FAQs
Here, you can find all the information you need to figure out if this day is for you and what you need to do to prepare. If you have a question that is not answered here, please drop us an email at: info.africolab.uk@gmail.com with BPL in the subject line.
When is it?
Monday 20th July 2026 7:45am - 7pm including travel from St Leonards-On-Sea to Charleston and back. (Times are approximate due to traffic) The event starts at 9:30am and finishes at 5:30pm
What are the timings for the day?
The day unfolds gently, with space to arrive, settle, and be present: - 7:45am – We gather at Afri-Co-Lab, 3 Marine Court, TN38 0DX, St Leonards-on-Sea, to board the coach together, travelling to Charleston in Firle. - Along the way, we stop at Lewes Train Station to welcome more guests joining us for the day. - 9:30am – We arrive at Charleston, where teas, coffees, fruit and pastries will be waiting. - 12:30pm / 1 pm – Lunch, provided by us. - 5:30 pm – We close the day together, before travelling back as a group. -We will stop at Lewes Train Station on the way back as well. The rhythm of the day may shift a little depending on where we are as a group. We ask that you protect your time and give yourself fully to the day. If you do need your phone on for a specific reason, please let us know in advance.
Can I arrive late/leave early?
Unfortunately no. We ask that you commit to the whole day, arriving and leaving as a group. We’ve arranged shared transport to and from Charleston, which has its own specific timings. It is important that we all start and end the day together. We have also carefully planned the day to flow in order to make the most out of the time and to support our facilitators. We also realise we will be meeting people for the first time- it is hard to hold space with intention and care for all if folks arrive in the middle of a session, or leave before we have ended the day.
I have specific access needs- can I be supported?
Please email info.africolab.uk@gmail.com with BPL in the subject line
Who is this day for?
Global Majority adults, living or working in Hastings, Rother & East Sussex, who hold space for others in their lives. You might be an artist, creative, therapist, carer, nurse etc or you may have caring responsibilities outside of your work. You may have to hold specific racialised space in your work. This is a creative away day for those who are often left holding space to support others and who might not have a space to be held. Global Majority is a collective term that refers to people who are Black, Asian, Brown, indigenous to the Global South, dual-heritage with heritage from the Global South and/or racialized. We use this as it is a phrase that is more empowering than ethnic minority/BAME etc Holding Space for us means you are responsible for caring, the well being of another person and/or group. You might have to look after folks in high pressure or emotional situations as the space holder you often do not have space to centre your needs.
What if I can't make it?
Please let us know as soon as you can. Latest by 17th July midnight. This will support us to try and allocate your place to someone else. It will also allow us to make changes to our planning. If you cancel your spot after 17th July this becomes really tricky for us as it means we will still incur the costs of the spot without necessarily being able to re-allocate it. As we have had many folks cancel last minute or not turn up after booking we have put into place a rule which means for future free to attend ACL events we will have to ask for a deposit to secure your place. Please see our full cancellation policy below -Cancellation Requests: If you need to cancel your registration for the event, please notify us in writing at info.africolab.uk@gmail.com with your name and reason for cancellation by midnight on 17th July 2026. -Late Cancellation/No-shows: If you cancel after this date or are a no-show, you will be asked to pay a deposit to attend any future free-ticketed Afri-Co-Lab events with limited spaces. -Transfer of Tickets: If you cannot attend and would like to transfer your ticket to another person, please check in with us first via email at info.africolab.uk@gmail.com. Breathe Play Laugh is a curated event designed to meet the needs of everybody who attends. It's important for us to know who is attending so we can make sure everybody feels included and welcomed. -Cancellation or Postponement by the Organisers Event Cancellation Policy: In the unlikely event that Breathe Play Laugh is cancelled by Afri-Co-Lab or the venue, we will contact you as soon as possible. We will make every effort to reschedule the event. If we are unable to rearrange Breathe Play Laugh, you will be given priority for a spot at the next Breathe Play Laugh event.
How much does it cost?
It is free. What?! I know FREE. It is important for us to remove barriers to this type of rest and restorative practice as we know this is often a barrier for many to explore this type of space. The day is costed at around £300 per person and we have worked really hard to fundraise for this in order to make it free to all participants. Last minute cancellations and no-shows have a big impact on the day. The funds invested in your spot don't get used and it also affects our ability to secure funding for future events. . Additionally we often have more interest than space available, so when someone doesn't show up it means another person misses out.
How do I get there?
Charleston is located in Firle, East Sussex. The full address is: Charleston, Firle, BN8 6LL. We have arranged a coach to travel from our home in St Leonards-on-Sea, with a stop at Lewes train station to pick up more guests along the way. We hope you’ll join us for the journey – though you are of course welcome to make your own way there. Detailed travel information, including directions by car, public transport and on foot, can be found on the Charleston website - https://www.charleston.org.uk/getting-here-charleston-in-firle/ If you choose to make your own way, please ensure you stick to the transport or meeting point you have confirmed with us.
What do I need to bring?
We will be working both indoors and outside, so please wear weather-appropriate clothing and layers to put on or take off - we will let you know what the weather will be like nearer to the time. We will be moving so please wear or bring comfortable clothing and flat shoes/trainers. If you have a reusable water bottle, please bring it. There will be time to reflect and write down thoughts so please bring a notebook -if this is something you would like to do (we will have paper on the day)
How can I prepare for the day?
We will send you a confirmation email to let you know that you have secured your place. We will also be in touch with a gentle reminder Finally, we will send you an email the day before our gathering with any last bits of info.
What can I expect to happen on the day?
We begin at 9:30am with fruit, teas, coffees and pastries – time to arrive, breathe, and meet one another. The day has been thoughtfully shaped by Afri-Co-Lab’s own Anna Maria Nabirye, with sessions created by Hastings-based artists Morokoth Fournier des Corats & Shreyans Iyer. Together, they will guide you through three distinct offerings across the day: Activity 1 A guided walk with Anna Maria through the beautiful grounds of Charleston – time to reconnect with your body and the world around you some gentle movement exercises too. Activity 2 A sound-making workshop with Shreyans, centred on the voice as a tool for expression and release. Activity 3 A Monoprinting to Music session with Morokoth – a joyful, meditative practice that you will leave with your own prints to take home. Breaks and refreshments Plus plenty of time of breaks and to reflect Lunch is provided, and we will eat together. There will be a selection of snacks throughout the day to keep you nourished and fuelled.
What can I expect to happen after the day?
We will be in touch to find out your thoughts and feedback of the day and we will continue to invite you with your permission to other events happening at Afri-Co-Lab
Who are our funders?
Necessity, Arts Council England and National Lottery
Who will be there?
We will have Charleston entirely to ourselves while the house is closed to the public, except for Charleston staff members on site. Afri-Co-Lab’s Tomi & session artist Morokoth will travel with you from St Leonards to Charleston, where you will meet Tan who will be supporting the day and artist Shreyans. We will be with you for the whole day, and travel back together on the coach.
I am not an artist/creative/mover/ is that okay?
Yes - of course! Though we are using creative and artistic practices throughout the day there is no experience or specific skills needed- just an openness to try and meet the exercise with wherever you are at.