Know Yourself, Know Your Strength!

Celebrating Project Zazi

What is this website about?

Project Zazi is something unique to OTR taking an approach in supporting Young People of Colour which acknowledges the complex experiences of different races and cultures. This project should stand as a celebration of the work that Project Zazi has achieved and act as a reminder that there is an ongoing need for this kind of provision among Young Black People and Young People of Colour.

The name Zazi derives from meaning “Know yourself, know your strength” and its work aids Young People of Colour to be more in touch with themselves – “acting as the greatness that you are”. Through this experience I hope you can get to know Zazi as one would get to know the different parts of themselves.

Below is an organic analogy whereby each body part represents different aspects of Project Zazi:

  • The Head/The Cogs: that allow Project Zazi to function
  • The Mouth: What is Project Zazi
  • The Heart: Project Zazi and Young People of Colour
  • The Shirt: Importance of Culture to Zazi
  • The Arms: Project Zazi different resources
  • The Hands: Hands-on work of Zazi
  • The Legs: What drives Project Zazi
  • The Feet: Where Project Zazi is heading
See what each part means in detail!

The Team

Click on each team member to find out more about them!
Aishah
Lewis
Muneera
Asha
Kavita
Angela
Nicky

What is Project Zazi?

Project Zazi and its groups help young people of colour with their own identities and promotes positive mental health – whether that be gender, race and other forms of belonging.

Zazi is a project by OTR that aims to focus on Young People of Colour and provide meaningful mental health and wellbeing support for these minorities. Starting in 2018, Project Zazi is coming up to five years of successfully supporting and impacting the local community of young people; branching out the main OTR organisation, Zazi takes a pioneering approach which recognises that race and culture are key aspects that need to be understood in order to reach Ethnic Minority communities that are need of services provided by OTR.

The function of Project Zazi has been hugely successful, with 87% of over 387 total referrals to Zazi being Young Black person or Person of Colour – in comparison to OTR’s standard referrals of Young Black or Young People of Colour individuals being on average of only 12% over the course of 2018-2021.

Putting Young People at the Heart

As with the rest of the work of OTR, Project Zazi too puts “Young People at the Heart” of the work they conduct, but with the main difference of recognising that racism and discrimination can affect the way we feel and perceive ourselves.

Hence Zazi follows a “Black Empathic Approach” (Mavinga, 2009) that recognises values and sensitivity respond to the complexities of racial and cultural experiences of young people who identify as Black, African, South Asian, Caribbean or a Person of Colour. Zazi’s therapy and workshops are informed by the intersectionality between different social identities that Young People of Colour experience.

This approach that breaks down the usual power dynamic between charitable organisations and young people is unique to Zazi, and is missing in other organisations within Bristol. This illustrates that the five years Project Zazi has been running in has been effective in providing mental health support to Young Black People and People of Colour that no other organisation has been able provide.

Many of Zazi’s groups have had consistent members over the course of multiple years, developing a strong mentor to student relationship with the practitioners of Project Zazi. In particular, Zazi groups such as “Girl Talk” began with young girls wanting to air their frustrations out on their education in a safe space. With one member specifically mentioning how the extra curriculum that Zazi provides opens a discussion on topics that are missing from their normal educational curriculum, such as race and identity.

Understanding Cultures of Young People of Colour

Zazi has helped Young People of Colour to better understand their culture, come to terms with it, and acknowledge that there is intersectionality present, and how it may be changing, as well as how they should deal with it.

Since its start up over five years ago, Project Zazi on average every year has had over 90% of its referrals coming from a Black or Minority Ethnic Background, indicating that Zazi has successfully reached out to these other ethnic communities that seek the support that OTR provides for young people.

Zazi also provides a point of relation, because its teams members come from similar backgrounds and experiences. Providing this “Black Empathic” approach (Mavinga, 2009) that allows for Young People of Colour to talk and express their feelings on being a Young Person of Colour and how that has effected their life, which is unique and should be celebrated.

