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Recent workshops, supported by the Lottery Fund of Arts Council England and Norfolk County Council, have included sessions at
Southall Black Sisters MIDDLESEX
Humraaz Women’s Refuge BLACKBURN
New Routes Women's Group NORWICH
Asha Women’s Centre Streatham LONDON
Angelou Women’s Centre NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE
Written Evaluations from participants in workshops and performances - May 2016 to August 2017
I was very low but this lifted me up. I realise the only person who can help me is me and I realise I can do what I need. You made me feel stronger. Empowering. I felt a part of the whole thing. I can relate this to my own experience. Fantastic. Brilliant. The great teacher brought out the best in us. Made me feel comfortable doing something unfamiliar. Given me confidence. I was surprised I could sing out loud. I was touched to my soul. The journey may be difficult but we will conquer. It was so interactive with women of so many backgrounds. The story was extraordinary. Heart-touching. I hope all vulnerable girls and women will see this show. We need more performances. I felt understood and motivated. I was inspired by the story and presentation. It was great the whole way through. I was totally ‘Wow!’ So strong energetic and talented. Keep doing it, Samia you can’t imagine how much you inspire and give us hope. It was the awakening – the eye opening session. Felt healed. Felt like a rebel. Powerpacked performance. This session filled me with hope power and strength. She’s brilliant and magnificent. Please come back. I will make my life more beautiful now. So engaging. Was surprised how the powerful singing affected me. A great workshop for all women. Your CD will help me whenever I am desperate. I will now express my feelings through writing. Mesmerizing. I was uplifted to another plane. Spiritual communication. A supreme and total success. A great treat. An inspiring thematic presentation. Bold and brave songs. I appreciate this outlet to bleed heal and connect. Brilliant expression though art. The music and words helped me discover my emotions. It became therapy. I listened to your CD all this week and it has helped me lose my depression. I got confidence and strength and can learn from this how to live in the future. This gives me the courage to say to those who have oppressed me that ‘I am still alive’. Songs that are so meaningful and easy to sing. Creative. It felt good. Amazing performance. Excellent discussion. I did not understand all the words but could feel the meanings through the melodies. I was able to write out something I have been keeping in for a long time. I am so happy to be part of this session. My writing made me proud. I hope I can be powerful like her. Made me feel strong. Your acoustic voice is so powerful and you really champion it for Pakistani women.
Songwriting workshops for groups in women’s organisations with the focus on empowerment through self-expression.
'I was surprised how easily I wrote my feelings and I want to do it again and again. I realised I am really powerful when I can say what I need. You gave me the tools I needed.' Participants comments
Workshops open with Samia’s solo performance followed by songwriting sessions where participants are given practical strategies and encouraged to explore their own experiences through writing in their own language, in a safe and supported environment, usually followed up by discussions and a sharing of new material produced.
'I have noticed such a great change in the participant’s levels of confidence following your songwriting sessions. One woman who never even talks about her experiences didn't just write a whole song, she even shared it with the whole group' Support workers comments
Samia Malik
Workshops
SONGWRITING AND MUSIC WORKSHOPS
Samia has completed her 2018 tour of solo performances and songwriting workshops
in women's refuges and organisations across the UK - see dates below
This tour was generously supported by Lottery Grants for the Arts Funding from Arts Council England
FEEDBACK - AZAADI FREEDOM WORKSHOP 2018
‘Strong poetry, beautiful performance’
‘As a person coming from another country, alone with children, it was really helpful knowing I am not alone’
‘By the end I felt confident in myself’
‘I felt so connected to the words’
‘I felt empowered and motivated to become independent’
‘This can help me accept my own culture and grow strength’
‘When I wrote I felt so relaxed’
‘I was surprised how eager I was to put my feelings into words and how the songs I heard made that easier for me’
‘I was in awe of the message - |I would recommend it to all women, especially South East Asian women’
‘The songs were actually describing my feelings. I was so hopeful and confident by the end. I can see my future in her’
‘Thank you because you gave me strength and courage to face problems’
‘When we had to write a part of me opened up’
‘This workshop was uplifting – I feel very motivated to write more from now onwards’
‘Your voice, songs music translation, paintings make me feel so powerful’
‘I kept on writing until my mind was clear. I will continue writing and make this my passion’
‘A great positive ambience’
‘I was totally engaged and am inspired to share this work with others’
‘I am so impressed and full of ambition’
‘I was surprised so many words came into my head’
‘It will change my thinking’
‘Thank you for being bold, transparent and loving’
‘I hope I can become powerful like her and inspire others’
‘We can open and change through lyrics’
‘I realised women are powerful’
‘Thank you for being so open’
‘I remembered things that had been deep down in my heart’
‘I was surprised to find myself in tears’
‘So good to promote my (S E Asian) culture’
‘I realised we can use our experiences to empower us’
‘I hope Samia can bring this powerful message to many Muslim and non-Muslim women affected by domestic abuse and oppression’ Chair Bradford Women’s Aid
Thank you Samia for travelling hundreds of miles – you always leave us feeling uplifted and positive
Firoza Mohmed Service Manager Humraaz Womens Refuge Blackburn
‘I can honestly say we have never heard such positive feedback about a workshop. I know that the residents were feeling apprehensive about participating but to request another workshop is incredible.’
