NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2022 ISSUE1 INTHISISSUE Projectupdates MeetBenjamin TrueDiversity-article NewInterfaith&Belief projectlaunch GroupSpotlights-MC Inspired&BBASomerset WelcometothefirstSomersetDiverse CommunitiesNewsletter! WeshareandcelebrateSomerset's diverseculturesandcommunities. Inthisissue,weintroduce;localgroups, events,training,andfunding opportunitiesandshineaspotlighton alocal Happyperson.reading! Keep up to date @somersetdiversecommunities www.ccslovesomerset.org/sdc @ruralsomerset @somersetdiversecommunities Funded by
ThisisaveryexcitingtimeforthepeopleofSomerset.Wewould liketohearfromfaithandbeliefgroups,smallorlarge,aswe createanInterfaithNetworkwithanOnlineDirectoryandFaith Calendar.We areaskingthepeopleofSomersettoopentheir heartsandcometoknowoneanotherand,toembracethe peaceitwillbringtoourgrowinglydiversehome.
Interfaith&BeliefSomerset Strongcommunitiesarethebackboneofanysociety.DuringthePandemic,theworld experiencedthattheyareimperativeintimesofneed.
Byofferingarangeofeventsandactivities,wewillhelpthe peopleofSomersetbelongingtofaithandbeliefsystems understandandembracethechangingfaceofourcounty.
Somerset,whilepredominantlyamainstreamcounty,isinterspersedbypeoplefrom differentethnicbackgrounds,faithsandbeliefs,whowhich,untilnow,havemainly livedseparatefromeachother.Weaimtochangethat.
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Email:janine@somersetrcc.org.uk www.ccslovesomerset.org/interfaith-belief-network/
PleasecontactJanineEvans InterfaithandBeliefCoordinator
WiththevaluablesupportfromSomersetCountyCouncil, InterfaithandBeliefcommunitiesareinvitedtoengageinsafe andwelcomingways,extendingahandtoallwhocallSomerset home.Overthenextfewmonths,ourteamwillcontinuethe valuableworktosupportandempowerpeoplefromvaried culturalbackgrounds.Wewillalsooffertrainingandfundingto faithandbeliefgroupstocometogetherinthespiritofbuilding abrighterfutureforall.
Supportingcommunityinitiativestocreatestrongthreadsthat encourageusalltowelcomethosewedonotknowbutwantto understand.Toweaveatapestryofourlifeexperiences.
cultural healthmicro-aggressionsunconsciouslanguagedifferencesbiasdisparitiesbyethnicbackground vaccinationmyths Healthisvitalineverypartofourlives,soitisimportantthat everyonerecievesthebestexperienceandtreatmentavailable nomatterwherewearefromorwhomweworkfor. Thechallengesofinequalityinhealthcantakemanyforms withinourdiversecommunities,andbarriersinunderstanding: Thesebarrierscanleadtoloweruptakeandengagementwith healthandsocialcare,preventingaccesstohealthcare, assumptionsandsome‘normal’practicescanleadto misdiagnosesorlatetreatment. MORE HealthInequalities WewanttoimproveSomerset’shealthcareserviceforourethnicdiverse communities. WorkingwithSomerset’sdiversecommunityandhealth/socialcareproviderswe wanttoimprovetheirsupportandservices.Addressinginequalitiesinbothaccess andcareforpatientsandprofessionals. PleasecontactKirstenRushby HealthInequalities-CommunityEnabler Email:kirstenr@somersetrcc.org.uk www.ccslovesomerset.org/health-inequalities/ PleaseAreyoufromanethnicallydiversecommunityinSomerset?shareyourexperienceofthehealthcareserviceandcompleteouronlineSurveyhere: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/health-inequalities
In2019,85.7%ofallteachersinstate-fundedschoolsin EnglandwereWhiteBritish(whereethnicitywasknown).We canassumethattheproportionofWhiteBritishteachersis greaterinSomerset,aruralcountywherealargerpercentage ofthepopulationidentifyasWhiteBritish.
