Youmanity

Youmanity is a UK-based organisation founded in 2008, registered as a charity in May 2018, and based in London.^[2][a]

Youmanity

Founded	1 June 2008 (2008-06-01)
Founder	Angelo Iudice^[1]
Type	Charitable organisation^[2]
Registration no.	England and Wales: 1178295
Focus	Human Rights Social Equality
Website	https://www.youmanity.today/

Charity work

 

Acid attack victims supporting one another at Sheroes Hangout Cafe, by Debdatta Chakraborty.

Youmanity sponsors an annual photography award,^[5] mental health^[6] and education projects.

Youmanity Award for photography

Since 2010, the organisation has held an annual photography competition, focused on cultural diversity, with a £1,000 prize.^[7] Each competition has a theme. In 2012, for example, the theme was "Migration, Stories of a Journey".^[4] In 2019 the theme was "Friend-Ship";^[8] Debdatta Chakraborty was the winner for his shot of the Sheroes Hangout café in India.^[9][10] In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the theme was "Friend-Ship During Challenging Times".^[6] The winner was ‘A kiss from across the miles’ by Nicola Parker, a mobile screenshot taken during lockdown portraying an 80-year-old grandmother blowing a kiss from a nursing home.^[11][12]

Youmanity education project

In 2019, Youmanity led a two-year student-centred learning project to support vulnerable children at risk of abandoning education. The 2SMILE project was funded by the European Commission's Erasmus Programme.^[13]

'Chill-out' train carriages

In October 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic and ahead of World Mental Health Day,^[14] it devised a 'mindfulness' campaign^[15] featuring the world's first 'chill-out' train carriages, plus 'meditation corners' in stations, to reduce commuter anxiety.^[16][17][18] Project collaborators included wellbeing movement Thrive LDN and the Braincharge meditation app, with users able to listen to rustling trees and birdsong, plus soothing music, while waiting for trains.^[19] As well as gaining attention in London media, the initiative was reported in US publication The New Yorker.^[1]

References

1. Until 2015,^[3] it was known as 'Accademia Apulia', "a non-profit network of professionals in the United Kingdom".^[4]

1. Russell, Anna (19 February 2022). "The train wants you back". New Yorker. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
2. "Charity Commission Registration". 8 May 2018. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
3. "Certificate of Incorporation on change of name". Companies House. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
4. "News (1 March 2012): Migration, Stories of a Journey: Accademia Apulia Photography Award 2011 Winner Announced". International Organization for Migration. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
5. "Madres Terra project wins Carlos Saavedra a Youmanity Award". Royal Photographic Society. RPS. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
6. Brown, Ed (24 November 2020). "Social distance does not mean emotional isolation – celebrate your friendships". Mental Health Today. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
7. "Art charity opens friendship photography competition as part of suicide prevention campaign". Mental Health Today. 16 September 2019. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
8. "Friend-Ship Photography Award 2019 - Youmanity". Pixcontests – Photo Contests of the World. Retrieved 2020-12-02.
9. "2019 Youmanity Photography Award". Papyrus UK | Suicide Prevention Charity. 2019-11-08. Retrieved 2020-12-02.
10. Papyrus UK. "2019 YOUMANITY PHOTOGRAPHY AWARD". Retrieved 6 January 2022.
11. Pritchard, Michael. "Screenshots celebrate lockdown friendship and togetherness". Royal Photographic Society. RPS. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
12. Thrive LDN. "Winners of Youmanity's Friend-Ship screenshot competition announced". Retrieved 6 January 2022.
13. Ruiz Garcia, Ana (8 May 2019). "2SMILE Project". Erasmus Journal. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
14. Whitehead, Joanna (6 October 2021). "London's DLR launches 'Chill-out' carriages in trains to reduce commuter anxiety". Independent. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
15. Manch, Lydia (15 October 2021). "Every (Inner) Journey Matters: Mindfulness Carriages Launch On The DLR". Londonist. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
16. Wilkinson, Chiara (7 October 2021). "The DLR has new chill out carriages". Time Out. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
17. Lydall, Ross (6 October 2021). "DLR gets 'chill-out' carriages to reduce Covid back-to-work anxiety". Evening Standard. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
18. d'Emilio, Isabella (10 October 2021). "Brand new DLR carriages where passengers are encouraged to meditate surrounded by calming photos of mountains". My London. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
19. Khalil, Hafsa (19 October 2021). "I tried the new 'meditation corners' and 'chill-out' carriages on the DLR – here's my honest opinion". Evening Standard. Retrieved 21 February 2022.

External links

• official website