01 August 2007
Charity leaders inspire new PM
Three directors of NPC-recommended charities were mentioned in Gordon Brown's new book, 'Britain's Everyday Heroes'. Matt Peacock, founder and director of Streetwise Opera, Susan Langford, director of Magic Me and Benita Refson, CEO of The Place2Be are part of a line up of 33 'unsung heroes' - ordinary people doing exceptional things.
According to Brown, those listed are only some of the '60 million everyday heroes in Britain today, each making a difference in the world.' Another NPC charity recommendation, Community Links, which helped produce the book, will receive proceeds from its sales.
- Streetwise Opera, headed by Matt Peacock, is a charity that involves homeless people in professional opera productions and workshops. The performances give those involved a sense of purpose and increased confidence and also challenge stereotypes of homeless people. Streetwise Opera's recent performance, 'Critical Mass' received positive reviews from The Times Online.
- Magic Me was set up after its founder, Susan Langford, was inspired to act after being shocked by the grimness, isolation and sense of despair she encountered in care homes. The charity brings together elderly and young residents, of different ethnic backgrounds in the East End through poetry, music, drama and art classes.
- The Place2Be provides a confidential space where children can talk openly about whatever is worrying them. The charity also offers support for parents facing problems with their children.
Brown's book comes as part of his larger reform around honours. In a bid to restore public trust in the honours system, Brown had pledged that the 'unsung heroes' who are making a difference in local schools, youth clubs, hospitals, charities and faith groups will make up a 'significant majority' of those on the honours list. This will be a change from the present system, where only 40% of honours are given to members of local communities.
Read charity recommendations for:
Read The Times Online review of Streetwise Opera's latest production.
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