INDEX arts
One day in the life of...
mind turns to those who don’t have a home, and that is where his focus stays for at least the next 12 hours. Mike is chief executive of Porchlight, a charity that supports homeless and vulnerable people across Kent. With funding to the county's rough sleeper service being cut by 75 per cent, as well as cuts to other funding streams, Mike is faced with tough decisions every day.
W
hen Mike Barrett leaves his home at 6.30am, his
Mike Barrett
"Preventative action is a cost saver long term, but when budgets are tight, we have to direct resources to where the need is most urgent" Mike works from the charity's Canterbury offi ce, but spends about half of his time out and about. He meets regularly with other agencies, both locally and outside the county, to look at ways of working together to try and ensure a coordinated approach to supporting homeless and vulnerable people. Mike regularly goes out to visit the many projects run by the charity in order to meet the
people they are working to support, and to talk with the front line staff. "Staff are under
immense pressure, but they are all very dedicated. It's important for me to meet regularly with them to make sure I don't lose sight of what the real issues are on the front line."
Despite the daily
challenges, Mike enjoys his job immensely "Just knowing that you are making a real difference to vulnerable people's lives is the most
rewarding work you can do". If you are aware of anyone sleeping on the streets, please call the Porchlight helpline on 0800 5677699. To fi nd out more about the charity’s work, visit www.
porchlight.org.uk Vanessa Chapman
Coco
13 January: Deco 5, Whitstable (9pm, free entry) The band leads a jam night.
The Lucky Ones
21 January: Deco 5, Whitstable (9pm, free entry) The trio performs a night of music, comedy and cabaret.
Gerry and the Pacemakers 27 January: Gulbenkian Theatre (7.45pm, tickets £18.50). The 60s rockers present music and chat.
Zoe Muth and The Lost High Rollers
28 January: The Royal Native Oyster Stores (7pm, tickets £12). A night of American folk music by the sea.
Steve Knightley 28 January:
Gulbenkian Theatre (7.45, tickets £16).
www.indexmagazine.co.uk Gerry and the pacemakers
Gig Guide Magic at the Marlowe
These bands should get you up and dancing, keeping you warm in this cold month.
The English singer-songwriter presents music and story-telling.
The Black Dahlia Murder 31 January: West Coast Bar, Margate Old Town (7pm, tickets £12). Supported by Skeletonwitch and Fleshgod. Three bands, lots of heavy metal.
The Canterbury Index Offi ce has been buzzing about the Marlowe theatre panto. This year’s show is Cinderella, the heartwarming story of rags,riches and glass slippers. The cast features Sue Devaney (Casualty) asThe Fairy Godmother and Stephen Mulhern (Britainís Got More Talent) as Buttons. Katya, aged six and the daughter of the editor, Mary Gold, reported that she enjoyed the show but was taken aback by the fact that the Ugly Sisters were called Beatrice and Eugenie, a barbed reference to somewhat dubious dress sense of the Princessesof York: “That was a bit unkind wasn’t it Mummy?” she said. However, Katya was swept away by the pumpkin coach and is now determined to ride in one herself. Let’s hope she has a fairy godmother of her own
waiting in the wings.
Less typical of the panto’s demographic is Index publisher Stephen Gurney. He is normally a dignifi ed, serious sort concerned with campaigning for a better Canterbury and balance sheets but he came in the morning after the panto with shining eyes. The show was, he said, a magical experience with realistic snow effects. He says: “But the best bit was the costume change. Cinderella was in her rags in thekitchen, and people walked past with sheets from opposite sides of thestage, and when they went off that was it, she was changed into herball dress. Even her hair was up. How did they do it?” Hey, that’s showbiz. Cinderella at the Marlowe runs until 22 January. Tickets £10-£25 from www.
marlowetheatre.com or 01227 787787.
39
Steve Knightley
The INDEX magazine January 2012
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