Why choose NINE RED Presents… (CIC)?
In 2003, we had a light bulb moment that shaped our philosophy. On September 22, 2006, NINE RED Presents… (CIC) became amongst the first Community Interest Company’s ever to be formed. We operate as a social enterprise, blending business savvy with a heart of gold.
In 2016, we received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. Every penny we make goes back into the community, and our diverse volunteer squad is here to spread kindness and support those in need. At 21 years old this year we are the longest serving CIC in Luton.
At NINE RED Presents… (CIC), we believe in the transformative power of art. We’ve expanded our artistic horizons, drawing inspiration from global art forms to create immersive experiences that cross genres. We transform spaces into stunning conversation pieces, using art to inspire, heal, and bring people together.
3 REASONS WHY
1. CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING
At our core, we listen deeply to the heartbeats of our community, responding with empathy and action to create meaningful social change. Our mission is to uplift and transform the lives of those affected by domestic and sexual abuse, mental health challenges, and cultural deprivation. As a Queen’s Award-winning community interest company, our interdisciplinary artists breathe life into spaces, crafting thought-provoking and intricate designs that serve as art medicine. Together, we change people, places, and spaces, one inspiring creation at a time.
2. INNOVATIVE PROJECT DESIGN
We believe in the power of community to heal and empower. Our participant-led projects offer skill attainment, education, and artistic pursuits, fostering increased participation in arts, education, and wellbeing.
As a community interest company, we dedicate all our profits to providing a holistic support package for victims of domestic and sexual violence, as well as individuals affected by mild to moderate mental health conditions. Through our “Art as Medicine” initiative, we harness the therapeutic potential of creativity to help individuals overcome trauma, build confidence, and manage anxiety, depression, and stress. Together, we create spaces for healing and growth, ensuring no one has to walk their journey alone.
3. CHANGING PERCEPTIONS
Shaking things up and making sure everyone, no matter their background, can chase their dreams. We make magic happen by uplifting folks to go after their heart’s desires and live their best lives. Ensuring that each individual in society, irrespective of race, ethnic origin, gender, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, creed, disability, age, religion, or political belief, has the right to be and to achieve all they want in life. We change lives by inspiring individuals to be, do, and have all they want in life.
THINK ART?
We are innovators in the creative industry known for our artwork, soundwork and prose that captures the essence of any subject or area.
THINK THERAPY;
As a community interest company, we use all company profits to provide a holistic package of support for victims of domestic/sexual violence and individuals affected by mild-moderate mental health conditions.
THINK 9 RED!
As interdisciplinary artists, producing sound with Vision! An explosive blend of Sound, Colour and Movement – The art of storytelling; blending different mediums, encouraging deep listening and profound understanding.
Our Services
Nine Red is a Queen’s Award-winning community interest company run by interdisciplinary artists. We are known for our innovative artwork, soundwork, and prose. As a community interest company, we use all profits to provide support for victims of domestic/sexual violence and individuals affected by mild-moderate mental health conditions.
Think NINE RED!
Think Art!
Think Art! We are innovators in the creative industry known for our artwork, soundwork and prose that captures the essence of any subject or area. To children’s places and open spaces, from commercial premises to shopping centres.
We transform empty spaces into breath-taking conversation pieces. Using a combination of materials, genres and mediums; we redefined art. With pop-up art, pop-up performances and pop-up workshops and activities.
Think Therapy;
Think Therapy! As a community interest company, we use all company profits to provide a holistic package of support for victims of domestic/sexual violence and individuals affected by mild-moderate mental health conditions. We provide Art as Medicine to help individuals to overcome trauma, gain confidence and self-esteem and to help manage anxiety, depression and stress.
ART MEDICINE
My creative practice “Words Chose Me” is forged through understanding the historically interconnected nature of medicine and the arts, by exploring and healing emotions through combining poetry therapy, creative craft and art therapy, and the movement therapy branches of expressive art therapies.
I am an interdisciplinary artist whose practice explores the contrasting yet interconnected elements of light, projection, colour, sound, and movement to transform and connect people and spaces. I use poetry to deliver messages across all levels of awareness.
The multidimensional nature of my approach is forged from my life experience as an INFJ empath with low-latent inhibition and a brain process whereby emotions, energy, light, projection, colour, sound and movement are all the same to me
the Whispering Wick
Get ready to unlock the ancient art of making candles and tap into the amazing power of light, colour, sound, aromatherapy and planetary energies! Our fun and therapeutic candlemaking workshops not only let you create your own beautiful custom candles, but also help you unleash negative vibes and bask in positive energy. Plus, who can resist the allure of crafting an amazing candle for yourself?
The Energy Bar
Introducing our 3-step create your own candle or cosmetic station. We’ve developed unique energy healing blends using light, colour, planetary energies, and sound, which are infused into essential oil blends to promote overall well-being. Customers can choose between a candle or cosmetic (soap bar, liquid soap, oil, or butter) as their delivery system. Our containers are reusable, and we encourage refills.
The Artful Nature
Get ready to channel your inner artist with a nature-inspired craft project using shells, wood, bark, acorns, and more!
Dive into creating a vibrant mosaic wall art piece celebrating the beauty of the four seasons and nature’s elements – it’s Art by Nature at its finest!
With mini canvases in hand, you’ll not only brighten up your walls but also give little ones and all ages a chance to explore their artistic talents, work solo or in a team, and come together to craft a stunning mural.
Expressive art therapies
Combining the ancient traditions with expressive arts of poetry, narrative psychology, and movement as therapy, my work emphasizes healing and is transformative for both people and space.
