Between March & April 2022, we spent 6 weeks with a group of 20 young women, aged between 10-16 years old, we explored their experiences, and relationships around green space and worked together to reimagine more inclusive outdoor realms for women and all!
Held in the beautiful Barracks Lane Community Garden in Oxford, a women-only safe space was facilitated by our own Melissa and former faithful RESOLVE member Sahar Ibrahim with the inspirational Nafeesa Hussain and Ansa Khan from at ‘Name It youth group ‘and the fantastic Lizzie Moore and Emily Jiggens from Oxford Council.
We lead the design workshops, building a prototype with the young women who were bursting with ideas that allowed them to gather with friends, study, read , eat with family and take up space in Cowley Marsh Recreation Ground.
A frosty, but heartwarming celebration in January 2023 brought all the collaborators, family and friends together to welcome the picnic table into the park and celebrate their time and energy and act as a lesson for us all, to witness the value and quality possible when we simply listen and learn from the voices of young women and include them as early as possible in the design process.
Additional outcomes of the project include a manifesto & booklet presented at the celebration day that shared the process and findings of the workshops in April 2022, as well as a radio interview on BBC Radio Oxford show.
The Name It youth group continue to explore these themes through activating and designing spaces in other green spaces on their own terms!
Creative Support: Sam Skinner - Fig Projects
Youth Group: Nafeesa Hussain and Ansa Khan of Name It Project
Project was initiated by Lizzie Moore from the public health team at Oxfordshire County Council. Research: Anant Jani -University of Oxford,
Louise Montgomery & Pippa Langford - Natural England,
Stuart Cole & Emily Jiggens at Oxfordshire County Council,
Jessica Goodenough - Oxford City Council.
Booklet & Manifesto Design- Julia Utreas - Common Books
Bench & Shelter Build: Toffee Hammer Carpentry to build and install the shelter.
Installation support: ODS
Celebration day photos by Reuben Worlledge
Photo Credit: Reuben Worlledge
Photo Credit: Reuben Worlledge
Photo Credit: Reuben Worlledge
Photo Credit: Reuben Worlledge
Photo Credit: Reuben Worlledge