Hope in the power of communities
Image credit: Wyldwood Arts. Photo/ drone credit: Rich @supreme.perspective (instagram)
This image was created by young people at Forest High School in Cinderford as part of their response to paintings shared by the National Gallery Art Road Trip. It reads:
No Out Siders
The text plays with a common held notion that people in the Forest feel this way, yet Jenny Cashmore from Wyldwood Arts, who was facilitating the session, explained that the young people wanted to "reclaim a negative phrase of the area and reframe it to be inclusive for the future". A message of hope from the next generation then. It couldn't be more at odds with the racist and Islamophobic acts of terror that have taken place across the UK which appalled and saddened us. But like the young people in the Forest we've seen hope in the power of communities coming together in resistance to this hate and violence.
Create Gloucestershire stands firmly against all forms of racism and discrimination and believe the diversity and creativity of our communities is to be welcomed and celebrated. As an infrastructure organisation our job is to bring people together to listen and respond to what they need.
This is what we are doing now as we work out how best to offer practical help and care to those bearing the greatest burden of dealing with recent events. We will be guided by partners in our network, who are convening meetings with people with lived experience. And use our position in funding and policy networks to share feedback from our network and advocate for resources to those most affected in a timely and transparent way.
The Music Works have an online session tonight at 7pm (Tuesday 13th August 2024) for young people up to the age of 30 to discuss support they might need. Sign up here to get a link for the session. https://forms.office.com/e/4rG3tbfXce. And read more about it on their facebook page.
Other links you may find helpful are:
Gloucestershire Race Collective, a partner infrastructure organisation in the county
Racism and mental health support from mental health charity Mind
Funding is available for groups and not-for-profit organisations across Gloucestershire via Gloucestershire Funders
Letter from Lisa Nandy Secretary of State for Media Culture and Sport
Arts Council England Chief Executive, Darren Henley's message of solidarity and support
Support from Thirty Percy, a funder who resources racial justice with links to Gloucestershire.
Please do get in touch with us if there is anything immediately you need support with or would like us to share with our network.