verd de gris - The Art of Community

VERD DE GRIS THE ART OF COMMUNITY

Verd de gris arts were established as a creative arts company in West Yorkshire in 2005.

We use creative activity and positive community engagement to help local people express themselves and articulate issues and concerns that matter to them - as individuals or as part of a wider community.

Over the past 15 years much of our work has taken place in areas of high deprivation and low opportunity. We regularly find ourselves addressing issues associated with low aspiration and poor mental health, and cultural history and personal identity. We realised quickly that many of the issues people in our local communities were dealing with don’t exist in a vacuum, that we all have a part to play in changing the negative aspects that impact on quality of life for all.

We also recognised the importance of the relationship between the individual and society, and of communal expression. Our project work strives to highlight and celebrate communal and / or shared experience. When we work in schools developing projects that explore e.g. emotional resilience, anxiety around school transition, etc we engage all-year groups rather than just work with individuals who may be struggling with an issue. Our aim is to get the whole group of young people to explore and develop notions of empathy - to foster a greater sense of understanding and / or tolerance for others who are struggling.

Similarly when working with people from diverse ethnic backgrounds we want to explore the impact of cultural difference and similarity. When we bring women from diverse backgrounds together in a safe space we highlight the positive things they share as women together, as well as the painful, limiting issues they live with as individuals.

The women would draw strength from this contact with others they would never normally come into contact with and work in a very open and honest way.

So, our work involves tailored arts and well-being workshops that support individuals and group members, but it also involves a broad range of public interventions: film screenings, exhibitions, in a bid to engage with as wide a public audience as possible health commissioners too and policy-makers. Our aim is to draw on the strength and experience of local people and encourage them to be advocates for change. Our participants are encouraged to speak out at conferences, become community advocates for change, make changes to their own and their communities quality of life.

An example of this is our 6 years of work supported by The National Lottery and Community Foundation for Calderdale supporting local women and girls with complex mental and / or emotional health issues. Using a combined arts methodology we charted some of the factors that impact on low aspiration, dislocation from activity, debilitating levels of anxiety. Within 9 months women and girls who had all-but retreated from the world were addressing full-house theatres, performing, reading their words aloud and articulating some of the issues we need to work together as a society to change. The participants remain fragile but our Many Voices programme of events and workshops fostered a sense of long-term belonging and participation when things were difficult.

OUR APPROACH TO VOLUNTEERING As a small company verd de gris can do and have done many wonderful things in our aim to impact on areas like community health and positive social change - but none of this is possible without an active and committed team of volunteers.

We have always sought the help of volunteers - helping in our various intergenerational work and support work with older people.Very often these were young people looking to gain experience in health and social care, or artists keen to explore new ways to support older people in meaningful, life-enhancing activities.

More recently our emotional wellbeing work has led to many participants staying with the company as volunteers, wanting to give something back to other women who have been living with similar negative life experiences. For many of these women just walking through the door into the first session it takes a great deal of courage. Many are so broken. The love and support they receive as part of this creative project work brings a deep sense of connection with the company and the other women they meet in the sessions. This experience helps them to understand themselves better, to trust each other and to develop strength to begin to make real difference in their lives.

Volunteering with verd de gris is about embarking on a journey of discovery. Often it involves learning about a health condition that is new to the volunteer. It may mean meeting with and learning to support a group of people and/or community that is very different to you. A big part of the journey is about listening - being responsive and sensitive to an individual participant’s needs - it is also about exploring and responding to some of the core life-lessons that shape how and who we are as human beings.

Increasingly our work has focussed on the acknowledgement and celebration of lived experience. Using one’s own experiences and finding the courage to engage, articulate and share takes a tremendous amount of resolve and strength. Many of the people we have met and worked with as participants have experienced acute trauma / a lifetime of pain and struggle. But, with the help of vere de gris, they have gone on to use these experiences to help others in a similar space: making films, speaking at events, taking the lead.

This booklet is filled with testimonies for some of the volunteers who have come on the journey with us. They came to verd de gris for different (and very personal) reasons and we are very proud to share their stories with you.

We have also shared some of our community projects - to highlight the ways in which whole communities can volunteer with us, to come together in uplifting, imaginative ways to address issues that matter to them e.g. to rediscover a sense of cultural pride + community heritage, to heal fractured relationships between generations. We hope you enjoy reading about our work.

