Members of the Black and mixed heritage community with disabilities in Lambeth came together for an art workshop arranged by Black Thrive, an organisation dedicated to the well-being of black people in the borough.
The initiative is part of a new project to support black and mixed-heritage individuals with disabilities in the south London council, featuring a series of engaging activities designed to encourage self-expression and reflection. Attendees wrote about their feelings, sources of happiness, and dreams.
Nana, who suffers from multiple disabilities including fibromyalgia, special awareness issues and dyspraxia, told City News that such initiatives are not just about creating art but providing a platform for Black people with disabilities to discuss issues affecting them.
Attendees engaging at the workshop. Credit: Madhurima Dutta
“Doing art in a safe space, in a nice environment, being creative, learning from each other and sharing our thoughts, sharing how we feel about being disabled people within our community, I think that’s really powerful.”
She said creative opportunities like this one help her cope with her challenges.
“Art is part of therapy… [it] gives you freedom, it’s healing. You can do all the things you like. It’s like a free space to think, to draw, to just relax and be yourself.”
Nana creating her artwork. Credit: Madhurima Dutta
Further thoughts
Amarachi, another attendee, highlighted the financial and employment challenges that come with living with a disability.
“Explore how inaccessibility in a city like London… particularly affects certain communities of disabled people, especially Black and minority ethnic people… not [generalising], but it’s much more compounded if you’re walking through the world with a Black disabled body, like in my case.”
Black Thrive says its mission is to help Black communities, particularly in Lambeth, thrive, improve their health and mental wellbeing and get supported by accessible services.
Amber Swaby, Programme & Partnerships Manager-Employment at Black Thrive, stressed the need for building creative community spaces where individuals can connect on a deeper level and be seen “for who they are”.
Amarachi and Amber greeting each other. Credit: Madhurima Dutta
“It’s easy to feel isolated… especially for people with disabilities, myself included. It can feel quite ostracising to tackle so many family structures [and] friendships that may not particularly validate your experiences. So, to be able to create a space where everyone can share their challenges is really important.”
She further emphasised how creative initiatives like these contribute to building an “ecosystem” where people are given opportunities for development.
“We’re gonna be publishing the art… then they are shown their own potential. So a lot of it is empowerment and agency for everybody involved.”
Paintings created by attendees. Credit: Lilah Parsons
All the paintings created during the workshop will be published in a zine in celebration of disabled people.
Ms Swaby said more community engagement initiatives supporting Black disabled individuals in Lambeth and exploring employment prospects for them are currently in the works.
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HeadlineLambeth’s Black disabled community flex their artistic muscles in self-expression workshop
Short HeadlineArt unites Lambeth's Black disabled people
StandfirstBlack Thrive's initiative aims to provide a platform for Black disabled people to discuss issues affecting them.
Members of the Black and mixed heritage community with disabilities in Lambeth came together for an art workshop arranged by Black Thrive, an organisation dedicated to the well-being of black people in the borough.
The initiative is part of a new project to support black and mixed-heritage individuals with disabilities in the south London council, featuring a series of engaging activities designed to encourage self-expression and reflection. Attendees wrote about their feelings, sources of happiness, and dreams.
Nana, who suffers from multiple disabilities including fibromyalgia, special awareness issues and dyspraxia, told City News that such initiatives are not just about creating art but providing a platform for Black people with disabilities to discuss issues affecting them.
Attendees engaging at the workshop. Credit: Madhurima Dutta
“Doing art in a safe space, in a nice environment, being creative, learning from each other and sharing our thoughts, sharing how we feel about being disabled people within our community, I think that’s really powerful.”
She said creative opportunities like this one help her cope with her challenges.
“Art is part of therapy… [it] gives you freedom, it’s healing. You can do all the things you like. It’s like a free space to think, to draw, to just relax and be yourself.”
Nana creating her artwork. Credit: Madhurima Dutta
Further thoughts
Amarachi, another attendee, highlighted the financial and employment challenges that come with living with a disability.
“Explore how inaccessibility in a city like London… particularly affects certain communities of disabled people, especially Black and minority ethnic people… not [generalising], but it’s much more compounded if you’re walking through the world with a Black disabled body, like in my case.”
Black Thrive says its mission is to help Black communities, particularly in Lambeth, thrive, improve their health and mental wellbeing and get supported by accessible services.
Amber Swaby, Programme & Partnerships Manager-Employment at Black Thrive, stressed the need for building creative community spaces where individuals can connect on a deeper level and be seen “for who they are”.
Amarachi and Amber greeting each other. Credit: Madhurima Dutta
“It’s easy to feel isolated… especially for people with disabilities, myself included. It can feel quite ostracising to tackle so many family structures [and] friendships that may not particularly validate your experiences. So, to be able to create a space where everyone can share their challenges is really important.”
She further emphasised how creative initiatives like these contribute to building an “ecosystem” where people are given opportunities for development.
“We’re gonna be publishing the art… then they are shown their own potential. So a lot of it is empowerment and agency for everybody involved.”
Paintings created by attendees. Credit: Lilah Parsons
All the paintings created during the workshop will be published in a zine in celebration of disabled people.
Ms Swaby said more community engagement initiatives supporting Black disabled individuals in Lambeth and exploring employment prospects for them are currently in the works.
