It was a very inspiring and interactive workshop where people shared ideas, discussed different campaigns and alliances agreed on asks to put to the mayoral candidates next April.
🍂 Untold Stories History Project🍂
In the first part of the project around 14 women met at the Tramshed and took a couple of short walks around Woolwich to find and ask questions of statues in the local streets.
In the Arsenal riverside development a circle of male figures in steel, “Assembly” by Peter Burke, raised questions and uncomfortable feelings for many of the group. We also looked at a more colourful “Buddy Bear” statue which stands in a corner of Beresford Square that is meant to promote tolerance and peace amongst different religions and cultural groups. Like many statues we were surprised that we had passed Buddy Bear numerous times and never noticed him.
Rich the storyteller shared a wide range of pictures of statues from other places. “The strength of the Hijab” by Luke Perry, was recently placed in Oldham, the group was divided in their view of this 5 metre tall iron image. Some felt it was a shame that the woman did not look happy and others felt it was great to see a powerful image representing hijab-wearing women. We found uplifting art in the National Windrush monument at Waterloo Station, “Hands of Hope” made by Thamesmead-based artist Joseph Ijoyemi, and a statue in Newham of a woman on her mobile phone, “Reaching Out” by Thomas J Price.
Thanks to funding from Untold Stories as part of the Mayor's Commission for Diversity in the Public Realm programme, and to Rich Sylvester - insta @richstories123
In our last session before the half-term break we had a special visit from Sarah at Page & Bloom who taught us to make beautiful bouquets from recycled materials, which we can now practice at home.
Please if you know anyone who would benefit from an arts and wellbeing project, email Laura at info@theground.org.uk
💞 Protein Dance Sessions💞
"Each step is telling a beautiful story"
(Project Volunteer, October 2023)
Thanks to the amazing talents at Luca Silvestrini's Protein we've been learning some new moves, exploring new themes and making new connections. We can't wait to see what's to come with this project.
If you know anyone who would benefit from a dance project, email Laura at info@theground.org.uk
💫Community Action & Leadership Training 💫
Interested in training to be a Community Leader?
Even more interested in being trained by a group of migrant women?
OurStronger Together Leaderswill be delivering another course in Community Action & Leadership later this year and they're looking for some fresh faces to join!
In November our Mums' Voices group will be meeting again with wonderful theatre practitioner, Rachel Griffiths, to continue devising a very special and unique creative output!
We're also applying for funding to continue the group in January 2024, so please refer any perinatal migrant women who might want to join to Laura at info@theground.org.uk
🌱 It's starting to look a lot like "home"🌱
We are so happy to now be officially residing at Tramshed in Woolwich from this month.
A new chapter begins and our journey continues.....
May it be full of growth, learning, sharing, connection, peace and solidarity. May we create lots of wonderful memories in our new space.
