THREE new projects will be launched as part of a celebration of the culture of Oxford Road.
Reading Borough Council has awarded £4,000 grants to the Alliance for Cohesion and Racial Equality (ACRE), Change Grow Live, and Real Time Video so they can create their projects, using art, participation and community engagement.
Each has been tasked with celebrating what is unique about life on the west Reading road.
ACRE will pilot the Oxford Road Youth Collective, designed to be a safe space for young people to meet, talk and be creative. The project will be led by two Reading-based artists, and feature photography and writing workshopss.
Victor Koroma, Acre CEO, said: “We are pleased to be involved in a project that is designed not only to work with young people, but that will also create the opportunity for them to investigate, record and present images about their environment.”
Inspired By Recovery will be the project from Change Grow Live, and will work with people recovering from substance misuse, as well as the wider community. Organisers say it is hoped this will help to destigmatise substance use issues and encourage people within recovery to connect positively to their community.
Jason Helstrip, Recovery Coordinator and Group Facilitator at Change Grow Live, said: “I am excited to see how members of the community express the culture and history of the area through multiple art mediums. From a perspective of recovery and growth, I am most looking forward to seeing individuals gain confidence in artistic self-expression.”
Real Time Video’s Imagine Belonging project will provide vulnerable participants, particularly the homeless, adults and young people with mental health issues, and young people not in employment, training, or education (NEETs) with the opportunity to use digital media, art, and creative storytelling to explore the heritage action zone.
Clive Robertson, Creative Director of Real Time, said: “Understanding the heritage of where you live is a key factor to believing you are part of that community.”
And the scheme is welcomed by Cllr Adele Barnett-Ward, Lead Councillor for Leisure and Culture, who said it will be a chance to shine a light on the stories Reading has to tell.
“The Oxford Road has so much to offer, and by championing the voices of those people who know the area best, we can ensure the regeneration and longevity of one of our most important cultural and historical high streets.” She said.
