Who are Silent Cities?

I've started to look into Silent Cities more and see what they do. It's one thing being told in the brief by mouth, but is interesting to see how they market themselves and all the various programmes they run. Here is what I have found.

 

 

Our objects

As a Company Ltd by Guarantee, we have a governing document called The Memorandum and Articles of Association. In this document we specify our social aims (our ‘objects’) as:

3.2.1   to use creativity to address the silent issues cities face, including, but not restricted to homelessness, sex working, mental ill-health, disability, addiction, immigration, and poverty and social disadvantage amongst the elderly and young;

3.2.2   to give a voice, informal learning and employment opportunities to disadvantaged communities;

3.2.3   to clarify, celebrate and consult on local policy of ‘silent issues’ and crowd-source solutions;

3.2.4   to help volunteers take action and promote their hidden talents;

3.2.5   to trade and provide job opportunities through sales of creative goods and services anywhere in the world;
3.2.6   to embrace the creative manifesto and to be a benchmark for innovation and creativity in the third sector.

Creative manifesto

As an organisation, we want to be the benchmark for innovation and creativity and show what can be achieved having creativity at the heart of a third sector organisation. We also aim to trade on the experience itself to help new and emerging social enterprises.
Everything we do is based around our creative manifesto:

• Challenge assumptions
• Be receptive to new ideas
• Recognise similarities or differences
• Make unlikely connections
• Build on ideas to make other ideas
• Look at things in new ways
• Take risks
• Take advantage of the unexpected
• Surround yourself with difference

These principles are based on graphic designer Alan Fletcher’s definition of creativity, and are at the core of everything we do.

Beneficiaries

Silent cities – public and third sector agencies eg local authorities, the police, education, health trusts, charities etc are not given the space and time to explain their policy on silent issues (homelessness, sex trafficking, immigration etc) and to consult with the public about these issues.

Silent minorities – the isolated and long-term unemployed looking to develop creative skills and re-build their confidence and employability. They are looking for quick wins in a safe environment.

Silent charities – local charities struggle with time, money and creative resources to make their work visible. With the onset of personalisation in the care sector, it is even more important that their offer and values are understood.

Silent talent –  budding film makers, musicians, designers, writers, looking for live briefs and the opportunity to flex their creativity and promote their talents. Volunteering in the third sector is a great way in.

Silent volunteers – many people want to volunteer but these issues are too big for us and besides, life’s changed – people don’t want regular and big commitments.
I’m a creative person, what can I do locally to help, at a time and place to suit me?

 

 

 

 

Silent Cities really does seem to be a great charity who reach out to all kinds of people, young and old, and with a variety of different needs. This research has been invaluable because it has enabled me to get into the right mind-set as I embark on this project.