Africa Advocacy Foundation

Arts4Change

Africa Advocacy Foundation, established in 1996, promotes access and participation of African people in the uptake and delivery of health, education and other social welfare services through the provision of resources, information, advice, training and support. Their community-based initiatives empower marginalized and disadvantaged Africans in the UK and Africa to overcome poverty, ill health and social injustice.

Arts4Change is a peer led pilot project working with young disadvantaged communities in South London and looking to capture the transformative power of the arts to progress justice and tolerance, tackling HIV and non HIV related hate crime and HIV stigma.  The programme will work with young people to respond to all aspects of life including domestic violence, bullying, including homophobic and racial abuse, stigma, armed conflicts and more.  The group will be encouraged to share their powerful stories through visual art and drama.  The project hopes that by harnessing performance and art, the youngsters will stimulate constructive community dialogue with their faith and community leaders on topics often too sensitive to discuss.  The pilot will work to influence and change very negative and discriminatory attitudes often displayed by some communities towards young people.  Beneficiaries will be supported to develop new life skills, confidence and self-esteem to reach out to other young people who are isolated and discriminated against.  The initiative has the potential to become a powerful advocacy tool with real demonstrable outcomes:

• Mentoring sessions as part of a strategy to engage those at risk and others contact with these young people.

• Music and drama sessions leading to discussion and support programmes.

• A dedicated and safe web space to support young people to ‘find their place’ in the community.

• Community engagement and outreach with schools and community centres.

• Training to community leaders and African-led community groups.

• Awareness through empowered community leaders.

• Volunteering on community programs to influence change and attitudes.

• Community awareness workshops and focus groups.

For more information, visit their website at: www.a-af.org