Created in response to the Black Lives Matter movement, this week, Birmingham Repertory Theatre and Lightpost Company began their series of free online events titled ‘Fix It: Time to Breathe’.
Designed to explore and share strategies on how we address the adversities that young African Caribbean men face in Arts, Health and Justice, the three events began on Tuesday (14 July) on the subject of trauma, followed by Justice and Rights yesterday. The digital conversation has, so far, brought together a mix of practitioners working with young people, young people, commissioners, decision-makers (including elected officials), service managers and community leaders.
Each Fix it event is structured to feature an introduction to guest speakers and young men from the Shifting the Dial project plus an open, solutions-focussed conversation between practitioners, decision-makers and young people on how we work together to tackle the issue.
The next event is 28th July and focuses on Healing. Each conversation is intended as an opportunity to learn, share and look at effective approaches inspired by the innovative Shifting the Dial programme – a programme dedicated to boosting young black men’s resilience and wellbeing. The Shifting the Dial Partnership is a unique collaboration comprised of The REP, First Class Legacy, Centre for Mental Health and Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust and is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund.
