Say It Loud

Last week, I partnered with Say It Loud to deliver a workshop to its members focusing on how to improve their photography skills, train their photographer's eye and turn ideas into photography projects. The workshop was part of a series of creative workshops which will fit into a big project for Pride this year. The theme of the project is "What pride means to me", in which members will be creating pieces of art or performances that express what pride means to them with the aim of showing them in a virtual exhibition.

Say It Loud is an organisation committed to providing support and advocacy for LGBTQ+ refugees and asylum seekers in the UK. It was founded by Aloysius Ssali in Uganda in 1994, who fled to the UK after being targeted, captured and tortured just because of his sexuality. However, the UK didn't formally recognise sexuality as a reason for claiming refugee status until 2010, so Aloysius was forced to live without papers for five years. In 2010, he successfully claimed refugee status.

Seeing that LGBTQ+ refugees have to overcome incredible challenges for the chance to call the UK their home, he decided to found Say It Loud Club in the UK in 2010. Since then, the organisation has helped hundreds of LGBTQ+ refugees to successfully gain the right to live freely in the UK.

If you want to learn more about Aloysius outstanding work, or if you want to support Say It Loud, please visit www.sayitloudclub.org

Photo credit: screenshot by Holly Dawson from Say It Loud.

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Out For Good

This past weekend, I went down to the City YMCA homeless shelter with other members from Out For Good to put together care packages to be given to anyone who comes seeking shelter when they first arrive. These packages contain simple, essential items that will help them settle into their new home and show them that there is someone out there who cares.

A massive Thank You to everyone who donated in the form of toiletries or cash, in particular to the extended community of The Trampery, to Lush UK and to the rest of the members of Out For Good. With your generosity, we were able to fill these packages with deodorant, perfume, aftershave, razors, shaving gel, hair products, sanitary items, combs, brushes, flannels, hand sanitiser, lip salve, toothbrushes and toothpaste. We also included handwritten personal notes and Easter Eggs as a little treat.

While we were there sorting the toiletries and filling in the packages, some of the residents of the shelter came to say hi and to thank us for the work that we were doing. They said that they really appreciate it when they receive one of these packages on arrival and that they are very grateful for them, even if it might seem like just a small gesture to someone else. For them, the content of these packages is essential.

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Not all of the members and volunteers were able to come on the day due to the restrictions and social distancing caused by the Covid-19 outbreak. The few of us who were able to make it decided to go forward with the activity because the residents of the shelter need to know that we haven't forgotten about them during these difficult times.

Also, due to the current situation, we weren't able to collect or buy all the toiletries from the donations we had received so watch this space for more information on the final number of packages that will be delivered.

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Showing We Care

When I left home at 19 years old, I was very lucky to have a strong support network that took care of me until I was able to get back on my feet. I couch-surfed from friend's house to friend's house for weeks, which admittedly was very distressing, but I never had to sleep rough. I don't think my friends were fully aware of how much they were doing for me at the time but, looking back, they unknowingly prevented me from ending up on the streets. I feel like I would have to live a few lifetimes before I am able to repay them for their kindness.

In the UK, approximately 1 in 200 people are homeless and, according to figures from City YMCA, 93% of those who seek shelter in their facilities are aged 18 to 24.

I am a member of Out For Good, an organisation formed by LGBTQ+ people who want to make a real difference in their communities, and we are collecting donations to put together care packages for a shelter for young Londoners affected by Homelessness. These packages will be distributed to young people by the City YMCA.

With your donations, we will be able to fill these care packages with items such as deodorant, perfume, aftershave, razors, shaving gel, hair products, sanitary items, combs, brushes, flannels, hand sanitiser, lip salve, toothbrushes and toothpaste.

Donations will be accepted from February 11 to March 13, 2020, and the care packages will be put together on Sunday, March 15.

Please make your donations on this link: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/care-packages-for-homeless-young-londoners?utm_term=z8j4465Rx

City YMCA London is an independent charity affiliated to the YMCA movement, that works across some of London's most deprived boroughs to give every young person the opportunity to build a future of their own choosing. They have helped over 30,000 isolated, homeless young people struggling with family breakdown, school exclusion, poor mental health and drug and alcohol problems. Their accommodation offers a safe place for young people experiencing homelessness to piece their lives together.

Out for Good is an LGBT+ organisation for people with one thing in common, a willingness to make a real difference in their communities. Members dedicate their talent, time and commitment to help everyone in their community thrive. They act as role models, breaking down barriers in the wider community.

JustGiving is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) under the Payment Service Regulations 2017.

Do you like what you just read? Consider becoming a patron on patreon.com/jccandanedo where you can learn more about my creative process and the stories behind my images. I’d love to have you as part of my Patreon community.

You can also subscribe to my weekly blog posts here!