions or by making something at home that ties in with the theme.  A celebration event will happen at the end of September – more information to follow in the coming weeks!