Track Project

Erasmus+ in Lisbon – October 2019

The 5th international meeting took place Oct 2019 in Lisbon, Portugal.

Our primary output on this meeting was to attend and participate in The Universe(s) of Refugees: Rethinking Forced Migration International Conference in the spectacular grandeur of  The National Library of Portugal.

We were able to present our work on our Track Project among significant academics, politicians, change makers, writers, educators and students…all who are either working to support the huge migrant influx to their shores, or who are supporting the narrative from negative to positive and to ensure the very individuals who choose to leave their homes are looked after.

As the only creative practitioners on the panel, we were humbled by the want for more information, to understand our practice, to appreciate the challenges we faced in our delivery and to accept that the creative practice has a place in the academic/research realm.

As our last meeting as a group, and to draw the project to an end we met up at Impact HUB Lisbon which has afforded itself a space in a part of Lisbon accessed by the young, up and coming creative communities. The building itself is rather inaccessible and can only be reached by cab, then a walk across cobble stone, then lots of stairs. There is no lift for those needing assistance so plan your trip accordingly.

Here there was the opportunity for us as a group to collectively share in our outputs (as we always do at these sessions), think of legacy work (if applicable) and begin the process of wrapping up the 2-year working project.

Its been a pleasure to be involved…full of interesting conversations, understanding new ways of working, new relationships forged and happy to report that our initial working idea of a visual platform (Instagram) has worked so well for our project. We have brought a simple, yet effective format to the collective, many of whom we hope will utilise in their future creative programmes.

We would like to thank: Erasmus+, British Council, Midland Actors Theatre, Migrant Help UK, Rivers of Gold, Kavi Bhavnani, Lisa Bruce…but most importantly, we would like to thank every single person who has participated, shared their story/journey with us, opened up themselves to each other and helped shape our Track Project.

The Track Project Instagram page will remain live for another year – please join in if you wanted to – we would love the creative community to grow. Likewise, if anyone is working with a group of Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Recently Arrived communities or individuals, and is seeking a creative output…get in touch if this could be an output that suits.

Erasmus+ in Italy – January 2019

The 4th international meeting took place Jan 2018 in Rome, Italy.

Our hosts were at Scuola Elementare Carlo Pisacane, one of the main Elementary School’s in the Pigneto area.

In one of the worlds largest heritage sites Rome is an assault on the senses with its churches, archaeology sites, one religious view, folklore & fables. We were filled with excitement in heading there but felt so torn with the rich-poor divide – mainly created by The Vatican – being in central Rome was becoming more and more challenging.

We stayed in the area of Pigneto which was a beautiful surprise.

Full of independent creatives, shops, bars, an amazing open market, cafes and with a healthy cultural mix in its community who all lived together and ACTUALLY supported one another. Not the story you hear of Italy & ‘immigrants’ is it! With a huge Bangladeshi community we were thrilled to hear how generations of Bangladeshi/Italian communities supported and helped one another – really lovely.

Erasmus+ in Portugal – September 2018

Our 3rd international meting between all partners was kindly hosted by Scholé in Porto, Portugal.

As a country of contrast it was a fantastic opportunity to stay in the Port area of Matozinhos where so much culture from yester-year continues to be visible in 2018. Through its food, through its crafts, fashion, language used and even how past history is shared through education – its all set up to not talk about history as an exclusive ‘thing’ but to draw on the areas of how it impacts to today.

Our hosts at Scholé went above n beyond in including us in the day to day understanding of their vision of a different way of educating young minds. An independent school created from the need to re-address the cultural balance in Portugese traditional educational outlets. A group of parents formed the school in the heart of Matozinhos to create that send of community.

What was impressive to see/hear/experience was how the school took time in getting to know their students (who by the time we were there, were coming from afar and there was even a waiting list growing, such is the demand), understand who they are, understand their value based needs, what makes them tick, how the take in information etc. From this the child experience of learning was almost bespoke to them whilst still weaving into the wider school setting.

It was a truly inspiring trip, we learned loads and shared good practice on how to transfer educational teachings.

Erasmus+ in Poland – June 2018

The 2nd Erasmus+ network meeting took place in Poland and was hosted by Beata Mintus of Collegium Balticum in Szczecin.

Partners from across Europe reconnected to continue the conversations of Migration through #DigitalStorytelling – it was an opportunity to learn from our Polish partners on how they deliver creative ideas through storytelling.

Szczecin is a fascinating part of Poland – it is a city on the Oder River in northwest Poland. Its known for its 19th-century Waly Chrobrego, or Chobry Embankment, and the renovated Pomeranian Dukes’ Castle, now a cultural centre. The vast St. James Cathedral has a 14th-century tryptych, stained-glass windows and a tower with city views. Nearby is the Gothic Old Town Hall, hosting the National Museum’s exhibitions on Szczecin’s history and culture.