COMMUNITY PROGRAMME
Our Community Programme has been designed for those seeking support in their next step towards healing. Explore our projects to find out how you can get involved.
Find out more & get involved
In January 2024 Gymnasts for Change became a registered charity in the UK and received a significant grant from a human rights funder to facilitate our survivor led advocacy and support. In spring 2024 we will be launching a range of new community programmes, advocacy & support services. Part of our work will be the development of a brand new membership website to connect survivors in the sport and champion peer to peer campaign and advocacy activities with the aim of transforming the culture of the sport world wide.
Sign up to our mailing list to be part of this exciting next phase of development for our movement.
our projects
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Gymnasts for Change Archive & ORAL HISTORY PROJECT
In January 2024 Gymnasts for Change received funding to create a digital and physical archive of photographs, objects and oral history. The purpose of the archive is to document the work of whistleblowers, change makers and activists in the sport who have been brave enough to challenge British Gymnastics & the Federation International Gymnastique’s abusive coaching practices. By sharing lived experiences, the archive will function as a resource to normalise the breaking of the silence of abuse in the sport to ensure the history of gendered oppression in gymnastics is not forgotten.
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challenging BG's Rules, conduct & complaint procedures
In December 2023 a team of Gymnasts for Change campaigners authored an Open Letter to British Gymnastics. Copied into the letter were Mike Darcy, chair of the BG board, Sally Mundy Chief Executive of UK Sport, Tim Hollingsworth CEO Sport England, Richard Harry CEO Sports Resolutions & Christopher Quinlan KC the Independent Person overseeing the Independent Complaints Processe (ICP) which was commissioned by British Gymnastics. The mission of our ‘ICP Working Group’ is to challenge the rules, conduct & procedures of BG as set out in the ICP Protocol. We see the ‘Protocol’ as organised oppression of athletes by National Governing Bodies, via non-legal processes. As such we understand the ‘protocol’ as a tool of statecraft used to maintain the imbalance of power within sport.
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Performing Resistance ARTS PROGRAMME
Art has the power to bring people together and has always played an important role in challenging norms & telling stories of disenfranchised communities. It is used as a tool for healing individuals and communities who have experienced trauma & as a form of protest against oppressive systems. Performing Resistance is a space for affected people to experience empowerment through fellowship, to demand social justice and advocate for change. In spring 2024 we will launch a new program of workshops, talks, podcasts and events. Sign up to our mailing list to get involved.
Poster Image: UN Convention on th Rights of a Child with the letters BG Redacted