JEFF & SHARON, VERD DE GRIS ARTS

BRONAGH SHERIDAN I came to volunteer with Verd de Gris after hearing about all the interesting projects they were doing and I just couldn’t wait to get involved. I worked on their Creative Dementia sessions for people living with dementia, and The Things We Leave Behind community project, participating in several workshops in schools and day centres exploring the importance of intercultural understanding in communities.

Bronagh worked with verd de gris on a number of community projects including creative sessions with older people from communities across Calderdale. She also worked on Community Cohesion projects bringing local South Asian Elders together with young White British children. She is currently working as a volunteer with Shelter in London, with a view to working for an international NGO.

My involvement with verd de gris arts broadened my understanding of how we can bring communities together, heal and work through painful experiences, how art inspires creativity and happiness to those who need it the most.

Volunteering with the Creative Dementia session gave me a much more profound understanding of what life is like for those living with dementia and the people around them. I learned that there are not just moments of frustration and confusion, but also the moments of joy and happiness. I felt I was able to bring my enthusiasm to the projects and my eagerness to engage in artistic expression. I was able to help other people explore their interests and try something new - which was really rewarding!

I think that by being a young person I played an important role in showing the older people I worked with that many young people are caring and interested in community issues. I believe I challenged older people’s perceptions of younger people and what our experiences my generation has had.

Volunteering at verd de gris was invaluable for my own selfdevelopment. My experience working on projects give me the confidence to interact with a wide range of people, from young children, to adults with various health issues. It made me realise that I wanted a career guided towards helping people and communities. I now have valuable experience in the sector which I have been able to utilise in other various roles. I felt very honoured to be a part of such a meaningful company that brings forward the best of our humanity.

POLLY WILLIAMS I was looking for work and was interested in working with older people because I had been doing various projects in museums and I was interested in doing reminiscence with people with dementia. I found out about Verd de Gris by seeing information locally. I wanted to find out what it was like working with people with dementia.

I had no idea what it was like to live with dementia before I worked with these groups and I learnt a huge amount about what kinds of issues people had and how to help them. After working with the dementia groups I felt confident enough to do freelance work as a reminiscence practitioner with people with dementia and I gained a few contracts doing this. verd de gris also gave me the chance to work in our local South Asian community. I hadn't worked directly with Asian women before and learnt about their lives and culture which was really interesting and helped me gain an awareness of the issues they face in their community.

I am very interested in working with people therapeutically and think I am able to be friendly and supportive to people who may need extra help in group situations. I am very interested in other people's lives and I think people felt comfortable talking to me.

I gained confidence in working with certain groups of people and ideas about creative arts based ways of working and that helped me with developing freelance work of my own. I also have started training as an art therapist which I don't think I would have done had I not been inspired by verd de gris.

Polly has volunteered on many community projects with verd de gris including: mental health work with young muslim women; intergenerational projects with local schoolchildren and older muslim women; creative dementia work in Leeds; attending presentations and events including a mental wellness conference in Leeds.

Polly currently works with the Alzheimer Society and is studying to become an Art Therapist

RUQAYYA QADIR I had taken a break from studying to find out how I could use my degree to help others in their own lives with poor mental health. I realised I could do so much as a volunteer and I came across Verd de gris at Kingsway Carers Service in Blackburn and volunteered as part of their ‘Through the Door’ project, using creativity, poetry, music and art to help older people living with dementia in group work.

Ruqayya volunteered on the creative training program ‘Through the Door’ in Blackburn, leading to the planning and delivery of creative mental health sessions to support local carers.

Ruqayya currently supports adults with learning difficulties in Blackburn

Each volunteer had their own personal story to share, and these issues included looking at poor mental wellness and dementia. It allowed me to gain a deep understanding of how these aspects affected a person's life, from sharing their own personal story and journey within the group. In that safe environment, it allowed me to be able to open up about my own struggles and my own life’s journey.

Working with project leader Sharon there was never any right or wrong, just listening to one another's journey and story. We became a family and I have realised from my own involvement, and appreciating others within the group, we all individually took something special that will forever stay with us.

Being part of such an inspirational project, allowed me to want to further my career in helping others with their own struggles with mental health. It has given me a great passion to continue to help others on their own journey and from their own experiences.

What Verd de gris showed me, left a lasting impression which I have cherished and shared within my own work in helping others. Now I run meditation groups and yoga, and share what I have learned benefitting others in many ways.