Project Zazi in itself has become a symbol for something that is personal to young people with many returning members forming the staffing team over the course of years. The space Zazi provides in its weekly group meet-ups and extra curriculum offers a place where young people are at the core, empowered to dictate what topics are discussed and what problems as Young Black people or People of Colour face. This is not usually replicated in other structured parts of their lives, such as education or in home environments.

What other resources Project Zazi has created

  • Black Bristol: this list of 25 young people under 25 highlights some of the incredible young black people and people of colour that are making waves in the city.
  • Hall of Magnificence: Celebrating the work and influence of young black individuals who have enriched the city of Bristol through their work and arts.
  • Zazi Library: a collection of resources and reading materials celebrating the voices of Black and Ethnic minorities. The library is updated quarterly to stay relevant and to help inform and inspire.
  • Amplify Podcast: Showcasing the ideas, experiences and knowledge of some of Bristol’s community that are doing amazing work. Acting as role models for a brighter future!

Hands-on Work with Schools and Organisations

Project Zazi offers an array of different weekly groups that young people can attend. A Zazi practitioner offers one-to-one talking therapies and, in cases where applicable, low intensity CBT that young people can access by ‘signing up’ online.

With the recent pandemic these services for young people are now also available remotely.

The groups that Project Zazi offer have been formed based off Bristol’s community and its rich history in activism, with many of these groups discussing topics of misogyny and patriarchy:

Masculinity groups

A place for young males which looks to understand what it means to be a “man” from multiple perspectives. Exploring patriarchy, misogyny, mental health and self expression in sessions.

For more information please contact: lewis@otrbristol.org.uk

'Chat about'

A place for young girl/women identifying groups to meet weekly, this group explores the world through the eyes of Women of Colour.

For more information please contact: muneera@otrbristol.org.uk

'Girl talk'

A safe space for young girl aged 12-25 aimed at thinking about the lived experiences of Black People and People of Colour and the intersectionality of topics such as gender and mental health.

For more information please contact: aishah@otrbristol.org.uk

'Speakers corner'

9 virtual sessions where Black People and People of Colour aged 16-25 have a safe space to discuss mental health, culture, identity and belongingness.

For more information please contact: kavita@otrbristol.org.uk

'Expressions'

Exploring identity, challenging society and affirming selfhood while exploring mental health through discussions, writing and performance. 12+ years.

For more information please contact: muneera@otrbristol.org.uk

Social Action projects

Unpacking elements of culture and mental health to support young people in becoming the change they wish to see in the world - with a focus on campaigning, activism, culture, history and intersectionality.

For more information please contact: lewis@otrbristol.org.uk

Sister's Circle

The Sisters’ Circle is a safe space to discuss issues such as gender inequality and islamophobia. We will use activities and workshops which aim to help build your emotional health, resilience and confidence.

Sisters’ Circle is every Friday 4pm – 6pm starting 8th April.

For more information please contact: asha@otrbristol.org.uk

If you are unable to contact the specific practitioner please contact zazi@otr.org.uk

or

You are a young person looking to sign up for Project Zazi please sign up below:

Sign up here

Driving Force and Importance

Driving force is created with there being such a demand with over 387 referrals from 2018-2022 and the consistent use of Zazi resources by young people over prolonged periods – seen with weekly attendance of groups offered by Zazi and consistent attendance of one to one talking therapies, that in some cases have lasted over prolonged times of months to years. The one to one talking therapies for some young people of Zazi have become an outlet for talking about their everyday matters, especially when home does not provide the space to do so. Currently Zazi depends on referrals coming from it’s members through word of mouth, whereby young people tell their friends about Zazi, however this can only go so far. With more resources Zazi could reach a wider sphere of influence and provide its services to more Young Black People and People of Colour.

15% of Bristol’s population live in the most deprived 10% of areas in England in 2019 (JSNA Health and Wellbeing Profile 2020/21) and 17,200 children (21%) grow up in these areas, so it is imperative that mental health support reaches all these young people, especially communities of Young Black People and Young People of Colour outside of Project Zazi’s usual sphere of influence.

