OLDER people in Tameside can win a £500 cash prize by submitting their stories and ideas to a local award-winning podcast series.
Made By Mortals, who are based at Ashton’s old baths, want people aged over 60 who can give them the spark of an idea or anecdote that can be transformed into an episode of Armchair Adventures.
Based on the adventures of fictional teenage travel agent Connie and her lovely group of older customers, the winners – two of whom will be chosen – will have the chance to star in the episode.
Armchair Adventures is aimed at primary school children and is co-produced by a group of over 55s from Tameside and Made By Mortals musicians and storytellers, who meet every Thursday at Guide Bridge Theatre in Audenshaw.
Previous episodes have transported listeners through places and times ranging from cruising a canal boat back through Tameside’s industrial revolution period.
They have also seen them shrinking to the size of a beetle and exploring the wonders of a Stalybridge garden and whisking off to America and South Africa to listen in on the great people’s rights leaders Dr Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela.
Along the way listeners are encouraged to sing songs, shout out ideas and imagine themselves at the heart of the adventure with 15-year-old Connie and her older customers.
Each episode is inspired by a real person’s own experience, knowledge and passions and turned into the interactive podcast through drama, music and immersive sound design.
Andy Smith, Co-Director of Made By Mortals said: “We are delighted to have been supported by the Arts Council to launch this competition and create new episodes for our third series.
“We want to hear from people of Tameside who have interesting real-life stories, that with the help of our team of professional artists, will be turned into something incredible to share with our young listeners.
“We’re just asking people to write down ideas briefly in fewer than 250 words or even record us a short video of less than two minutes.
“We’re interested in all ideas because you never know where they can take you especially when we get in a room with our fantastic groups of older people and children.”
Jean and Barry Austin, both in their 70s, from Stalybridge are part of the group who co-produced the podcasts.
Jean, 78, said: “We got to know about the group, which is called Hearts and Minds, through Ros, our next door neighbour. She loved it and had been going for some time.
“All the people involved are friendly and interesting and we always have plenty to laugh about.
This is down to Andy, Paul and Chris from Made By Mortals who work hard to make it all work
“We love making shows for children. The kids join in and have a great time. During the pandemic we changed to making the podcasts on Zoom which have been a great success.”
The competition is open for entries until this Sunday (July 31).
The entrant must live in Tameside. The winner will be announced on the International Day of Older Persons on October 1.
To enter your story or the story of an older relative, tell your tale in no more than 250 words, or in a short video no more than two minutes in length.
You can email to admin@madebymortals.org or send by post to Made By Mortals, Ashton Old Baths, Ashton-Under-Lyne, OL6 7FW.