Refugee Week 2023: Compassion Into Action
Alongside many other small charities and arts organisations who are recognising Refugee Week this week, Element is proudly putting #CompassionIntoAction - a key goal of this year’s festival - through our creative arts projects. Have a read about some of the activities we offer and the important cultural themes they explore, and perhaps even try one out for yourself over the weekend!
Firstly we feel it is important to highlight the groups we work with, as often it may go amiss that refugees and unaccompanied young people seeking asylum fall under the care of local authorities and in turn may be referred to our organisation.
Over the years we have seen a steady increase in young people from these groups participating in our arts programmes. Not only does this increase bespeak a growing need for better government support and resources to take care of refugees, but also highlights the tragic circumstances in which more people are making life-threatening decisions in search of safety.
A painting by a member of our network, depicting Element as peace/a safe space.
As an arts organisation working with individuals who are new to the city we can offer wellbeing support and social activities during a difficult time. We strive to make our programmes welcoming and truly accessible, as well as celebrate individual creativity, achievements and resilience.
Language is often one of the biggest challenges our participants face yet our cohorts have shown us the way that art can transcend language barriers. The experience of playing games and making art in a warm, comfortable space where materials (and plenty of snacks!) are provided undeniably fosters a sense of connection as we have seen again and again.
We facilitate conversations concerning identity which can be fantastic way to listen and observe. Element sessions require as little or as much participation as individuals feel comfortable with, the priority is making art that you feel proud of. Sessions end with a reflective exercise in which art works are presented, offering an opportunity to speak in front of others in a non-judgemental space.
“Element I tell you thank you very much because I don’t speak English well you helped me and little but little I push myself and am very very happy”
On a more practical front, we offer our session content in multiple languages and work with translators from local authorities. There have been some heartwarming friendships formed between social workers and young people over the course of an Element project, in which they are translating the weekly creative tasks and getting stuck in too!
Celebrating IDENTITY & culture through art
Within our programme we have explored the theme of home through creative writing exercises, thinking about what makes a home, aside from its physical location. This poem written by an Element participant explores the topic beautifully…
Another session embraces the statement ‘I am from..’ as a gateway to exploring nationality, culture, family and more. We use all sorts of exciting materials, such as sticky tape and paint, or inks, glue and perspex, to create artworks representative of the many important parts of us.
Art work created by an Element project participant exploring identity
In an amazing session working in partnership with Islington Council and The Wallace Collection earlier this year, we had a guest artist help us write mini recipe books using homemade inks! As part of the session the group drew upon home remedies and concoctions that are used to heal and comfort. It was so insightful hearing people’s recipes and a beautiful gesture to share a piece of your culture for the health of others.
Recipe book exploring ‘how do you look after yourself?’ Created during the Element x Islington project