Young Ethnic Minorities and People of Colour face challenges of stigmatisation growing up in deprived areas and if not given the space or outlook to express and talk about their problems they can be subjected to self-fulfilling prophecies.

There are many new young people of Black and Ethnic Minortiy backgrounds joining Project Zazi through collaborations with Golden Key, as well as many others. This constant influx of new Zazi members indicates a demand for the beneficial work OTR and Project Zazi bring to the Bristol community.

future of zazi

Aishah

I believe Zazi can be a long term project embedded through curriculums, community work and businesses; by sharing, promoting and working with us to deliver our programmes, ethos, aims and objectives. 

The future of Zazi is about taking responsibility and allowing Young Black People and People of Colour to flourish and strive, without unconscious bias, racism, inequality and ignorance always being a factor for us.

It is important to understand how individuals and communities are perceived and how it affects individual and collective wellbeing, growth, identity and development. Zazi will create long term opportunities for the communities they serve and ensure support, growth, information and guidance is accessible. We are here to serve our future generation, our future leaders.

Lewis

We are continually expanding our reach within our community, particularly in schools. I see Zazi becoming an integral part in shaping our community’s ideas around mental health and what it means to employ “self care”. I also see us continuing to create resources and ideas that help shape young people’s understanding of themselves, their culture and their magnificence.

Muneera

We hope to make a wider impact in society and do more impactful work that goes beyond just helping individuals. At the moment we are for young people rather than by young people. For Zazi to grow and be realised to its capacity, I believe we have to be brave enough to be a social movement rather than just a service. We have to think about strategies that allow us to think further than what is just the funding that is coming up. We have to be able to be the opportunity and a certain amount of confidence and revolutionary thinking has to be invested into believing that Zazi is a team that is not just about dealing with problems, “putting out fires” – there has to be a long term mentality.

I think Zazi will get there and these changes will come about, we as an organisation are going to have to be a bit more streamlined in what we do and to work smart and to work for the long term.

Asha

I believe Project Zazi will continue to grow and break barriers within the community – hopefully more Young Black/People of Colour will feel like they can access OTR services through Project Zazi and feel like there’s a space for them.

Kavita

More of the same! I think laying our foundations within our communities and having a strong project with a range of services, from high intensity counselling to mixed creative group work, is sensational. In the future I think we hope to have more of the same, we also want to do more work celebrating our young people and our team and plan events where all the groups can meet each other!

Angela

The hopes for the future of Project Zazi is more growth, more strength and more sustainability within the Black/POC communities. Hopefully, there can be more permanent funding and more staff to do more of the 1:1 and group work that we do.

Credits for this website

This project and website were put together by these fellow individuals from the Bristol area:

Working with OTR and the Zazi team has been a great experience, especially when everyone is so warm and friendly. It has been exciting to be able to celebrate Project Zazi and bring it to others.
Christopher Wan
Christopher WanResearcher
It has been an amazing experience to be able to show this great piece of work in an interactive technological perspective.
Camilo Pires
Camilo PiresWebsite Builder
Working on this project has been an awesome experience! Being able to express my passion for such an important and impactful cause really makes every brush stroke that much more rewarding!
Treasure Bayona
Treasure BayonaIllustrator
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Aishah

Who are you and what is your role?

My name is Aishah Shakoor and I am the Zazi Project Manager.

Why do you think Zazi is important?

Project Zazi is important as Black Young People and People of Colour should feel empowered as an active member of our society, allowing them to reach their full potential. Both systematically and systemically there are hindrances which create unnecessary barriers, injustice and inequality within black, brown and communities of colour.

Lewis

Who are you and what is your role?

I’m Lewis, and I am the Social Action Coordinator for Team Zazi. A lot of my work is centred around activism and social action – I work with young people to help them contact, explore and project their magnificence through campaigns, educational interventions and mentor dynamics.

Why do you think Zazi is important?

Representation is key in our field, and having a team of practitioners that are all from backgrounds and cultures that are not typically reflected in mental health spaces is absolutely essential to ensuring that our young people feel seen, heard and understood.

Muneera

Who are you and what is your role?

