New Show Coming Soon... - 6th April 2009

As reported towards the end of 2008, Shontal are working alongside Graham Brewis, Financial Inclusion Manager at Blyth Valley Housing. The new show deals with 'Affordable Credit' and will be show cased within the next month. If any of our friends and colleagues would like to be invited to the preview, please contact us.

Graham may even be playing a cameo role....

We're Back! - 30th March 2009

We've been very busy recently. We are thrilled to announce that our new show "It's Only A Few Quid.." was performed for the first time on 17th March at the Illegal Money Lending Team's conference at Wynyard Park, concerning the activities of loan sharks. Timed to coincide with the launch of the national help line for confidential assistance,. We were guests of Redcar / Cleveland Trading Standards, who originally commissioned the work in late 2008.

The Loan Shark help line number is

0300 555 2222.

 

Working in conjunction with the IMLT, we are able to offer the show to groups, and we are starting to take bookings.

The story concerns one central character, Gill. She loses her job and begins to struggle with the daily necessities of life. She battles with debt, and the people she owes. Then she turns to a certain individual for help....

We are hoping to have photographs of the show as soon as possible.

 

Keyring 'Tour' 2009 - 28th March 2009

Since February we have been working alongside Keyring, an organisation that provides support to people with varied abilities to be in control of their own lives, and live in their own homes. Their website is www.keyring.org and it's well worth a look!

We have so far performed and taken part in workshops in Newcastle, on 3rd Feb, and in Doncaster and Lincoln on 25th and 26th March. There has certainly been some lively debate, and it is a privilege to work with a forward thinking organisation such as Keyring. The issues raised by Keyring members for consideration, are Personal Safety, and Financial Abuse. Unfortunately some members of keyring, and many others besides, are sometimes exposed to abuse of various types. Working alongside Nikki and David from Keyring, we are very happy to help raise awareness of such abuses for the members. Our next sessions are in Manchester and Shrewsbury on 21st and 22nd April.

Our London session on 10th Feb was unfortunately snowed off, so we hope to visit the Keyring members in the capital in June. Watch this space.

Photographs were taken at the Newcastle session on 3rd Feb, and with the permission of the members included, we are happy to reproduce some of them here. See the gallery above.

The picture shown is from the Newcastle session, 3rd Feb this year. Keyring member Paddy is seen acting during the afternoon workshop.

North Tyneside Financial Inclusion. - 20th February 2009

On 24th February we commenced working with North Tyneside Financial Inclusion Team, with a performance of 'One Family's Story' at the Cedarwood Trust, in Meadowell, North Shields. We had a great time. Thanks to Margaret and the team at Cedarwood, and to Katheryn, Tony and Julie from North Tyneside. We'll be performing at six other venues in North Tyneside soon. Keep watching.

New Project Receives 'Go Ahead' - 12th November 2008

Shontal are delighted to announce the go-ahead of our new project, regarding 'Affordable Credit.' The script has been commissioned by Blyth Valley Housing, will be developed over the next 3 to 4 weeks and will be ready for preview in December. More news to follow.

Launch Event - 11th September 2008

We are delighted to be holding our official Launch event in association with Barclays Bank, at Washington Arts Centre, Biddick. Shontal would like to thank Gentoo for hosting our launch event, which is in addition to our partnership on financial literacy / inclusion work to date.

Further Work With Blyth Valley Housing - 12th August 2008

Following a meeting with Graham Brewis, Financial Inclusion Manager at Blyth Valley Housing, we are hoping to work on a new project soon, in relation to 'Affordable Credit.' Graham has been a close supporter of our work throughout 2008, and we are delighted to have the opportunity to pursue an ongoing working relationship.

Please contact us with any comments or suggestions in relation to 'Affordable Credit.'

New Photos In Gallery Section - 11th August 2008

Please see new pictures in our gallery section. Many thanks to Mark Wilkinson at markwilkinsonphotography.com for pictures 2, 3 and 4.