About 300 residents from St. Ann's in Nottingham are expected to take part in a one day programme of interactive workshops during the Economic and Social Research Council's (ESRC) Festival of Social Science. The event, which will explore key local issues including drug use, poverty, migration, education and social division, has been organised by sociologists at the University of Nottingham as part of the university-wide 'Community Partnership' scheme.
On Saturday 13 March, over a cup of tea and some cake, residences can share information about drug and alcohol services, local schools and the history of the area they live in. The event is open to schoolchildren, parents, teachers, outreach workers, social workers and youth workers. The day will include a series of lively talks, along with several film and arts workshops on the broad theme of inequality. "Our aim is to enrich and share knowledge as well as understanding the myths and realities of life in St Ann's," says Dr Esther Bott, the event leader.
"There will be plenty going on," Esther Bott explains, "We will be screening a documentary about poverty in St Ann's in 1969; in addition there will be a photo project for young people on the theme of 'life' in the St Ann's community, which will be accompanied by an original soundtrack recorded by participants. Both of these activities will touch on live issues in the community and we hope that this graphic material will spur people on to take part in the discussions."
Speakers include Simon Woolley, founder and national co-ordinator of the influential organisation Operation Black Vote, Dr Esther Bott, Dr Nick Stevenson and Professor Julia O'Connell Davidson from the School of Sociology and Social Policy will lead a series of workshops on the Myths and Realities of Immigration, the War on Terror and Sex Trafficking.