Entangled Roots – Families and Intergenerational Exchange are 2 intergenerational gatherings for people of colour and their families led by Em Ghassempour (Books for Change) and supported by Francine Hajilou. They will take place on 28th January and 25th February 2023 in East Folkestone.

These sessions will build on our Entangled Roots walking/reading groups for adults and also the brilliant work by Books for Change, which seeks out writing for children by intersectionally diverse authors and makes it accessible for schools. Under Em's expert guidance, we will focus on storytelling and connecting to the land in fun and accessible ways - including fossil hunting, fire-making, crafts, singing and (of course) sharing food and drink!

All equipment, food and drink will be provided

These gatherings will be a safe place for us to gather in solidarity, to consider and to share, if we so wish, our embodied knowledge of living as people of colour in the UK and more specifically Folkestone, providing an opportunity to gather together to enjoy nature and being together outdoors for physical and mental wellbeing.

It is really important to us that this experience is accessible to all people of colour and their families who would like to take part. We acknowledge that the idea of 'family' itself can be charged and warmly invite you to attend with whatever intergenerational matrix of love and support it is that might mean family to you. Whilst the tickets are free, we know that there may be other barriers such as transport costs. For this reason, we have a small budget to support anyone who would like to attend but feels unable to do so - just select 'admission with support required' at checkout or get in touch access@customfoodlab.org

Who will be leading the gatherings?

Em Ghassempour is an Iranian-British writer and social justice activist. She is a founder of local campaign Books for Change which is on a mission to bring depth and diversity to childrens' reading choices by introducing books by diverse authors to libraries, engaging through storytelling and leading creative anti-racism and social justice workshops.

Francine Hajilou is an emerging writer of dual English and Jamaican heritage, originally from Coventry she lives in Folkestone and is currently researching for her upcoming PhD in Creative Writing. Her interests are Black British identity, notions of race and the reality of racism, embodied knowledge, writing gender and the body, racial justice, surviving trauma, nature writing, life writing, short fiction and poetry, land justice and community food growing.

What should I expect and what do I need to bring?

Each session is approx. 2 hrs long. The first session in the Warren will involve a 10-15 minute walk in each direction on a steep slope with uneven steps that would not be accessible for wheelchairs, push chairs or buggies. We suggest that babies/toddlers are carried in slings or backpacks and we will all walk together to support one another. Unfortunately we will not be able to support people with mobility issues on this gathering but the second gathering at the Locavore Community Garden will be fully accessuble for all who wish to attend.

Bring a drink, suitable footwear and warm, weather proof clothing. On both occasions we will have an open fire to gather around and will provide some food and drink. If you have any allergies please let us know in advance.

Saturday 28th Jan
11am to 1pm

Folkestone Warren.

Meet on jocks pitch field on Wear Bay Road at 11am.

What 3 Words: ///crunching.hatch.squish

Bring waterproofs and sturdy footwear for fossil finding, exploring the land, fire circle with food and drink and storytelling.

All equipment and food and drink will be provided.

Saturday 25th Feb
11am to 1pm

Locavore Community Garden at Martello Primary on Warren Way.

What 3 Words: ///campfires.decreased.girder

Wrap up warm for an outdoor session exploring our identities and connections to the land with storytelling, craft and fire circle. There will be Persian tea tasting as well as the chance to learn some Farsi songs which we may like to sing together by the fire.