It attempts to create feeling spaces and explore what it is to be human, going beyond superficial differences and artificial labels such as colour, race, religion, gender, age, ability, etc, instead focusing on compassion, empathy, appreciation and joy, from which healing naturally occurs.
POETRY E.MOTION
Our projects support and enhance the lives of individuals experiencing any of the following:-
• Social or material disadvantage;
• Domestic/sexual violence and historic abuse;
• Mental health issues
• Cultural deprivation.
This is achieved this by opening up our existing projects that provide skill attainment, education, artistic pursuits and counselling, to clients from the about categories. This has enabled clients to work with their case worker to create a care plan.
Butterfly in Shades of Grey
Arts in Athletics
NINE RED Presents (CIC) with partners Bedfordshire Police and WoCiP, launches “Squash It” project combining art and sports to promote mental health among young people of color. Led by Lee Collins and supported by Luton & Dunstable Squash Club, the initiative aims to enhance self-esteem, combat isolation, and build community through squash sessions, fostering life skills and resilience.
Be Heard!
NINE RED Presents (CIC) partners with Bedfordshire Police for the Be Heard! Campaign, aiding victims of Domestic and Sexual Violence, with a focus on the Caribbean community. Debra Knight from Nine Red Presents emphasizes the importance of supporting trauma recovery with a holistic approach and art therapy. The collaboration aims to promote collective efforts and engage diverse communities.
Womens’ Listening Circles
The Woman’s Listening Circles sprang to life through a fabulous collaboration between Bedfordshire Police, WoCiP (Women of Colour in Policing), and NINE RED Presents… (CIC). Kicking off in style at the Sundon Square Garden in Sundon Park on July 2nd, 2022, with Detective Chief Superintendent, Dee Perkins, as our inaugural host!
MVAWG & AVS
Recognising the gaps in service provision and beginning in 2001, a group of survivors created a programme “For Us, By Us,” to help support each other through the trauma. Over twenty years later, this Queen’s Award Winning company, NINE RED Presents (CIC) provides a holistic package of emotional and practical support to those effected
Medu Neter
The Alphabet that became Greek
Uncover the Ancient Origins of Writing: The Medu Neter and the Greek Alphabet
Join us for an enlightening exploration of the Medu Neter alphabet and its profound influence on the development of the Greek alphabet. Delve into the rich history and intricate connections between these ancient writing systems in a captivating event that will expand your understanding of linguistic evolution.
Butterfly in Shades of Grey
Arts in Athletics – “Squash It” project combining art and sports to promote mental health among young people of colour.
Be Heard! – Campaign, aiding victims of Domestic and Sexual Violence, with a focus on the Caribbean community.
Womens’ Listening Circles MVAWG & AVS – A “For Us, By Us,” programme to help support each other through the trauma.
Bedfordshire Together
The Bedfordshire Together – Pilgrims Poetry Walks project is a collaborative effort that aims to bring different community groups and organisations in Bedfordshire together through poetry and walking. The project will involve a series of poetry writing workshops while walking, with short writing exercises conducted at scenic locations during the walk. These walks will culminate in the Ballard’s of Bedfordshire poetry book and performances for Bedfordshire Day. The project will foster community cohesion and promote intercultural understanding.
Hu (e) Man
| Imagine a world where a human being is a mind made flesh, where the vibrant interplay of colour and sound illuminates the essence of our existence. Join us for an extraordinary event that transcends traditional boundaries as we explore the profound connections between light, sound, and the human experience. As the Colour of Sound brings to life the radiant hues of the human experience. |
How Art Heals
Debra runs several community projects, including the AVS Project, which provides a package of support to victims of domestic and sexual violence, as well as rape, through holistic arts as therapy. She started the AVS Healing Arts Group because she found that performing arts helped her step into the light, gain confidence, and feel secure in achieving a safer, brighter future.
To demonstrate to her clients in the AVS Healing Arts Group that it is safe to step into the light and extend the boundaries of their comfort zones, Debra auditioned for the Olympic Ceremonies. Despite struggling with some social anxiety, she felt it was important to show her clients that she wouldn’t ask them to do anything she wouldn’t do herself. After attending the auditions, she encouraged her clients to take similar steps in their lives to achieve whatever goals they had.
Debra initially believed this was the end of her particular journey and felt it had been a meaningful experience for all involved. To her surprise, she was selected to perform in the Paralympic closing ceremony. This opportunity required her to travel alone by train, tube, and bus to the rehearsal location, which was a daunting thought for her. Regardless of the pressure of performing in front of so many people, it was vital not only for her to conquer her fears but also for the healing arts group to overcome theirs.
On September 9, 2012, Debra performed in the Paralympic closing ceremony in front of 80,000 people, broadcast live on TV and the internet around the world. She was part of the “Truck Invasion” and could be seen entering the stadium behind the winter truck. While performing alongside Coldplay, she also had to learn sign language for three of their tracks. Other artists she danced with that night included Rihanna and Jay-Z.
In a message to her AVS Healing Arts Group, she said, “My Olympic journey has come to an end, but from this, there has been a powerful lesson. I never ask more of you than what I ask of myself. I did the audition to prove to you all that stepping outside my comfort zone is safe. I never truly believed I would be a performer at the closing ceremony. So I hope that you all can follow in my footsteps and do what is important to you in your life. Not only is it safe outside, it’s beautiful. Step into the light and ENJOY! Blessings x.”
Debra received a letter from Prime Minister David Cameron thanking her for her participation in the ceremony.