My creative volunteer projects

Hello! I’m Megha Dahdrai. I am currently studying English Literature at Royal Holloway; University of London and I have been a volunteer with Heston West Big Local since 2016. Over the years, I have taken part in planning and executing creative projects for various age groups. Being a dedicated member of the group led to me receiving a job offer as an art facilitator with Creative Spaces LDN.

Recently I was given the opportunity to run a project online with my best friend, Juhi Kumra. We help run the summer school together every year and make a rather brilliant team. We decided to work together to create a stimulating twelve-week program, Juni’s being drama-based and mine being art-based. Personally, during the lockdown, it has been impossible for me to find inspiration to create art – my hopes for this project are that it acts as a form of inspiration and a source of information for my participants.

The project I am working on focuses on the history and impact that LGBTQ+ artists, black artists and artists of colour have had on their corresponding art movements, as well as studying the concept of producing art during a revolution. I feel that these topics are relevant to the today’s society. I would like to develop my skills and knowledge as both an artist and a facilitator.

To anybody considering volunteering – I think that it is both hugely rewarding and gratifying, I would urge you to give it a try. I have had wonderful experiences, met amazing new people and it has shaped me as a person.