I have continued to write inspirational poetry and during these uncertain times we have all been in, I have been writing my own book on mental health - to help others to understand their thoughts, feelings and emotions and inspire others that they too can heal through creativity and poetry.

SAMEA MAHBOOB I worked on various projects with Verd de Gris but the most interesting one was ‘Behind the Mask’ which was a uniquely designed programme to support British Muslim women in Calderdale to share the life experiences of mental health issues.

I provided bilingual support to women who couldn’t speak English as their first language. However, I felt that it was designed with such creativity that language wasn’t even a barrier as women used art, poetry and body language to express themselves in a non-judgemental, friendly and welcoming environment.

Being a British Muslim single mum, I had my own lived experience of finding clinical and non-clinical services a little overwhelming to access to seek the help I needed. I approached Verd de Gris for volunteering as I wanted to gain experience to help me with finding work and beginning a career. I was warmly welcomed and had practical things like DBS-check and references processed by the company.

After a period volunteering I was offered paid work, which massively helped me to find permanent job with Kirklees Dementia Hub where I utilised the experience I gained by assisting Sharon at dementia groups. I am still working within the same service.

I think the most amazing experience was seeing verd de Gris taking so much interest in working with people from differing background and showing compassion in helping clients from various walks of life. It was amazing. It wasn’t done to hit targets or statistics for commissioners - it was more then just a job. It was about bringing humanity together and connecting the dots between human beings regardless of their colour, race, religion and backgrounds.

My mother is a very big fan of Sharon’s and considers her as her friend even though my mother’s English is quite poor there is a common, ‘human’ language which she uses to connect with Sharon.

Samea has volunteered on many community projects with verd de gris including: ‘Behind The Mask’, a mental health project for women; ‘Story Man’, an intergenerational community cohesion project; creative dementia sessions across Calderdale. Samea also volunteered her time supporting and presenting at different verd de gris events.

Samea is currently working in Kirklees supporting families living with dementia

LIZZIE BRADLEY My volunteer work with VDG began nearly ten years ago when the company ran an inter-generational project alongside my sixth form college. The project was based at a day centre for the elderly; led by Sharon we sang, read poems and danced for the residents and helped to lift spirits. The project was magical as it brought together two age groups that wouldn’t normally mix, helping to break down stereotypes that occur within our society and our communities.

Lizzie volunteered on a creative project with older people in Hebden Vale day center in Hebden Bridge.

She also volunteered on many weekly creative dementia sessions with the company in Calderdale.

Lizzie now teaches English in a high school in Calderdale.

The project opened my eyes to how powerful the arts can be; I was enamoured with VDG and continued to volunteer with them in their dementia sessions. In the sessions I would help to set up the space, chat to the members and generally get involved in the activities facilitated by Sharon. These sessions, the memories I made, and the people I met will always have a place in my heart. VDG found a way of supporting not just those suffering with dementia but their families too. Sharon provided such a safe space in her sessions that carers and key family members were happy to leave their loved ones in her hands, helping to give them some much needed time.

Volunteering with the group helped my understanding of dementia greatly; it was a joy to experience how a certain song could light up a face, or a poem could bring a tear. This volunteer experience gave me the confidence to apply for a job at a local care company in the summers between university terms and during my university degree I also took a community engagement course which entailed creating a community project. verd de gris enhanced my passion for the arts; they helped a quiet teenager find her voice. They helped shape my path and ignite my love of helping others. They not only change the lives of those within the session, but they touch the hearts of those volunteering too.

Now as a teacher of English and drama I get to shape lives every day and do it with confidence. I owe an awful lot to Jeff and Sharon and feel so lucky that they chose my school to work with all those years ago.

SAMANTHA GILL Volunteering for Verd de Gris Arts has been a wonderful experience and it has helped my mental health, my self-worth and I now believe in myself and my abilities again. I have always been a compassionate person, but the opportunity to volunteer with the company has given me the chance to help women with similar issues as myself, encouraging and supporting them during their healing process. During lockdown, I continued to support the group work via WhatsApp set up by Sharon. The group chat proved essential in maintaining contact with the ladies, providing support, and ensuring that they were looking after their mental health at this most unprecedented time.

