Families of the World
Families of the World is a gallery initiative, with a multi-agency approach, to provide creative activities for families arriving in Manchester from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Syria, Eritrea and Sudan.
The families staying in a local hotel, particularly mothers and young children, participate in weekly art-based and artist-led sessions at the gallery, ending with a meal shared together.
“Coming to the sessions makes me so happy and relaxed. It’s so good to get out of the hotel. There is nothing to do there for me and my baby. We just sit in a room doing nothing. It makes me sad, but when I come to Families of the World, I feel happy.”
The initiative was born out of the Afghan crisis of 2021, when the gallery responded within 48 hours to an approach by the council and its SureStart provision to provide recreation for families who had suddenly arrived in the city.
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Since then, the need has increased, with families fleeing other conflict zones. Following a trial period, the gallery has gained funding from the Oglesby Trust to develop the activities with partners, bring other cultural venues on board and to develop an app and toolkit.
The sessions typically attract 35 to 45 family members, who say the visit to the art gallery is helping them to feel confident and adjust to a new city. Many women involved have also shared recipes for Syrian, Kurdish and Afghan meals, which are now served in the cafe, and some members volunteer to support the summer programme.
Families of the World won the Best Museums Change Lives Project award at the Museums Change Lives Awards 2024.
“Volunteering at Manchester Art Gallery has turned my fears into confidence. I’ve thrived in a supportive, friendly, creative, organised and non-judgemental group within a beautiful artistic environment.”