Following the Lines is a Community Interest Company (CIC, est. 2024) set up and run by Aboutface dedicated to empowering marginalized communities through collaborative artistic projects that amplify their voices and foster cultural understanding. Our mission is to create platforms for expression, healing, and awareness by engaging with diverse groups facing social challenges, both locally and internationally.
 

Activities and Benefits:
 

• Collaborative Workshops: We organize workshops that bring together individuals from marginalized communities to create music, poetry, and visual arts. These sessions encourage self-expression, emotional healing, and cultural exchange.
   

• Co-Produced Artistic Productions: The creative outputs from our workshops are developed into professional art pieces, such as music albums and exhibitions. This not only showcases the talents of the participants but also educates the public about their experiences and cultures. Profits generated from the artistic output are re-invested into the community and sector the participants reside in, decided by the group and organisation involved. 
   

• Community Engagement: By sharing these artistic works through various media and events, we aim to foster a deeper understanding and empathy within the community, promoting social inclusion and support for marginalized group.
  
   

By focusing on artistic collaboration, "Following the Lines" creates meaningful opportunities for marginalized individuals to share their stories, facilitating healing and contributing to a more empathetic and informed community.
 

Community Benefit

Our activities primarily benefit marginalized communities by providing them with therapeutic avenues for expression and personal development. Additionally, the broader community gains insight into these groups' experiences, fostering a more informed and compassionate society. The projects also raise funding to contribute to participants' continuance in creative practice.

 

Asset Lock

In accordance with CIC regulations, all assets and profits of "Following the Lines" will be reinvested into the company's social objectives. This ensures that our resources are dedicated to supporting marginalized communities and raising awareness about their experiences.
 

​Previous Following the Lines Projects
 

Aboutface & The Speaking Eyes Collective 

No tears, only our eyes speak (2023)

 

Collaborative project with 7 female survivors of modern slavery and trafficking, who are currently under the protection and care of Migrant Help UK. Commissioned by Weareallbats.

Creative transdisciplinary art work shops for individuals known to the criminal justice system (2024) with Interventions Alliance and 4 of their CFO's.

4 workshops over 12 months that included:
 

• Poetic Sound Workshop: using the found sounds around us to create a poem and soundscape CFO radio show.
   

• Dj workshop: multi-genre digital dj workshop with each participant picking 3 songs to mix together, for a CFO radio show.
   

• Upcycling Workshop: Each participant was given a £10 budget to obtain multiple items of clothes form local charity shops, to be upcycled with hand ink stamps, badges and embroidery. Displayed as a washing line exhibition at a CFO.