21) Meeting with Paul Wenham

I had my meeting with Paul Wenham yesterday, the Chief Executive of Mustard Tree. It was really successful in terms of primary research and in defining my brief.

What does Mustard Tree mean?

Mustard Tree comes from the parable of the Mustard Seed told by Jesus in the New Testament in the Bible.

"The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches."

– Matthew 13:31-32

The interpretation is that these large birds were considered outcasts in society. The mustard seed grew as a tall tree with thick branches, strong enough to hold the birds and provide a place of safety and protection. Mustard Tree, as a charity, is for those who feel cut out of society, who are then welcomed to a place where they can feel protected and safe.

How can I support Mustard Tree through communication Design?

As a business we probably need a pdf template that we can constantly update to send to the public and private sector for funding, essentially raising awareness of the charity.

However,

What I am personally more interested in and passionate about is the opportunity to give the homeless a voice. An artefact that includes personal testimonials and records unique stories and unique futures. Focusing on the individuals and not putting everyone under the same stereotype of ‘homeless.’

Something that we could send out to our key partners to show the people we are helping.

What would be the tone of voice?

Awareness and hope.

Do you have any potential budget restrictions?

We wouldn’t normally go for large billboard advertising, but something small that we could send out, like a book, we would have the funding for. We have close connections with Creative Lynx who often do our printing for free and AND Partners are always willing to help us out. However, I wouldn’t want to influence your project in any way.

Would you consider raising awareness of World Homeless Day?

When is that?

10/10/10

Now that is very interesting. I wasn’t aware of that. That could be something worth considering. It could even act as a marketing launch date?

So the brief could be:

Design something that gives the homeless a voice, to raise awareness of World Homeless Day to be sent to Key Partners of Mustard tree to show the individuals the charity supports?

Yes.

With regards to me talking to the homeless, to hear their stories and possibly taking their photograph, what would be the most appropriate way to approach people?

Anybody in here would be willing to help, but you could also attend the Sanctuary on Wednesday evening, that’s when all the creative people will gather.

20) My Third Soup Run

My Third Soup Run

On my way to meet the team of volunteers I passed a few homeless people on the street. I thought to myself that I really should tell them about Mustard Tree giving out food. I kept walking past not saying anything, then I saw one guy sitting with a sign that said “hungry and homeless” so I approached him. I said, “excuse me” he looked up, “if you are hungry they are giving out food over by Picadilly Station in an hour” he said “oh yeah…I’ll go there…god bless love” I said, “no problem, I’ll see you there” and walked on.

I felt quite proud of myself.

It was a really busy night, there must have been about 50 people. I don’t know if they are helpful or just hungry but they all help to unload the tables and food from the van.

The guy I spoke to on the street was there, he said, “was it you who spoke to me earlier?” I said “oh yes, I’m glad you came” he said “cheers love, god bless, can I have some coffee?” He looked like a totally different person standing chatting, to before sitting on the ground. I noticed his trousers were tucked into his socks, were I come from that is not a good look.

A guy came over and was amazed by my hair, he couldn’t believe that he didn’t notice it the week before, it was tied up last week. He asked my name, I told him and asked his, he said Sally, I said “would you like some tea Sally?” On the outside I didn’t flutter, on the inside I was thinking Sally? Did I hear that right? It was only later on I heard him telling an older woman on our team, she didn’t act as casual as I did.” Sally?” she said, “Yeah, that’s my name? what?” he said, “ok” she replied, I was laughing in my head. Then he explained that he was a natural born he/she. This was a first for me. He opened his coat to prove it. He was correct. He had a very interesting story about how he was the director of his own IT company however they let him go due to his/her situation. He was very interested in my studies and gave me his mobile number if I ever needed his help with my project or with web programming. He also gave me the URL of a website he had built to prove that he wasn’t lying.

