JohnThree months on from the August riots, local greening organisations across the UK are facilitating healing and growth in their communities.
Mafwa Theatre, Manchester Urban Diggers (MUD) and Greening Maindee are three non-for-profit organisations across the UK which are participants in the Nature Neighbourhoods programme. Each organisation directly links its local nature projects to their vision to create inclusion in their diverse communities.
Mafwa Theatre is a theatre company in east Leeds that utilises drama and the arts to create work that celebrates our similarities and differences while speaking truth to power.
During the covid lockdowns, they branched out into community gardening projects, when residents were seeking connection to green spaces.
At the core of their work is creating an inclusive Leeds. Mafwa took direct action to protect its community, “In response, we’ve enhanced our safety measures, engaged in community liaison meetings, held space for our members, created and shared resources and carefully monitored the local situation to ensure the safety of everyone involved,” Mollly McGrre, of Mafwa, said,
“We were heartbroken, horrified, and sadly unsurprised by the summer’s race riots.
“Our members and staff have been profoundly affected, with a heightened sense of distrust and fear of violence forcing us to rethink everyday actions. However, these events also revealed that the rioters were outnumbered, and we witnessed deeply moving displays of support and solidarity.
“This has only underscored the importance of our work and strengthened our resolve. In response, we’ve enhanced our safety measures, engaged in community liaison meetings, held space for our members, created and shared resources and carefully monitored the local situation to ensure the safety of everyone involved. We are committed to protecting our participants as we continue our mission to build a more welcoming Leeds.
“This October, we hosted ‘Toute.s Unie.s,’ a cabaret-style fundraiser at Wharf Chambers. Everyone will be invited to explore our work, enjoy a series of performances from local groups and artists, and celebrate the spirit of resilience and community.”
Through each organisation and Nature Neighbourhood’s work is the ethos that access to nature creates healthy people and communities.
The philosophy of these organisations is best shared by Bei Gao at Mafwa who said, “Everyone deserves to live without fear, and we will continue creating joyful experiences where all feel cared for and heard.”
