A genuine ability to impact positively on the communities that we work with and solid business ethics and planning saw Bluestreak walk away with not one but two awards at the ‘Young Uns’ ceremony in June 2011. Winning the Social Enterprise Award and Outstanding Business of the Year was almost too much for our team with Graham being utterly speechless when collecting the Outstanding Business Award. For anyone who knows Graham that’s saying something. 

The last 18 months have been the most successful we have ever had, our growth has been well managed and has allowed us to develop new initiatives that we hope will enable a more sustainable future for our community development work. The grounding we gained through the support of the Northern Lights incubation was vital in creating a clear direction and drive to our development and we will be forever grateful for the support, guidance and opportunities Northern Lights gave us. Our work is making a real difference to the lives of some of the most disenfranchised and vulnerable people in Lancashire. We hope that with new avenues and opportunities opening all the time that we will continue to grow and develop into an even stronger position in the next 12 months.

Two be recognised and honoured in such a way is testament to the hard work and real impact we deliver for Lancashire.

Susan Angel, Volunteer Coordinator, who nominated Bluestreak for the Social Enterprise Award and was at the swanky ceremony, was overjoyed at winning. 'I really wanted us to win the Social Enterprise award and when we did I was ecstatic but to then win Outstanding Business of the Year was probably the best moment of my life'

Strengthening business relationships and successful funding applications enabled us to increase our workforce, broaden our experience and develop our appeal to a wider range of individuals and social groups played a huge role in Bluestreak winning a 'Polaris Award' in February 2009.

Jenny Shi, lecturer in employability, at UCLan, was on the judging panel. She said: “Bluestreak Arts’ recent expansion in terms of workforce and relationships with other Media Factory businesses was the main ingredient of their award success. Applications for funding have been exceptional, most notably from the ‘Target Well Being Lottery Fund’ recently where over £40,000 was gained. Well done to Bluestreak Arts and best of luck to them"

2010 saw our theatre company win an array of awards for our debut show. Bordello's now multi award winning and critically acclaimed debut one man show 'Tales from the Blackjack' launched in June 2010. Written by Richard Holdsworth, staring Alex Moran and Directed by our own Creative Director, Graham Easterlow Blackjack premiered at the Continental, Preston before dates at The Lowry Studio, Salford, Buxton Fringe Festival, and Edinburgh Fringe 2010.

Scooping three nominations at Buxton Fringe in 2010 and walking away with a nomination for 'Best New Writing' and awards for 'Best Performance' and the top prize 'Best Production' was outstanding. The show then went on to Edinburgh where it received critical acclaim and was nominated into the NSDF fringe awards. Topping this however was the shows sole performer, Alex Moran, screaming out of left field to win an MEN Theatre Award for 'Best Peformance in a Studio Production' beating the likes of The Royal Exchange and The Green Room.

Bordello have recently taken up an exciting residency at The Continental, Preston in partnership with 'They Eat Culture'. They will be launching their own website soon and are excited about the new direction and opportunity the future holds. Check out The Continental and They Eat Cultures websites to find out more about what Bordello are upto over the next few months. You can also follow them on twitter: @TheatreBordello