I remain an active volunteer with Verd de Gris Arts and I still feel blessed by this opportunity and their trust in me. The increase in my self-esteem has allowed me to take up other volunteering opportunities. I also started a petition to save Elland Refuse Site and attended a zoom scrutiny meeting in which I delivered an 8-minute speech in support of the sites reopening. This was in front of over 30 local counsellors and officers, which was a big achievement for me. I would never have done this without gaining confidence and experience through my volunteering and from being part of Behind the Mask and One Voice projects.

Verd de Gris Arts has been vital, not only for my development and growth, but for the lives of all the women, men, and children that they support every day. They truly are Earth Angels, and I am honoured to be of this wonderfully amazing company.

The support and encouragement from Sharon and Verd de Gris is exceptional. From day one I felt very much part of the team, that my ideas and opinions were being valued and on most occasions any changes implemented are discussed with each of us to gauge our thoughts and opinions. Sharon always checks that I am comfortable with anything that is decided and if there are any concerns, measures are then put in place to rectify the issue. I can honestly say that I feel valued and respected and that I have a voice within Verd de Gris Arts, even as a volunteer!

Sam has volunteered on many company mental wellbeing projects and events including: Behind The Mask and One Voice: planning, organising and presenting at events including the Well-Being Festival at The Piece Hall in Halifax. Sam has also performed with and supports the One Voice steering group. Sam also supports our work with vulnerable women during Covid-19 lockdown.

Sam remains a vital member of our volunteering team and is looking to continue other volunteering opportunities.

ZEENAT ARIF I was in my 1st year at university studying counselling. At the time I was looking for work-based volunteering. I got in touch with my local Carers Service who told me of a project they were setting up with verd de gris for working with people living with dementia. Intrigued and my interest piqued I went along to their introductory session and I was instantly moved with how poetry, music, and art were utilised to connect to one another.

From that moment on I couldn't step back.

Zeenat volunteered on the creative training program ‘Through the Door’ in Blackburn, planning and delivering creative mental health sessions to support local carers.

Zeenat is a freelance counsellor in Blackburn with Darwen

Having a particular interest in mental health, at the time I was studying the foundations of therapy, the ethics, skills etc Being involved in the project allowed me to enter the field I so badly wanted to jump into. My understanding of expressive arts, movement, meditation really begun whilst training to deliver workshops. Applying various techniques /methods / prompts to myself really gave me insight and a window into the benefit of expressive therapies. It helps one complete an emotional cycle so often left frozen due to environmental factors.

I could see how we could work together to provide a holding space for others to access their inner world and find beauty even when they were experiencing so many trials and tribulations.

I think we all navigate life through our own lived experience, which form assumptions and biases.

Connection, empathy and holding space without judgement allows those inherent biases to unfold. This brings great healing and learning. Being a part of the project allowed me to experience acceptance and healing.

I took away many lessons, many new learnings of expression, which I can always apply to my work as a counsellor. It also allowed me to access an online publication, Sister-hood Magazine, who published a few of my poems, for that I will forever be grateful

CATH SENIOR I came to Verd de gris through a support worker who referred me to do the Behind the Mask project. I was isolated, depressed, anxious and I couldn’t see a way out. I felt at rock bottom but didn’t believe the course would help me and that was if I could pluck up the courage to attend. How wrong I was!

I knew during the first session what a difference it would make for me. For the first time in months / years I felt like me. I could be myself and knew I wouldn’t be judged. My natural sense of openness would not only be encouraged but it would encourage to open up too.

My son has chronic health issues. Life can be stable one minute and chaotic and distressing the next. So the unpredictability has affected any other activity I have tried to become involved with before. This is so different. Sharon asked me to become part of One Voice [an intercultural creative steering group for women in Calderdale] and I jumped at the chance.

Volunteering was the most natural next step. My background in theatre and psychology really allowed me to use my skill set in a different environment. I absolutely love it. I volunteered on the next ‘Behind the Mask’ and an ESF-funded ‘Everything Changes’ which supports other local women back into employment. I would volunteer on anything Sharon felt I was suited to. I have changed so much since those first sessions. My confidence has increased so much that if someone asks me to do something I almost always say yes! I had said No to everything previously, being too anxious that I wouldn’t be able to do it, wouldn’t be good enough.

I can recognise that I have skills that mean I am well-suited to this work. I am empathetic and non-judgemental, compassionate and I know how it feels to be hopeless and feel worthless. I feel that I have been given a chance to be the real me, maybe for the first time in my life.