70%ofrespondentsexperiencedracialdiscriminationin schoolorcollege.Nearly40%oftheseneverspokeup aboutitoraskedforhelp. Morethan30%ofrespondentsfromethnicallydiverse communitiesidentifiedthattheirracialidentitywasa disadvantageintheireducation. 67%ofrespondentsfromethnicallydiversecommunities reportedproblemswithschoolordailylifebecauseof emotionalproblems,suchasfeelingdepressed,sador anxious.
Toaddcontexttotheseresults,94.6%ofSomerset’s populationare‘WhiteBritish’.Thisproportionistypicalofthat seeninSomerset’sneighbouringlocalauthoritiesbutmuch higherthantheEnglandandWalesaverage(80.5%).
SomersetCommunityFoundation(fundedbySomersetYouthParliament)recently commissionedSomersetDiverseCommunities(deliveredwithSmartCommunities Ltd)toworkwithagroupofethnicallydiverseyoungpeopleonapeer-ledproject (DiverseYoungSomerset)tohelpidentifyandaddressissuesthatmatteredto Thethem.groupdevelopedasurveyaimedatyoungpeoplefromethnicallydiverse backgroundsinSomersetandoneoftheissuestheyfocusedonwasaroundyoung people’sexperienceofracialdiscrimination. Theresultsofthesurveyshowedthat; Facilitatingaconversationaroundrace
Deliveredby
Havingcharacteristicshadconversations
Anopportunitytouseroleplaytoconsolidatetheskills,methods,and knowledgelearnt
withsomeschools,andidentifiedaneedforsome teachertraining,wehaveaskedViennaAshley-Watts(BlackLivesMatter, Taunton)tocreateanddeliveranewteachertraininginsetforPrimaryschools inSomerset.Therewillbeafocusonissuesthatteachersthemselveshave requestedsupportwith,including: Ifyourschoolisinterestedinatrainingsessionpleasecomplete theform www.form.jotform.com/221843817333052below.:
Facilitatingaconversationaroundracecontinued...
Teacherswillbegivenknowledgeandskillstofacilitatediscussionsaround racial Teachersinequalitywillhaveabetterunderstandingoftheissuesfacingethnically diversepupilsinschool
Openquestionstothefacilitators
Discussionsaroundappropriateterminologytousewhendescribing ethnicallydiversecommunities.
Thebenefitsofthetraining: Teacherswillincreaseconfidenceindiscussingissuesofracialinequality
Childrenwillreceivebettersupportatschooltoexploreissuesrelatedto racialinequality
Anopportunitytolistenandtounderstandtheexperiencesofethnically diversechildrenandyoungpeopleinSomerset. Achancetounderstandthenuancesofruralracism
Adecreaseinraciallymotivatedincidentsinschools Fosterimprovedrelationsbetweenyoungpeoplewithprotected
Howisitpossible?
No,notevenafterlivinghereforsolid20yearsanditcannotbechangedaslongas wetrulyembracetheculturalvaluesofothersanduntildiversityisjustaword,notan innerfeeling. HereweconstantlyhavetoexplainwhatisEidandRamadantofriendsand neighbors.Atwork,wealwayshavetoexplainwhyIneedabreakforEid!Thereisno decorationinthestreetorshopsforEiddayorEidcardsale!Themediadoesn't promoteanyEidadvertsastheydoforChristmas!Westillgetstrangelookswhenwe wearspecialprayerclothesanddressesonEidday.Idonotblameanyindividuals here,butcertainly,it'samoralresponsibilityfortheorganizationthatworksfor diversity,politicalparties,government,andmedia.Ithinkthoseresponsiblebodies aresofocusedtoeducateonlyminoritygroupsbutcompletelyforgotthattrue diversitydoesnotonlycomesfromoneside.Themajorityofthiscountryshouldalso beeducatedaboutthecultureandcustomofminoritiessothattheycanunderstand eachother.Ithinkmediainthiscountryplaysabigrolehereandnotdoingenough. Personally,IamproudtobeaBritishBangladeshi,aproudhusband,andfather,and alsoamodestMuslimwhohascontributedtosocietyandthecountryasa professionalengineerandsmallbusinessowner.Allthoseidentitiesdonotcontradict eachother,theymademeandmanyofusstrongerinthiscountry.Butwhatwelack isastrongculturalconnectiontothesocietythatequallyrepresentswhoIamorwho we Endingare...with
TheTrueDiversity Diversityisaverypopularwordnowadaysamongmulticulturalsocietiesin England.Buthaveweachievedtheactualdiversityyet?
