Women friendly Leeds blog

Inspired by the poetics of a letter featured in The Guardian, graphic designer Helen Barlow Scott has curated this digital exhibition of handwritten letters from mothers to their children during lockdown in Leeds.

During the creative and cathartic process of writing the letters, Helen and other mothers were able to process their thoughts, fears and hopes, for themselves and their children. Mothers started reaching out to others, making positive connections, and meanings, that created a network of support and creativity. By writing to their future children, their focus turned to a new life to come, and it inspired hope for the future. Documenting and capturing special little moments put the situation into perspective, and shifted those mundane moments into extraordinary ones. The letters enabled mothers to see they were not alone in their journeys and emotions, but were in it together.

This exhibition proudly documents those mother’s journeys with their children so far and captures a moment in time, that is personal. If we could say anything about the project as a whole, it would be that through the easy days and the tough days, our children are a powerful reminder of resilience.

Women Friendly Leeds recognises that women often carry the majority of the responsibility of childcare and other caring roles. During this pandemic it can present further challenges as they try to work from home, whilst helping their children to thrive in their school work, development and emotions. They are often selflessly juggling tasks to keep a safe, fulfilling and connected environment for others in a very stressful time. This can evoke feelings of guilt and isolation, leading to a breakdown in mental wellbeing.

 

This project highlights the experiences of these women with their children at this time, the highs and the lows. It’s wonderful to see how the cathartic process of writing to their future children helped to manage their emotions, connections and meanings, and documents a personal moment in time for their children to reflect upon in the future, that’s more than just a newspaper clipping.

Reaching out to parents and carers to get involved

1. Handwrite a letter to a loved one, for them to read in the future, about what life has been like in lockdown and during this pandemic.

2. Take a photo of your letter (in square format) and email it to [email protected] or message via Facebook www.facebook.com/HelenOneLine

Alternatively post your letter to Helen BarlowScott, Aire Place Studios, 143 Kirkstall Road, Leeds LS3 1JL and Helen will photograph it for you.

The letters will be published as part of an ongoing Instagram exhibition. The exhibition is about making positive connections. By writing a for child to read in the future, the focus turns to the new, helping us process the now and inspiring hope.

There is no maximum or minimum word count. You can submit anonymously but don’t let that stop you from liking, sharing and commenting on others. There is no set tone. Just be yourself. Some are funny, some are sad, some give insight into mental health and wellbeing, many are empowering.

You may also like…

WOMEN’S NIGHT SAFE SPACE

WOMEN'S NIGHT SAFE SPACE Women Friendly Leeds is working in partnership with Safer Leeds to create a safe space for women in the centre of Leeds. We will be running a funded pilot to support women who are out at night in Leeds. For the first 3 weekends in March (4th...

Celebrating the End of our Second Year

Celebrating the End of our Second Year

On Monday 18th October, the Women Friendly Leeds team, joined by partners, supporters and guests, came together to celebrate the end of our second year in action. We celebrated the work we have done together through our campaigns and beyond to make Leeds the first...

Leeds Women’s Safety Survey

Leeds Women’s Safety Survey

The Leeds Women’s Safety Survey was carried out in May 2021 and 1,371 women of all ages, and from all parts of the city, took part. The findings provide a powerful insight into their experience of feeling and being safe in the city. They show that despite heightened...

Ambassadors’ Network Meeting 4 Minutes – 2nd September

Ambassadors’ Network Meeting 4 Minutes – 2nd September

Agenda and notes 17:15 – Welcome and Intros. 17:30 – Updates  Shining a Light campaign – updates of the 4 strands of the campaign. Employability – Recruitment toolkit has been devised with input from Mindful Employer and WYCA but we will be looking to do consultation...

Ambassadors’ Network Minutes – 8th July

Ambassadors’ Network Minutes – 8th July

Ambassadors met online on the 8th July to discuss updates to the agenda to make Leeds the first Women Friendly City in the UK. They also shared their feelings, thoughts and ideas around the campaign and general wellbeing issues for women in Leeds. Agenda and notes...

Talking Safety Initiatives in Leeds with Sarah Carroll

Talking Safety Initiatives in Leeds with Sarah Carroll

Our most recent Friday Hub on June 11th aimed to inform women about existing safety initiatives happening in Leeds. Safety initiatives aim to help us feel safer in our city, as well as materially improving safety, but the effectiveness of such processes partly rely on...

Next Women’s hub Meeting – Tuesday 11th May

Next Women’s hub Meeting – Tuesday 11th May

Just a reminder that the next Women’s Hub Meeting is on Tuesday 11th May April, 6.00pm – 7.30pm This month we will be focusing on actions against the findings from the last meeting so come with ideas for things we can do. You will also be updated on any progress made...

The 1st Ambassadors’ Network Meeting – 14th April 2021

The 1st Ambassadors’ Network Meeting – 14th April 2021

At this 1st Ambassador Network meeting, we welcomed members and introduced them to the two Women Friendly Leeds campaigns currently running. Ambassadors talked together and set actions and pledges around the different priorities for the campaigns.

June 1, 2020

Emily

Translate »
Skip to content