Can you tell us about the project that you’re collaborating on together?
Sissy: I’m working with Soul Sisters’ regular Monday group to inspire their users to create a mixed media self-portrait using a vast array of art materials such as felt, beads, magazines, paint and watercolours. The ladies have been exploring different mediums and how to work with them, they have all included a power word or statement on their artwork that represents them – like ‘Strong Woman’ or ‘Freedom’.
The ladies started off by looking at themselves in a mirror, really looking at who they are. I really wanted them to see their own beauty and wisdom, and their inner strength! The final piece will be something that they can take home and look at and think, wow, that’s me, and that’s my power mantra. The feedback from the women has been amazing, you can really see how much they are enjoying creating their artwork, some ladies have even took their work home to work on in between sessions.
What were you hoping to achieve with the project?
Asma: So these are women that either have directly or indirectly suffered domestic abuse. They often have low confidence and self-esteem, they don’t believe in themselves and they don’t like looking at themselves. Doing this project was a personal thing for Sissy, she wanted to give back to these ladies so they could feel empowered.
For one of the ladies the idea of looking at herself and making image was really daunting. But when she started doing it and thinking about it she was really amazed and happy with herself, you could see her confidence really grew.
Sissy: Creating art helps their mental health too. They’re going through lots of things – court cases, dealing with perpetrators, trauma. In our first getting to know you session I shared my story of domestic abuse and how I feel I am a warrior, I shared ideas around visualisation and manifestating as we created crystal bracelets with properties of things we’d like to bring into our lives.
Asma: When Sissy shared her story with the group, it made them feel they could share their stories. They were all in awe of Sissy doing what she’s doing in spite of all she had been through. And it made them all believe in themselves a bit more and gave them a bit more hope as well.
How did the collaboration first become about?
Asma: Because of Flourish! If it wasn’t for Flourish I don’t know if our paths would have crossed, because we live in different parts of Greater Manchester. We got chatting, heard about each other’s work, and it happened from there and we’ve come friends as well.
Sissy: We met through Flourish and because I’ve got a domestic abuse history and Asma works in that field we decided to join forces as giving back in this area is close to my heart and collaborating is something I’m striving to do more.
Any particular highs or lows?
Sissy: I absolutely love working with the women. A high was last week, when we advertised and more new women came. That was definitely a high, for these new women to come and see what work we do and how they can be part of it for no cost. Also to see how proud they are of what they have made makes me super proud of them and what myself and Asma have created.
I also really enjoy watching the women socialise, talk and share while they are making – I think that’s the golden nugget – the mental wellness nugget.
Asma: The whole project has been great. Sissy brings so many resources – oh my goodness it’s like a treasure trove! That makes them really excited, like happy little kids! But it’s also about the friendship, they’ve been talking to each other, helping each other find words to talk about themselves positively.
It has amazed me to see how they’ve gone about making their portraits and really looking at themselves . Everyone has come up with something different.
And was able to be a mirror for someone’s negative tone about something that is so beautiful because she probably does get taken for a lot by people because she is softhearted. She has probably got people, oh, can you mind the kids? Can you do this? Can you do? And she doesn’t say no. No, they, that’s one of the reasons that Monday morning is there, is their me time?
What have been the benefits of Soul Sisters and Street Style Surgery working together?
Asma: It’s been great for the Soul Sisters group to get to know themselves and see what they are capable of. They really have enjoyed it. For me it has been great to be working together with someone, having a co-creator on a project. And it’s been really nice for us to have a creative facilitator working with the ladies, Sissy brings so much experience and knowledge.
Sissy: I’ve got so much joy out of collaborating on this and working with a cohort who I understand what they’ve gone through. It’s created that community feel, it feels like we’ve become a little Monday morning creative tribe.
How has Flourish has helped you / your venture?
Asma: In so many ways! By meeting Sissy and other groups as well. They’ve helped me broaden my knowledge about things like funding and budgeting – lots of different workshops have been available. Also coming up with ideas and how to help my group in better ways.
Flourish has a very flexible understanding of people’s situations, you understand that grassroot organizations are very time constrained and life often gets in the way. You are so understanding and patient, and you’re always supporting us on social media.
Sissy. Its been great for me because I got to meet other entrepreneurs in the same position as me face to face. That was probably the highlight for me to be in a room with other like-minded individuals in the network and meeting other women that want to do good for others.
Also to have that opportunity to work with other female led social enterprises – there are two more organisations I’ve worked with, and that’s all within one year of being on the Time to Grow programme.
Asma: I’ve also done work with other people I’ve met through Flourish too, running coaching and well-being sessions. The network is a great thing to be part of, I’ve made good friends and we’re trying to see other ways we can collaborate.
Sissy: If I hadn’t had the opportunity to pitch at a Flourish Sounding Board then I wouldn’t be doing this project – I wouldn’t have had the funds for the resources and travel to go over and deliver these sessions.
What next for Soul Sisters and Street Style Surgery?
Sissy: On Monday after our last session we’re meeting to see how we can do more together and what funding might be out there. Then I’ll be thinking about how to transfer Street Style Surgery’s legal structure to a social enterprise model. We will also talk about potentially contacting some corporate companies within the Rochdale area to see if they might be interested in sponsoring these sessions going forward.
Asma: Maybe a storeroom and a new venue too – so we can build on what we’ve done so far. For Soul Sisters, storytelling is really important – I’m where I am now because in 2019 I started sharing my story, which built my built my confidence, and from people coming up to me and then just moving from there now we have a charity and now I’m talking to you ladies…!
So it can happen for other women too – when they’re creating things, they could go and maybe sell them as well. They made earrings last week, which they loved. And now they have that skill and they can use that skill, make them at home, give them as presents, sell them – so now they are going to be in a better position financially.
Anything else that you’d like to add or any tips for other women setting up their own venture?
Asma: Talk to Flourish!
Sissy: To contact Flourish and see what support and courses they are offering and grow your network.
One woman on her own is very strong, but two women together are even stronger… and a network even stronger, a network is invincible!
Sissy is Founder of Street Style Surgery which runs creative workshops teaching an array of creative and personal development sessions.
Asma is Founder of Soul Sisters, a charity empowering people and their children who have been affected by domestic abuse.