Pam Saleem Operations Manager-Housing & Advice Ashiana Network London
'Your workshop was very inspiring and a positive experience for all the participants. The difference between the women after experiencing your workshop was very significant. It helped them to focus away from the problems that they have and be more focused on the positive aspects of life.’
Erene McCalla Asian Women's Resource Centre, Brent, London May 2018
Thank you for delivering such a powerful workshop. I have briefly spoken to two of my (women’s refuge) residents and they have said that they enjoyed the workshop and found it very beneficial.
R V | Senior Housing Support Worker Ashiana Network London
AZAADI FREEDOM WORKSHOP TOUR SCHEDULE 2018 Provisional
Solo Performances and Workshops
Sunday March 11th 10am - 5pm Showcase Performance with dancer Anne Tiburtius
Lighting the Flame: International Women's Day
Gressenhall Museum Dereham, NR20 4DR Norfolk
NORFOLK WOMEN REACHING WOMEN (NWRW)
Norfolk Federation of Women's Institutes
Wednesday 11th March Showcase Solo Performance
International Women’s Day Party Ipswich
Suffolk Refugee Support
Monday April 16th – 5pm to 7pm - Workshop Session 1
Young Women’s Music Project Oxford
Fusion Arts, East Oxford Community Centre, Princes Street
Thursday 19th April Workshop Session 1
Humraaz Womens Support Service Blackburn
Friday 20th April Workshop Session 1– 10.30am to 1pm
Maya Project (Saheli Asian Women’s Project) Manchester
Monday 23rd April Workshop Session 1 - 11am
Asian Women's Resource Centre (AWRC) Harlesden Brent London
Thursday 3rd May Workshop Session 1 - 11am – 1pm
Women’s Refuge in Norfolk
Friday 4th May Workshop Session 1 – 2pm to 4pm
Ashiana Women’s Refuge Leytonstone London
Saturday 5th May Showcase Performance with dancer Anne Tiburtius
Bharatiya Ashram Dudhope Multicultural Centre, Dundee
5 St Mary Place DD1 5RB
Thursday 10th May Workshop Session 2
Humraaz Womens Support Service Blackburn
Friday 11th May Workshop Session 2 - 10.30am to 1pm
Maya Project (Saheli Asian Women’s Project) Manchester
Monday 14th May Workshop Session 2 - 11am
Asian Women's Resource Centre (AWRC) Session 2 Harlesden Brent London
Friday 18th May – Workshop Session 2 - – 2pm to 4pm
Ashiana Women’s Refuge Leytonstone London
Monday May 21st - 5pm to 7pm Workshop Session 2
Young Women’s Music Project Oxford
Thursday 24th May Workshop Session 2 - 11am – 1pm
Women’s Refuge in Norfolk
Saturday 16th June 2-4pm
Women’s Drum Camp [email protected] Diss SUFFOLK
Mon 18th June pm Workshop Session 1 for Survivors group
The Angelou Centre Newcastle
Tues 19th June Singing Workshop Session 1 - Open Group
The Angelou Centre Newcastle
Friday 22nd June Workshop Session 1 for Support group
+ Workshop Session 2 for Support group
The Angelou Centre Newcastle
Mon 25th June pm Workshop Session 2 for Survivors Group
The Angelou Centre Newcastle
Tuesday 26th June am Singing Workshop Session 2 - Open Group
The Angelou Centre Newcastle
EMPOWERMENT THROUGH SONGWRITING WORKSHOPS