Inspire Issue 3

PEOPLE
Inspired to share her own story
In our last magazine we shared the story of Helen, who has been brightening
up Will Griffiths Court by running art classes for fellow residents.
Rosetta Ceesay, a resident of Patrick Roddy Court, was
inspired to share her own story with us after reading
about Helen’s interesting life.
“When we got the magazine delivered, the first thing I noticed
was the painting on the front cover. It was impressive to see the
skills that Helen was sharing with the residents at the scheme in
Moss Side.
“I’m an artist too, you see, and some of my own paintings are
up on the walls of the sheltered schemes across Manchester.
In my life I’ve worked as an art therapist for many years
working with terminally ill children, as well as in Africa.”
Rosetta’s life around the world has been the basis of her
creative talents:
“I’ve done a lot of travelling throughout my life. Whilst
living in Australia, I had a gallery where I would paint using
aboriginal styles. When I moved back to the UK, I ran
art galleries over here that exhibited work of African
descent which is my interest.
“I ran that gallery for a number of years, but after an accident
that meant I could no longer cope with going up four flights
of stairs, I had to find somewhere else to live. That’s how
I ended up in Patrick Roddy Court.”
Rosetta has spent part of her life working in Gambia, Africa.
Whilst setting-up a children’s charity in the village of Batti in
2003, she met her husband. Being based in Gambia meant
she could share her artistic skills with the community.
“When I went to Batti I wanted to pass on my love of crochet
and knitting with some of the younger people. I thought,
‘if I can get some of the young girls interested in this then
maybe they can make a bit of money doing it’.
“They worked on crocheting blankets for some of the older
members of the community to rest on. The girls that I taught
are now teaching others in the village. Last time I was there
we had 23 people all coming together to knit hats and earn
some money from their products.”
Since returning to England, Rosetta hasn’t lost her connection
with the African country:
“People who’ve heard about my projects over there have
been very kind to donate big bags of yarn that the people
can use. Next time I go there at Christmas I want to go into
one of the local schools and help to teach the young people
English and art skills. We’ve also got gardening projects setup
too, and we’ve planted 210 trees to try and help the soil
erosion problem.
“My father-in-law lives in Batti and is 105 years old. He is
incredibly active and an inspiration to me. If I can get people
motivated to keep doing the things they get enjoyment from
by volunteering and helping in the community, then for me
that is life.”
If you would like to share
your inspirational story
you can email it to
inspire@onemanchester.co.uk
14
@onemcr