Every time I’m on the soup run I can’t get over the amount of sugar people put in their drinks. One guy said, “two teas, 3 sugars in each” Using quite large plastic spoons I did as he asked. Then he put 3 more sugars in. I said “wow I already did the sugars, he said, “doesn’t matter love.” That was 6 large plastic spoons of sugar in each small foam cup. That’s more sugar than tea. They put sugar in hot chocolate…I couldn’t believe it.

The young boy was back again. He loves his juice. He had had lots of juice already then he said, “can I have a cup of juice?” I said “sure” and poured the cup. He drank it in one go. “Can I have another?” “yep” same again. Not smiling he said, “can I get another?” I said “wow you really like your juice,” he said, “I havn’t drank all day have I?” it had been a hot day. I offered him another one. He said, “nah my throat is burning from the juice.”

A man asked if I was from Canada, I said ‘no Belfast.’ He was annoyed with himself for not getting it. He said, “what church do you go to?” I said, “I don’t go to a church over here.” I knew what he was asking about. He said, “oh are you… Christian or Catholic?” Again, I knew what he meant. I said, “I don’t really want to tell you that.” He said, “makes no difference to me man.” I thought, then why ask me?

Than some woman belted, “YOU CAN’T ASK SOMEONE FROM BELFAST THAT!!!” I appreciated her support, but not her subtlety or discretion on the subject.

One guy on our team recognised someone he had known for ten years. He didn’t realise his friend was back on the street. I think it upset him.

On the way home I bumped into Simon and Tone. Simon was really interested in the voluntary work I had been doing. Tone didn’t realise Manchester had a red light district.

19) iHobo

Publicis London launches iHobo app to raise homeless awareness

by Anne Cassidy, 10 May 2010, 09:21am

LONDON - iPhone users can download their own homeless person with a new app called iHobo.

iPhone users get to make decisions impacting the virtual homeless person’s life, such as offering food, money or emotional support, and alerts are sent to notify the user when the iHobo needs help.

The app, made by Publicis London for the homeless charity Depaul UK, makes the point that homeless people are not hobos and the user is invited to make a donation.

It features interactive live action video footage, the first app to do so, according to Publicis.

The name ‘iHobo’ was chosen in order to question the labels that are placed upon young homeless people and the misconceptions that surround them, the agency said.

Tom Ewart and Adam Kean, joint executive creative directors, Public London, said: “We wanted to reach that elusive generation of young, affluent donors who tend to exist in a world defined by their mobiles.

“It’s been a complicated process getting interactive live footage, but doing something that’s never been done before was never going to be easy.”

Tags:

Meetings Arranged with Mustard Tree

Soup Run

Friday 2nd July 6:30

Paul Wenham - Chief Executive

Monday 5th July 10:30am

Art & Craft Workshop

Wednesday 7th July 2:00 - 4:00

18) Mary Ellen Mark

MARY ELLEN MARK

For over four decades, she has traveled extensively to make pictures that reflect a high degree of humanism. Today, she is recognized as one of our most respected and influential photographers. Her images of our world’s diverse cultures have become landmarks in the field of documentary photography. Her portrayals of Mother Teresa, Indian circuses, and brothels in Bombay were the product of many years of work in India. A photo essay on runaway children in Seattle became the basis of the academy award nominated film STREETWISE, directed and photographed by her husband, Martin Bell.

17) Gill Moore Photography

GILL MOORE

When researching Weegee photography I stumbled across a photographer called Gill Moore based in Manchester.

Gill has experience photographing Manchester City Centre and takes lovely natural portrait photographs.

Once I have narrowed down the direction of my project I think Gill would be a great person to contact for further research and advice.

16) Weegee Photography

WEEGEE PHOTOGRAPHY

Weegee was the pseudonym of Arthur Fellig (June 12, 1899 – December 26, 1968), an Austrian-born American photographer and photojournalist, known for his stark black and white street photography.

Weegee worked in the Lower East Side of New York City as a press photographer during the 30’s and 40’s, and he developed his signature style by following the city’s emergency services and documenting their activity. Much of his work depicted unflinchingly realistic scenes of urban life, crime, injury and death.