Who Can Speak
‘When they speak, it is scientific; when we speak, it is unscientific;
When they speak it’s universal; when we speak it’s specific;
When they speak it’s objective; when we speak it’s subjective;
When they speak it’s neutral; when we speak it’s personal;
When they speak it’s rational; when we speak it’s emotional;
When they speak it’s impartial; when we speak it’s partial;
They have facts, we have opinions; They have knowledge, we have experiences.’
By artist and activist
Grada Kilomba
From her book ‘Plantation Memories,’
reprinted here with Grada’s kind permission
When We Speak is an activist youth programme for East Londoners, aged 15-25, to build voice, equality and opportunities for change making amongst local people. The core activities we provide include training, peer support, reflection, micro-grants and project development coaching, all led or co-curated by young people themselves. It is designed with young people for young people.
When We Speak amplifies the power found in the lived experiences of young people to shape and bring about change in their communities.
When We Speak is an activist course supporting young people to run their own social change projects.
We provide training, specialised coaching, youth led spaces and funding opportunities
For more info, get in touch at whenwespeak@toynbeehall.org.uk
The Programme
VOLUMES
We invite grassroots activists, community organisers and powerful social justice campaigners to share their knowledge and experiences with us.
CLINICS
These skill-based sessions connect young people to specialists in fundraising, communications, research and so much more. Young people learn the practical skills to bring their project to life.
MICROGRANTS
Putting money in young people’s hands to lead and do is paramount. We invite young people to pitch their idea for a micro-grant so they can get their projects off the ground.
1-2-1 COACHING
Embracing individual differences, our specialised coaching and 1-2-1 mentoring caters to each young person in the programme. Together we identify what support is needed and how we can provide it.
YOUTH-LED CONVERSATIONS
A youth-led space for young people to get together, chat and share opinions on issues they care about.
The Activists
Meet the powerful young people who are speaking up and out
Bukky
ChitChatUK
The Events
PAST
VOLUMES
2021-2022
UPROOTING ISLAMOPHOBIA: IMAGINING SAFETY ON OUR OWN TERMS
WITH SUHAIYMAH MANZOOR-KHAN
TOYNBEE HALL SUNDAY 18TH SEPTEMBER
1:30PM- 4:30PM
TAKING ACTION AGAINST IMMIGRATION RAIDS
CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOP WITH RAKAYA ESIME FETUGA AND HEALING JUSTICE IDN
PHYTOLOGY, BETHNAL GREEN NATURE RESERVE MIDDLETON ST, BETHNAL GREEN LONDON E2 9RR SATURDAY 30TH JULY
1:30-6:30PM
COMMUNITY RESISTANCE TO HOUSING INJUSTICE
WORSHOP IN COLLABORATION WITH
JUSTICE FOR THCH RESISDENTS & JUSTICE4GRENFELL
SUNDAY 24TH 1:30-4:30PM
HEALING IN ACTION
WOODLAND WORKSHOP WITH BECOMING FOREST
EPPING FOREST SUNDAY 19TH JUNE
11AM-3PM
ART AND HERITAGE FOR SOCIAL CHANGE
WORKSHOP WITH NUMBI ARTS
TOYNBEE HALL SUNDAY 22ND MAY
1:30-4:30PM
TAKING ACTION AGAINST IMMIGRATION RAIDS
IN CONVERSATION WITH NEWHAM ANTIRAIDS
TOYNBEE HALL 20TH MARCH
1:30-4:30PM
BUILDING A MOVEMENT
WORKSHOP WITH THE RIGHTS COLLECTIVE
TOYNBEE HALL SUNDAY 27TH FEBRUARY
1:30-4:30PM
ABOLITIONIST APPROACHES TO HATE CRIME
WORKSHOP WITH REMEMBER AND RESIST
TOYNBEE HALL SUNDAY 23RD JANUARY
1:30-4:30PM
COLLECTIVE ACTION AGAINST GENTRIFICATION
NIJJOR MANUSH IN CONVERSATION WITH SAVE LATIN VILLAGE
TOYNBEE HALL SUNDAY 28RD NOVEMBER 2-4PM
PAST
VOLUMES
2019-2020
FRIDAY 19 FEBRUARY
6PM – 7:30PM
-A VIRTUAL EVENT
THURSDAY 18 FEBRUARY
3PM-4:30PM
-A VIRTUAL EVENT
WEDNESDAY 17 FEB
4PM – 5PM
-A VIRTUAL EVENT
TUESDAY 18 FEBRUARY
5PM – 6:30PM
-A VIRTUAL EVENT
MONDAY 15 FEBRUARY
3PM -4:30PM
-A VIRTUAL EVENT
A collection of our events: meander through where we’ve been and where we’re going
The Stories
Check out our amazing content, showcasing projects the activists are working on
Contact us
If you have any questions, would like some more information or would like to express your interest in participating in the programme please complete this form and we’ll get back to you.