My name is Muneera and I am a development worker, and the whole idea of what I do is that I develop means of involving young people in innovative ways and try to reach out to Black People and Young People of Colour to help out in ways that benefit their mental health in ways that are different to rest of OTR.

At Zazi a lot of the young people have not previously heard of OTR – they come from communities that have victims where mental health has been weaponized against them.

We are having to breakdown stereotypes all the time; going to schools, colleges or engaging with young people in community centres with the stigma of OTR being a mental health service. So it is my job to think of ways in which we can break down these barriers. This is done in fun ways, educational ways, conversation and activities.

Why do you think Zazi is important?

  • I believe what Zazi is doing has not been done before in an intentional way. Project Zazi looks at the barriers that prevent specific communities from engaging and Zazi looks to tackle this and realises that mental health is not just something you face as an individual, but is something that is structural and societal.
 
  • Many other organisations jump to playing into stereotypes whereby they believe there is attrition with the culture at home and the culture with the rest of a young person’s life, assuming racist ideas.
 
  • OTR is important in it tackling how a person goes through stresses of culture, general stresses of being young, but also things such as racism, colourism, micro and macro aggressions and understanding how the way a person is perceived in the world and how it affects their mental health

Asha

Who are you and what is your role?

My name is Asha-Mariam. My role as a Community Development Worker is to provide assistance to young Somali people and their families as well as whole communities to bring about changes that we would like to see across Bristol. These changes may include things such as having a better understanding and knowledge of mental health as well as health in general, access to support services for those who need them, and providing a safe space for younger people to talk. A safe place for younger people within Bristol is extremely important, especially during these difficult times of uncertainty and social pressure.

Why do you think Zazi is important?

Project Zazi is important because it creates a more diverse space for young Black people and People of Colour to get a better understanding around their emotional wellbeing, health, identity and race. My role has allowed me to talk to many young Somali people about the barriers they face accessing mental health services and to ease the stigma surrounding mental health within the Somali community. This wouldn’t have been possible if project Zazi didn’t exist.

Kavita

Who are you and what is your role?

I am a low intensity CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) Wellbeing Practitioner. Before this year I helped create and deliver one of our therapeutic groups called ‘Speakers Corner’.

Why do you think Zazi is important?

I think Project Zazi is essential to addressing so many gaps in the healthcare system we have today.

Reducing stigma and going to communities to create bonds with them instead of saying they are ‘hard to reach’.

I think that too many black and brown people are receiving mental health support that doesn’t acknowledge their race, racism, generational trauma and the systems which don’t value them. So many practitioners don’t know how to talk about race and this means that young people aren’t comfortable with bringing it into the healing space – so it goes unaddressed.

It is also really important that we work with young people because early interventions where we empower them, educate them, inform them and allow them to be human and connect with others who share their experiences can do wonders for their wellbeing and can help with feeling isolated and alone when they grow older.

Angela

Who are you and what is your role?

I am Angela Mills and I am one of the Children & Young People’s Wellbeing Practitioners (In Training) I deliver 1:1 low-intensity CBT (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy) both in schools and within the community.

Why do you think Zazi is important?

Project Zazi is really important because it is in place to empower Young Black People and People of Colour through holistic Mental Health Support, which provides Young Black People and Young Person of Colour with better access to mental health services with both 1:1 and group sessions, I don’t feel as if mental health services were as accessible to our communities before Project Zazi. I also think Zazi is important because we equip professionals, communities, businesses and institutions with tools and knowledge to better support young people through our specialist training packages and workshop delivery, I am very passionate about these things.

Nicky

Who are you and what is your role?

I am Nicky and I am the one-to-one therapist for Project Zazi. My role as a therapist is to offer a safe, non-judgemental, confidential space in which a young person feels comfortable enough to share their experiences.

Why do you think Zazi is important?

It is essential that the young people I work with feel listened to, and that the space provided by reflects back to them that they matter, that they have a voice, that they deserve to take up space, and that they deserve to use therapeutic spaces, that their lives are important and yes, that they matter.

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