An Alternative Life
Over the three years of this project we worked in partnership with:
Trust Women’s Project (2015) – working directly with women who are working in or exiting street based sex work
Gaia Centre (2016) – working directly with women who have lived with violence
Beth Centre (2017) – working directly with women who are affected by the criminal justice system
With each group we delivered 40 sessions over the year, working in association with different female artists. We explored story; both the women’s personal stories (if they wish to share) and imagined stories for the future. The women we work with are often at a point of transition; creative sessions provide participants with a space to imagine their future and the confidence to move towards it. The focus is on re-empowering the women, who have incredible reserves of strength and resilience, reminding them of their greatness.
Take a look at some of the brilliant work our participants have created…
“I love the line of work we’re doing at the moment, it takes me out my comfort zone but it somehow makes me feel at home.”
— Participant, 2015
“I feel like I’ve found a more creative side to myself…it just kinda broadened my horizon, put myself in places where I wouldn’t usually be and I really really enjoyed it”
— Participant, 2017
“First time I've started something and completed it…I love the group, I made the effort cos I knew everyone else is”
— Participant, 2016
I don’t like writing. When I do write people say I write nice, I don’t see it. Over this year, I’ve actually done a lot of writing and I’ve actually started to enjoy writing and going from writing something that’s maybe 1 or 2 or 3 lines to 3 or 4 pages…”
— Participant, 2017