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The Enjoolata Stories

Fifty Years of Love and Liberation: Celebrating Brighton & Hove’s Colourful Journey

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Celebrating Pride is a vibrant and essential affirmation of love, acceptance, and inclusion for the LGBTQ+ community, and its allies. It serves as a beacon of hope; inspiring countless individuals to embrace their true selves and fostering a sense of unity and belonging. By coming together in celebration, we honour the courage of those who have fought for LGBTQ+ rights and pave the way for a more compassionate and understanding future.

With the 50th Anniversary of Brighton Pride, we are reminded of the tapestry of diversity that enriches our society, and the message of love that resonates far beyond the boundaries of the LGBTQ+ community.

Pride stands as a vibrant and indispensable part of Brighton’s culture and community. It is more than just a celebration, Pride is a protest rooted in the fight for equality. These events continue to carry the legacy of resistance and serve as a platform to voice the ongoing struggle against the injustice faced by the community. In this vein, celebrating queer joy becomes an act of resilience and empowerment. It serves as a powerful counterbalance to ongoing discrimination, cultivating a sense of unity and belonging while affirming the inherent value and dignity of every individual. By expressing their identities, the queer community defies attempts to suppress their existence and asserts their right to live authentically.

As we enter the Pride season, we are thrilled to see one of our partners, ONCA, put together an exciting exhibition –  running until the 7th of August. Sharon Kilgannon’s colourful and evocative portrait photography pays homage to the spirit of Pride, inviting viewers to embrace its message of acceptance and empowerment. The exhibition is a collaboration with participants of Trans Pride Brighton, the first and biggest trans pride event outside of America, as they celebrate its 10th anniversary!

Beyond the vibrant events and activities, the proceeds from Pride tickets support The Brighton Rainbow Fund which is dedicated to empowering community projects throughout the city. If you’re seeking funding opportunities for community initiatives, consider applying for a grant from The Brighton Rainbow Fund.

By supporting this fund and embracing the purpose of Pride, we contribute to the growth and prosperity of the LGBTQ+ community and its allies in Brighton, cultivating a more compassionate world and ensuring that Pride remains a beacon of hope for generations to come.

Pride’s relevance remains unwavering as it continuously creates an inclusive space for people from all walks of life to come together, feel accepted, and celebrate their identities. Beyond the festivities, it serves as a profound testament to the power of unity, love, and protest. Let us embrace the colourful, spirited, and empowering essence of Pride as we march forward, hand in hand, towards a world where everyone can love and be loved without barriers.

East Brighton Food Cooperative: Nourishing Community, Sustaining Change

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In the heart of East Brighton, a remarkable transformation is taking place through the East Brighton Food Cooperative. By redefining our relationship with food and cultivating a stronger, more resilient community; volunteers unite to create a cooperative that goes beyond the ordinary, forging deep connections and inspiring positive change.

Central to the cooperative’s mission is the championing of a sustainable food system that nourishes both people and the planet. By prioritising locally sourced and ethically produced food, the East Brighton Food Cooperative supports local farmers while minimising the environmental impact of food production and transportation. This commitment empowers individuals to make informed choices and be mindful of their ecological footprint.

In these challenging times, it is crucial to ensure that every resident in Brighton has access to affordable, high-quality food. Through their creative initiatives and the collective power of volunteers, the East Brighton Food Cooperative bridges the gap between cost and nutrition. Since the start of the lockdown, their team has been delivering meals to those in need, and their operation went city-wide after just three days due to the lack of provisions across Brighton and Hove. Originally intended as a local offering, they began with 800 meals per month and quickly scaled up to over 8,000! Their Community Meals on Wheels Service has become a lifeline for single, elderly, and disabled individuals who are unable to cook due to health and financial challenges. With over 250,000 meals delivered since March 2020, their impact on the community is profound.

Alongside their incredible Meals on Wheels program, their dedicated volunteers generously share their expertise; inspiring others to embrace sustainable practices with workshops, educational programs, and community events.

