Light Up For Inclusion
Creative Campaign
About the campaign
Our Light Up for Inclusion creative campaign started in December 2016 with bauble-making workshops. The need for this project stemmed from the founder’s own journey of having an autistic child and the struggle for families with SEND children in taking part in festive events.
From that need, Eliyah envisioned and created the project, endorsed by the mayor and that has seen the participation of local schools and community.
Celebrating the skills and talents of local children, and encouraging the engagement of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) - everyone was invited to create Christmas baubles.
Guidance and materials were provided to make unique baubles to contribute to the Christmas tree decorations, which were then displayed as part of the main event on Ken Aston Square outside Fullwell Cross Library.
That was the start of this and many other projects for the Barkingside Art Club which lead to the involvement of a wider community and they obtained a fantastic turnout so far.
Since COVID there have been additional challenges for all of us, more so, for children and adults with additional needs and disabilities. Mental health has suffered due to lock-down restrictions and isolation and support services which were previously relied upon and accessible - and are now restricted at best. Since then, the project transitioned from baubles for inclusion to Light Up for Inclusion.
Through these campaigns, Barkingside Art Club will continue raising awareness for children with SEND in the community. Our aim is to shine a light on the difficulties facing inclusivity in community activities and visual arts education and also address wider societal issues.
How to get involved?
We are calling everyone to share our passion in decorative self expression to support inclusion and bring about strong unification in society!
Barkingside Art Club are hosting art workshops for all, guided by Eliyah and her team of artistic assistants and you will be able to help them by volunteering! Both individuals, local businesses and organisations are welcome to volunteer and become an active part of the project!
You can also join us by sharing your own story of inclusion and community through this form:
Fullwell Cross Library workshops for Schools
If you would like your school and your students to get involved in our upcoming free workshops, please follow this link.
Free Art Schools Workshops at Exchange Ilford
Families and Children Free Workshops at Fullwel Cross Library
Help us spreading our project by sharing it with as many people as possible!
If you are a local business or organisation interested in supporting the project,
please get in touch to explore how you could do that!
Why Bee Lanterns?
The creation of the lanterns will demonstrate community resolve, despite the limitations - with each light symbolising hope and, along with our logo, the power in communication and teamwork with all bees working together to ensure a peaceful and thriving hive.
The story of our shining community lanterns will inspire, as each lantern represents the energy with which you support ‘inclusion and individuality’ in our community - regardless of race, culture or disability. When displayed together, the lanterns will showcase the coming together of a strong, united and inclusive community.
The Goal to achieve: Light Up to Support Inclusion!
The goal of our campaign is to make the community aware of the importance of inclusion.
Continuing with our annual creative campaign ‘Light up for Inclusion’ we aim to promote inclusion generally, within the Redbridge community and ultimately go towards making our community more accepting and tolerant. To do our small part and in particular to mark UK Disability History Month, Barkingside Art Club will shine a light on the following:
The importance of inclusion through visual art locally as provided by Barkingside Art Club for all including children with SEND
To urge local community schools, organisations, businesses to make an effort to be inclusive to children with SEND
To raise awareness of different cultures and religions, which bond the borough of Redbridge, making it a culturally diverse and richer community
If there is a diverse and inclusive community - through equitable sharing of resources and community engagement - we believe that everyone can achieve their potential despite their differences!
History behind the artist
This campaign has been created by local artist Eliyah Qureshi who is a community artist and a creative entrepreneur. She is the founder and director of Barkingside Art Club LTD and AFORA CIC. She is Pakistani born and has been living in London since 2002 where she has been working in the creative industry as a graphic designer and visual artist.
She took the initiative to promote inclusion after being inspired by her journey of having an autistic child and feeling isolated from society within schools and the community. Her vision is to eliminate prejudice.
More Information on our website - The local voices!
Please support us by encouraging your child’s local schools and organisations (such as clubs) to get involved as they have done previously and also invite community business and individuals to lend their support by donating to this campaign. We gratefully welcome donations, which will go towards future promotion and support of community inclusion - through creative practice.
