Let’s all stand together

Published Thursday, 16th January 2020

People of all ages in Hartlepool are invited to a special event later this month to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day and celebrate difference and personal freedom.

Called ‘Stand Together’, the free event has been organised by young people in the town with the support of Hartlepool Youth Service and takes place on Monday 27 January from 5pm-7pm at Hartlepool College of Further Education in Stockton Street.

“We are aiming to create an informal, social and creative space bringing together people of all ages and backgrounds,” explains Lauren Stamp, one of the young people who has organised the event, speaking on behalf of the rest of the group.

“We’ll be exploring issues of racism and prejudice to remind people that we can never become complacent in society – that we must value difference and diversity and that we must always all ‘stand together’.

“We would very much like to thank all the organisations which have given their time and support to this event. A special thank you goes to Hartlepool Youth Service for all its help and support and to Hartlepool College of Further Education for hosting our event.”

Stand Together

Lauren Stamp, Willow Russell-Ainsley and volunteer Annabelle Napper – who are part of the group which has organised Stand Together – with some of the symbolic butterflies which have been made for the event

The packed programme will include:

* Presentations by the young people about Holocaust Memorial Day and the theme ‘Stand Together’.

* Poetry and spoken word readings by the ‘LGBT+’ youth group        

* Music by local musicians Kyle’s Dream

* Screening of a short film on immigration in Hartlepool by local filmmaker Maxy Bianco

* A photography exhibition by young people working with photography company Raw 35

* An interactive art workshop with local artists Bettie Hope and Adele Catchpole of Fuzzy Bosom

* Making decorative butterflies for a collage which will go on display in Hartlepool Art Gallery following the event. ‘The Butterfly’ was the name of a poem written by Pavel Friedmann who died in a concentration camp. Butterflies are a symbol of difference and diversity because, just like humans, no two butterflies are exactly the same.

* A screen-printing workshop where young people can screen-print a tote bag with a ‘Stand together’ logo to take home

* Information stands by, among others, Hart Gables, Hartlepool Action Lab and anti-bullying organisation Sensei.

For more information about the event contact Hartlepool Youth Service on 01429 523900 or email sarah.mccluskey@hartlepool.gov.uk or rachael.garlick@hartlepool.gov.uk