I’m now looking at courses to train as a creative therapist, so my life is moving forwards in so many ways.

Verd de gris are unique. I have looked at volunteering before but the unpredictable nature of my son’s illness made it almost impossible. I cannot guarantee I will be available at a specific time. I believed I would never be able to have a professional life as long as my son Luke lived with me. Verd de gris’ approach is so different. They never lose touch with you, and keep you within their family for as long as you need their love and support.

Cath volunteers on many well-being projects with verd de gris including: ‘Behind the Mask’ ‘Everything Changes’ and One Voice. She also volunteers at events and festivals for the company e.g. community intercultural project ‘Land Beneath My Feet’ ‘Todmorden Book Festival, and 2019 Festival of Well-Being. Cath is part of the planning group supporting Calderdale #IWD2021 Cath will continue to volunteer with verd de gris

RIAZ BEGUM MBE I had recently retired as a Youth Worker and was pleasantly surprised that there was something I could join to fill the gap I was experiencing. Although I had worked for nearly 30 years using the art, drama and poetry to inspire others I had left my own creativity on hold.

From day one I was thrilled to know that there was someone who could help me to get in touch with my own creativity. I found Sharon Marsden an answer to my prayers. I found her most welcoming regardless of race colour or ability.

There came a time when Sharon offered to train us as volunteer session leaders - to do what she does - though it seemed daunting at first Sharon never left us on our own till we felt we were able to deliver our own session in groups of three or four. We would plan the session according to the themes that Sharon shared with us and gave us all the necessary paperwork we each allocated tasks that we felt comfortable to do and ran very successful sessions for carers of people with dementia.

Riaz volunteered on the creative training program ‘Through the Door’ in Blackburn, planning and delivering creative mental health sessions to support local carers.

Riaz continues to volunteer on many creative projects in Blackburn.

Having been a carer myself in the past for both my parents helped me to understand some of the issues that individuals we worked with were going through. I have never met anyone who is so generous with her skills, knowledge and resources as Sharon Marsden.

The project helped me to connect with myself and others in a meaningful and sensitive way. Taught me to be nonjudgemental. I also learnt that what matters most is the inner self of a person regardless of their colour, race, status, education. That when a person is reduced to their basic minimum that it is up to us to seek the essence of a person as that is the core that never leaves and hangs on in there for ever.

My family and friends were very happy that I had found a way to keep actively involved in my retirement - that I am a contributing member of the community. My brother no longer says to me Riaz you are losing your sharpness after my retirement. I think volunteering for Verd de gris helped me connect with who I really am. They gave me the opportunity to observe changes in group members who had lost their confidence and self esteem and see them change. I saw people re-take pride in their skills and appearance while taking on responsibility in enabling others to bring positive change in their personal lives too.

Filling every part of this clean shared canvas, with all the other women also on their journey In this room, there will be no right or wrong Just love

DEBORAH HANLEY As a volunteer I loved coming to your creative sessions - It’s hard to find the words to express it. It gave me structure and routine. The fact that someone had invited me to join them this was at the top of the list as I’d not had that before and that was great for me.

It gave me freedom to be me.You encouraged me to be me!

The freedom I felt volunteering with you I saw in the freedom you gave to each and every woman. Seeing these damaged women coming in for the first time … it was the same for me, not knowing, unsure. All those experiences of life, all those difficulties.You guided us all along through a journey, with gentleness and support.

If I was ever unsure about anything I would just ask you. Even though I was a volunteer and there to help, you worked with me, listened to me and helped me.

What was amazing is what would come from the women each week, to witness that and be part of that was amazing. How they would give to each other, share their magic with each other, somebody held your hand without physically holding it.

The interactions, friendships forged, lifelong connections are made. So many of those women have been silenced, no voice and through this a work they become empowered.

Volunteering on these various projects built my confidence, but in a more complex way. It challenges but you work through it, it increases your confidence and helps you move forward. It allowed me to see the world in a different way. These experiences enabled me to reflect and change and challenge myself, and that’s just amazing. It was a huge learning experience for me.

This has been a huge journey, full of rich experiences. I’ve met some fantastic people. Had some fantastic experiences. Spoken at events through microphones, imagining I couldn’t do it. But I did, how we all did.

Everybody comes together and spurred each other on.

Huge achievements for me.

All these experiences are recorded, here in my mind and heart, somebody’s smile, face, vulnerability, strength. All these journeys.

