Arts organisation awarded £39,000 grant for community project

Birmingham-based Sampad South Asian Arts and Heritage have been awarded funding from The Baring Foundation for a vital community project in one of the city 's most deprived areas.

Since 2017 Sampad have been working with Dolphin Women 's Centre (DWC) in Washwood Heath to co-design the community engagement project Create and Change.

Attended by local women and families Create and Change uses a variety of art forms from spoken word, photography to craft making, through a programme of workshops designed to increase wellbeing and reduce isolation.

The £39,980 grant over two years will help Sampad to continue their ongoing partnership with DWC an organisation that provides a safe place where women can come together, learn skills, and make new friends.

Sabra Khan (pictured), Sampad 's executive director said: “Sampad has long believed in using the arts to support wellbeing. At a time when there is a greater need to take care of our physical and mental health, we thank The Baring Foundation for this grant.

"This funding will enable us to continue to work with our participants and embed long term arts activity through our partnership with DWC in Washwood Heath, an area listed in the 10 per cent most deprived neighbourhoods nationally. ”

The Baring Foundation is an independent organisation which protects and advances human rights and promotes inclusion. The Foundation seeks to build positive, purposeful partnerships with grant recipients, grant makers and others to work together for social change.

Due to COVID-19 the project was moved online in autumn 2020 via video calls delivering weekly sessions including Bollywood Dance workshops and Embroidery for Wellbeing.

The project will commence in September and will see an artist resident at the centre co design workshops and projects with local communities. The project will also support participants to reintegrate to in person activity when they feel comfortable and safe to do so.