Developing Communities Through The Arts.

Hi, I'm Haylee, the founder of Make A Step.

 

It all started 10 years ago, I was travelling in Jamaica, in a small community, and as I spoke with local people, I discovered that my colourful and playful dress sense was a factor that allowed me to connect with many of them — despite the differences in our life experiences. It opened a space of safety, truth, and understanding.

 

They shared the difficulties of growing up, the joys of community, and the power of self-expression in their culture — and from that moment, I understood that creativity was a gift.

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I returned home with a strong vision to do something meaningful, and with this new realisation that my creativity was a gift, there was no looking back.

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My heritage is Jamaican and Montserratian, so I began the journey with Jamaica as the place where I would host my pilot project. As soon as I landed back in the UK, I felt a rush of inspiration and ideas — and then it came to me.

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A Creative Arts Programme, serving communities that may lack resources or face disadvantage. This is how I would use the gift of creativity — to serve others.

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And so it began.