Black Flowers blossom

COUNCIL'S equality champion Anna Rothery backs creative exploration of City's slave trade past. This weekend a trio of Liverpool based artists will premiere a new film that explores 1 of the City's landmark building's connection with the slave trade.

Multi disciplinary artist and film maker Kiara Mohamed, with Amber Akauna and Fauziya Johnson; the creative duo behind ROOT-ed magazine, will showcase Black Flowers 2018, at Tate Liverpool, on Saturday, 13 October 2018.

The film is set in Liverpool Town Hall, a space built from the success of the slave trade and a space for meetings between slave masters. It looks at how Black artists can reclaim such:- 'historically white' spaces and use them as backdrops for their own creative vision.

Kiara said about the piece:- "Places and people inspire to create art. When I went into the Town Hall for the 1st time for an event, I instinctively felt like I was in a space that was not meant for someone like me. The power unspoken; it is carved in the building itself, it's history very blatant. I wanted to take that space and make holy, 'melanate,' give it forgiveness and create a new narrative for the space and history of Liverpool."

The event is a part of a series of workshops, discussions and performances taking place at Tate Liverpool as part of October's Black History Month celebrations. As well as the film premiere, the group will also present a series of photographs and host a panel discussion exploring the issues raised by the film.

They will be joined by Liverpool City Council's Mayoral Lead for Equality, Cllr Anna Rothery, who will take part in the round table discussion. Cllr Rothery said:- "This event and the film highlights a different perspective and makes us look at 1 of our City's most iconic buildings in a very different way. This event is all about recognising and accepting some of the grim realities of our City's past and then using this as a basis to create something new and positive. It's a fantastic example of how we are using the arts to challenge as well as stimulate and raises issues that our communities may still face."

The Black Flowers showcase is a free event and takes place between 2pm and 3pm, at Tate Liverpool, on Saturday, 13 October 2018. For more information about the Black Flowers 2018 event you can visit the Tate Liverpool's website.

**Local CAMHS service sings 'This is Me' for World Mental Health Day**

YOUNG people and staff from a local child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS) have come together to record a version of "This is Me" from recent blockbuster The Greatest Showman in recognition of this year's World Mental Health Day. The song, an anthem celebrating people's unique differences, has been performed by young people accessing Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust's Winsford CAMHS service and a number of its clinicians. It is available to view via the Trust's website or Youtube channel, from 10 October 2018. Mental Health Practitioner Rebecca Kinnear, said:- "I came up with the idea when listening to the song in the car as the lyrics really spoke to what many of our young people in CAMHS unfortunately experience, being judged and feeling isolated. I love how the song turns that on its head and spreads a positive message about being proud of who you are."

Local young people Jack Ballard, Robbie Wilmot, Tessa Law Lyons, Keira Swift, Lucy Smith and Imogen Leigh all star in the video, as do CWP staff members Dennis Neill, Jessica Bull, Anne Casey and Ian Roberts (as well as Rebecca herself). Rebecca added:- "There are several aims of the video. Firstly, to break down the stigma around mental health difficulties in young people and to try and change the narrative around it. We are trying to spread a more positive message. It was also to bring young people together to be a part of something they can be proud of and to help them literally have their voices heard! The idea of having staff involved was to represent that we stand alongside the young people we work with and that we support them."

Tessa Law Lyons, 15 years old, who appears in the video said:- "I feel lucky to get this opportunity to spread awareness about mental health difficulties. It's really important that people understand what it is so that they can try and minimise the stigma surrounding it and help people to feel that they can openly talk. It also helps spread the awareness that CAMHS exists and how much it changes the lives of people who struggle with mental health difficulties and get support from CAMHS."

The song was helped on its way by a number of generous supporters:- Orchard studios in Crewe provided the team with use of its recording studio, with filming from James Kinnear and editing from Bigger Boat film's Eric Revill-Dews was all provided free of charge. Dr Fiona Pender, CWP Strategic Clinical Director for Children Young People and Families, said:- "I would like extend my gratitude to everyone that helped make this wonderful recording possible, and particularly pay special tribute to the amazingly talented young people who took part. The song's message represents the values we all strive for at CWP: that we can be proud and accepting of who we are and of each other. It is a wonderful gesture to recognise this World Mental Health Day."

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Black Flowers blossom

Local CAMHS service sings 'This is Me' for World Mental Health Day

**Local CAMHS service sings 'This is Me' for World Mental Health Day**