All shared. I sit, I reflect and the journey continues. It is so powerful. Huge.

Deborah has volunteered on many creative projects with verd de gris, including: the creative dementia sessions in Hebden Bridge,; supporting local women in Blackburn on the wellbeing course Behind the Mask; working on the schools project 5000 Miles with two young Afghan boys; deborah has also given her time to support events including What Remains, a peer support programme exploring the emotional legacy of suicide.

Deborah continues her wonderful input and involvement with verd de gris, supporting particularly the One Voice programme of events and activity

MARY BROOKS Mary volunteered on the intercultural project ‘Storyman’ exploring the South Asian diaspora with local primary schools. She then went on to volunteer at the creative dementia sessions in Calderdale.

I first met verd de gris when they came into my college [Calderdale College] to do a community cohesion project. I liked their work that much that after that I asked if I could volunteer on their creative dementia sessions. Which were just amazing.

Mary currently works as a mental health support worker and trainee youth leader. She was involved in verd de gris’ recent project #realtimetalk focussing on young people and their mental health during Covid-19 lockdown

I then invited them to come and see my final performance piece at college, which was a piece based on the emotional legacy within our family after my dad’s suicide. verd de gris met me, listened to me and helped me develop this theatre piece and perform it to a wider audience - of local service providers and local families who had also been affected by suicide bereavement.

I got a chance to share my story and it was a really cathartic experience for me. It also became a film, and led to a peer support group in calderdale and Central Lancashire for affected families and individuals. The resulting ‘What Remains’ film we made as a family was premiered at the 10th International Suicide Bereavement Conference in Manchester in 2019 to over 400+ delegates from around the world. I was there with my mum to present this film and talk to the audience.

So, verd de gris are just so important. In supporting their volunteer’s ideas, recognising the potential for growth and impact, for savouring and celebrating the importance of ‘lived experience’ in our communities. They have been so important for my life. My growing and healing experience. And Sharon and Jeff are just wonderful, lovely people. I feel really privileged to get the chance to work with them. And I hope to get to work with them more in the future.

NABILA MIR I’ve been trying to put in to words what impact being a volunteer with ‘Behind the Mask’ project has had on me. So hear it goes: I’d say that when I met Sharon I had just gone through quite a traumatic journey. My self esteem and belief in my judgement was at an all time low. So, for someone to come and say they thought I was someone they trusted to help in such a sensitive class with such vulnerable ladies, was quite a surprise.

Even though I was just helping with tea and clearing up Sharon made me feel like an important part of the group.Valued and someone whose thoughts and opinions were of a benefit to the class. I learnt how to handle difficult or overwhelming situations through helping others and seeing them help themselves. I’d say I’ve learnt so much in just hearing other people’s stories and what they did to step out of those problems.

Some of the life skill I’ve learnt I can’t even say how or when I picked them up. But I do know it’s from volunteering. I can hear myself saying take a step back, breath, assess and remember this is a problem not the whole of my life. I’ve listened to other’s problems and realised everyone has something to tackle.

In helping others and listening to others I’ve helped myself and listened to myself. That’s important - listening to oneself and taking care of ones needs. Not to feel guilty in doing so. I don’t think I would have learnt this by just attending the classes and someone who needed fixing. Sometimes you fix yourself by helping others.

Thank you Sharon for seeing in me something I couldn’t see in myself. For teaching me to have self-worth!

Nabila volunteered on the ‘Behind the Mask’ emotional wellbeing project for local women. She also supported local women to attend community events and presentations in Calderdale.

Nabila is currently volunteering with the company and plans to give more of her time when ‘live’ sessions are back up and running

THERESA LIPINSKI Verd de Gris run life-changing projects.You only have to attend a performance given by one of their groups to feel the immense transformative power of their work.

I have always believed in the healing power of music and from my early twenties, the idea of working in the field of music therapy has never left me. An incredibly moving performance of Verd de Gris' women's group Behind the Mask on International Women's Day a few years ago cemented this belief and drew me closer to the amazing work that they do.

Terese has volunteered her time to support the creative One Voice women’s group and the wellbeing project Behind the Mask. Terese now works alongside verd de gris developing creative opportunities for local women in Calderdale.

Riffat volunteered on the creative training program ‘Through the Door’ in Blackburn, planning and delivering creative mental health sessions to support local carers.Riffat continues to volunteer on many creative projects in Blackburn.

