"We are expanding nationally, internationally and globally; physically and across cyber space - before long, no one should be able to miss out on the opportunities that we intend to offer." 

Hello - I'm Juliet Mander; I have been a Trustee on the Board of Eastside since the charity was first established and I have watched with maternal pride as it has grown, matured and blossomed into the marvellous charity that it is today - and it is still developing. My background is in theatre and now I work in a theatre in a school, so arts and education are incredibly important to me.

Eastside has touched, and continues to touch, the lives of so many young people, encouraging and inspiring them to develop their skills and to become more rounded and confident in all that they do in their futures. Eastside never stops developing new ideas to be able to reach even more people - we are expanding nationally, internationally and globally; physically and across cyber space - before long, no one should be able to miss out on the opportunities that we intend to offer.

We are beginning to explore the need to reach a wider audience, not just the inner cities - there is a huge requirement for us to head for the outer reaches of London and onward out into the countryside where there is a definite need for everything that Eastside has to offer. Because I live in the country I know that the young people here do not have as many opportunities that everyone assumes they have - yes, they have fresh air and lots of places to play - but city children would be appalled if there was only one bus an hour (up until 9pm) and then nothing, very few trains and cinemas so far away that most cannot get to them and if they can, they can’t get back. As for theatres and galleries - it usually involves a long trip and much planning. Schools do what they can - but apart from funding issues, there are so few charities out there that offer the diversity that Eastside does, that we just know that our whole country needs us to... make art happen! 

Email Juliet