In a vibrant London venue, an eager audience gathered for the launch of Fresh Paint, an immersive audio theatre experience crafted in coproduction with Groundswell and their Surviving TA Action Group (STAG). As the lights dimmed, a powerful invitation echoed through the space:
“…In a moment, you will become Chloe in this story. You will step into her skin.”
The Heart of the Experience
At the core of Fresh Paint lies an extraordinary opportunity to take a walk in someone else’s shoes. Fresh Paint is designed to evoke empathy, understanding, and action. Every voice, sound, and interaction intertwined within Chloe’s journey emerges from the real, raw experiences of those grappling with the instability of temporary accommodation.
“Every wall here has someone else’s story underneath the paint. Ours is just the latest layer.”
This evocative line captures the essence of what Fresh Paint embodies – a tapestry of shared experiences, insights, and unyielding hope.
A Day of Immersive Storytelling
Listeners were transported to Chloe’s world, feeling her struggles and dreams firsthand.
“Here you are, as Chloe. In your temporary skin, in your temporary neighbourhood.”
This immersive approach opened doors for genuine conversations among participants, who included housing officers, campaigners, and community members. After experiencing the emotional narrative, attendees came together with the Surviving TA Action Group to discuss actionable next steps. From these rich dialogues emerged impactful, human-centred ideas:
- Funding for essential services in temporary accommodation
- Fairer systems to integrate essential services into procurement and standards
- Strengthening community through peer support and “emotional coordinator” roles
- Innovative solutions like Wi-Fi vouchers and laundrette tokens
“Her temporary situation is causing permanent damage… messing with her sense of self.”
This poignant reflection resonated with many, igniting a commitment to tangible changes that can improve lives.
Art as a Catalyst for Change
The power of Fresh Paint extends beyond applause. It serves as a catalyst for transformative action, demonstrating how creative storytelling rooted in lived experiences can shift systems, open hearts, and empower communities to build momentum together.
In the words of one of the lived experience storytellers, “Maybe she’ll enjoy the garden. Just a little. Just for a while. Then, start again.” Hope fuels our mission – a vision for a world where everyone, like Chloe, can thrive beyond mere survival.
Funding and Collaboration
This project was made possible through the generous support of Trust for London and Arts Council England. Their funding has allowed us to elevate the voices of those experiencing temporary accommodation and to foster deeper understanding and change.
Join us in Creating Change
If this resonates with you, we invite you to listen to Fresh Paint here. Learn more about our co-creation approach here, and discover more about Groundswell’s Surviving TA Action Group at Groundswell and the 5 basics here.
We’re also seeking local partners in Greater Manchester to help bring this transformative experience to life. If you or your organisation work with those in temporary accommodation and shares our passion for community engagement and driving real change, we want to hear from you! Together, we can create a powerful platform for storytelling and action. Reach out at admin@madebymortals.org.
Let’s continue this journey, creating a world where everyone’s voice is heard and stories matter.
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For more information about how Made By Mortals can support your project including a quote, please email admin@madebymortals.org or call 0161 804 2078