New Projects: 2021
It’s been a while since we’ve posted but that doesn’t mean we haven’t been busy behind the scenes. Like many community projects, the start of the pandemic brought us to a standstill while we tried to understand how we might adapt to the new normal. At the same time, it became clear just how important our work is, as the crisis threw into sharp relief some of the challenges the most vulnerable people in society face.
Things that others might take for granted, such as outside space and online access suddenly became a premium at the same time that restrictions meant that projects like ours were unable to provide support in the way that we might previously have done. We’ve spent the last 9 months planning how we can continue to support the people we work with, and we’re excited to announce a number of new projects and partnerships which are due to start in the new year.
Gamble Hill Grange
Our first project is a collaboration with Barca Leeds and is funded by Outer West HAP. This is a 6 week art and photography project with residents living in the Gamble Hill area of Bramley, and in particular those living in high rise accommodation. Beginning in February, these weekly online sessions will guide participants to create new work which will then contribute to the production of lamp post banners for the local area.
As part of this project we are also delivering a standalone activity to create postcard sized artworks responding to the local area. We are currently delivering activity packs and will begin collecting the finished artworks to exhibit from 12th January.
Scargill Grange
Our second set of online workshops is another 6 week art and photography workshop in collaboration with Mentally Healthy Leeds and supported by Leeds Inspired and Inner East HAP. These workshops centre around the Scargill Grange community room in Burmantofts as the site for ESOL classes provided for the diverse communities living in social housing in the area.
We have teamed up with local ESOL provider Dawn Smallwood to provide language supported sessions. The workshops are open for ESOL and non-ESOL participants living in and around Scargill Grange from 30th March – 4th May 2020. All materials will be provided.
Language Hub
Continuing with our ESOL supported workshops, we are delivering a 10 week participatory filmmaking project in collaboration with Mentally Healthy Leeds, funded by Language Hub as part of Leeds City Council Communities Team. This online project is open to participants across Leeds and, while it is tailored to and prioritised for ESOL learners, the workshops are open to anyone who wants to join. The sessions run from 20th January – 24th March 2020.
Active Leeds
Our final 2 projects will be taking place in Beeston Hill and Holbeck in collaboration with Active Leeds. These workshops, beginning in April, will use art and photography as a way to work with people in the area to understand local perceptions of green space to help them be more active in their community.
If you are interested in any of the above projects, you can get in touch with us at thehighriseprojectleeds@gmail.com.