writtenby-MerazAziz(SecretaryBBASomerset)
Ithinkjustbecauseofequalculturalvaluesofthatregionandthousandsofyearsof co-existenceofdifferentfaithsandbeliefs.AlthoughIamfromaMuslimfamilybut havehadmanyfriendswithdifferentfaithsandbeliefsfromchildhood,Igrewupwith them,Iequallyattendedtheirreligiousfestivalandgreetthemandneverthought othersweredifferentfromme.Therewasauniquesenseofsolidarityandequality existedwhichalwaysgavemeafeelingofpeace,joy,andtogetherness.
Idonotthinkso.IgrewupinBangladeshandmysenseofculturalvaluesand feelingswereunique.Itastedtruediversity.Evenwithmorethan89%oftheMuslim majority,weusedtoprettymuchcelebrateallreligiousfestivalsbackinthe1990s.On top,wealwayshadpublicholidaysforMuslimfestivalslikeEidaswellasforChristan festivalslikeChristmas,HinduPuja,andBuddhistPurnima.Besidesthat,wehavehad bothBengaliandEnglishnewyearcelebrationswherepeoplefromallreligions joined.Well,itisstillthesameinBangladesh.
afamousquotefromMalcolm-''Diversityistheartofthinking independentlytogether''.Keepingthatinmindhopefullyinthefuturewechangethe strategyforour'TrueDiversity'campaign.
DoIfeelthesamehereinEnglandnow?
BBApromotesBangladeshiculture andheritagebyarrangingvarious eventslikeEidGettogether,Ramadan IftarDinner,BengaliNewyear, InternationalMotherlanguageday, andmanymore. DuringCovidBBASomersetraised moneyandfoodwhilstsupporting localNHSstaffandfoodbank. BBASomersetmembersrepresent theirstrongBangladeshiculturaland integralvaluesandatthesametime tryingbesttosharetheirviews, thoughts,andideaswithothersinthe widercommunitywithinSomerset. Oneofthegrowingminoritycommunities inSomersetandthesurroundingareas areofBangladeshiorigin. In2018afewlocalBangladeshiorigin friendsformedtheBritishBangladeshi Association(BBA)Somersetdetermined tobringallBritishBangladeshisandother minoritygroupstogethertospread solidaritytothelocalcommunityand createstrongculturalandsocialbonding. WorldwideBangladeshisarefamousfor theirhospitality,down-to-earthnature, andveryhardworking,soBBAmembers arenotdifferenthereinSomerset.BBA membersarefocusedtomakemany positiveinitiativesandchangeswhere necessarywhileworkingtogetherwith othersinthecommunity.
Whoare'BBASomerset'?
