Those lucky enough to be at the event Our Grief – Black Women Speak at Sobell House hospice were treated to a rare and precious opportunity to bear witness to the impact on black women of loss and grief during the pandemic and the different ways in which it impacted their community. As a white bodied woman I seldom have the opportunity to hear those truths spoken in such an unfiltered way for very understandable reasons and this piece of work supported by Ubele and The Majonzi Fund will influence practise at many levels and help build up the vital evidence we need to change policy and increase understanding.   The session was held with great skill, generosity and insight by Yansie Rolston, Debi Lewinson-Roberts and Brian Quavar. Everyone present took something very rich and moving away from the experience and the conversation afterwards could have gone on a very long time. Connections have been made that will bear fruit in the future in Oxford in a number of different ways.


L-R Yansie, Liz (festival director), Debi and Brian