Sangini believes in creative interventions and often works with artists from diverse backgrounds to create a variety of approaches to engage with marginalised groups, often addressing issues such as mental health, domestic violence and gender equality.

Our activities:

• Participatory projects and workshops in arts, health, community development, participatory workshops, promotions and public exhibitions.
• Support, advice and guidance on healthy living and issues of violence and abuse against women and girls. We work women’s refuge Wearside Women in Need to support this work.
• Community events to celebrate culture and women’s achievements – Diwali: Sunderland Festival of Light, International Women’s Day. With help from volunteers, we hold stalls at public events to help raise awareness about our work.
• Training and Development: Developing skills through educational workshops, training courses, seminars and conferences.

All our activities are process led, developed in partnership with the user groups and respond to the needs identified by them. Women are at the centre of our work and we ensure that the outcomes are sustainable and long term. Working with professional artists, we plan the activities to create wider social impact. So far we have helped to set up two women’s group and are currently in the process of setting up ‘Creative Women’s Collective’. Partnership and collaboration with other arts organisations, museums, schools and community organisations remain essential part of our work and we deliver high quality work of excellent standard.

Sangini's arts and crafts activities can be accessed via YouTube

Click to visit our YouTube Channel

Current activities:

• Drop-in sessions in Sunderland for older women. This group had emerged from our previous project ‘Stories from our Sisters in Sunderland’ and they continue to meet regularly. The group invites a guest to give talk about a specific issue that is relevant to them.
• Advice and guidance on healthy living and issues of violence and abuse against women and girls. We work women’s refuge Wearside Women in Need to support this work.
• Sangini art group: Women from all walks are welcome to join our art group. We regularly take part in art projects, visit to museums and galleries as well as meet regularly to make art.
• Participation in community festivals and family fun day – With help from volunteers, we hold stalls at public events to help raise awareness about our work.

The number of people who use our services on weekly basis is around 15 - 20, but it varies (increases) based on the projects at hand. Our membership stands at 100 and we aim to develop it further. Over the past 12 years, we have worked with more than 5000 women.