Its vision is to create extraordinary contexts where anyone can be engaged, be educated or be enthused. Using creativity, arts, catering and events, we want to change lives. Element 1 aims to improve the quality of life of the people of Stockton on Tees through community activity based around culture, creativity and food, providing opportunities for people to engage, build their confidence, learn
new skills and make new friends. Through this, Element 1 will support the social regeneration of Stockton on Tees. Element 1 was created in 2014 by its two founding Directors:
• Mike McGrother, an experienced arts development professional with an excellent track record in creative exciting, engaging, inspiring cultural events that connect with a wide range of Stockton residents. Mike leads on delivering creative events through Element 1.
• Matty Brown, an experienced catering manager, trainer and chef, who has an excellent track record of using catering as a way to engage with and train disadvantaged people from Stockton. Matty leads on Element 1’s catering training activity. Mike and Matty came together to form Element 1 to maximise the potential to combine their skills to engage, train and inspire people in their community. Extraordinary, large scale, celebratory events that engage large numbers of people from Stockton on Tees, including people that do not normally get involved with cultural activities or organisations. People who are engaged with the cultural events and activities, and a wide range of other disadvantaged groups, are given real, practical skills that build their self esteem, develop them socially, and increase their employability. Element 1 is about fusion. The fusion between Mike’s inspiration and Matty’s delivery, between inspiring cultural activity and great food, between different parts of Stockton’s community. We aim to enable people to grow both as individuals through learning and participation, and as a community through the joy of shared experiences.
