Fellows
Voices of the Water is co-led by a group of young people, aged 18-24. They are helping shape the programme’s direction, organising events, supporting others in the local community and documenting the process, whilst gaining practical skills and employment.
Ellie
Ellie Awcock is an illustrator, storyteller, observer of the world and collector of objects. A lover of vegetables (eating and growing them), travelling on trains and screaming into the ocean. Website: ellieawcock.com
BEING PART OF THE PROJECT MEANS: UNCOVERING STORIES, RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT OUR WATERWAYS, HIGHLIGHTING THE IMPORTANCE OF WATER FOR WELLBEING AND REDISCOVERING THE JOY IN MAKING AND RESEARCHING. I THINK MOST IMPORTANT is THAT WE USE THE STORY AND THE HISTORY OF THE RIVER FLEET AS A WARNING OF WHAT COULD HAPPEN TO OTHER RIVERS AROUND THE COUNTRY AND BEYOND.
CASSANDRA
Greetings! My name is Cassie. I was born to Filipino parents in Bilbao, Spain, and travelled to London in 2008. I am enrolled in my third and last year of university, pursuing an undergraduate Bachelor of Science in sustainability and the environment. Nature holds a special place in my heart, bridging me to my parents' rural upbringing in the Filipino countryside and grounding me in the present moment.
I became a member of Global Generation in 2017, around the age of 14, and today, I'm actively engaged in the VOW Project. My involvement stems from a profound recognition of water's significance and a deep-seated desire to foster a more harmonious relationship with it. I'm enchanted by the innate femininity of water, reflected in the delicate adornment of beaches with seashells and its role as a habitat for countless species. In a spiritual context, water's connection to the moon resonates deeply with me, as I also find solace and familiarity in the lunar presence. Like water, it's as though the moon offers me a sense of belonging—a cosmic sanctuary of sorts.
Nathan
I have been part of the Global Generation for 4 years now. I love it. When I first came to the Story Garden, I was inspired when myself and other young people helped design the model of the ‘Floating Garden’, the Global Generation’s Barge on Regent Canal. I felt like I was successful building it and this became the best moment of my life.
BEING A FELLOW IN THE VOICES OF THE WATER PROJECT HAS MADE ME REFLECT ON MY EMOTIONS, ESPECIALLY HOW MUCH I WAS HAVING FUN ON THE BEACH WHEN I WAS YOUNG. ALSO, IT MADE ME CONNECT WITH THE HIDDEN LOCAL RIVER FLEET. ONE OF MY BEST MEMORIES AS FELLOW WAS PERFORMING AT THE GRANT MUSEUM OF ZOOLOGY DURING THE PERFORMING PLANET ACTIVISM EVENT. WE ASKED THE AUDIENCE TO EXPRESS THEIR FEELINGS ABOUT THE CLIMATE AND OUR FUTURE.
Lucy
My name is Lucy and I am a fine art student exploring the power of the subconscious mind and weaving this through my practice, viewing art as a tool for freedom and revelation of our thoughts. I like to experiment new ways of creating interactive, reflective and sustainable art.
I HAVE BEEN PART OF GLOBAL GENERATION FOR YEARS NOW BECOMING A FELLOW FIRST IN THE VOICES OF THE EARTH' PROJECT AND NOW IN THE VOICES OF THE WATER, A JOURNEY THAT IS SUPPORTING MY PERSONAL GROWTH AS AN ARTIST OPENING UP INSPIRATIONS. I WORKED WITH PEOPLE THAT USE CREATIVITY IN THEIR PRACTICE WHICH GIVES ME NEW IDEAS. JOURNALING BECAME PART OF MY LIFE OUTSIDE GLOBAL GENERATION TOO AS WRITING HELPS ME TO PRACTISE GRATITUDE, TO HEAL AND TO RELEASE NEGATIVITY.
Sapphire
I’m currently studying A levels; sociology, geography, and criminology. I love studying geography as I think it helps people understand our planet better. Animals are my passion (especially my cat). This is because they make me feel more connected to nature. I like to observe them in silence. I also really like reading. At the moment I'm finding mystery books interesting because you never know what’s going to happen next!
BEING A PART OF THE VOICES OF THE WATER PROJECT HAS ALLOWED ME TO LEARN ABOUT OTHER OPINIONS AND STORIES SURROUNDING WATER, AND HAS GIVEN ME OPPORTUNITIES TO DO FUN AND UNUSUAL THINGS; IT HAS REMINDED ME OF HOW MUCH WATER IS PART OF OUR LIVES THROUGH CULTURE, MEMORIES, HISTORY AND WELLBEING
Maroua
I am currently based in London but my roots stretch to Algeria. I have interests in the social, cultural and creative spheres. I have a job in the fashion industry but on the side I enjoy creative writing like poetry. I have been part of Global Generation since 2016, where I joined as a young generator. I am inspired by the power of storytelling through different mediums and cultures and The Story Garden is a place where I could explore that.
THE VOICES OF THE WATER PROGRAMME INTRIGUED ME BECAUSE WE TOOK PART IN PROJECTS AND EVENTS IN WHICH PARTICIPANTS COULD LEARN AND BE AWARE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF WATER ENVIRONMENTALLY AND CULTURALLY. I PARTICULARLY ENJOY HEARING THE PERSONAL EXPERIENCES ASSOCIATED WITH WATER IN THE DIFFERENT CULTURES OF THE COMMUNITIES WE WORKED WITH. I’D LIKE TO CREATE A SPACE IN WHICH YOUNG PEOPLE CAN START A FRIENDSHIP THROUGH MEMORIES OF WATER AND THE WATER STORIES OF THEIR ANCESTORS.
Samirah
I have been in Global Generation for a long time. I first started with the Junior Chef club and then I became a Generator on a youth leadership programme at the old Skip Garden. At the moment I am studying Applied Science. I wanted to stay involved with the Story Garden and its team because they help the community from business to families and they bring people together with nature.
THIS PROJECT, AS WELL AS THE PREVIOUS VOICES OF THE EARTH, ALLOWED ME TO EXPRESS MYSELF AND BE CONNECTED WITH MY ROOTS. THE GLOBAL GENERATION PROJECTS HELPED MY PASSION FOR FOOD BECOME A WAY TO CONNECT WITH BANGLADESH AND SOMETHING I WANT TO PASS ON TO THE NEXT GENERATION.
Artwork by Ellie Awcock, Global Generation fellow