My involvement with Verd de Gris began by a few song-sharing sessions with the incredible women's groups. Each time I attended a session, I would feel completely humbled and in awe of the sheer resilience, strength and courage I witnessed and would move a step closer to understanding the kind of work I had been longing to do all my life. They say that all things happen for a reason and I feel that Verd de Gris came into my life for a reason; to show me where my path lies: to use singing and music as a healing tool. I will always be eternally grateful to Verd de Gris for allowing me to be part of their beautiful work.

The world needs Verd de Gris right now, more than ever.

The way in which their work bridges the gaps in society and brings communities together to empower and enable people to tell their unique stories is profound. Their work shows the world that compassion, sharing and connection heals. As we share our joys, our suffering, our lives, we realise we are the same and that together we can change the world. Their work is a celebration of humanity.

RIFFAT BATOOL I would like to put together few lines to say how the verd de gris organisation, led by Sharon and her team, have provided a safe and relaxed atmosphere for older people in need through creativity. I worked as a volunteer for Blackburn Carer Services thanks to my time on the course with verd de gris.

Working with Sharon we were trained to work with the carers and people who are living with dementia and complex health issues. Sharon provided us a relaxed environment where we supported each other. Every one developed personally and professionally and we were able to create a network of support.

RABIA ZAKA I was refereed by my support worker to a group called Behind the Mask. I enjoyed the group thoroughly and loved to be part of it. I really wanted to do something as a thank you because that group brought so much positivity and light to my life.

Thankfully I was asked to volunteer on the Everything Changes project - helping other women gain confidence, start to look for work or go to college.

My involvement with this project gave me sense of responsibility as well as making me feel “I’m worthy”. It brought a good change to my life approach and to see things differently without being so anxious and negative.

I feel so proud being part of the group.

As a volunteer I was encouraged to share my experiences and use them positively to help other women who are facing the same things. This is the best approach I think to help tackle what matters for people.

Rabia continues to volunteer her time in the planning and development of current and future womens projects.

Because of this I am looking forward to doing a job and feel confident to make these changes in my life It has been great to be part of the verd de gris family!

Helen volunteered her skills as a cellist on the community cohesion project ‘Into The Blue’. She worked with students from Calderdale College and families seeking asylum which culminated in a final performance event

HELEN THATCHER

Helen now works with verd de gris on several creative projects with the One Voice creative group

I had know for a while about the fantastic work that Verd de gris do so when Sharon asked me to spend some time on their community project about refugees and asylum seekers ‘Into the Blue’ I said yes.

I wanted to offer my services to a subject that I felt passionately about - the realisation of the trauma that asylum seekers suffer but also the hope they have against all the odds.

With verd de gris there is always the openness and responsiveness to add whatever we can as volunteers - as a cellist I was able to bring something of myself and my concern for this issue through my music to the live event at Square Chapel Arts Centre ... the conveying of emotions through live music.

I found the whole experience emotional and broadening.

SOMETHING OLD : SOMETHING NEW

MUSIC SETS US FREE

OUR COMMUNITIES AS VOLUNTEERS SOMETHING OLD : SOMETHING NEW In many respects, older people within our local communities see themselves as living ‘worlds apart’ – with no shared sense of identity; common interests; or notion of communal experiences that they can share with the young people of today. Equally the younger people may also see themselves as living in a different world from the one their grandparents (or even their parents) were brought up in.

When we were invited to explore these ideas in Irlams and Cadishead in Salford, we wanted to devise a project that was very much about getting the older members of the community actively involved in the life of the school. We wanted them to help lead the activities, teach the children the history of their town through their experiences - the changes they had seen and lived through.

The older people volunteered to come into schools with us, embraced our creative ideas e.g. teaching local history and geography through their memories and experiences. They taught each other playground games, watched old B/W movies together and historic newsreels of the famous events and local industries. We also devised resource materials together which meant that the older participants could maintain their relationship with the schools - coming back in on a regular basis as life-long creative volunteers: “ I had such a wonderful time going into the schools and meeting the wonderful children.This opportunity gave me such a new lease of life and also helped change my attitude towards the younger generation - where often I would demonise and blame them for trouble on the estate now I see them as my friends ...” Jim, Resident, Cadishead

MUSIC SETS US FREE The Roma have a very long history of persecution, leading to a deep-seated fear and mistrust of ‘White’ communities. When we met Pavel Botos, a community leader for the Roma in Halifax, we wanted to help him deliver for his community, to change the negative perceptions people had about this remarkable people and their culture.

