Create ➡ Change

I have now been back in the UK for two months since my three month placement in Togo. As part of the ICS journey all returned volunteers must complete an 'Action at Home' phase where they engage their wider community with the aim to create positive social change.
With summer approaching and thinking on my love for the festival community, the idea for the Create -> Change space was made and what better place to host this creative tent than at the Laughter Festival. This intimate festival brought together a community of love, laughter, music, creativity, positivity and a spiritual spa experience magically entwined in the beautiful grounds of Cabourne Parva which is nestled in my homelands of North Lincolnshire. 

​Through training during and after my placement we were made aware of the Sustainable Development Goals, which are 17 goals for people and planet that have been agreed upon by 189 different countries in the summer of 2015 and have come into place in January this year. World leaders have recognised the connection between people and land and have set goals for the land, the oceans and the waterways and these new goals aim to end poverty and hunger by 2030. The United Nations Development Programme is the leading organisation promoting these goals and helping countries to track their progress but actions start with the individuals and within communities.

​The Create -> Change space welcomed all to come in and share their ideas and stories of how they can and are making a positive impact in the world and find the goals that they feel passionate for. These pledges where then creatively crafted and decorated the space throughout the weekend, bringing together a co-creation of positive affirmations for positive change in the world.

​Pamela shared her story with us of her experience of swimming with dolphins in Hawaii and her plans to help others to experience these healing seas and the 'Life below water' with her swimming with dolphins retreats.
So much sea life is being damaged and endangered through human impact. The seas of the beautiful Hawaiian islands offer a relatively un-spoilt and clean home for life to flourish below water and nature is cherished here.

Poet and musician Tom George asks for 'more trees please' to make cities and communities more sustainable.

Willow created a part cat, part dragon, part human with the gender 'he, she, he, she, he' which fits nicely next to Evas message 'Cherish our differences like a gift'!

I feel positively inspired and encouraged from the creativity and conversation that was brought to this space throughout the weekend at Laughter Festival, and this made the perfect start to my phase of 'Action at Home' projects!