A girl, a van and a her Grandma's legacy

Hey I'm Josette Joseph incase you don't know me already.

Whilst writing this, I'm looking at this VolksWagen 1972 campervan (pictured), a gorgeous purple vehicle designed to travel the world, flying free on the open road against the backdrop of a natural landscape.

Her current name is Purple Myrtle and for years I dreamt of her before I saw her parked a few roads down. The dream was of a mobile unit which could expand upon my earliest desire to connect the dots between a liberated lifestyle, healthier living and free creativity. The vans purpose is to experience freedom, just like me and the surrounding community I'm involved in. (pic below)

And now, I have the opportunity to go get her!

I have currently paid a £3500.00 deposit, securing her as mine, from her previous owners who lived locally. The owners have kindly given me a limited time to fundraise the rest, due to recognising the strong passion I have for their loved van and wanting her to go to a good home.

This fundraiser has found you because, I would be touched by any help my community and beyond can offer towards the final goal.

My grandmother and I - an origin story:

So here's a picture of a someone that opened the door for me to explore the opportunity of purchasing my own van.

I was born in a flat in London, grown on a diet of good music, books and nature.

Raised by my Mum, Aunty Dee and Grandma Blossom (pic above), I'm a descendent of the mighty Windrush generation and I'm a Sound Engineer and Producer by day and by night.

My roots have independence, self-empowerment and adventure as a centre point.

I spent much of my childhood at my grandma’s house built up by her over 40 years ago. She was my paternal life source who helped my parents raise and support me right up until her passing just before covid.

Blossom’s journey to London from Jamaica, was one of lessons, growth and a divine intention for her offspring's own journeys. Whilst her current resting place is in London, the recent absence of her physical presence endlessly inspires me, as I reflect on her courageous acts of journeying and how I am a direct beneficiary of her sacrifices and boldness. She also happened to be one of my best friends and greatest motivation.

One of her favourite things to say to me was 'go and make a life for yourself" and the purchase of this van is one of the several things I'm doing to put those exact words into action as I navigate life without her: through securing this van, I seek to push the boundaries of what London life's social and economic turmoil subconsciously tells us is possible - versus what I believe can be experienced in my generations lifetime.

I fully intend to explore and live the "better life" many of our grandparents/parents intended for us in arriving here, despite often not being able to experience it themselves.

During my upbringing in my grandmother's home, I explored a love for local nature, healthier living and ways of developing sustainable, alternative lifestyles. I've grown almost every vegetable you can with the UK climate, explored most parts of the UK a train will reach and drawn up plans for future community projects. I've volunteered at farms, homeless shelters and undergone courses in skills such as foraging and guerilla gardening - inspired by my cousin Tayshan Hayden - Smith, founder of Grow 2 Know (Grenfell Athletic, BBC, Chelsea Flower Show). I see projects that involve space, creativity and my community as part of my lives work.

Whilst a lot of this came from my natural inclination towards personal and global exploration, I'm also motivated by having experienced a lot of illness both mentally and physically within my family, community and more recently, personally.

From an early age I noticed how many of the Windrush generation and it's offspring often live in emotionally and physically disruptive housing conditions, despite being key contributors to the growth of this city, even today. The side effect is that my age group and above are often depleted in multiple ways, at a time when the world should feel more like our oyster.

There is little to no time or opportunity to explore beyond the concrete, to access better air and food quality or to just relax. These things often require time or money and in this city it often feels as if there is not enough of either - unless you decide to break historical and present moulds. I am determined to disrupt this narrative, not just within my field in music, but also in my lifestyle generally.

That said, I'm also proud to witness my generation and community make strides in all industries regardless, creating positive change and bold artistic expression.

My parents influence

The story of my parents, Richard and V (pic below) revealed itself to be one of many similar, still distinctive, narratives; first British born children of Caribbean heritage, my pops became a sound engineer for many of the UKs most notable performance and arts institutions. Through his avid music collecting habits and his love of music, I found my own feet in sound engineering. My mother a Social Activist and community pillar for Lambeth and champion for improvement of homeless rights also inspired me to use my life for both creativity and helping others.

Not just a van:

Black Blossom - as Purple Myrtle’s new namesake will be - is intended to be a home for all who wish to be freer, connected to the world’s diversity and intuitively creative practices and then some more.

The van has enough space for me to turn it into a multi-purpose, mobile unit which not only facilitates travel but can facilitate the organisation and delivery of workshops and projects which use music, organic farming and healthy lifestyle to connect with communities in different locations.

Without a central facility, none of this happens. With the constant shifts in society and the varied groups of communities that exist across the UK, I have considered a mobile unit to be the best way of reaching the most people and achieving the deepest sense of connectivity across different locations, aims and people.

How the van will be used over time:

To wrap it up, if you know me you know I always talk about wanting to free myself from the physical boundaries of daily life in one of the world's biggest cities; to re-learn how to travel, explore and experiment. To grow, alongside the Earth’s natural environment and patterns - and to share this learning with those inclined to seek a more organic, authentic and edifying way of life. It will take a lifetime but this van is key part of that.

Having inherited a wealth of culture, a sense of grounding, roots, a rich heritage and a transformative love for music, I will use this van and my passion for empowerment through natural living and to each one teach one - to seek community and connection amongst other artists and creative spirits whose I personally know all desire to transcend the concrete environment that inspires but also constricts their daily practices.

If you connect with my vision, I'd love any form of support to help purchase

Black Blossom who will become a brick in the foundational of my immediate community and over time, the wider one.

Through collaborating with other transformative services, people and projects, I'll always share BB with others individuals passionate about pushing things forward (and relaxing in nature..)

Your support through donating/sharing would be invaluable and the return will be plentiful!

Any money that exceeds the goal will go to charity and if you do donate, drop me a message with your email so I can add you to what will be the official BB newsletter, and send personal thank you gift.

Further info: This is a Not For Profit personal goal of acquiring a private vehicle to travel the world and share my personal skills and interests in my community.

Bless!