Visit:www.facebook.com/bbasomerset
BBAaimstoengageandmotivate youngBritishBangladeshis,children, andwomentowardlocalcommunity activitiessothattheydonotfeel isolatedoralienated.
sharinglocalmuchBBAMerazShamimSomerset.respectfulpositive,constructivestrongorganisationnon-politicalreligion.regardless''BringingthebetweenBBA'saimiscreateastrongbridgeBritishBangladeshisandlocalcommunityinthehopeofcommunityTogether''ofcountry,origin,andIntheend,BBASomersetisaandnon-profitexpectingtoreceivesupport,help,andfeedbacktocreateatolerable,integrated,andcommunityintheheartofMiahfromBridgwaterandAzizinTauntonareleadingtheSomersetgroupwhoareveryinterestedtohearfromanycommunitygroupsandviewsandthoughts.
organiseseventswhere communitiescancometogetherand celebratetheirtraditionsandculture, networkandalsounderstandthesupport availabletothemthroughthecompany andthewiderwebviasignposting. Theaimistoprovidewellbeingsessions andworkshopsYoga,Clinical Hypnotherapysessionsandthoseinneed ofsupportwithanxiety,panicattacks,fears andphobias,insomnia,selfesteemissues andmoremultiplelanguagesessions.As theyareawareofinterculturaldifferences andhowdifficultpeoplefromother countriesnavigatetheirwaythrough mentalhealthsupportsystems. Formoreinformationplease enquiries_stefkastoianova@outlook.comemailVisit:www.mcinspiredtogether.com
IntroducingMCInspiredTogether(CIC)
TheYouthClubwelaunchedfew monthsagowaswelcomedand provetobegreatsupportto migrantchildrenage11-16y. Offeringnumberofdifferentfun interactiveactivitiesindoorsaswell asoutdoorsclubimproved children’smentalhealth,wellbeing andsenseofbelongingand Workshopsinclusion.andeventsorganised byMCInspiredalsobenefited smallerchildrenandtheirparents whowerenotabletotravelbackto theircountriesforChristmas holidaysduetoPandemic.
FounderandDirectorofMC InspiredTogetherMsStefka Stoianovaalongwithgreatteam ofdirectors;MrsVivianaRybertt, MrsMalgorzataGogolinare workinghardanddedicatedto supportallEUmigrant communitiesinneedofmental healthsupport,language education, developmentcommunityandcohesionin Somerset,UK.
MCInspiredTogetherhasputtogethera rangeofservices.TheirEnglishlanguage lessonsforbeginnersandinterpreting servicesaimtoenablemigrantstoeasier managetoapplyforandbookavarietyof servicesforthemselvesandtheirchildren (schools,nurseries,healthsectorbookings MCetc.)Inspired
MC(MigrantCommunities)Inspired Togetherisacompanyfocusedon supportingmigrantcommunitiesin MigratingSomerset.tobeginanewlifeinaforeign countrycanbeastressfulandchallenging experience.Therearemanyfactors; languagebarriers,interculturaldifferences, andlimitedunderstandingoflocal/broad servicesthatcanmakelifeondaytoday basisverydifficult.
MynameisBeniaminGogolinandIama19yearoldaspiringfineartphotographer andcurrentstudentatBridgwater&Tauntoncollege.IamoriginallyfromPoland, havingmovedtotheUKwhenIwas5yearsoldwithmyfamily.Icreateworkwhich focusesonthemesofbelongingandisolation,relatingittoanexperienceofa3rd culturechild.ComingfromadifferentcountryandgrowingupduringtheBrexit referendumleadtoalotofdiscriminationformeandmyfamilyandmanyofmy peers.ThiscausedmetofeelembarrassedofwhereIcamefromandIwantedto maskthefactIwasPolishtoeveryonearoundme.Thankstomyarthowever,IfeelI amnowabletoturnthesenegativeexperiencesintomeaningfulworkthatcan hopefullyresonatewithothers.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT MORE
Duringtheprevioussummer,Ihadtheopportunitytocreatea commissionedseriesforSomersetDiverseCommunities.I createdaprojectbasedontheunfairperceptionmanyhad towardsimmigrantsinthesouthwest.Thecountrysidehasa perceivedspecificwayoflifeandmanyseethataninfluxof otherculturesnegativelyaffectsthis.Irelatedthepresenceof immigrantstoablight,apathogenwhichinfectsmanyplants andharmscropyield.Visuallythemessageisrepresentedby aseriesofSomersetvistasfeaturingacloakeddarkfigure. Thisfigurevisuallyimpairsthesceneryandthereforeputsa blightonthelandscape,thesamewayimmigrantsinthis areaareseentoruintheidealisticstatusquo.Theprojectwas verylocallycentred,discussingthemesdirectlyrelevantto theSomersetarea;beingabletopullfrommineandothers’ personalexperiencestoinformandtoemboldenthe intendedmessage.Ibelievethishasbeenastrengthofmine: wheremanyofmypeersholdtheattitudethatthereislittle opportunityforartistsinthecountryside,Ihavefocusedon drawinginspirationfrommysurroundingsandturningmy experiencesintomeaningfulwork.ThisissomethingIam actuallyconcernedwithlosinginmynextstep. IhavereceivedtheopportunitytostudyattheUniversityof theArtsLondon.Withthisnextamazingstepinmyartistic journey,IworrythatIwillfindithardertopullfrommy experiencesandtolocallyfuelmywork.
