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Creative Research

In collaboration with Seekers Create we worked with University of Portsmouth to creatively enable their research as part of a larger programme by the Natural Environment Research Council to make Environmental Science more accessible, diverse and inclusive.

About the project

This project seeks to address the lack of diversity, equity and inclusion in environmental science at university level.

We enabled the co-creation of knowledge with the Portsmouth Bangladeshi community to enable the development of effective measures for improving equity, diversity and inclusivity (EDI) in environmental science, specifically within higher-education (HE).

Through participatory and creative methods we co-create solutions through knowledge and approaches that support the participation of Bangladeshi heritage students in environmental science.

Environmental Jam for Bangladeshi students

The one day Environmental Jam took place in Portsmouth on Saturday 21 May 2022.

The event was aimed at students of Bangladeshi heritage, aged 13–18, who are studying at schools and colleges in Portsmouth. Our research team will deliver talks at local schools to introduce the project.

Our activities included an interactive environmentally themed walkshop that included a virtual scavenger hunt, quiz and a community mural.

The then collaborative created and environmentally themed piece of art.

Our collaboration enabled the researchers to conduct their focus groups in a creative way that greatly enhanced the engagement in the theme and the project.

Co-creating the project

We held a 2 hour interactive workshop that helped shape the content and theme of the Environmental Jam.

We collaborated with the UoP team to ensure their content was driving the session and enabled a collective vision board as a vehicle for deeper conversations and an expressive form of feedback.

We also created the artwork and posters for promotion of the project and created journals for the participnats to encourge them on a creative journey.

You can find out full details of the project here

Walkshop 🙂

Collective Art Piece

04/09/2022
Art In Sight Podcast
Art in Sight is our Arts Council funded project to explore audio desciption in 15 galleries across the South Coast.

Clarke Reynolds and I chat about art. We both grew up in Portsmouth and art has played big parts in each of their lives.

Our conversations delve into the location and the art in a way that gives you a small experience of being there and the same time understand that art can be experienced, in depth, for those without sight.

Clarke has been visually impaired since birth but despite that he graduated with an art degree and spent several years working as a model-maker.

Last year we met when we visited My Dog Sighs’ INSIDE immersive installation in Portsmouth.

By coincidece, as friends, we descibed the exhibit to each other and we found the process really deepened our experince of the art.

Clarke said “Current audio provision for visually impaired artists gives a very short description of the work and removes the emotion from experiencing art. Steve and I approach the work like two art-loving friends discussing the content, techniques and personal impact we experience from the art.

At the moment it is hard for sighted and non-sighted friends to experience art together. We are making podcasts that can be enjoyed equally by sighted and non-sighted people so they can share opinions on the works whilst they wander around the exhibition. Our approach has the added bonus of allowing people who can’t visit the exhibition to experience it by downloading the podcasts.”

Underneath this, we just enjoy art in a very simple way, by observing it, discussing it and enjoying it.

The podcasts are in bite-sized chunks with each series focussing on a gallery on the South Coast.

You can listen here: https://anchor.fm/artinsight

or Google Art in Sight Podcast to find on other major platforms

We hope your enjoy x

You can email me at Steve@project1-xt15xkpcd7.live-website.com if you are interested in Clarke and me recording a podcast at you gallery or museum.

www.seeingwithoutseeing.com
@the.blind.braille.artist
@justgoodcompany
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Steve Baker2022-12-20T21:46:16+00:00
Creative Research
Steve Baker2022-12-20T21:46:16+00:00September 4th, 2022|Community Engagement, Research|Comments Off on Creative Research
In collaboration with Seekers Create we worked with University of Portsmouth to creatively enable their research as part of a larger programme by the Natural Environment Research Council to make Environmental Science more accessible, […]
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Steve Baker2022-12-20T21:48:09+00:00
Art In Sight Podcast
Steve Baker2022-12-20T21:48:09+00:00September 3rd, 2022|Community Engagement, Podcast|Comments Off on Art In Sight Podcast
Art in Sight is our Arts Council funded project to explore audio desciption in 15 galleries across the South Coast. Clarke Reynolds and I chat about art. We both grew up in Portsmouth and […]
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Steve Baker2022-09-03T12:37:52+01:00
Your mind really does affect your physical health
Steve Baker2022-09-03T12:37:52+01:00December 6th, 2019|Mindset|Comments Off on Your mind really does affect your physical health
Good morning, I saw this earlier today, which I think underlines exactly how important your mental health is. You can’t always control the bad stuff but you can make sure you put in the […]
03/09/2022
Your mind really does affect your physical health

Good morning,

I saw this earlier today, which I think underlines exactly how important your mental health is. You can’t always control the bad stuff but you can make sure you put in the good stuff. x

‘Broken heart syndrome is a temporary heart condition that’s often brought on by stressful situations, such as the death of a loved one. People with broken heart syndrome may have sudden chest pain or think they’re having a heart attack.’

Your experience and thoughts directly affect your physical health. It’s not some mystical thought but a scientific fact.

