Welcome to our weekly Storytelling Highlights. Here we share our weekly dose of things we’ve spotted that are great examples of storytelling. Also, a quick reminder to put Monday 6th February in your diary because The Social Media Exchange (#SMEX17) is back, with tickets available next week! Here’s our list of things we’ve seen, heard or read about in the worlds of charity communications and digital storytelling and would like to share with you. You know the drill, make yourself a cup of tea, grab a pair of headphones and enjoy.
1. Telling my Story to Help Others Share Theirs
At Being the Story Mandy shared her personal story of being in an abusive relationship and how this led her to campaign for domestic abuse. Mandy has given us permission to share her powerful talk from the day. The talk contains details that some readers may find distressing. Over the past two years we have done a great deal of work with survivors of domestic abuse and we firmly believe that those with firsthand experience should be given the confidence and skills to share their stories not only as part of their healing but to put a spotlight on an issue that is not going away. Subscribe to our blog to get our updates straight to your inbox.
2. A World Without Down’s Syndrome
A World Without Down’s Syndrome aired on BBC on Wednesday putting a spotlight on the Down’s Syndrome population in light of advances in genetic screening for the condition. Actress and writer Sally Phillips is a mother of three and Olly her eldest has Down’s Syndrome. Following the news that a new screening test can detect Down’s Syndrome in pregnancies with 99% accuracy, Sally asks what effect the test could have on our society. She meets advocates for those with Down’s Syndrome as well as medical professionals to explore what the ethical implications around this. It was authentic and honest, and put a spotlight on an issue that we knew little about.
3. Refugees: In Our Eyes
This thought-provoking film by our friend Suzanne Cohen explores the refugee crisis as seen through the eyes of a group of London teenagers. They meet and interview a range of activists, artists and people who are directly affected by the refugee crisis. The film features Syrian refugee and activist Ahmad al-Rashid who featured in BBC2’s Exodus: My Journey to Eruope, AOI World Illustration award winner Olivier Kugler, the Jewish Museum, ice&fire theatre and the incredible campaigner Onjali Rauf who has been organizing aid to the Calais Camp with her charity Making Herstory.
4. #BelieveinMe
Last week we featured Barnardo’s #BelieveinMe in our highlights, since then they have begun crowdsourcing stories by inviting people to tell them who believed in them as a child, sharing an image and then nominating three people to do the same. It is a great way to engage with supporters on social media whilst gathering authentic and powerful stories. We’ll definitely be keeping an eye on these campaign stories.
5. #MoreThanAnImage
We think this film with Being the Story speaker Giles Duley is fantastic. Produced by Wex Photographic as part of their project #MoreThanAnImage Duley shares what photography means to him. Through his photography he explores storytelling, activism and identity.
******SAVE THE DATE******
The Social Media Exchange returns on Monday 6th February at Resource for London, follow #SMEX17 on Twitter for updates. More information coming soon!
Do keep us updated with what you think I should be finding out more about.
And if you like what you read – do help us by sharing it and spreading the word
Jude and Helena the sounddelivery team
@sounddelivery