The Shakespeares: A Community Together

T H E S H A K E S P E A R E S T h e

H i g h r i s e

P r o j e c t

A Community Together THE SHAKESPEARES The Shakepeares project took place in August

Throughout the workshops participants spoke

2021 in Burmantofts, an inner city area of

about how their lives had changed after

Leeds. The area has a large proportion of social

lockdown. Conversations centred around

housing and highrise flats, with an industrial

isolation, friends, family, and memories.

past linked to textile manufacturing and pottery.

Some participants had experienced isolation before the pandemic and were now struggling

The Shakespeare flats are three highrise blocks

to access support. To some, the local church

near to St James Hospital which house older

was a vital part of getting back to normal. Being

people in the community. They have a

able to access services and prayer made a huge

community room on the ground floor. However,

difference to their wellbeing and they

at the time of the workshops, this was being

welcomed the new community space in the

used as a site office for renovation works that

church hall.

were taking place.

The conversations highighted the need for

We managed to find a space to meet at St

community space to help reduce isolation,

Agnes Church Hall, which had recently been

support good mental health, and develop

refurbished for community use.

friendships.

I moved here with my husband in the seventies.

This is my home.

It’s lovely to be able to watch the changing colours of the seasons.

When I look out of my window I see the hospital.

It brings back a lot of memories.

During the lockdown I went out shopping. I didn't stay in.

But I took precautions like everyone and I didn't socialise.

It's so noisy in the flats sometimes. In the early hours of the morning when someone puts their washer and drier on, you can hear it through the walls, and it’s like

T, T ,T, TTT

I'm lucky that I have a beautiful garden but unfortunately there is no one to sit in it with me.

The local church ran prayer sessions during lockdown as a way to support the community.

I stayed with my family in the first lockdown for quite a while but then I came home because I didn’t want to be there all the time.

I dont mind going to small groups, but I wouldn’t like a large crowd anymore.

At the moment I’m able to get around. I’ve got a scooter but I don’t often use it because when you sit on it and then try to get off you can’t because your knees are locked.

I know my immediate next door neighbours but even then I’m behind closed doors.

It would be lovely to have a balcony to sit out on or a communal garden where we could sit together.

The Highrise Project aims to explore the links between architecture and social relations in inner city areas and particularly around municipal highrise buildings and council-built estates. Our collaboration combines our own experiences of living in social housing, along with our skills and interests in co-producing high quality art with communities.

This publication was created by Angus, Wendy, Kath, and residents in and around the Shakespeares in Burmantofts. Thank you to Mentally Healthy Leeds for providing wellbeing support to participants.

The project was supported

by Leeds Inspired, the Inner East HAP, Mentally Healthy Leeds and St Agnes Church Hall. The workshops were facilitated by Louise Atkinson and Victoria Kortekaas.