University of Manchester students and Elisa, Trisha, and Wahid hit the ground running volunteering with Afrocats on our Whitworth half-term collaboration - read on to find out how their experiences went.
Elisa:
'Volunteering for the first time with the Manchester-based charity Afrocats at the Whitworth Art Gallery on their half-term collaboration was both a memorable and impactful experience.
From the start, I felt welcomed and part of the group, and we began with an arts and crafts session where children and families took part in activities on the theme of ‘home’ inspired by Thai artist Jakkai Siributr’s current exhibition ‘There’s no Place.’
'...the theme of ‘home’, central to our identities, resonated with me and in my view created a shared space of understanding'
It was amazing to see participants work together on a piece that represented what the concept of 'home' meant to them, and the diverse contributions highlighted everyone's unique perspectives and creativity, emphasising the importance of community and shared experiences.
During the creative movement session, children and young people enjoyed the African drumming and dance, and the session underscored how these have such power to bring people together, regardless of their backgrounds. It was rewarding to be part of an activity that fostered such enthusiasm and connection.
Reflecting on the day's events, I impressed by the seamless integration of various backgrounds and stories: the theme of ‘home’, central to our identities, resonated strongly with me, and in my view created a shared space of understanding.
The openness of the sessions also encouraged genuine interactions, and I appreciated the friendliness and openheartedness of everyone involved.
My volunteer experience with Afrocats deepened my appreciation for community-driven arts initiatives, so I'm grateful for the opportunity and look forward to continuing my involvement with Afrocats, contributing to more projects that celebrate cultural diversity while fostering stronger connections throughout this incredible city.'
Words: Elisa Hagenbucher
Trisha:
'Stepping into the Afrocats x Whitworth session as a volunteer during February half-term was a really enriching experience - from the moment I arrived, I was welcomed into a warm and vibrant environment where passion and inclusivity were at the heart of everything.
I had the pleasure of meeting CEO Magdalen Bartlett, whose dedication to Afrocats’ mission is truly inspirational, and it was clear that the team all share her enthusiasm as they built an inclusive space where everyone felt comfortable expressing themselves creatively.
'...it was moving to witness families bonding, sharing laughter and meaningful moments through creative expression'
No one was left out, and whether through music, dance, or art, every participant who wanted to join in was able to find a way to engage with the activities.
My role was to encourage passersby to join in with the creative movement and singing, and percussion instruments were also available for children to play along with; it was heartwarming to see their excitement as they all became part of making the music.
Project producer Edel was incredibly helpful as she kept everything running smoothly, and the artists brought so much creativity and energy to the session with cultural dance and drumming which celebrated global majority heritage.
Another highlight was the arts and crafts activity inspired by Jakkai Siributr’s exhibition where participants illustrated their interpretation of ‘home’ on a large fabric piece, and the result was a beautiful tapestry of personal stories containing drawings of family and pets, to representations of favourite foods.
Seeing young children and young people’s faces light up when their work was displayed and their parents equally engaged in the activity was truly special – and it was moving to witness families bonding, sharing laughter and meaningful moments through creative expression.
This experience really illustrated to me the impact of bringing communities together through the arts and culture, and as I continue my six-week placement, I’m eager to see what more I can learn and contribute.
If the first session is anything to go by, I know it will be an unforgettable journey.'
Words: Trisha Tan
Wahid:
'I would have been surprised if you were to tell me that in my first session with Afrocats that I'd be learning dance choreography as well as getting creative expressing the theme of what feels like 'home,' amongst a vast array of so many other fun and inclusive activities on their February half-term collaboration with The Whitworth.
At the start of the session I got to know other volunteers and members of the Afrocats team, where I was met with the same warmth and positivity that they show both the general public, and each other.
'...being surrounded by amazing artwork in the Whitworth Gallery really inspired families to get creative!'
This helped establish a positive energy and a comfortable environment for everyone who came through The Whitworth's doors, and I really enjoyed being a part of creating that atmosphere.
Spending time in the arts and crafts section was also really wholesome, and loads of diverse young people and their families contributed to our banner - it was interesting to see all the imaginative drawings following the same theme, and I could tell that being surrounded by amazing artwork in the Whitworth Gallery inspired everyone to get creative.
During the creative movement sessions, not only were children and young people taking part, but grown-ups were too: playing African drums, letting off steam with cultural dance and music, and having just as much fun as the kids.
To conclude, my first placement session was super informative about Afrocat’s mission and the impact their work has on the wider community, and I look forward to being even more involved and inspired over the coming weeks.'
Words: Wahid Yaseen
Are you a university student looking for a placement with an organisation making Manchester more equitable for global majority communities?
Visit our ‘Join Us’ page to find out more - and stay tuned for more coverage of our Whitworth collaboration next week.
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