For Solidarity

What we do

We have three main strands for building our network of support:

Strand 1: Meeting each other (and seeing what happens)

For Solidarity Socials are informal meet-ups for organisations, projects, initiatives and individuals. These events are a great opportunity to meet and learn about other grassroots organisations working in the region. During the first Lockdown, the socials moved online. It was at one of these socials that the idea was formed for creating a newspaper for the digitally excluded. Collectively we created and distributed The Lockdown Gazette to over 2000 people in our communities.

Strand 2: Working and learning together

Co-Investigator Call-Outs: Co-investigators are community researchers who offer insights into the social, political and/or environmental contexts in which we exist. These are paid opportunities aimed at platforming voices that are underrepresented in the cultural sector.

Workshops and co-created projects: We work with artists and organisations to explore themes of solidarity through learning and creative practice.

Staff time-share: Members of The NewBridge Project team give a percentage of their contracted hours to grass roots organisations in the region, forming reciprocal and mutually beneficial relationships.

Strand 3: Sharing information and resources

For Solidarity Map: We are continuing to collect information (data) from grassroots organisations, informal meetings, neighbourhood projects, local community groups, co-ops, and associations that share the values of the solidarity economy and using it to create a digital map and directory. To add your initiative to the map, click here.

The For Solidarity mailing list is where we share information from network members as well as upcoming For Solidarity events and opportunities. To join, please email h.kirkham@thenewbridgeproject.com.

For Solidarity Projects &Activity

NewBridge Dye Garden

This year at The NewBridge Project, artist Katie Pollard will be running a growing project with the intention of creating a mini dye garden as a shared resource for NewBridge members and local community in line with For Solidarity's themes on Degrowth. The NewBridge Dye Garden will involve the planting, growing and then harvesting of plants that will eventually produce dyes for fabric dyeing workshops.

Lockdown Gazette

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Through collective effort from the For Solidarity Network we produced 3 editions of the Lockdown Gazette - a printed newspaper to reach the digitally excluded. Overall, we worked with 25 local community and cultural organisations, 61 contributors and successfully distributed 10,000 across the North East.

Co-Investigators

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‘Co-investigators’ possess unique and specialist knowledge that help shape our programming through a reciprocal learning experience. Through gathering a rich and diverse collection of insights, we can better understand and learn ways of approaching new audiences – these people possess unique and specialist knowledge that help shape our programming through a reciprocal learning experience.

For Solidarity Map

We’re creating a map of everything that is helping people to meet their material and social needs in ways that don’t harm people or the planet, and in ways that are contributing to building a more just and sustainable world.

We want to hear from you!

If you have any questions about For Solidarity, or would like to get involved please contact Hannah Kirkham, the For Solidarity Project Coordinator, at h.kirkham@thenewbridgeproject.com.