Help Showcase the Street survive COVID-19 crisis

For 17 years, Showcase the Street has sought to bring the very best in dance, sport and technology to Dundee and across Tayside to vulnerable families and young people and communities who struggle due to poverty and wider social issues this is what we're passionate about. We hope you value what we do.

In fact, this year we have seen the highest attendance figures in the use of our 3G indoor pitches, studio hires and our latest Virtual Reality centre and we have many exciting plans for the future.

But right now Showcase the Street needs short term financial help to survive the next few months. 

Right now both the future of Showcase the Street, and the health of our most vulnerable community members is in jeopardy. Due to the COVID-19 situation, closure of the community hub the families and young people are made more isolated and vulnerable. Many people are watching their livelihoods collapse. A lot of people are struggling already. Showcase the Street wants to tackle this situation - but we need your help right now.

As Showcase the Street Chair Fergus Storrier puts it: "So as I write this I wondered what to say about our building closing, about our amazing staff, about all the people who use our building, about our volunteers who help in so many ways from the Trustees to the parents who help at yearly shows. I've sat all week, hardly slept and wondered how after all this we'd survive and have a Showcase the Street and continue to help people.

Then I sit back and realise why so many years of voluntary work and running this incredible charity is so important. It's over 18 years ago now we sat with young people who wanted us to help them to dance, young people who came from all walks of life but essentially wanted to see a world where it didn't matter where you came from you were always given a chance in life. It makes me smile in this surreal times as I look back and think of so many smiling faces, of dealing with hard and good times and seeing the incredible facility that is Manhattan Works happen.

Thousands of people cross our doors every year, footballers, dancers, roller hockey players, fitness groups, community groups, pre school and social groups, schools, VR players, kids having parties, and many many more it's simply a community hub for so many people. From our income streams and funders we run vital projects which people often don't see as they blend into what we do. Vulnerable families, young people who struggle due to poverty, employability programmes, supporting disability groups, the list is endless yet the difference is massive.

So as we close our doors for a short time I go back and think it's okay we will be back, and we will be needed more then ever and it gives us all strength and the desire to ensure that happens.

Showcase thanks you for your understanding and patience and keep in touch as we develop a new social media campaign as we move forward."

We are tightening our belts and seeking ways to save money, including reducing staff hours in order to try to stabilise finances. But to survive the short term we need your help. This appeal is to raise urgent funds to ensure Showcase the Street survives.