Pavel Botos and his friends and family gave so much of their time and trust to us - coming into local schools and the community college; working with their young people to explore the profound political and cultural history of the Roma people; creating a unique celebration event that would bring together other Roma groups from around the UK here in Halifax.

Volunteering as a community gave them something they could be proud of and could share with groups back in Slovakia and the Czech Republic. This very important outcome meant that uplifting and educational material developed here in the UK could be shared with other Roma communities experiencing repression around the world. This would not have happened without this unique relationship between verd de gris arts and the Halifax Roma.

“We got a chance to have visibility of our brightly coloured Gypsy culture, and we could spread it through schools, and theatres like Square Chapel in Halifax, but across the world through the media.

This cooperation for us, for our community especially was crucial as we have for a long time trying to work out how and what, we will spread the culture of the Roma among other people.Verd de gris spread and bring the culture of different ethic groups and nations.This helps people understand each other, hate is not the way.” Pavel Botos, Roma Community Leader

THE THINGS WE LEAVE BEHIND

OUT OF THE BLUE

THE THINGS WE LEAVE BEHIND What is it like to leave your homeland, to make a new life in another country far across the sea? How does it feel to say goodbye to family and friends and to journey to an uncertain future? A key part of our work is developing greater understanding and tolerance between generations and between communities.

The Pakistani community in Halifax was established over 60+ years ago. But many of the people who live in the surrounding towns of Calderdale know little of their migratory journey, their trials and tribulations in raising their children, their families, their community amidst profound political and social change. We wanted the whole of our Calderdale community to know this story, but we knew this could only be done through the volunteering of time and commitment from the older men and women of Park Ward.

Working with a large group of male and female Elders, together with children from primary schools across Calderdale, we brought to life the recollections of the first generation of migrants who made the momentous journey across the seas to settle in the UK. For the children, they got the chance to feel closer to the experience of migration. For the Elders there was a sense of community pride “I understand, I understand why you are working in this way. If the children can understand that it was difficult to make the decision to come to England, to try and make a better life for our families, that it was difficult to leave all we loved behind - if they can understand what it was like, then that will help to stop fear and hatred growing ...” Anayet Ali, Pakistani Elder

OUT OF THE BLUE A big part of our work over these past 15 years has been about bringing young people from different communities together, to learn more about each other and about the issues some people have to face / live with. It has also been about developing people’s confidence to come forward and speak with passion about things that matter to them. ‘Into the Blue’ allowed us to bring something of the emotional complexity of refugee stories to the young students at Calderdale College - a group made up of entirely White British background who knew little of the plight of political migrants and refugees now living in Calderdale.

The success of this project relied on families like Prshng and Ako Hamad, asylum-seekers from Kurdistan, who were now living in Halifax volunteering their time. Their intimate and honest stories and experience enriched our knowledge of their customs and traditions and how difficult it is for refugees to live with the pain of separation from their homeland. The fact that these people came to meet the young students really helped both parties E.g. the students were able to spend time with them, hearing tales of life in Kurdistan and the hopes and fears of leaving ‘home’ The families too were empowered, knowing that young people in the UK wanted to understand more about their situation - that these young people cared about their story and wanted to give something back to them: “We have been given a harrowing and unique insight into the struggles faced by refugees seeking safety.The media portrays topics such as immigration in a bad light, but verd de gris and the families we worked with helped change my opinion.” Tom, College Student

Like all citizens and their organisations, artists are part of civil society. They have a distinctive role within it when their work gives voice and visibility to people who are marginalised or not easily heard. In all societies some groups and interests dominate, thanks to their position, strength or control of resources. For everyone else, culture may be the only legitimate (or safe) form of expression. It has enabled women, ethnic or religious groups, people with mental ill health or disabilities, the young, LGBT people, foreigners and many others to explore identity, validate their experience, find common ground, organise and assert their human rights. In enabling this, cultural action can be a crucible of social development and civil society. Having a voice is the essence of democracy – and culture can be a powerful voice.�

François Matarasso

verd de gris arts email: jeff.vdg@btinternet.com mobile: 07926 978651 Twitter: @verddegris Instagram: @verddegris