Reclaiming My Place

Reclaiming My Place’ is an eight-week, arts informed program, delivered in partnership with community-based services and learning partners, to support creative exploration and opportunities for engagement in lifelong learning.

The program aims to provide spaces for women to build confidence and discuss the possibility of study, often at a time when they are re-building their lives and those of their children.

The program, developed by the Centre of Excellence in Equity in Higher Education in 2018, was initially rolled out across Newcastle sites in collaboration with women’s homelessness service NOVA for Women and Children, The Canopy’s Child & Family Services, and community learning partners. Since 2019 the program has continued to expand, including working across sites in Singleton and Cessnock in partnership with Singleton Family Support.

‘Reclaiming My Place’ is led by CEEHE Learning Community Partnerships Officer Felicity Cocuzzoli, an artist/practitioner who has worked across child, family and community spaces in the Hunter, Newcastle and Port Stephens for more than twenty-five years. A proud descendent of the Wiradjuri Nation, Felicity is deeply committed to engaging with communities in and through art.

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RMP Evaluation Summary Document

Claim Our Place is a feminist online arts-based program for women who have lived experiences of gender based violence and advocates. The program is free of charge and art materials are provided for all participants. The workshops currently run weekly and students can join at any time during semester.

Claim Our Place builds on Reclaiming My Place and brings the program to an on campus (both virtually and physically)  setting. This program was piloted in the 'Understanding the impact of gender-based violence on accesss to and participation in higher education project'.

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Partners

Uni4You (University of Newcastle)

Singleton Family Support

The Canopy

Maryland Neighbourhood Centre

NOVA for women and children

TAFE NSW Pathways Employability

Interrelate Newcastle