UKSPF Case Studies
Community Grants
Community organisations, charities, social enterprises and businesses across North Somerset have more access than ever to support thanks to the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). Read about the big differences being made in our community.
Somerset Storyfest ONE TREE
Many Branches Refugee Project
True stories of refugees have been brought to life to help children gain a greater understanding of the world.
Michael Loader, founder of Somerset Storyfest said: “It was an absolute thrill for us at Somerset Storyfest to receive the UKSPF grant to fund thirteen visits to primary and secondary schools in North Somerset before March 2024. In summer 2023 we visited Winford, Churchill and St Francis primary schools bringing the project to 262 pupils and staff, who were riveted by the life stories that our session facilitators shared.
The aim is for young people to positively learn about countries and cultures unjustly affected by socio-political unrest – including the evacuation of German families in WWII, retreating from the Russian army; fleeing Sudan from a totalitarian government; and escaping Pakistan due to religious intolerance.
We offer creative activities for the pupils and staff to reflect and respond to what they’ve heard through song making and recording the images and words that resonated most with them.
Sharing lived experiences emphasises to pupils and staff the severity of situations in asylum seekers’ countries of origin. It helps to provide perspective on the relative safety and security of the UK and underscores the need to support asylum seekers with financial aid and compassion.
Listening to the exploits and the bravery of those they meet, the pupils are painted the picture of lives that have been unjustly affected by unrest across the globe. The aim of the project is for young lives to be ‘positively affected’ by meeting people from other countries and cultures firsthand, to remember and carry those experiences with them so that they can share with others they meet.
I always come away with such respect for our facilitators who are able to share the lowest moments of their life. They have had courage and resilience to leave their life behind in hope of finding something better, believing in a yet unknown system of justice in order to find new friends and begin to build a new life.”
It was so powerful - the children and adults were transfixed from start to finish listening to the different life stories. All were friendly and approachable. We couldn’t speak more highly of our time with them and thank them for coming into our school. A powerful service that really moved the children (and adults!) I spoke to multiple children afterwards, who were really inspired by the stories they heard.
Deputy Headteacher
We were delighted to welcome visitors into our classroom this week to tell us about their experiences as refugees and how these experiences have affected them in later life. The children were hugely engaged with the visitors' life stories and it allowed them invaluable insight into the challenges faced by people across who the world who are displaced by war and political reasons. This experience has generated lots of discussion among the children and allowed for sensitive and thoughtful conversations in our PSHE sessions.
Teacher
Such an emotional, thought provoking and inspiring workshop. It certainly puts my own life experiences into perspective. I was moved to tears in parts and the children were engaged and in awe of the bravery and courage of the people involved. Thank you.
Teacher
Pupil feedback
The music made it more exciting and we liked making up our own song. I felt upset when the refugees told their stories but I was glad when they told us they had been welcomed into our country.
The music made it more exciting and we liked making up our own song. I felt upset when the refugees told their stories but I was glad when they told us they had been welcomed into our country.
The music made it more exciting and we liked making up our own song. I felt upset when the refugees told their stories but I was glad when they told us they had been welcomed into our country.
I liked hearing the men's stories and it made us feel sorry for the experiences they had in the past and those suffering now.
I felt scared. I imagined being a refugee. It made me think about how I could help them.
Hearing the stories helped us understand that people like in Ukraine are actual suffering.
My parents had to leave their country before I was born so it made me think about what it was like for them.
We enjoyed getting involved and writing a song about their stories.
I’ll never forget meeting Knud, Ali and Tahmina today.
Curzon Cinema and Arts
The funding of £9,900 from the UKSPF has allowed us to develop a truly exciting programme of screenings and events for our first ‘season’ at Curzon Cinema and Arts. The programme has been curated collaboratively with community groups and local artists and showcases some of the best acts North Somerset has to offer alongside global ideas and world class cinema and art. Crucially, the funding has enabled us to be more ambitious in our programme than we would be if it was purely commercial, which has allowed us to present cutting-edge work and themes alongside timeless classics. Whether you’re a cinephile, a bookworm, or a music buff; there’s something here for everyone!
Andrew Caddy
RENEW
RENEW is the first organisation in Weston set up specifically to provide opportunities to people who want to work but face barriers in finding a job such as language or lack of experience. Thanks to funding from UKSPF, RENEW provides opportunities to get back into a work routine, develop skills, gain a work-based reference and much more. Both paid and unpaid work are good for personal wellbeing, as actively contributing to the community is a satisfying experience. We are always looking for employers who prize the lived experience of our workforce members and are committed to building an inclusive workplace. They could be the next employers of our workforce members!
Karen Lee Roberts
Worker A is a very diligent and personable young man from Weston who has faced struggles in his first two jobs due to no fault of his own. He works for RENEW on a part-time basis as a paid Employment Development Worker. He has been recruiting and interviewing potential workers who have had limited opportunities, doing initial wellbeing assessments and supporting them in job search. He has also been involved in setting up and administration system to keep track of people’s journeys towards wellbeing and financial independence.
RENEW’s workforce member
Worker D arrived in the UK one year ago from Kiev. Her qualifications and experience include diplomas in banking and accounting together with seven years' work experience in these fields in Ukraine. She has attained Level 1 English at Weston College and is currently working in the UK as a cleaner. She’s been offered a part-time bookkeeping job at RENEW with plans in place for a work experience placement at accountant Morgan Hunt.
RENEW’s workforce member
Worker E is a refugee from Iran. Mother of a small baby she was spending most of her time at home when she came to RENEW, where she is being encouraged to work at home doing beautiful paintings for sale through RENEW. She is now employed to manage the fabric reuse team at RENEW making fashionable items out of retro used curtains.
RENEW’s workforce member
Super Culture
Community-led creative projects have been able to grow and thrive in Weston-super-Mare thanks to UKSPF funding.
The UKSPF grant has enabled community led creative provision to grow and thrive in Weston's South and Central Wards, bringing a range of participatory projects, activities and events to the area. These have included the popular Party on the Green festival in July presented by Super Culture and a summer full of creative, environmentally-themed workshops led by South Weston Activity Network (SWAN). SWAN is a charity that co-ordinates activities for children, young people and families in Bournville, Coronation and Oldmixon in Weston. There has also been an on-going programme at Front Room theatre featuring local, rising artists
Tom Newman
Local artists are using their experience at Front Room as a platform from which to build their practice. Local artist Mia Borthwick developed her show ‘I don’t have a maths GCSE’ with Front Room and showcased it at the venue. Artists can talk to audience and community members about the process and the content, helping to develop their shows further. Mia is now taking her show to 5 venues nationally as part of fringe theatre festivals with the intention of touring the show well into 2024.
See www.frontroomwsm.com and www.superculture.org.uk for more information.
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