Helping Colours of Redbridge Find Their Creative Voice
Aim: Inspire participants to contribute creative writing and artwork towards anthology project ‘Voices in Harmony’.
Audience: Black and Asian Women of Redbridge aged 40 – 70 years, approx. 15+ participants.
Client: Colours of Redbridge
Partner: Redbridge Borough of London and the Arts Council England Creative People and Places fund.
Artistic solution: I designed and delivered a two-part mindful ‘past and future’ workshop programme, using creative writing and artistic responses to help participants relax and reengage with their senses, culture, memories and hopes.
Project date: March 2024
“No Black woman has ever written enough.”
Wellbeing Art Anthology Programme
Introduction and presentation – I presented how art, mindfulness and storytelling help us be our true selves, and I shared my own story.
Breathwork and movement – to induce calm and relaxation.
Inspired literary and visual responses – through stimulating mindful sensory exercises, I helped participants to write and draw themselves in the present.
Creative writing coaching – I supported participants to create ‘past and present’ self-writings, rooted in their unique sensory exploration, memory and imagination.
Collage art exploration – as a self-taught artist, I encouraged participants to respond to their past and future self-writing, using materials and natural fibres of cultural significance.
Presentations and reflection – participants were confident to share writings and artworks and contribute to the Voices in Harmony book.
Impact & Testimonials
Peace
.
Creativity
.
Pride
.
Peace . Creativity . Pride .
Participants reconnected to their inner creativity and confidence to share their stories and improve their wellbeing. Many participants left with the desire to write more.
““We’ve had 3 sessions with Birungi and I feel my creative side is beginning to blossom, particularly after the second session. I feel like I have realised my new talents and I am feeling really excited about that. And in other areas, I am finding myself more creative, wanting to share my creative talent with others. I am starting to explore poetry, maybe looking at open mike sessions and I never had the confidence to do these things before so it’s a whole new adventure for me. And I put most of that to Birungi. Not only me, she’s lit a light in my colleagues that go to the [wellbeing] hub and lots of people are feeling “I can do this, I can do more, I can be creative” It’s very exciting times and that there’s something in the air. I think the book that we have published, even though Birungi’s name is not in it, her hallmark is definitely within that book. Definitely within that book. So I am delighted to give this honest testament.”
”
