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WERS (West End Refugee Service)

WERS (West End Refugee Service) ​

At Skimstone Arts we actively support members of the refugee communities to co create and experience;

• artistic opportunities to perform and exhibit work of a high standard that expresses hope, integration, cultural value and moving stories we can all learn from

• ways of engaging positively with new audiences through talks and discussions about their work and lives, skills and talents that helps understand importance of integration and social cohesion

• event management opportunities that platform the skills and talents of refugee communities ie being part of Skimstone Arts’ administrative, production, stewarding team

All our experiences have been so positive in learning how communities commit to being involved and helping to co design our projects with us.

 

"Thank you …support you have given to such a good cause…helping us make such a difference."  

Peter Noble Chief Executive West End Refugee Service

 

 

The Seven Bridges Music workshop

 

As Part of Skimstone Arts' Refugee Week 2024 events members of WERS  (West End Refugee Service) joined us to create a unique music/ sound piece within the hour and performed it at the end of the workshop.

Inspired by the theme of Home we explored how percussive sounds and voices convey a sense of deep connection that we feel about home and the journey to find this in a new place.

“ It has been very happy for me. Today was a difficult time as I don’t have a home, but it gives me hope when we make a song about the future and show it to other people. Thank you.”  Workshop Participant.

 

 

 

 

 

Sanctuary of Sound

 

Skimstone Arts' worked in collaboration with WERS members for Refugee Week 2023.


Sanctuary of Sound took place in the atmospheric Arches at Newcastle University, where you could experience the collaborative sound installation created by The Resonators - a collective of people with lived refugee experience. The sound piece, which explores urban and natural soundscapes of Newcastle, was created with the West End Refugee Service, artist Martin Heslop and our Artistic Director Claire Webster Saaremets. Participants have been listening, capturing field recordings and writing to collectively compose this immersive piece.


 

 

 

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