The East Brighton Food Cooperative stands as a shining example of solidity, advocating for a future where communities are self-reliant and interconnected. Through fostering a sense of ownership and collaboration, they instil resilience within individuals and the wider community.

This cooperative represents the extraordinary potential that lies within communities united by a common purpose. The unwavering dedication of the volunteers creates a space where sustainable practices, affordable access to quality food, and community well-being seamlessly converge. It nourishes both bodies and souls, inspiring us to reimagine our relationship with food and embrace a future where resilience and sustainability go hand in hand.

To the East Brighton Food Cooperative, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for nurturing our community and sustaining positive change.

We encourage you to consider joining as a volunteer and let your actions speak volumes in shaping a brighter future for all! Find out more about the East Brighton Food Cooperative here.

Patina: Nurturing Arts Education and Celebrating Creativity in Lewes

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A raucous and colourful explosion of youthful frivolity snaked its way through the streets of Lewes last week, as a new round of young people staked their claim on the future!

In 2001, a group of passionate parents and teachers in Lewes came together to promote the importance of art in the National Curriculum. This campaign led to the formation of Patina (Parents and Teachers in the Arts), a charity dedicated to creating opportunities for children and teachers to engage with local artists. Since its inception, Patina has been a driving force in promoting arts education and celebrating creativity in the community, working tirelessly to foster artistic experience and collaboration between children, teachers, and local artists.

This brings us to the heart of Patina, the Moving On Parade! A captivating display of artistic expression that winds its way through central Lewes, the procession symbolises the local children’s transition from primary school to adolescence.

Each year has a unique theme for the parade, allowing the students to unleash their creativity and work with Patina Artists to create stunning sculptures, costumes, and music! This year’s theme, ‘All the World’s a Stage,’ was accompanied by the ‘Twilight Tales’ storytelling event. Professional storytellers captivated the whole community as we watched the sunset behind the parade sculptures. By promoting Theatre and performance in collaboration with the local drama group, Kaleidoscope, the children were encouraged to explore their emotions around moving on and take ownership of their own stories, safe in the knowledge that we will be there to support them along the way!

The Moving On Parade holds a significant place in Lewes’s cultural calendar, eagerly anticipated by both the children who participate and the wider community. It is a joyous celebration, honouring the achievements and growth of children as they embark on a new phase of their educational journey. Over the years, more than 8,000 children have experienced this unique rite of passage, leaving a lasting impact on their lives and nurturing a love for the arts. While every Moving On Parade is cause for celebration, the involvement of current year 9s, who missed their own Parade due to Covid, and the integration of students’ emotive writing into the mask’s bunting has meant that this parade felt especially meaningful.

Patina’s unwavering dedication to arts education has left an indelible mark on the community of Lewes. The organisation’s efforts have not only supported children in discovering their artistic talents but also emphasised the importance of creativity and self-expression in education. Moving forward, Patina remains committed to its mission, continuing to raise funds, coordinate with artists, and advocate for the arts. Their journey since 2001 exemplifies the power of a passionate community coming together to prioritise arts education. Through their initiatives, this remarkable charity has sparked creativity, inspired collaboration, and facilitated a celebration that resonates throughout Lewes.

As we look to the future, Patina’s impact will continue to flourish, leaving an enduring legacy of artistic expression and empowering generations to come.

Stay up to date with PATINA by joining their mailing list here or follow PATINA Lewes on Instagram and PATINA Lewes on Twitter!

Embracing Empathy: Inspiring Compassion Through the Art of Storytelling – Refugee Week 2023

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This year’s Refugee Week focuses on compassion. In Brighton and Hove, we are lucky to be part of a community that actively supports refugee and asylum seeker rights and values and celebrates their unique contributions.

Earlier this year, two Brighton-based organisations we deeply admire, Conversation Over Borders and Refugee Radio, collaborated on a joint project platforming the voices of displaced people in our communities, creating an impactful documentary ‘Prisoner of Hope’ and a book ‘Refugee Heritage: an oral history of asylum seekers’.