@beniaminmg
MeetBenjamin
Visit:beniaminmg.com
ConnectingwithBridgwaterTogether MynameisVivianRyberttandIamfromChile. ImovedfromChiletoArgentina,fromArgentinato SpainandfromtheretotheUK,specifically,Somerset. FromTaunton,ImovedtoBridgwater.Thatwasabig change,forgood.Forimmigrants,movingtoanothercountry canbeverychallengingandnotjustbecauseofthelanguage barrierthatmostofushavefaced.Alongwithallthefearsabout thefutureinacountrywithadifferentculture,thelackofconnection,friendship, andcontactscouldbeverydauntingtoo.ImovedtoBridgwaterinJuly2018and untiltheendof2019Iwasstillveryisolatedwithoutanycontactsintown.OnedayI waslookingforjoboffersaroundthearearegardingfilmmakingorartisticworkto do,findingajobalertfromtheEngineRoomlookingforlocalfilmmakers.Andthat wasthebeginning.Ifinallyintroducedmyselftothecommunity,andthanksto thatconnectionIhadaninvitationtoparticipateinacommunitynamed BridgwaterTogether.ThishappenedinJanuary2020. Theideatoconnectwithothersfacetofacewasagaindeniedbyunmanageable circumstances.However,somethingamazinghappened.Thesessionswereheld online,andImetabunchofgoodpeoplefromtheareasharingonline experiencesintheformofarts,music,talksandfilms.Iwasveryproductivethat year,creatingshortfilmstosharewiththesegreatpeople.Nevertheless,Ididn’t knowwhatwasBridgwaterTogetherbeforethepandemic.Imetpeoplevirtually andhumancontactwasneeded.Inoneofouronlinemeetings,itwasproposed thatIshouldbethechairofBT.Everybodyagreed.IwasveryreticentbecauseI amaveryshypersonandorganisinganeventwassomethingverynewtome. Despiteallmyfears,Isaidyesandwhenwewereallowedtogetbacktothe streets,Istartedtomeetallthesepeopleinperson.AndImadefriends.Whata wonderfulfeeling!Ourback-to-liveeventwaslastyearin2021,holdingtheevent attheTownHallforthefirsttime,afteryearsofcarryingtheeventattheEngine Room.Wewereambitiousandwewantedtogoalittlebiggerafternearly2years ofisolation.Theeventwasabeautifulcompoundofpeoplefromdifferent backgrounds(age,sex,disabilities),ethnicitiesandcultures.Peoplefromthistown, Britishandnon-Britishjustwantedtocelebratethediversitythatmakes Bridgwaterarichandinterestingtown.Astorytobewritten.Afuturetobethought aboutforabetterandmoreinclusiveworld.Thisyearwillbebackagainatthe TownHall,celebratingdiversityonthe12ofNovemberformorestories,music, dance,food,film,artsandsocialengagement,tailoredforourcommunity.No matterwhereyoucomefrom,ifyouwanttogivealittlebitoflovetoourtown,you aremorethanwelcome.
