Question time ‘part 2’ - For African Caribbean men

Question time ‘part 2’ arrived in Leamington Spa last night

with a real panoramic sense of passion, drive and purpose.

The numbers had doubled from the last event in April and the

mix of erudite men coupled with the debate proved to be an

enriching cocktail.

The group of men fused and gelled, the debate was polemical

and gritty, smothered with the brutality of the contemporary

and how communities had been ripped to pieces by ever more

alienation - aspects of modernity - aspects of how segregated

people feel in contemporary times; Race, culture, gender,

inclusion, exclusion, inequality, hope and desire were only a few

themes that were thrashed out with an over arching concern

regarding ‘Education, education, education’ - an ever receding

horizon of a pedagogic system in disarray.

This was not ‘third way’ muddled politics – but more so passionate,

hard working men from the community who feel robbed of their

communities and a ‘collective identity’ that all communities seem

so deprived of. Were communities and families failing black men?

Or are society and the systems in situ baron of the diverse frameworks

that are critical to a healthy community? These were just a few of the

debates as the ideas poured through sweat and grime of minds colliding.

This second event proved to be a huge success on many different

levels - the most salient being that the group was here to solve

these issues constructively with the aid of the BME team and the

local council - the next event is scheduled for the 28th of January

2009 at the African Caribbean Project Leamington spa (7-9pm) -

where a prime focus will be on setting goals and agenda’s for

some real community solutions.

‘OPEN UP’ event.

I’m really happy to introduce a fantastic event that
the BME team has helped to introduce to the county.
It can only be best described as ‘real effective joint
working’, with people, communities and professionals.

I’ve heard it has been a very emotionally moving event
which does not surprise me – but what we want here is
people to emotionally move us! How was it? What do this
sort of community project mean to all of us and how do
we go forward as people and instigating change? Please
leave your expressions on the comments section. Below
is a copy of the press release for your interest!


Press Release:

2 October 2008

‘Open Up’ show to mark World Mental Health Day A
new arts exhibition opening next month will display work
created by ordinary people around Coventry and Warwickshire.

The theme of the exhibition is that it is creative work by people
with experience of ‘mental health problems’. The aim of the show
is to raise awareness of the stigma that attaches to mental health
and mental health services, in order to try and improve care, and
to show how social enterprises can improve the lives of people in
our communities.

The event has been organised and designed by
Community Arts Workshop (CAW) of Leamington, and funded by
Social Enterprise West Midlands, Advantage West Midlands, and the
Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust. The show will
be officially opened on Friday 10 October, which is World Mental
Health Day, and runs through to the end of the month at The Old
Art Gallery in Avenue Road, Leamington, open Monday-Saturday
10am-5pm.

It is hoped the exhibition will go on show around the
Coventry and Warwickshire area after that. A series of workshops
have also been arranged throughout October to enable people to
represent and express themselves through art. For more information
about the workshops, contact CAW on 01926 888333, mail:
mail@communityartsworkshop.org.

Said Fran Godwin, of CAW:
“We already have a wide range of submissions from all kinds of
artists, professional and amateur, experienced and beginners, old
and young. This exhibition really is for everyone. “Art is an important
way for people to express themselves, particularly those whose
interests and views are too often sidelined or ignored. Anyone
who has experienced mental distress knows how isolating and
disempowering that can be. This exhibition will try and give those
feelings a voice.” Added Sandy Taylor, chief executive of Coventry
and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust: "We were keen to support
this event as part of ourwork to help reduce the silence which
surrounds mental illness.I know the exhibition will be a success,
and we hope it creates real opportunities for people who have
suffered some form of mental distress to speak out and describe
how that feels." Graeme Betts, Strategic Director for Warwickshire
County Council's Adult, Health and Community Services, said:

"This is a fantastic exhibition and as well as raising awareness of
mental health and mental health issues it will help to dispel the
stigma that still is attached to mental illness. Bringing these issues
into the public domain in such a positive way is good for people
experiencing mental ill health and their families and for the wider
public as mental ill health affects a large proportion of the population.

" Media queries: Ian Andrew, Head of Communications, Coventry
and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust, tel: 02476 967893, emai