Using art to bring people together
We all come from different places, have different lived experiences, and see the world in our own way. Sometimes it’s easy to only see our differences and forget what we have in common.
Everyone has skills they can share, stories they like to tell, and the ability to be creative.
At Gamechangers sessions, members explore who they are as leaders through drama and art, using these discoveries to make things better for others.
This term, the theme was ‘A Warm Welcome’. DIY Gamechangers have been thinking about how creativity helps us include and welcome people – wherever we’re from.
Molly Steadman, Gamechangers Leadership Coordinator, explains more:
A warm welcome
Members have had the opportunity to meet artists with lived experience of forced migration. As part of this cultural exchange, the artists have been introducing us to different kinds of art.
Meanwhile, Gamechangers members have delivered training to the artists about working with people with lived experience of learning disabilities, and how lived experience shapes their leadership.
Working alongside each other, both groups have been exploring different creative approaches and building understanding through shared activity.
Vanina Yanez teaching members about Argentinian loom-weaving.
Building understanding through shared activity
We worked with Gloria Saya to make Congolese dolls that represented who we are. Members chose the colours of the fabric as well as the accessories and beads worn by the dolls. We are working with Gloria again to create a sensory doll, which we are hoping to use in future workshops.
Vanina Yanez taught members about her Argentinian Indigenous heritage. Members loved learning about traditional Argentinian loom weaving – and how important football is to her culture (don’t worry, no Manchester United fans were harmed during the session!).
We also welcomed Valeria Leonova to a session and explored the calming practice of Ukrainian Petrykivka painting.
Members trying Ukrainian Petrykivka painting for the first time.
Exploring what ‘welcome’ means
As part of this project, Gamechangers have also been exploring what the idea of ‘welcome’ means to them. Working alongside emerging artist Jade Williams, members wrote a song about welcome:
Welcome hello
Nice to see you
We want you to be
our friend
Join us for a brew
Welcome hello
Let’s play a game
name and action
feeling happy
Gamechanger Mike also wrote a poem inspired by the theme:
What does welcome mean to me – it means
Friendship
People to inspire me
Open arms to help me
Nice if asked for a brew – all these things
make me happy and relaxed
This is what welcome means to me
Across the sessions, Gamechangers described feeling inspired, proud, calm, and kind.
Small actions, big impact
During this project, members have shown how we can all be more welcoming to others. Simple gestures (like sharing stories and making things) can have a big impact. Through these actions, the Gamechangers are helping to build a world where everyone belongs.
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Members worked with Gloria Saya to make Congolese dolls – choosing the colours, fabric, and accessories.