If you use a knife, you practice, with a sharp knife you’re very careful. Your preparation takes into account that you might cut yourself. If you think of your mind in the same way. Your life experiences are the equivalent of using the knife.

I suggest it would make sense to prepare your mind, to avoid cutting yourself. If you practiced using the knife, it’s far less likely you will cut yourself and your mind is the same.

Become a knife using master, know you will never cut yourself and you can take on life with more courage as you know what you need to know.

From time to time you might still get a nick, but even then, you can prepare, like having a plaster.

I encourage you to work on your mind in this way, it’s a skill, just like riding a bike. The more you do the better you get. Go no-handed. Stand on the seat!

Being brave is easy when you’re not afraid of the outcome.

A simple action is to do more Good Company and if you really need help, just ask. Find the person with the skill you need. It’s as easy as asking a good friend for a little help.

I trust your day will be awesome, take care of yourself,

Love,

Steve

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06/12/2019
How’s your mood?

Having a low mood can affect us all from time to time. Modern life can be a bit hectic, long hours, commutes, stress.

It’s understandable. When do you get time to think…?

‘Rat race’ certainly seems apt… at times.

I was there until I worked it out. If you think there’s no choice but to work harder, longer hours even when you’re feeling low, I’d suggest there is another way.

Here’s 3 ways you can dispel that myth right now.

1. Appreciate what you have

So, you might not feel so good right now, but what can you be grateful for and appreciate?

Tasty food, your health, your loved ones.

Take about 2 minutes and sit in silence to think about what you appreciate.

Even one positive thought opens up your mind. It redirects your thoughts from the negativity.

Then build on it. Good Company, the more the better.

2. Act as you would like to feel

Emotions work backward too.

So if you want to become more positive or enthusiastic then act in the manner of a person who is positive or enthusiastic!

You might not feel like it. But do the best you can.

For example, think of the task in front of you as something exciting and fun or answer some emails or talk to someone in a positive and enthusiastic manner.

3. Give someone a genuine compliment

Here’s a fun one I use quite often and that will not only lift my own mood.

Spend a minute on coming up with something you really and genuinely appreciate about someone in your life.

Then tell them! I’m confident they will be happy.

You’ll feel good about yourself and get positive feelings too from the now smiling, happy and appreciated person.

And so the mood for the both of you is changed for the better!

I hope you find this useful.

If the grind is getting to you, I have a couple of personal coaching sessions open. I’m here to help, If would like to find out if I can assist you directly, you’re welcome to message me.

Have a great day as always,

Steve

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06/12/2019
7 ways Good Company will improve your day.

It’s not that hard to give your day a boost if you pay attention to what you are doing.

1. Before you set off on your drive calm yourself with several deep breaths.

2. If you’re working in an office all day ensure you spend at least 10 minutes outside.

3. If you commute to work take a different route to see a new part of the world

4. Always carry a book with you, grab 5 minutes read a chapter.

5. Overlay listening to your favourite music with another task such as emails or cooking dinner.

6. Send a message of appreciation to someone that you love.

7. Disengage from your phone and social media at least an hour before you go to bed.

Have a great day!

10/11/2019
Let’s make a plan

So, where do you want to be? At some magical point in the future you have created exactly the life you would love to live. It’s wonderful. Your utopia.

Does that seem a little unrealistic to you? A pipe dream? Like winning the lottery?

Well, one thing for sure is that you’re never going to get there if you don’t make a plan. If I asked you to make a plan right now, what would you do? I’m probably not a million miles away by suggesting that you’d start with a list. A nice list of things you need to do to get there.

Great. A plan is in the making. Now maybe prioritise that list. What do you need to do first? Great, do that. Easy right. No stopping you now until you’re sipping cocktails on Bali beach…

Well, maybe not. Life is just not that simple right? Well, true, life is’nt simple and you’re certainly not going to get anything you haven’t worked for it but If you can think back to something you have achieved in the past. Something you are proud of.

I’m gonna suggest that the road you took to get that achievement was more like a maze than a straight road. Full of random coincidences and a little bit of luck. A hotpotch of a journey, some you planned, some you didn’t but ultimately you got there. You did it.

Now, let’s just imagine that wonderful future place, all is as should be in your world. That utopia. Keep it in mind and think. I am going to be there and what do i feel like doing right now that might bring that place just a tiny step closer.

With the understanding that the choice you make is he next small choice you go about moving closer to your goal without the stress or question about whether you are moving toward you goal or not. The path may be a winding one but if you make each choice as you go, you’ll know that you are getting closer to the place you truly want to be.

28/08/2019
Your Thoughts

Your relationship with your mind can be complicated. All your experiences have led you to how you think, feel and react to what happens day to day.

If your conversation revolves around negative thoughts you’re reinforcing your belief that you’re not good enough as you are. If this is consistent you’ll be leading yourself to more unhappy thoughts and ultimately this will form your image of yourself.

The opposite is also true. If you consistently encourage yourself to be positive and accept that you are good enough as you are, your regular day will guide you to a more positive image of yourself.

As always good company will help with this.

Stay in touch with Good Company
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28/08/2019