THEATRE’S LIFELINE SUPPORT
Project helps women facing homelessness and isolation during coronavirus pandemic
LOCKDOWN life for vulnerable women has been documented by a Glasgow theatre determined to continue its lifeline support during the pandemic.
The Citizens Theatre’s Through My Window project helped more than 60 women from across the city who are experiencing homelessness and isolation.
It was developed during in response to lockdown restrictions which meant weekly workshop sessions could no longer be delivered in person.
Elly Goodman, community drama artist, said: “The project grew out of an urgent need to remain connected to our community groups. We were acutely aware many of the women did not have much stability or security and couldn’t connect with us or others online.
“We started by informally visiting some of the women to keep in touch and delivering food. Then, one day we were thrown a homemade gift from a window and this became the catalyst for Through My Window.”
Carly McCaig, community drama worker, said: “We developed creative care packages which included things like notebooks, pens, a disposable camera and craft materials, and we’d return each week to discuss what the women had made and suggest other activities or things they could do. It quickly evolved into the women writing to each other and sharing gifts, becoming a source of encouragement and support. Although the women weren’t able to be together, they were part of a shared experience. A new socially distanced community had been created.”
The project included visits to residential centres for women experiencing homelessness – the Chara Centre and Elder Street Project run by Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership – and visits to individual women in the Gorbals and beyond.
Over the next few weeks, the women’s videos, audio recordings, photography and written pieces – will be shared online.