The Stories from The Story Bank
Read the stories of Ian, Kristie or Diana
Ian's story: from NCBI to Occupy LSX and being a witness in Palestine.
About Ian
Ian Chamberlain is a writer, human rights campaigner and activist in the Occupy the London Stock Exchange movement (LSX). From 2008 to November 2010 Ian volunteered and worked with NCBI Lancashire.
Since participating in his first NCBI workshop Ian has been on an amazing journey, and following training with the Quakers, is now an ecumenical accompanier in Palestine. This means being present with Palestinians as a witness, helping to make their lives easier when they are passing through checkpoints or sensitive areas, and minimising the conflict with Israeli security forces.
Ian's story
"A positive and transformational experience"
I remember my first workshop with NCBI. I had never done anything like it before. I had been shy at school, and was anxious about speaking in public and introducing myself to a group of strangers.
However, it was a positive and transformational experience. I told the group of my experience of homophobia. They appreciated my story, and people began celebrating me as a gay man. This was the start of a journey for me, and I now speak out in public and address audiences of 500 people and more.
Speaking to the sixth form at Morecambe High School during our work for Holocaust Memorial Day was a highlight of the work I've done. I associate school with bullying and homophobia, so when young people engaged with my story and appreciated my identity, something changed.
"Pushing through powerlessness and realising potential"
Through NCBI I realised there was excitement in meeting people I would not meet in my everyday life and seeing potential where it is not always recognised. At the General Assembly of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Union, I led a break-out group. A young black woman made important contributions to our discussion, and I asked her to give the feedback to the larger group. She refused because she was too shy, so I offered to be with her at the microphone. She did it, and people clapped and cheered her. She was beaming afterwards, knowing that she had pushed through her fears.
NCBI taught me an appreciation of diversity, how to support and encourage others, how to push through powerlessness and the messages in our head that say "I can't!", and to enjoy the excitement of being out of my comfort zone.
"I am having the time of my life... NCBI is part of that"
The biggest gift anyone has is the strength of our interpersonal relationships and being able to bring out the skills in others. NCBI workshops offer a safe place to practise the skills we need to build relationships within and across communities, and giving the confidence to take them into everyday life.
Meeting individuals and connecting with communities I would not necessarily meet in my daily life and hearing people's stories and experiences gives me the confidence to take on challenges I would have shied away from previously. Two years ago I would never have dreamt I would be appearing on TV and radio, and going to Palestine as a witness. I am having the time of my life and the skills I learnt with NCBI are part of that.
Kristie's story: making friends and supporting breastfeeding mums.
About Kristie
Kristie is a Christian living in a small market town in the Fylde, which is predominantly white. She first became involved with the NCBI as a student, before going on to set up her own chapter in Cork, Ireland.
After moving to Lancaster she became involved with NCBI, running a project in schools in Fleetwood and helping with community workshops. She is currently working for a breastfeeding charity.
Kristie's story
Overcoming self-doubt and making connections
I use the skills I've developed from my involvement with NCBI everyday. From talking to people at the NCBI workshops I've realised that many people feel isolated and marginalised. I've also learnt that it's important to try to overcome my self-doubt and make connections with people.
Because of this, I make an effort to talk to different people in my town. For instance, I speak to lone dads at mother and toddler groups, the only non-white person in the doctors' waiting room, and the sole young woman at a conference full of older people.
I have also become friends with an Asian woman and we have great conversations. I asked her what it's like to be a Muslim in my town. She feels that others view her as a "foreigner" and told me that I'm the only person who talks to her.
Using my NCBI skills in my current work
I am also using my NCBI skills in my current work for a breastfeeding charity. I encourage people to think about their emotions, and how these impact on the support they give to new breastfeeding mums.
The skills I have learnt allow me to live out my Christian faith – they help me to love people for who they are and to be alongside them.
Diana's story: challenging our prejudices and listening to others.
About Diana
Following a career working with younger people, Diana came to Lancaster to study conflict resolution.
After attending an event put on as part on the NCBI Lancashire's work for Holocaust Memorial Day, Diana decided to become further involved in their work.
She helped with administration in the office, and then became involved in training and team building.
Diana's story
"Blown away" by the NCBI’s work
I attended the Holocaust Memorial Workshop, as I thought it would be interesting, particularly as I had visited Israel and Palestine the year before. At the workshops were a panel of people with different perspectives on Holocaust Memorial Day, including a Palestinian man who had been raised in a refugee camp, a female Israeli Jewish activist, a male American Jewish Zionist, and a young man of mixed heritage. They each talked about how prejudice had impacted them. I was blown away by the fact that these people were on the same panel with the opportunity to listen to each other's points of view. It inspired me to become further involved.
"My prejudices are all to do with myself"
From the NCBI workshops I've attended I've learnt that my prejudices are affected by my history. Most people have certain prejudices against others because of their age, religion or so on. They are to do with the past. They are stuff we carry round with us that has nothing to do with the here and now. I've learnt that my prejudices are all to do with myself, and not the person standing in front of me.
"We have the power to change our prejudices"
NCBI has a very positive impact, because it teaches us that we have the power to change our prejudices, and shows us how. We can gain insight from hearing stories from people who are different to ourselves.
My dissertation focused on the community around Lancaster, and whilst everyone thought it was a great place to live, I learnt that minorities experience racism daily. The white, middle-class majority would be shocked to hear this, but they don't get to hear stories from different people. We need to create networks throughout communities, and for this to happen people need to meet and communicate.
My work with NCBI helped me cut through the problem of being white, middle-class and not knowing the experiences of others. Being in a dominant group means it's easy to act in a way to hurt a minority group, without even knowing it. We have a responsibility to try to understand and hear stories, and to look into our patterns of behaviour through which we unwittingly oppress others.