VivianRyberttChairofBridgwater
bridgwatertogether@gmail.comTogether
YeovilTogether-TownCentreCulturalDays
YeovilIndianAssociationandFriends–11thJune2022
ThefirstoftheculturaldayswastheRomanianDaywhichreallycapturedthesights, smells,tastes,artsandhistoryofRomania.OrganisedbyNarcisaMuresanfromthe YeovilRomanianAssociationitinvitedallcommunitiestoshareinfood,making RomaniancraftsandenjoyingliveRomanianfolkmusicanddancing. WestoodtogetheronSaturday,unitedindiversityandI’dliketoexpressmygratitude onbehalfoftheRomaniancommunity.MyRomanianfriendsweresoproudofhaving beengiventheopportunitytosharetheircultureandtraditionswiththepeoplein Yeovil!WehadtheopportunitytoturnashopinTheQuedamintoourhomeon Saturday,wherepeoplecouldexperienceourtraditions,tasteourfoodandfindout factsaboutRomaniaanditshistory.Everybodyhasbeensosupportiveandthe Romaniancommunitytrulyfeelswebelonghere.
YeovilOrientalAssociation–21stMay2022
PoloniaandFriends–25thJune2022
YeovilRomanianAssociation–7thMay2022
EachcommunitywasgivenspaceinTheQuedamShopping Centretocelebratetheiruniquecultureandheritage.There wasanopportunitytotrysamplesofeachculture'scuisine, artsactivitiesandmusic,allofwhichwasfreetothepublicto Allattend.thosewhovisitedandtookpartinthiswonderful celebrationofthedifferentcultureswithinYeovilrecieveda recipecardtotakeawaytoenableyoutotrythevarious flavoursofeachcommunityathome.
WorkingwithLoveYeovil,wehavesupportedtheethnicallydiversecommunitiesof Yeoviltosharetheirheritageandculture.HeldattheQuedamShoppingCentre.We held4culturaldaysintotal:
RomanianCulturalDay
AsRomanianssay‘’Multumim!’’Thankyou.
CCSisseekingthreeenthusiasticindividualstoprovideindividualandfamily welfarechecksforUkrainianguestsanddistributetheemergencysubsistence payment.Thiswillincludea6monthre-checkprovisionforbothhostsandguest. WorkingandliaisingwithCCScolleagues,statutoryandthirdsectororganisations willberequired. CommunityCouncilforSomerset(CCS)isrecruiting! email:recruitment somersetrcc.org.uk@ Formoredetails www.ccslovesomerset.org/vacanciesvisit: Hours:Full-TimeRefugeeSupportAgentx3 Salary:£21,755-£22,190perannum(dependenton experienceand/orlengthofservice) Applicationdeadline:12thSeptember Holiday:25Daysholidayayearplusbankholidays Locations:Home-basedandworkingcountywide. County-Widetravelwillberequiredwith attendanceatspecificgeographicalsites. withyourCVandamaximumtwopageletter outliningyourinterestinthispositionandhow yourexperienceandskillsmeetthe requirementsoftherole.
