Creative Communities Group teams up with Preston inclusive dance company DanceSyndrome to take part in One Billion Rising global protest
The University of Central Lancashire’s (UCLan) Creative Communities Group (CCG) has celebrated its 10th anniversary by organising Preston’s annual One Billion Rising dance event to raise awareness of violence towards women and girls.
The peaceful protest is part of a global movement, which takes place each February, where people are encouraged to gather in places of safety, such as schools and places of worship, and stand in solidarity against the alarming statistic that one in three women will be beaten or raped in their lifetime.
This year the UCLan CCG teamed up with award-winning inclusive dance company DanceSyndrome to mark the occasion and highlight Preston’s support of the One Billion Rising movement. Preston Mayor Cllr Neil Darby also lent his support to the cause by joining the dancers in their routine.
"The CCG first brought this event to Lancashire nine years ago and over the years has held it in the centre of the city, here at the University and in the very heart of our community. This year we partnered with DanceSyndrome and it was fantastic to bring members of the local community together for such an important cause."
— Russell Hogarth, UCLan Honorary Fellow, Community Ambassador and chair of the CCG network
Russell Hogarth, UCLan Honorary Fellow, Community Ambassador and chair of the CCG network, said: “This global activist movement to end violence against women and girls was started by author, playwright and activist Eve Ensler. On 14 February each year we stand together in solidarity to raise awareness of the one billion and rising violent attacks against women and children.
“The CCG first brought this event to Lancashire nine years ago and over the years has held it in the centre of the city, here at the University and in the very heart of our community. This year we partnered with DanceSyndrome and it was fantastic to bring members of the local community together for such an important cause.”
"It is sometimes difficult to integrate a university and transitory students into the everyday life of a city but the CCG does this well, which in turn has a positive impact on Preston."
— Preston Mayor Cllr Neil Darby
The UCLan CCG was formed by Russell Hogarth and his colleagues in recognition of Russell’s 2012 UCLan Honorary Fellowship.
Over the last 10 years the Group has organised many events to connect the University with the local community, helping to build social capital and collaborative partnerships. Highlights include hosting the annual Preston Health Mela, launching crowd funding project Preston Soup and supporting community events such as Preston Pride.
In 2020 the Group was awarded a prestigious EU SOLIDAR Silver Rose International award for its contribution to lifelong learning and active citizenship.
Preston Mayor Cllr Neil Darby said: “The Creative Communities Group does excellent work reaching out into the community. It is sometimes difficult to integrate a university and transitory students into the everyday life of a city but the CCG does this well, which in turn has a positive impact on Preston.”
"Creative Communities Group members support the often harder to reach in our society, giving them hope and inclusion."
— Professor Romesh Gupta OBE, chairman of the National Forum for Health and Wellbeing
Professor Romesh Gupta OBE, chairman of the National Forum for Health and Wellbeing which organises Preston’s Health Mela at UCLan, said: “Creative Communities Group members support the often harder to reach in our society, giving them hope and inclusion. They have helped to organise and support many major community events, at the University, throughout Lancashire and beyond.
“I would like to congratulate Russell and the Creative Communities Group members on their 10 year anniversary and wish them every success for the future.”
Russell added: “The CCG members are all very proud of our philanthropic, voluntary organisation and the contribution that we make society and to education by supporting active citizenship, lifelong-learning and empowering citizens. We look forward to working with the people of Preston over the next decade to continue to have a positive impact on the community.”
More information on the UCLan CCG and how to get involved is available online.
