Dani Burke shortlisted for BBC Radio Manchester Make A Difference Award

A local artist has been shortlisted for the Make A Difference Awards with BBC Radio Manchester for her creative sessions for teenagers.

Dani Burke has made it to the finals of the Community Group category, which is awarded to those who have helped to genuinely change the lives of others within the community.

Under her Community Interest Company, Creative Teenage Sessions, Dani runs free creative art sessions for teens at Castleton Library, helping them use art as a therapeutic output – much like she did herself after her father died.

The sessions provide a safe space for local teens to come and express themselves in a positive way through art and creativity. Earlier this year, she ran some sessions, Empowering and Inspirational Sisters, aimed solely at young female teenagers.

All of Dani’s sessions are self-funded by raffling off her own artwork.

She said: “I believe that art and creativity should be accessible to everyone regardless of cost and people shouldn't be missing out on a chance to express themselves artistically.”

Of the award, Dani said: “I am thrilled to bits and I thought it was someone pranking me at first. I never set out to be nominated for any awards and I am in shock that I have been nominated again for the work I do in the community and got to the finals twice.

“Art saved my life and being creative helps me daily as an aid for my mental health; I wanted to share this with my community, and I'm changing people's lives. I get messages from adults in my creative groups telling me how much art gives them a new lease of life, I get messages from parents thanking me for giving their kids independence and confidence and even the kids make me cards and write letters to say how much my sessions mean to them.

“The EIS sessions were needed in our community to empower and inspire the next generation of women to be strong and demand respect and feel that they can do anything they want in life.

“I wanted them to feel a sense of sisterhood and belonging to eradicate isolation and loneliness as that's the worst feeling in the world. We gave out free sanitary products donated by my friend, Sabia Ash from Zeal Empowerment Advocacy, and at the end of the sessions, they received quilts, duvet sets, fleeces, hot water bottles, drinks, pens, socks, hats and gloves kindly donated from my friend Naomi Burke from Healthwatch Rochdale. They were all very excited and sent me photos.

“I couldn't have done any of this work without Sally-Ann Astridge, my right-hand woman who helps me set up at every session and runs all the admin side of my CIC. I'd be lost without her. It really was an all-female-led affair to just echo to my girls how badass and amazing women and girlhood is and to be celebrated."

Dani also works full time with Rochdale & District Mind, facilitating art for its wellbeing groups as a mental health aide.

Last year, Dani was shortlisted for Cultural Facilitator of the Year in the Rochdale Borough Sports & Culture Award.

The BBC’s Make A Difference Awards were launched during the pandemic and celebrate local people across each BBC radio station.

Winners will be selected by a panel of judges and awards will be given in each of the eight categories in September.