A Statement From GL4
A Message From Sarah O'Donnell
Naomi (left), Sarah (right)
After eight years at GL4 I have made the difficult decision to step down as Organisational Director and continue my much loved career as a chef.
When we did our first festival in October 2016 I did not think we would be where we are today. This decision has not been easy in any way and there have been lots of tears. I believe this is the right decision for me, it has also highlighted that there are not enough training opportunities for people like us that have never run an organisation before. I will remain in my role as a director of GL4 and continue to guide and support as a founder and community member, and hold Naomi’s hand when she needs it. I am really excited to see the organisation continue to blossom and go from strength to strength. Running GL4 has been one of the proudest journeys of my life.
Since we started I have worked with some amazing talented people and made many friends along the way, but more importantly I experienced this with my best friend by my side. Leaving Naomi feels like I'm losing my right arm.
Starting GL4 was an exciting opportunity. Working with Strike A Light to produce the first festival in Matson. This was a scary time as myself and Naomi were not from arts backgrounds and had never run an organisation, all we heard was an event for the community. Our first festival was a sell out event. By the time that the second festival happened we were on a very fast moving treadmill. The first few years were crazy. In a short space of time we had set up as an organisation thanks to the help of the late Nick Clitherhoe, Create Gloucestershire, plus the support from Gloucestershire Gateway Trust and the backing from many people and organisations which we will be forever grateful for. This enabled us to grow our team, secure funding, and bring culture to the heart of our estate.
We have made so many memories from back door shuffling at our first Edinburgh Fringe Festival, co-producing our first show Hidden Voices, taking our beatbox group up and down the country and going to parliament to talk about all things community. There has also been a lot of blood sweat tears and laughter made along the way but it has been an amazing 8 years. Even though I won't be involved in the heart beat of the organisation I am still here.
From myself and GL4 thank you for your continued support.
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A Message From Naomi Draper
To say I am gutted for Sarah to be leaving the core team at GL4 is an understatement. We started our journey 8 years ago together and what a journey it has been, I wouldn't of wanted to experience it with anyone else. I will continue to steer GL4 and I hope that I make her proud. The office will not be the same without her. I am losing my partner in crime however I am extremely proud of her for making this decision and doing what is right for her.
I am happy that Sarah will still be here supporting GL4 in the background as a director and myself and the team will continue to deliver opportunities and events for our community.
GL4 Directors Statement
GL4 has been going since 2016 and in that time we have grown a successful and resilient organisation. We have gone from being heavily supported by other partners to being an independent stand alone community interest company, partnership working has always been key for GL4 and will forever continue with the amazing organisations that have supported us since our journey began.
None of this would've been possible without the hard work and dedication of Sarah and Naomi. Today, GL4 is in a strong position, a grassroots led arts organisation in Matson, serving its community.
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Replacing Sarah O’Donnell will take time and Sarah Blowers and Naomi Draper are looking to appoint an interim associate director for up to 6 months to work with GL4 to consider what the organisation needs for its onward journey. We believe that the strength and success of GL4 is that it is led by local residents. We will continue to ensure that we keep working with our community and make opportunities for community members to take part in, lead and watch culture on their estate.