#IWD25 Celebrations in Calderdale supported by The National Lottery Community Fund, West Yorkshire Mayor’s Safer Communities Fund, People’s Postcode Lottery and Culturedale – Calderdale’s Year of Culture Celebrations

Welcome to WE BELONG!

We had the most moving and heart-warming IWD25 celebration in the presence of Alison Lowe OBE – Deputy Mayor of WY, Cllr Ann Kingstone – Mayor of Calderdale, Rachel Halliwell – The National Lottery Community Fund Officer for Calderdale, Bobsie Robinson – CMBC Cultural Services Manager, and Kirsten Fussing – CMBC Neighbourhoods & Cohesion Manager, and a capacity audience at King Centre in Halifax.

Our audience watched a performance devised by the verd de gris arts team of Sharon Marsden and Natalie Speake, bringing together the women of ONE VOICE and Year 6 girls from Beech Hill Primary School. Through unique storytelling, movement, spoken word, and shared experiences we bore witness to the remarkable bond of trust and love that has grown between these girls and the women of One Voice Collective.

Watch this beautiful short were One Voice member Deborah Hanley reflects on the experience of performing with the girls:

Here are some reflections from our amazing participants:

“Thank you for the amazing journey you’ve brought me on. I want to be the first one who found the moon in the dark seas. I wanted to be the first one who heard the mute winds song. I wanted to be the first one who crossed the seven seas. I want to be a revolutionist. People say that such small eyes shouldn’t dream such big dreams. People say you shouldn’t count the stars because you might lose the moon. You are like my family. I don’t know what else to say because I’m so proud of every single one of you and us.” Love Inaya

“The performance was so moving. I was moved to tears many times – not tears of sadness or joy, but of recognition and a ‘yes, I hear you’. I found the ‘tableau’ performances (the physical pieces) spoke volumes to me without saying a single word. Without saying anything, I felt I knew exactly what the pieces were saying. By witnessing the power, the love, the connection, the open hearts, I too felt those awaken feelings inside me. Like all great art, the act of being an audience member to a wonderful piece of art at the power to evoke emotion, connection, simply by watching what unfolded in front of me. What is incredible is that Sharon brings these women on a transformative journey, and in her performance work, we as an audience are in term transformed by what we witness. Thank you for all the goodness you spread in our community.” Audience member

This event is a testament to the power of community and the transformative potential of collaboration across generations. We are incredibly proud to have been part of this celebration that honours resilience, creativity, and unity.

Let’s continue to celebrate the strength of voices united.

Some background to the project:

For ten months, during weekly intergenerational creative sessions, a group of girls from Beech Hill Primary School in Halifax devised a shared creative performance piece with the verd de gris arts team and the women of One Voice Collective. These women have lived experience of depression and anxiety, and of very difficult times in their lives. They wanted to work with, and support the girls on their own journeys of a sense of belonging, identity and self-esteem. The results were profound, and deeply moving for us all.

A message from the girls: “The moment I walk in, I have a feeling that I am safe and with beautiful women. I can’t believe I am here. I feel so special. I love the One Voice women and the reason we are here. We can do anything. No one is stopping us. I am here. I have a voice, and so do you!”

And a from the women: “One Voice, together as one, a safe space, connected, we do not speak, as just One Voice, we are a collective, speaking, our truth, what’s in our hearts. And here we are, able to change ourselves and inspire beyond our circle. This is what we have been able todo with the girls. It is an honour to work with the girls, for us to be inspired by their strength, resilience and their words, that are full of honesty and joy.”

We look forward to seeing you there!