On Saturday 22 March, together with our families, friends and allies, will gather in fierce beauty to raise awareness of the importance and value of care.
We will walk and sing with our heads held high, our messages shining bright, claiming our honour and dignity, and that of those who will be absent due to caring responsibilities or being cared for, and we are calling for change!
This will be a peaceful, beautiful and family-friendly event with performances, lanterns with women’s messages, large figurines wearing dresses printed with women’s messages, invitations to sing, finding and representing strength in togetherness. We will be seen!
How can I get involved?
- Sign-up to walk in solidarity, allyship & sisterhood. Carry one of the 200+ placards & lanterns created by carers & caregivers who can’t join the procession due to caring responsibilities, health, or mobility restrictions. Placards have been created as part of the Carers Strike project lead by the Invisible Army. Sign-up here to take part and carry a placard or lantern.
- Make a crown to bring to the procession: Make an illuminated crown to bring to the procession [instructions below]
- Learn BYOB I care? Do you? song: This song has been written especially for the procession – scroll down to view and hear the full song, broken down in easy to learn parts.
This event is part of the Bristol Community Festival.
Route & Meeting Points
We will meet by the entrance of Castle Park, opposite St Nicholas Street.
We will gather at 6:30PM and start with hearing from speakers of lived-experiences. BYOB Choir will be singing us through the procession with a song written especially for the procession: I Care, Do You?. You can learn the song ahead of the procession here: https://www.byobchoir.co.uk/
What3words reference: https://w3w.co/olive.scarcely.plank
Make your own Crown
Materials Needed:
- A4 or A3 sheet of cardstock or thin cardboard (e.g., cereal box)
- Scissors
- Tape or a stapler
- Glue (PVA or glue stick)
- Decorating materials (markers, crayons, stickers, glitter, tissue paper, foil, etc.)
Instructions:
- Measure & Cut the Base
- Measure around the child’s head with a strip of paper/cardboard (~5-7cm wide)
- Cut the strip and ensure it fits before securing the ends.
- Create the Crown Shape
- Draw and cut zigzags, arches, or points along one edge to create a crown effect.
- If needed, attach an extra strip to make it long enough to fit.
- Decorate Freely!
Add stars, hearts, patterns, or your own symbols of care and light.
4. Assemble the Crown
- Once decorated, staple, tape, or glue the ends together to form a loop.
- Ensure it’s comfortable and secure.
5. Optional: Add Lantern Elements
- Attach small tissue paper pieces or foil to reflect light beautifully during the procession.
- Use glow-in-the-dark stickers or light dabs of glow paint for extra shine
Now, the crowns are ready for the Shining a Light on Care lantern procession! ✨👑
What is this procession about?
This event is part of the Caring Economy Campaign, on employers, the West of England Combined Authority (WECA), Bristol City Council and national government to adopt the caring economy as a strategic driver for investment across public services, training, skills, transport, environmental sustainability and for those disadvantaged by poverty and discrimination.
We are an alliance of organisations in Bristol representing its diverse communities: Bristol Black Carers, Bristol Women in Business, Bristol Women’s Commission, Bristol Women’s Voice, Carers Support, Chinese Community Wellbeing Society, Co-Produce Care, WECIL and Women’s Budget Group.
We ask:
- What value have you placed on the caring economy?
- Where is care on your priority list for the future?
- What can you do to support a caring economy?
- How will you ensure this commitment becomes a reality?
