Brave Spaces

Brave Spaces: Visualising Support for Women Experiencing Domestic Abuse in Faith Communities is an interactive exhibition and craft event, exploring how faith settings can become safer, more supportive environments for disclosure, mental health support and signposting to existing health and social care service. Featuring powerful digital artwork created from research conducted among ethnically minoritised populations, the exhibition invites visitors to reflect on faith, safety, and community through storytelling and visual expression.

Attendees can book into a guided craft session to creatively represent what a safe faith space would look like to them. This event is led by researcher, Dr Omolade Allen, from The University of Manchester. All materials are provided, and no art experience is needed.

🕒Opening Hours

• Interactive exhibit: 1st November - 5th November, 10am-4pm
• Guided Craft Workshop 1: Monday 3 November, 10.30am-12.30pm
• Guided Craft Workshop 2: Tuesday 4 November, 1pm-3pm

Whether you’re an experienced artist or just curious to explore, this workshop is a space to connect, create, and share your story.

Why Attend?

• Learn how faith communities can better support women experiencing domestic abuse, especially those from ethnically minoritised backgrounds.
• Experience powerful digital artwork and take part in a hands-on craft session—no art experience needed.
• Connect with others, share stories, and help shape safer, more supportive faith spaces.

Who Should Attend?

• Members of faith communities, faith leaders, and volunteers interested in safeguarding and support.
• VCFSE (Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise) practitioners working in domestic abuse, mental health, or community support.
• Anyone who wants to reflect, create, and contribute to safer faith environments.

Planning your visit:

TRAVEL: The location of SeeSaw and information about its rooms can be found here.

ACCESSIBILITY: If you have any accessibility requirements, please contact us by emailing omolade.allen@manchester.ac.uk.

IMAGES: Photographs may be taken during this event for use on social media and website content. If you prefer not to be included in any photographs, please inform the event lead on the day.

This event is part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science 2025 and was made possible thanks to funding from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), which is part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).