Writers and Readers; Friends and Colleagues…
In London there is valid cause for concern and uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and across the world particularly a question mark on events. I write this message as an offer of guidance, friendly support and to underscore our unfaltering commitment to you, our community. Our mission as a non-profit CIC is to bring people and communities together through art and celebration. We are still here: creating events.
As the situation unfolds we are considering available options carefully, seeking expert advice and working with our host venues who do *not* plan for any closures at the time of writing. At our events, in the past, the present and the future to come, we take matters of health, safety and well-being seriously and we would like to offer our assurance that we are doing our part to mitigate risk as well as meet with the expectations of our guests, friends and colleagues.
CAMDEN EYE: +44 20 7428 0825 — PLEASE CALL FOR ANYTHING URGENT
CLAPHAM NORTH: +44 20 7274 2472 — PLEASE CALL FOR ANYTHING URGENT
The upcoming event on Monday (16.3.20) to be held at The Camden Eye is set to continue as planned, with no formal changes. However we are asking everyone who is planning to attend our event to self monitor for any irregular cold like symptoms on the day. If symptoms are found we gently recommend would be attendees to take comfort in a relaxing night indoors and hot mug of tea instead. Please also email us if you like.
The mechanics of our events are such that there is no microphone, no mic stand, no communal equipment of any kind and the chocolate tasting is entirely optional. That coupled with the *offer* of hand sanitiser close by throughout it is hard to imagine that risk would outweigh the value of our successful series of community events and that is why we have decided to continue as planned.
That said we are taking impeccably professional guidance notes from our friends at Boxpark, Eventbrite UK, as well as heeding the announcements made by public bodies in World Health Organization (WHO) and Public Health England and other useful resources. (BELOW)
HERE: WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION UPDATE
HERE: PUBLIC HEALTH ENGLAND UPDATE
ALSO HERE: CREATIVE INDUSTRIES FEDERATION INFO
ALSO HERE: HM GOV / CLAIMING BENEFITS / UNIVERSAL CREDIT
Please be aware that onward from Monday some mass gatherings in the UK may be subject to change or postponed, although we are formally awaiting further details of this capital wide plan beyond the recent article in The Guardian. (BELOW)
HERE: GUARDIAN MASS GATHERINGS ARTICLE / UPDATE (13.03.20)
In summary, events such as these give us the chance to remember what is important to us as individuals, as communities and global societies, we can choose to reflect on what we might be thankful for. Today, and in the long future to come, every challenge old and new presents an opportunity to learn, adapt, grow resilient and yet thrive still in life. Thanks for all your support and understanding, for reading this message, and above all remaining positive.
ChocThanks,
Paul Point
AD / Founder
The Chocolate Poetry Club CIC
The Chocolate Poetry Club 