Other projects

1996 – 2008: Research, freelance projects and teaching at City College

I produced a report on Library services for housebound Caribbean people, based on research carried out in Day Care Centres in Birmingham.

The Library service was failing to attract African Caribbean elderly people to their Library Services at Home facilities. The Library Services for the housebound had been in operation for nearly 10 years and out of nearly 2000 users, city wide, there were only three members from the African Caribbean community. All attempts to recruit African Caribbean users were unsuccessful. I was asked to carry out a 5 month research and provide a report to help the library recruit African Caribbean elderly people.

My approach was to go out into the community and introduce the books and materials to the African Caribbean elderly. I introduced to them books which reflected their culture and experiences, ie books on the Caribbean, the Bible, large print books, taped books, brightly coloured attractive and interesting materials.
Over the period of the 5 months research I had recruited 30 new Housebound users
.
The Research Report was launched by Birmingham Libraries at a Seminar at The Library Theatre on 18th September 1996. Andy Hamilton OBE, famous Jazz musician, and the Bluenotes provided some very enjoyable jazz music for our entertainment.

Birmingham Libraries appointed a key worker to put into practise the Report’s recommendation. The Report and its recommendation are documented in the Good Practice Guide for Library Services for Older People.

2000-2008: Lecturer at City College, Birmingham

I was a lecturer at City College Birmingham for eight years, where I taught Literacy, Key Skills, Additional Support and I was Tutor for Improving Performance.

My classes included students from diverse backgrounds, of different age ranges and abilities.One of the classes which I enjoyed teaching most was a group of retired African Caribbean elders who attended Literacy classes twice weekly to improve their reading and writing. They were a joy to teach because they were very keen to learn to read and write, enjoyed coming to class, and worked very well together as a group They absolutely loved doing spelling tests and regular home work was a ‘must have.’

They expressed to me how important it was for them to read in class, to read from a book and most importantly to read aloud. So I would listen to their reading aloud in the group, support and help them when they make mistakes.

Importantly, these are men and women who migrated to Britain in the 1950s and 60s, often from rural communities in the Caribbean. Some would have left school prematurely because of a variety of reasons including economic hardships and failed to complete their education. Education activity such as learning to read and write for these early migrants have been low priority as they were busy with demanding working conditions and supporting families. Now that they are retired they are keen to learn the skills of reading and writing.

2010: Consultancy for Soho House Museum

Handsworth Birmingham

I provided consultancy services for Soho House Museum. The museum was keen to attract local community involvement and I provided advice and information on ways to do this.

Museum curator, Val Loggie accompanied me into the community to meet local artist, Roy Douglas, a woodcarver and sculptor. As a result of this meeting the museum curated an exhibition of Roy’s work. This exhibition was on show at the museum for some weeks and visited by schools, colleges, projects and the community.

I also provided the museum with a database of200 names and addresses of key individuals working in arts projects in the area who would be interested in contributing to events at Soho House Museum.