What People are Saying…
“Jack Drum reaches the hearts, minds and souls of our communities to make a real difference. With its extensive and creative arts programme, Jack Drum brings warmth, fun, challenges and smiles to all ages and backgrounds from perfect performances to enthusiastic engagement and accessible opportunities.”
Councillor Olwyn Gunn, Durham County Council
“The Foundation’s aim to enrich lives in the County is always met through funding Jack Drum Arts. Their projects have wide reach across the community – embracing diversity, engaging meaningfully with young people and adults to create a cultural legacy, and growing large scale and memorable projects such as Crook Winter Light Parade. Jack Drum Arts’ understanding of their audiences, the needs of the community, and the creativity within it means that every grant made through them has a lasting impact and is always value for money.”
Michelle Cooper, Chief Executive, County Durham Community Foundation
“I have been consistently impressed by how improving young people’s mental health is at the centre of everything Jack Drum does. I’ve showcased the outstanding quality of their work in BBC radio documentaries and have worked with Jack Drum on various King’s College London arts and wellbeing mental health initiatives. It is a privilege to collaborate with Jack Drum, and see the young people they work with flourish creatively as a result. “
Dr Sally Marlow, BBC radio broadcaster and academic, King’s College London
"Jack Drum has been both inspirational and life changing for my family. My children have attended from a young age, gained positive friendships, grown in confidence, acquired new skills. They have been supported and mentored and have grown to be adults with ethics, characters and skills to be proud of and admired. "
Parent
“Amazing life changing experiences for both young people and adults, learning new skills and developing them to provide pleasure and performances in the local area, nationally and internationally.”
Parent
“What a joy to feel the energy of communal activity after all the restrictions of lockdown. Always a challenge - always improves my mind (and circulation).”
Participant
“It was such an honour to come and learn with you all, and the hospitality I was shown moved me very much. I was touched very deeply by how you all are, the love, the gentleness, kindness, maturity, acceptance, respect, and consideration you showed, to me and to each other. You’re all wonderful people, individually and collectively, a model of how we all as humans at this time need to be. “
Jon Hardeman, guest musician
“Jack Drum Arts has made me, an outsider of society feel part of something very special. It has opened up parts of my creativity, improved my self confidence, and definitely improved my faith in humanity.“
Participant
“Jack Drum Arts empowers young people from the community to become future cultural leaders, teaching them to lead groups themselves and providing opportunities to learn from local and international musicians. There is an amazing level of professionalism at Jack Drum Arts.”
Participant
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank everybody at Jack Drum Arts for all the support you have given us at Bradbury House throughout this difficult year. Your activities and outdoor performances have been greatly enjoyed by our service users and staff.”
Bradbury House, Cheshire Home
“Thank you for all you have done for our family over the years, but especially this year. You do so much for individuals, groups, families and communities, and your help and support is much appreciated.”
Michelle, Participant, Parent, Carer
“Words can not describe how grateful we are for the input of your band to the funeral of our father. Your music transformed the day from a funeral to a celebration of life. Thank you for going the extra mile to find out about our dad and incorporate his spirit into the music you played. He would have been right there dancing with you and would have loved it.”
Obuba Family
“Jack Drum has changed my life! I have been involved for around 11 years and loved every minute of it. Being part of it has helped me gain confidence to interact with people my age. It also helped me have an escape when school wasn’t working and I was struggling with poor mental health. The sense of a second family is something you just can’t recreate anywhere else.“
Participant
“Jack Drum Arts is an organisation that brings a rich offering of diverse cultural activities that benefits young people and families across the North East. JDA stands out as one of the region's leading examples in actively engaging young people with culturally relevant music, art, film, and theatre that builds trust and demonstrates best practice.”
Yilis Suriel & Hannabiell Sanders, Executive and Artistic Directors, Harambee Pasadia CIC
“Jack Drum Arts is amazing – committed, passionate, talented, aspirational – we are so glad the organisation exists.”
Parent
“Fantastic to see young people putting their energy into entertaining people, the samba band were really great and a pleasure to witness.”
Audience member
“I felt like I was in a shell, and the support I have received on health and wellbeing with (Jack Drum Arts) has helped me shed this shell. I have definitely lost my social anxiety and this has helped me on a daily basis.
Anna has helped me recognise the negative thought patterns that have put my life on hold, and I have learned to be mindful and I do now feel confident that I do have worth and have a voice and that I can contribute and give something to society. “
Siobhan, ROAD Participant
“My wife and I attended our first Warm Space session on 11/11/22 at Jack Drum Arts in Crook. We both suffer with our mental health and my wife is currently having chemotherapy, so attending today really allowed us to have time for ourselves and try our hand at ceramics.
Working in a safe environment is a priority for us both, and Anna and Marti explained what was expected of everyone and supported us throughout the day excellently. We both felt enriched, satisfaction, social inclusion, warmth and included in a group.”
Dave and Anne, Warm Space Participant