Dream Camp
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Welcome to the refreshed fundraiser for Dream Camp.
We're a mother/daughter team - Rachel (8) and Jeanette (40 something). Dream Camp is an idea that we’ve been working on together. This August, we’re going to spend five days with a group of ten girls in Bristol. We’re going to dance, write and dream together to understand what community, creativity and leadership mean to us. We’re calling it Dream Camp and we know that it’s going to light a spark in all the girls taking part. We want to work with girls aged 8-11 from African and Caribbean backgrounds to strengthen connections between them and build their confidence. We also want to bring parents together so that they can be inspired by their girls’ stories.
The Journey so far...
We launched an all or nothing fundraiser in June 2022 and had a very positive response to our idea even though we didn't hit our target. BUT our initial fundraising page attracted in-kind venue support, graphic design, a corporate donor, local press partnerships and interest from local schools.
In the past few weeks, we've also set up Dream Camp Ltd, a not-for-profit company, to raise additional charitable funds. This means that we've been able to lower our crowd-funding target but we still need you! If you're an original backer please renew your support here.
We're a mother/daughter team - Rachel (8) and Jeanette (40 something). Dream Camp is an idea that we’ve been working on together. This August, we’re going to spend five days with a group of ten girls in Bristol. We’re going to dance, write and dream together to understand what community, creativity and leadership mean to us. We’re calling it Dream Camp and we know that it’s going to light a spark in all the girls taking part. We want to work with girls aged 8-11 from African and Caribbean backgrounds to strengthen connections between them and build their confidence. We also want to bring parents together so that they can be inspired by their girls’ stories.
The Journey so far...
We launched an all or nothing fundraiser in June 2022 and had a very positive response to our idea even though we didn't hit our target. BUT our initial fundraising page attracted in-kind venue support, graphic design, a corporate donor, local press partnerships and interest from local schools.
In the past few weeks, we've also set up Dream Camp Ltd, a not-for-profit company, to raise additional charitable funds. This means that we've been able to lower our crowd-funding target but we still need you! If you're an original backer please renew your support here.
The change we want to see
-Closing the confidence gap for future female leaders – taking a strengths-based approach to develop presence, purpose and connection.
-Unlocking healing and power through creative exploration – writing, movement and visual art all have proven therapeutic value.
-[Mental health charity, Mind, recommends being active, creative and connected with others in order to maintain wellbeing.
-Addressing loneliness and isolation through building connection within and across generations.
-Recognising the significance of the intersection between gender and ethnicity
-Unlocking healing and power through creative exploration – writing, movement and visual art all have proven therapeutic value.
-[Mental health charity, Mind, recommends being active, creative and connected with others in order to maintain wellbeing.
-Addressing loneliness and isolation through building connection within and across generations.
-Recognising the significance of the intersection between gender and ethnicity
Why Girls?
In 2017, NHS statistics revealed that 1 in 10 girls aged 14-17 are being referred for specialist mental health support.
-Girlguiding UK’s annual survey showed that 80% of girls aged 11-21 have thought about changing their appearance. Reasons cited – to feel better about themselves, feel more confident and to fit in.
-Depression, eating disorders and self-harm affect girls disproportionately
-The programme seeks to intervene in the formative ‘tween’ years – ‘some of the busiest developmentally’ (Ockwell-Smith)
-Depression, eating disorders and self-harm affect girls disproportionately
-The programme seeks to intervene in the formative ‘tween’ years – ‘some of the busiest developmentally’ (Ockwell-Smith)
-We (Rachel and Jeanette) both know from experience that Black and Brown girls face further challenges.
Dream Camp in August will be the first step towards something bigger and we’ll share everything we’ve learned in a celebration event here in Bristol in October for international day of the girl. What if we can start a new movement? Led by girls.
What will we do at Dream Camp?
During the week, we'll use the 'GROW' coaching method to work with the group. On each of the first four days, we'll explore GOALS, REALITY, OPTIONS and what we WILL do as individual leaders and as a collective.
Each day will start with an energising Afrofusion dance workshop led by Kenzi Ireland, followed by creative writing led by Millie Dok. We'll end each day with a relaxed art session which may be poster-making, collage or mindful colouring. The writing and art sessions will be where we dig into our 'GROW' questions.
At the end of the week, We'll choose the bits we'd like to share as part of our digital zine and poster collection.
We'll work with participants to understand their ambitions for the future of the research. in October we'll come together for a celebration of what we've learned and to share our vision for next steps.
Right now we need at least £1,200 make sure we pay our creative mentors well and so the girls have an inspiring and safe experience. We've secured some of the support we need and we'll be seeking additional in-kind support but there are a few essentials we still need to cover.
If you support this project you’re investing in a small beginning that’s going to grow to have an impact on many more girls. Our vision is to get girls like us dreaming again – to understand their worth and to be inspired and equipped to lead change in their communities.
Organizer
Jeanette Burnett
Organizer
England