Work

Rae’s work focuses on recovery from gender-based abuse.
Taking creative practices into women’s refuges and other settings where people access support, our work values artistic processes as catalysts for healing, joy, curiosity, empathy, care, dignity and fulfilment. Working across art forms, we find ways to work collaboratively with women, and the people supporting them.

Rae’s creative awareness raising projects aim to embolden people to make positive changes in their lives and relationships.
Our work helps people to recognise their own experiences of gender discrimination, and those of others. We encourage people to question and shift gendered attitudes and to understand that gender inequality is everyone’s issue: we want people to make a difference, whoever they are, however they can.

Rae is committed to the development of artists, supporting them to progress and expand creative practice, and work confidently in new ways.
We provide opportunities, training and support for artists. Artists bring something different to places of recovery, making them agile and responsive, facilitating the development of the relationships people have with themselves and others. Artists activate different voices, and hold space for people to engage with the issues our work discusses.

“Creative sessions are so valuable to women in refuge. Women are often isolated from family and friends and unfamiliar with the area that they live, they are often very cautious of joining sessions outside of refuge.

“By being given time to explore new experiences, women feel that they are important and contributing to something. Validation and recovery from subjected abuse can come through many platforms, creativity and art allow women to express themselves freely without having to verbally disclose."

Refuge Worker, Birmingham & Solihull Women’s Aid