Black History Month
October marks Black History Month in the UK. The event was officially recognised by the US government in 1976, and first celebrated in the UK in 1987 and has since gone from strength to strength.
People from African and Caribbean backgrounds have been a fundamental part of British history for centuries. However, campaigners believe their value and contribution to society is often overlooked, ignored or distorted. For example, most schools still teach a history curriculum that focuses on traditional events and achievements of white figures.
The theme for Black History Month 2023 is ‘Saluting Our Sisters’, paying homage to black women who have had contributions ignored, ideas appropriated and voices silenced.
Take a look at the Black History Month website which is packed with fascinating insights.
Here at Care for the Carers, we see this a great opportunity to talk with and celebrate three black, female carers who are supported by us: Anne Croft, Jenny Dindial and Linda Seddon. You can read their stories here.
Share your own stories and pictures, personal, cultural or about your black female heroines. Send contributions to terisc@cftc.org.uk. With your permisson, we may feature these in our e-newsletter or on social media.
Black History Month gives everyone the opportunity to share, celebrate and understand the impact of black heritage and culture. It also gives us an opportunity to see some of the rich and diverse work of people from black heritage.
A great example of this is the work of black artist Barbara Walker, one of the artists selected for the Turner Prize currently on display at Towner Eastbourne. As you walk into the vast room of her exhibition, which is entitled ‘Burden of Proof’, you cannot help but draw in breath at the profundity of the work. It is deeply emotional, at the same time inspiring.
The Turner Prize exhibition is free and runs until April 2024 at the Towner in Eastbourne.
Barbara Rowe invites us to ‘Take Good Care’
by Teri Sayers-Cooper
I first met Barbara Rowe at a networking event in Newhaven. Although she appeared unassuming, there was something truly intriguing about her. Her softly spoken and measured approach drew me in. It almost belied the passion that sits beneath, which has guided her to become an extraordinary entrepreneur.
Her work is deeply invested in fairness and equality, very much inspired by her own story. It is focused on learning to respect and appreciate others and, much more recently, also in us all giving time and respect to ourselves through her most recent enterprise, Take Good Care. Barbara herself is an informal carer, so understands the need for us to include self-care in our daily routines.
Relax, Renew, then Resume
Barbara says on her ‘Take Good Care’ website: “In April 2020, coronavirus was spreading through the UK and, along with many others, I became more aware of the importance of taking good care of my health and wellbeing. I had spent the last 14 years running a busy training company (Recommendation 50) and was suffering from burnout.
“During lockdown, I started to increase my self-care activities with physical things like going for longer walks and doing gentle yoga exercises. There were mindful things like lighting an aromatherapy candle, meditating, reciting positive affirmations or simply curling up on a sofa with a good book. My body and skin routine improved, too! I noticed how may bottles of creams, serums and scrubs were creeping into my bathroom cabinets. I was making a serious effort to look after my skin, but the products I was using were full of harmful toxins and synthetic chemical. I also became more conscious of what I was buying and looked for products that were kinder to my skin and the planet.”
This is why and how ‘Take Good Care’ was born, an approach to wellbeing through better skin care products and selling items that are made to help the planet survive rather than taking from it. From being an online store, Take Good Care is now based in Needlemakers in Lewes. Walking in is akin to walking into a treasure trove of all things good and beautiful that encourage self-care and kindness whilst bearing the torch for a better planet. The Take Good Care skin care products, designed for men and women are, quite simply, gorgeous. From someone who makes their own aromatherapy skin care, I can give the Take Good Care products a huge thumbs up. Although the products might be luxurious, the price tags are not! You can visit Take Good Care here
The website also offers free advice on how to take care of yourself in the Life Style blog.
Happy Days!
On Thursday 26th October a special treat is in store. At the Take Good Care shop in Lewes, Barbara is offering a 10% discount to anyone who is carrying a Carers Card. She will be joined by me, there to support carers and to offer some tasty treats to visitors.
Barbara will also be sponsoring with goody bags at ‘Rest My Resistance’ workshop specially designated for carers.
The Rest Experience
‘The Rest Experience’ workshops, produced by Take the Space, are being held as part of the community programme for the Turner Prize. These are led by Brighton based artist and poet Akila Richards, who was, like Barbara, inspired during Covid. She researched ‘The Nap Ministry’ and determined that she wanted to win back the right to take much needed rest against the backdrop of our busy and unrestful lives. ‘The Rest Experience’ workshops are immersive and creative. They invite participants to just sit or lie back, or to relax to sounds and visuals that are calming and encourage stillness.
‘Our Dream Space has been stolen and we want it back. We will reclaim it via rest’
Tricia Hersey – Founder of the Nap Ministry.
Akila has agreed to hold one of the workshops specifically for carers.
Date: Thursday 23rd November 2023, 12 noon
Venue details: DC Learn Studio, at 1–5 Seaside, BN22 7NA
Welcome to ‘Rest My Resistance’ is produced and managed by Jenny Williams from Take The Space. The creative writing workshop will be facilitated by Akila Richards, poet and creative practitioner who says: For this session, we invite informal carers from across Sussex. Join us for a unique experience to find space and rest ourselves creatively, through writing, a poetic meditation, conversation, music and bringing joy and laughter. Bring your loved and favourite object with you – it could be a picture, the ring on your finger or a scarf. We will make good use of it in the creative session. Refreshments will be provided.”
Places are limited and offered on a first come first served basis for the capacity of a group of 12 people. You will need to book in advance so please contact Teri at terisc@cftc.org.uk if you’d like to join this special event, which is part of the Eastbourne Alive programme for the Turner Prize at Towner.
We look forward to seeing you there.
https://eastbournealive.co.uk/our-artists/akila-richards
Go back to our Black History Month home page