Office of Displaced Designers (ODD) is calling on UK construction professionals to support She Repairs, an initiative to help women in Izmir’s displaced communities to provide their households with a safe and comfortable home.
What’s the thinking behind the ‘She Repairs’ project?
It’s an initiative to equip women in Izmir’s displaced communities with the skills, tools and confidence to give their household a safe and secure space to live. Essentially it’s a training programme that covers home repair skills. The aim is to boost confidence, self-reliance and community ties by enabling participants to safely complete common household repairs without relying on landlords or tradesmen. This initiative is designed as a stepping stone. Starting with basic home repairs, these women can strengthen their self-reliance and start reclaiming control of their own living spaces. The workshop also acts as a platform for skill-sharing, building long lasting community networks and fostering a legacy of a women-only task force carrying out repairs for their underserved community.
What can architects in the UK do to help?
First and foremost, we desperately need funding! All of staff are volunteers but we need to purchase: demonstration materials and equipment; space rental; tool kits for the women to take home and keep; catering for participants and, crucially, childcare so single mothers are able to attend. We’d like to encourage UK practices to consider supporting this project in the spirit of Christmas! As a guideline: £10 covers one hour of childcare; £25 covers the cost of one woman attending a one-hour class; £75 covers the cost of a tool kit and a contribution of £250 would cover the costs for one women to complete two weeks’ worth of courses, which we’re confident will give them all the skills they’re likely to need. Donations can be made directly through our website or email shareen@displaceddesigners.org to discuss bespoke sponsorship options.
We are also interested in volunteer support. The training will be in person and will be reliant on local skills, but we are also looking for women with experience in carpentry, electrics, plumbing, plastering and/or education and curriculum design who can work with us online to help to design and develop the curriculum.
What is Office of Displaced Designers?
ODD is a creative nonprofit that supports the talents and aspirations of displaced and marginalised designers and their wider communities. We do this by facilitating access to resources, training and networks, and work on projects focusing on the built environment and culture. Displaced and marginalised designers have a wealth of lived experiences and perspectives that are essential to incorporate if we’re committed to building equitable, inclusive and just communities. We hope to change the typical narrative associated with people who have been displaced and/ or marginalised. They have the same professional and creative aspirations that we all have. The difference is that their opportunities have collapsed because of circumstances beyond their control.
