University of Birmingham Geography student Gemma Honey spent time here at Centrala last year while researching their dissertation, “Use it or lose it: Examining the role of cultural participation for Central and Eastern European migrants in Birmingham”.
Gemma joined us for a number of events and used Centrala as a case study for the project. They looked at the ways culturally specific programmes can benefit CEE migrants’ sense of belonging and place attachment, and how effective this is strengthening the community in Birmingham.
Gemma found that CEE migrants can enter the UK with shame associated with their cultural background, and that cultural participation at spaces like Centrala can help CEE migrants develop a strong sense of self and enable individuals’ ample opportunities to make new connections and deepen their sense of belonging and place attachment in Birmingham.
The Centrala team would like to congratulate Gemma on acheiving a 2:1 BA Geography degree in July from the University of Birmingham. Since then, they have been volunteering at the Camden Art Centre since October supervising Karimah Ashadu’s “Tendered” and Nat Faulkner’s “Strong water”.
You can read the full report below.