In August 2024, we witnessed with horror the Islamophobic, anti-migration, and racist far-right riots that targeted our communities across the country. These attacks, fuelled by hate towards migrants, deeply violated our Black and Brown communities. The Skaped community responded quickly, reaching out to check in on our team, young people and community members. We sent them solidarity, support and offered a space for them to contact/talk if they were struggling. Our primary focus was to ensure we provided a safe space for our communities to reconnect and support one another, while also acknowledging the impact these events have had on our team and young people who belong to these affected groups.
Additionally, we also organised a collective creative healing workshop in partnership with the Black Wellbeing Collective, centering Black and Brown individuals affected by the riots. The workshop created space for grief, connection, and healing. Following the overwhelming response from our community, it became clear that there was much more work and support that needed to be done, even if the riots were no longer happening; their effects are still ongoing in our community. Our young people told us they “feel like they don’t belong”, and that “nothing has happened to acknowledge it.” Therefore, we wanted to create a project in which it supports our community further, co-designed by them to address their anxieties and needs in this time of uncertainty.
After reaching out to our community, we conducted a survey with 30 young people and community members, asking them what they wanted us to deliver in response to these hateful riots. This helps us ensure our work stays community-led at its core. Most young people shared that they wanted a way to honour our different identities and have a space for healing. As a result, we have created “We’re Here to Stay – Honouring Our Many Identities”, a programme that celebrates and honours our community's diverse identities.
Programme Schedule:
- Week 1 - Monday 20th of Jan [Rich Mix]: Panel Discussion - Identity in the Diaspora
- Week 2 - Monday 27th of Jan [Pelican House]: Workshop - Collective Healing Through Community Art
- Week 3 - Monday 3rd of Feb [Pelican House]: Film Screening & Discussion - Migration and Home
- Week 4 - Monday 10th of Feb [Pelican House]: Book Club - Decolonising Our Readings
- Final Event – Saturday the 15th or 22nd of Feb [St. Margarets House]: Community Flag Creation and celebration (Drop-in session during the day 1.00-4.00pm)