Monday 23 December 2013

60 Second Interview with Jasper!

60 Second Interview with Jasper!

We hear you have been up to some pretty amazing things during your three month break & we have missed having you on our runway!









Where have you been? 


Ethiopia, Dire Dawa


What made you decide to go there?

I went with an organization called VSO ICS, they give the opportunity for anyone between 18-25 to volunteer for 3 months working in development. My personal reasons for going was to contribute to an community and to gain experience.

What was the best experience while you was out there? It's hard to specify one but when handing out certificates to students who passed the grade, just the general happiness of everyone I encountered was amazing. Here is a documentary I made from my time in Ethiopia. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkKZqtV5ezg


What would you say to anyone else who wants to share the same experience's you have?

Go for it, if you do not have many commitments and want to experience a new culture then you have nothing to lose.


Sounds Amazing, Has this made an impact on your life?

Yes, it's given me future career goals and reinforced priorities.


So what are you plans for next year?

University, I am working for the university working on environmental sanitation, explore more of my art & photography, do some more in international developmen
t.

Monday 2 December 2013

FEATURED: Inspirational Women

Last weekend it was the event that everyone was talking about, Dream Street's first ever Inspirational Women Awards. 

The event taken place at The Ark, Alvechurch in Birmingham on Saturday 23rd November and featured a wide variety of Award Categories including; Inspirational Mum, Inspirational Business Woman & Inspirational Award of Bravery. 


“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.”

·         Being a single mum at the age of 23 can often be hard work but then losing your mum, Best friend and being diagnosed with a life threatening illness is enough to turn anyone’s life upside down, However not for this lady..
On March 26th 2012 Tracy was diagnosed with Cervical Cancer and was lucky enough to beat the illness and have all the cancer removed through surgery, She was left with a huge scar and unable to have any more children yet continues day in day out to share her story and encourage young women to have cervical cancer screenings from the age of 25. Tracy uses all her enthusiasm and love for the world to continue to make a difference to other people’s lives and fundraise for charities close to her heart,

This is lady is not only extremely appreciated for everything she does for other people, for sharing her story and fundraising for charity but she is also Dream Street’s Inspirational Women 2013.


 Michelle Williams has raised 9 children single-handily for 22 years and works nights as a residential carer.  Michelle is not only appreciated as a mum but also appreciated by many of those residents who she looks after and often receives thank you cards and flowers to show her how much she is appreciated.
As well as being as working and being a mum at home, she also finds the time to take her children to football training twice a week and to a match once a week as well as driving her other daughter to photo shoots or beauty pageants whenever she is needed, Her other daughter attends singing practice and music lessons, another daughter attends school athletics club and my younger brother goes to Spanish classes.. You get the idea of the busy household!
Michelle not only spends most of her time looking after people but also spends a lot of time raising money for the PDSA and Sunnyside Dog Kennels as these are charities very close to her heart, Michelle arranged and took part in a 6 mile walk dressed as dogs and raised over £300 for Sunnyside & recently donated £1,000 to Macmillan as this was a wish of my grandmothers before she passed away. That is also something that was very difficult for my mum as she was very close to her. Losing her mum also meant that she had to deal with her children’s grief over losing their Nan but to also try and find time for herself to grieve as well.

Michelle always thinks about other people and never puts herself first; she is always there for her children, her friends and to find time to fund-raise for charity. We would like to congratulate Michelle Williams on becoming Inspirational Mum of the year. 



When her mum was diagnosed with Arthritis this meant that Nadia would be faced too with this soul diminishing condition, Nadia was nominated by her father for not the large amount of goodwill she has shown but for the little things she does on a day to day basis out the kindness of her heart, like helping her mum out of bed, helping her get dressed or around the house.  Often cleaning up the house or making meals if her mum is unwell at just 13 years old.

Anyone who suffers from arthritis or looks after someone who does will be able to understand the daily struggle which many suffers are faced on a day to day basis, & often carers cannot be thanked enough for all the small things that they do, We would like to congratulate Nadia on becoming the Inspirational Young Person of the year. 

The Winner of the next award works extremely hard in her day to day life in order to reach her dreams, Not only for herself but reaching out for other people too.
She is a very hard working mum with two young children and wanted to start a business that would combine being a great mum with her passion for music. Working very hard she has  built up her business from a few hours a week to gaining degree, teaching diploma and business finance and management qualifications to now seeing over 40 students a week all within a short time of 5 years .
She has gone beyond her role on numerous occasions including community workshops and a fundraising concert in aid of Arthritis UK.

A quote from her students:

'My confidence was not good before & my tutor really helped me to be able to believe I can get up & show everyone what a voice I have.

Congratulations Maxine on becoming ‘Inspirational Tutor of the year 2013


Freya Felton was diagnosed with Hereditary Pancreatitis when she was just 2 years old and is now facing multiple conditions because of the severity her illness has caused, Ever since she was little she has undergone major surgery and theatre trips to help her get better.

In the last 6 years Freya was granted a Wendy House by local charity ‘Promise Dreams’ and since this day freya has understood the importance of other childrens happiness and has started fundraising for the charity to help other children have their wishes granted.
Freya has now helped raise £15,0000 for Promise Dreams and almost £1,000 in making bracelets with one of the Dream Street Girls, Sasha.

No matter what Freya is going through at just 8 years old she always remains strong not only for herself but for her family too.
We would like to congratulate Freya on winning the Inspirational Award of Bravery. 


The Dream Street Group would like to thank everyone for their kind donations and we were happy to present a cheque to Arthrtis Research for £707 for this event, Meaning we reached our £4,000 Target! 

Images by Mantis Photography - www.mantisphoto.co.uk