YEOVIL TOGETHER NewSeries2 CatchupwithYeovilTogether2022! WelcometoSeries2SDCpodcasts! JointheSomersetDiverse Communities(SDC)teammeet,listen andhearthediversevoicesof Somerset,discussexperiencesand learnabouttheculturalexchanges happeningonourdoorstep. Thankyoutoallwhoattendedthis year's2022event.Ifyoumisseditvisit ourwebpage;watchbackthe2020 video,andreadthe'WhatRhymesWith Yeovil'poemwrittenbyDavidReakes. Ifyouwouldliketotakepartinnext year'sYeovilTogether2023please jusna@somersetrcc.org.ukcontact 'MentalHealthDoesn’tAskWhere YouAreFromBeforeItTakesYou PatientsDown!'differinmanyways-the differencesinaccessinghealth Why,serviceshowandwhatcanyoudoto accesslocalmedicalservicesin Somerset. MORE Visitourwebpage www.ccslovesomerset.org/sdc/
Date/Time Time Event Venue 9thOctober 11am -2pm MulticulturalFrome CheeseandGrain FromeSomerset 12thNovember 11am-3pm BridgwaterTogether BridgwaterTownHall WHERE? WHEN? WEHOPETOSEEYOUTHERE BlackHistorymonth(October) InterfaithWeek(November) HinkleyPointCEmployeeevents Futuretrainingopportunities... Wearedelightedtoinviteyoutothelivemulticulturalevents! Whattoexpect! ourmuchDeliciousfoodfromaroundtheworld,music,performances,presentationsandmore.Comealongwithyourfriendsandfamilytocelebratediversityofregion. IfyouwouldliketoparticipateintheBridgwater Togetherevent;haveastall,deliverapresentationor perform,pleasegetintouch. Contact:MichalPuzynski michal@somersetrcc.org.ukat
Paintball WeSportsWorkshopdaymatcharehostingaseriesofFREEactivitydaysandwant yourideas...wouldyouliketoattenda: Getintouchandshareyourideas-welookforwardto hearingfromyou-contactMichal. DoyouWorkatHinkleyPointC(HPC)? WouldyouliketohaveanactivitydayandmeetyourlocalHPC community? email: michal somersetrcc.org.uk www.ccslovesomerset.org/sdc @ AstandalonewebpageforHPCworkers,withdownloadable SomersetWelcomePack Communityinformation ServicesEvents CookerySightseeingKayakingclass
Ifyouarereceivingthe Somerset receivingIfpolicieshttps://ccslovesomerset.org/ccs-moreuselawfulsendyourprocessing‘legitimatereceivebecauseCommunitiesDiverseNewsletteryouhavesigneduptoit.Wedefinethisasinterest’andareyourdata(i.e.storingemailaddressandusingittoyouthisnewsletter)onthisbasis.Tofindouthowweyourpersonalinformationgenerallyseeyouwouldliketoopt-outoffuturecopies,pleasecontactinfo@somersetrcc.org.uk www.ccslovesomerset.org/sdc
Moon-Words Conversation|Stories|
VINEYCOURT VINEY TA1SOMERSETTAUNTONSTREET3FB
Writing JoinstorytellerandwriterMichaelLoaderatthis SomersetArtWorksevent(SAW)on27th SeptemberatStJohn’schurchinHighbridgefrom 10:30-12:30tomeetnewfriendsandshareyour interest,andcuriosity,questions,andloveofthe Throughmoon.conversation,games,photographs, activitiesandamoon-relatedobjectorstoryyou bring,wewillbe‘walkingonthemoonsharing personalstories,readingpoemsandcreatingour ownwordsbothindividuallyandcollaborativelyin smallgroups.
…Theforestisquietapartfromtheoccasionalswell ofwavesthatsweepthroughthetreetoppinesasI liecocoonedinmylayerslookingupthroughthe eyeholeofmybivvytotwentybrightstars,and underthewatchfulgazeofOrion,Iclimbthe danglingbeltsure-footed,upthecelestialladder withimagination’sbarefeettorisefromtheblissful somnolencebelow...
IfEnglishisnotyourfirstlanguagethatisnota problem,sharewordsfromyourownlanguagethat willenhanceanddeepenourexperiencetogether, andbytheendofthesession-ifyouaren’talready -you’llbeaselenophile! This2-hoursessionisfreeandtherewillbea chancetoreadyourwordsonSaturday,October 8th-justbeforeFullMoon–atStJohn’salongside Michael’sworkandlivemusic.
YoucanhearallepisodesofMichael’s’Sleeping withtheMoon’podcasthere inspiredbyhis12full moonsleepoutsof2021. TobookyourfreeplacecontactMichaelLoaderat foolworks@yahoo.co.uk
