My sport story and Why am I hosting a Frank Conversation with The Three Hijabis?

Who am i?

I’m Helen Farmer. An Inclusion and Social Impact Consultant. I set up on my own as Voice By Volume 10 years ago to turn up the volume on missing voices, and to add volume to voices that exist already too. After working in many sectors, from construction, to refugee, to digital, engineering, technology, creative, mental health, young carers and more, there is some great stuff going on, and yet still so much to do better.

That’s why my mission, whatever I do, is to help people explore stories and spaces for better work and workplaces. This includes listening to voices and going to places and exploring the Unsaid and Undone work.

Currently this includes working as a Senior Impact Consultant for Walcott Communications, helping universities, charities and other organisations with their impact. As well as developing my own business and practice.

Why am I hosting a Frank Conversation with The Three Hijabis?

It started with reading about the new Hijab film coming out by Samir Mehanovic, and exploring whether that could come to Bristol (not yet, but hopefully soon…. Shout if you’re interested in that). And that led me back to Amna Abdullatif, who stars in the film, who I met when she led the Expect Respect Advocate training I joined in Women’s Aid a few years ago.

I’m early on in my journey of understanding the lives and experiences of Muslim women and girls and many identities and intersections which are not mine. And I’m absolutely inspired by The Three Hijabis work on anti-racism and sport and wider work.

Book Tickets here ?

or Pay what you can and contribute here ?

Note: All GoFundMe funds will pay for The Three Hijabis to travel from across England travel, accommodation and a football and anti-racism talk /football workshop for a Bristol Secondary School. Any remaining funds The Three Hijabis will use for their work, people, campaigning and communities they support.

What is my sport/ football story? Why am I sharing this??

Everywhere we look there are gaps that need addressing, in any sector. And for sport? It shouldn’t matter who you are or where you are to be able to access sport, and do it safely, without racism, without exclusion, without support, without question. But it does. And that’s why I’m doing this work.

The sport bit led me to reflect on my own relationship and experiences with sport so I thought I’d share some here, especially for non-sporty, sporty people. And with my own children going through experiences including football summer camp being one of the worst in their lives, there is more to do for everyone.

What is my sport/ football story in 2024?

My sport/ football story this year includes:

• Doing karate twice a week every week with my children. It's a privilege and opportunity I am hanging on to training twice a week since I was 46. Despite days like Monday this week, when my (menopausal) brain literally could not translate instruction into the same movement, I love it. It's one of the only things I manage to do consistently, and I learn a lot including 'there's no growth in comfort'.
• Created a ‘Sport for Social Change’ training video for a client’s training programme
• Watched recent film in Watershed - I am Somebody ?

“'I am Somebody’ tells the story of six individuals -Ali, Aya, Drika, Jesmin, Sahil, Yasmin and their journey to the Street Child World Cup2022. Relive the joy, the laughter, the wins, the losses and the sheer magic as we witness first-hand how football is so much more than just a game.

Street Child United is an international charity that uses the power of sport to change the way the world negatively sees and treats young people living in street situations, so they can be protected, respected, and supported to build a life away from the streets.”?

I felt a bit torn with this film, really moved, especially by Aya, from Palestine. And at the same time, echoes for me of saviourism, where a charity helps people. Though I recognised the amazing power of supporting people who then support people right next to them in their community. The footballers who then went back and led clubs in their community and country, and in Bristol the Dame Kelly Holmes Foundation work where olympic athletes work with young people. A very common occurrence seemed to be once the individual on the course felt more connected supported, they immediately wanted to help others like them, and set about doing it. I’ve seen it in Grassroots Community too with Ben Carpenter, the access, support and opportunity for someone to unlock their potential, unlocks it for many more.

• Working with your help to bring The Three Hijabis to Bristol for Frank Conversation on Monday 20 May 1800-2030 Book Tickets here or Pay what you can and contribute here
• My nine year old is playing football at lunchtime with friends in the playground. No longer interested in mixed football, girls only.
• Through elder daughter’s school had opportunity to go to Bristol Robins match, we nearly didn’t go because of being past bedtime on a Sunday night but at the game the youngest lit up (and filled my phone with pictures and videos) and declared “I’m loving it!”

And before?

• I used to play football as a child, nothing fancy, just a general kick around any bit of playground, grass or perhaps a beach. Then, heading up to secondary school - Oldmachar Academy, Aberdeen, I ran up the hill to play football with classmates but was told in words and behaviour something like ‘we can’t play with you anymore’. End of football for me…
• …Until, in my late 20s early 30s I started playing staff football at UWE, just me and Cath and Fiona with a lot of men. Cath and I also played some football locally in the local SGS College. Then I stopped when I found out I had hydronephrosis and a horseshoe kidney, so am not meant to do contact sports. I do karate but everyone in the Dojo works with and respects my contact limits.

These days my work and life collide and coexist more.

• For the first ‘This Girl Can’ when it came to Bristol I dragged my husband and children - then a pre-schooler and a baby - into Millenium Square, for a flashmob. It was a little rough and ready but we showed up and got the t-shirts, literally.
• I run a bit but my knees don’t like it any more - I used to do Cotswold 10k, then graduated to a half marathon in 2008 - with football buddy Cath! And another in 2018 with my brothers and sister and friends and Teens in Crisis, after our sister died in a mental health settnig in 2017. This Mum Runs (now This Woman Runs) was a helpful community for me, supporting by example and connection, to get out running bit by bit, from the moment, one of the toughest in my lives, when my sister was sectioned.
• Last year I did One Million Steps for The Jordan Legacy, in memory of my sister. Getting out walking every day, sometimes 3 times a day did wonders for my own mental health. And now I regularly set out early for a walk, even if for a short time. But I don’t always manage, even when I need it most.

So I’ve still got another four years till my next half marathon, if I decide to do one.

And I still need to make time to watch the Copa 71 film (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt18163414/ ) by Serena and Venus Williams:

"COPA 71 is in production after archival footage of the tournament was unearthed. It is a Dogwoof and New Black Films production, backed by Westbrook, with the Williams sisters also in the picture.

Serena and Venus Williams to help produce new film

As trailblazing athletes themselves, the Williams sisters are eager to help tell the story of other role models in women's sport.

The legacy of the women who competed at the 1971 World Cup has been left in the shadows but the tennis duo are making sure it is given the spotlight it deserves."

[source: https://www.givemesport.com/serena-venus-williams-executive-producer-football-film-womens-world-cup/ ]

Have you seen Copa71?

What does sport mean to you?