The documentary follows Nima from Iran, Kajoli from Bangladesh, and Paul from Uganda, exploring the challenges they face in their new lives and what they have been forced to leave behind. The book is based on oral-history interviews with refugees and asylum seekers living in Brighton and beyond.

Both the documentary and book offer a valuable chance to immerse oneself in the experiences of refugees and asylum seekers, as shared in their own words. Both narratives delve into the deeply challenging realities of war, torture, persecution, and sexual violence. However, amidst these hardships, glimmers of hope shine through, interwoven with stories of remarkable resilience and courage from the individuals who bravely convey their journeys.

These stories play a crucial role in nurturing our understanding, challenging biases, and inspiring action. By devoting time to these significant testimonials and sharing them among ourselves, we can cultivate greater understanding and compassion for those seeking refuge. In doing so, we contribute to the creation of a more inclusive and supportive society that benefits everyone.

You can stream ‘Prisoner of Hope’ for free here and purchase the book here.

The project was supported by The National Lottery Heritage fund and an incredible team of dedicated volunteers.

‘Ocean Women’ – Empowering women and girls to access the ocean

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Only 1/3 of women worldwide can swim. In many societies, women and girls don’t get equal opportunities to access and get to know and love the ocean.

In 2022 we supported Flossy Barraud and Aminath Zoona (Zuna) in partnership with The Manta Trust in launching ‘Ocean Women’ a multi-year, action-focused research project that aims to empower more women to access the ocean for recreation, with the eventual goal of improving connection to the sea for women and girls worldwide.

In tropical coastal communities like the Maldives – which is 99% ocean – forming a connection to the sea by physically experiencing it can improve women and girls’ interest in ocean conservation, access to careers, economic and social status, and well-being. Research also indicates that women are influential conservation leaders, so barriers to ocean activities can negatively impact conservation efforts.

Fear, societal stigmas, aesthetic ideals, lack of role models and lack of access to equipment can all widen the ocean-gender gap.

The program connects women to the ocean through swim, snorkel and dive training, growing confidence and driving positive change. Outcomes will include livelihood opportunities to help coastal communities develop and lead the conservation initiatives that work for them and future generations.

Later this year, Flossy and Zuna will train ten people on five Maldivian islands as swimming instructors, supporting them in developing programs to teach people to swim and snorkel on their islands for years to come!

This is just the beginning though; for more information, visit mantatrust.org/ocean-women, and for updates, follow @mantatrust and @saltedventuresswimmers on instagram.

Happy World Water Day!

How S.A.F.E Kenya is nurturing a network of empowered and environmentally conscious women

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Happy International Women’s Day! Inequity affects many women, but historically it has most commonly affected women in marginalised communities.

Today we want to introduce the work of our international partners, S.A.F.E Kenya, an NGO whose work towards equitable solutions surrounding women’s rights is nurturing a network of empowered and environmentally conscious young women to know their human rights and have the confidence to stand up for themselves and the environment.

The S.A.F.E. all Massai team – SAFE Maa – in the Loita hills focus much of their work and resources on changing the dialogue and intervening with Female genital cutting (FGC). This ceremony has long been associated with young Massai girls’ rite of passage and marriageability but harms them personally, physically, and psychologically, heavily impacting economic development.

Through their programs, SAFE Maa leverages the power of the crucial voices in the community, helping to build vital voices in confronting FGC and early marriage, finding workable alternatives to the practice, and presenting the debate on the abandonment of FGC in a respectful, culturally appropriate and non-judgmental way.

With their Young Women’s Empowerment Project, SAFE Maa has trained female ambassadors to gain access to girls vulnerable to FGC. They provide mentorship, education, and support to their younger and more vulnerable peers and vital training in environmental conservation and resource management.

SAFE Maa’s focus on community-led solutions will continue to ensure that more Maasai girls have access to education, helping them wield more power, influence, and authority over their lives. For more information about their work or details of how to support S.A.F.E Kenya visit safekenya.org

Words and photos by Daisy Wingate-Saul