Sangini is a by and for Black women’s development organisation in Tyne and Wear – 2022 marks its 20th anniversary. Working mostly with Black and minority-ethnic women, Sangini combines health and arts in therapeutic participatory creative and heritage projects, aiding personal and community development.
Sangini is the only arts-based community organisation in the region that tailors its service and projects in consultation with Black and minoritised women. Its practice-led peer group forums enable women to access safe spaces for self-expression, and to explore and develop cultural entitlement.
Sangini’s mission: ‘to increase the quality of the lives of women in the North East by raising awareness about the issues of physical, mental and spiritual health, as well as promoting cultural diversity through artistic, educational, cultural and recreational activities’.
View an archive of the Sangini constitution here.
Cultural & educational events
Sangini’s work is characterised by its interculturalism, curiosity, and creativity in community development. Successes include annual International Women’s Day events that attract over 150 attendees, and the 2018 year-long Women’s House arts project plus many close partnerships with local and regional universities and cultural organisations. The Srijoni Women’s Group project in 2021 worked with local artists to produce jewellery workshops, textile skills and arts & crafts exhibits that allowed women to develop skills, increase confidence and exhibit their work to an open audience.
Stories about Sangini
Photo gallery from the archive
Creative voices
Srijoni – A Sangini Exhibition Exploring Islamic Art, Women and Creativity at Arts Centre Washington, June 2021.
Kainat Javed in conversation with Arabic calligraphy artist, Soraya Syed in association with Srijoni Project & Exhibition 3rd June, 2021.
Looking to the Future
Sangini itself has undergone a revolution in its identity and confidence in 2020 as a result of the global, national, regional and local impact of race equality activism and the COVID-19 pandemic. It better recognises its own resilience, value and authoritative position as an expert bridge across communities, cultures and sectors. Sangini’s ambition has crystallized: to move from operating project-to-project to a sustainable model. To sustain a practice of platforming of black and minoritised women’s lives, Sangini will continue to be-friend, listen, platform, make visible and protect WOC’s interests, assuring the women we work with that they are never alone.
To see more from the main archive visit: Sangini
