Light Up For Inclusion

Creative Campaign

A Community Journey of Creativity, Belonging & Visibility (2016–Present)

How It All Began

The journey of Light of Our Inclusion began in 2016, long before the campaign had a name. At the time, I was simply a local Redbridge mum, an artist, and someone facing deep exclusion within local systems. I wanted to create a small moment of belonging for children who felt unseen children like mine, children across our schools, and families experiencing similar struggles.

That first year, we decorated the Christmas tree with handmade baubles and decorations created by the children of Fullwood Primary School. It was simple, heartfelt, and powerful. What started as a small creative gesture became a strategy for inclusion, using visual art to highlight the voices and talents of children who were often overlooked.

From that moment, the project grew naturally shaped by community voices, shaped by the children and families, and shaped by the shared need to be seen, heard, and included.

Becoming Barkingside Art Club

Barkingside Art Club was born from this journey.

Our first creative project took place outside Fullwell Cross Library on Ken Aston Square, and this connection with the library became the foundation for our work. For many SEND families, access to public spaces especially libraries can be challenging. I grew up with strong memories of my local library and how it shaped me, and I wanted other children to experience the same sense of belonging, comfort, and inspiration.

With support from Vision Redbridge and Redbridge Libraries, we were given the chance to create a space that SEND families and young people could finally call a safe space — a place where they were welcomed, understood, and celebrated.

Growing the Campaign

Every year, we continued to make a conscious effort to be included as part of the Christmas lights and local festivities. As the club grew, so did the campaign:

• 2016 -2021 Baubles

• 2022–2024 –Baubles & Bee lanterns

• 2024– Baubles & Acrylic banner

• 2025 – Banners, stories, collective artworks, and shared histories

Despite being completely self-funded, facing many challenges, and often struggling to be fully recognised, we continued to evolve. What began with baubles has now grown into lanterns, banners, and powerful stories that reflect the lived experiences of real families in our community.

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:

Join Our Free Community Workshops
Fullwell Cross Library, Barkingside
£5 donation kindly requested to support materials and the inclusion campaign

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!

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.

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.