Earthsonic presents Activism in the community

How can creativity drive real change where we live? Join Ruth Daniel (In Place of War) in conversation with artists and activists Anna Francis (The Portland Inn Project), David O’Rourke (The Medlock Valley Project), Emma Honeyford (Sweet Love for Planet Earth) and Jo Payne (MUD) as they explore how communities are reimagining activism through art, food, music, and local action.

From transforming disused spaces into cultural hubs to mobilising climate care through sound and storytelling, this lively panel uncovers how creativity and collaboration can bridge emotional barriers and build more inclusive movements for change — and a more sustainable future.

Speakers:

Anna Francis, The Portland Inn Project

Anna Francis is an artist and researcher whose work aims to create space to discuss and reframe city resources, through participatory art interventions. She creates situations for herself, the public and other artists to explore places differently. In recent years the interventions which Anna has worked on focus on the city of Stoke-on-Trent, and use an action research process to recognise untapped resources, and co-create solutions with communities. This has included transforming an abandoned garden into a pocket park, and retrofitting a derelict pub to become a  creative community hub.https://www.theportlandinnproject.com/

David O Rourke, The Medlock Valley Project

Friends of Medlock Valley is a grass-roots community group dedicated to promoting, improving and defending one of Manchester’s best-kept secrets. Since the 1960s, the lower reaches of the River Medlock have been quietly transformed from an industrial wasteland into thirty acres of mature woodlands, wildflower meadows and peaceful riverside habitats, all lying on public land just a stone’s throw from the city centre. Our mission is to make it the city’s most cherished and ecologically important green space by improving infrastructure, increasing footfall and protecting its biodiversity for years to come. www.medlockvalley.org

Emma Honeyford, Activist

Emma Honeyford is a singer and sustainability creative whose work is deeply anchored in social practice exploring how art, care and social mobility can drive inclusive climate action. She is the founder of Sweet Love for Planet Earth club-inspired event and campaign bringing together live electronic performance, DJ sets, and environmental storytelling. Emma believes that music and the dancefloor is a powerful space in which to reimagine how we communicate climate goals engaging communities through trauma-informed approaches that acknowledge the emotional and social barriers to pro-environmental behaviours. Her work challenges the gatekeepers of environmentalism to encourage empathy, equity, and collective care as pathways toward meaningful and lasting change. 

Jo Payne, MUD

MUD is a social enterprise established in 2019 by Jo, Mike and Sam. We create places for people to grow, cook, and eat together. Our aim is to contribute to a better local food system by using regenerative practices that increase biodiversity, improve wellbeing, and strengthen our community through food growing, workshops, and events.  https://www.wearemud.org/ 

Ruth Daniel, CEO In Place of War (Chair)

Ruth Daniel is the CEO and Artistic Director of In Place of War, an activist, change-maker, Honorary Research Fellow at The University of Manchester, and proud owner of an old VW van. As CEO, Ruth has led global arts and peace-building initiatives, developing over 100 cultural programmes in conflict zones and disadvantaged areas. From guitarist at 8 to record label owner, band manager, TEDx speaker, and award winner, Ruth empowers people through creative entrepreneurship and artistic collaboration.https://www.inplaceofwar.net/

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Host or Publisher Manchester Museum