Residents urged to get creative ahead of Northamptonshire Reclaim the Night march

People across Northamptonshire are being encouraged to get creative and make colourful placards to help raise awareness of violence against women and girls ahead of a Reclaim the Night march.

Northamptonshire Rights & Equality Council (NREC) is holding a free placard-making session on Saturday, November 14, inviting residents to come together and create messages calling for safer communities.

The event, called Reclaim the Night – Let's Get Creative, will take place at WACA in Rock Street, Wellingborough, from 1pm to 2pm.

All materials will be provided and no artistic experience is needed, with organisers stressing that everyone is welcome to take part, whether they want to make a bold design or simply show their support.

The placards will be made in preparation for a Reclaim the Night march on December 4, which aims to highlight the importance of tackling violence against women and girls and ensuring people feel safe in their communities.

NREC said the afternoon would offer an opportunity for creativity, empowerment and solidarity, while bringing people together to express themselves and raise awareness.

The organisation is encouraging participants to bring friends, relatives or colleagues and help spread the message of positive change.

It said: “Together, let's turn creativity into action, raise our voices and create powerful messages for change.”

Reclaim the Night events have a long history of campaigning for women's safety, with marches providing a public opportunity to challenge violence and harassment and advocate for the right to feel safe after dark.

In Northampton, an annual march organised by Northamptonshire Rape Crisis is due to take place on Friday, November 27, with participants gathering at the Co-op car park on Barry Road at 6.15pm.

The march, which typically attracts between 90 and 150 people, will travel along Wellingborough Road and Abington Street towards All Saints' Church.

Northamptonshire Rape Crisis, which marks its 40th anniversary this year, provides counselling, emotional support and assistance through the criminal justice process to people affected by sexual violence.

Its chief executive, Dawn Thomas, previously told the Chronicle & Echo that the annual march was about communities coming together to make clear that everyone should be safe at night.

The November 14 creative session is free, with places available through NREC's registration link. Organisers hope the event will encourage people of all ages and artistic abilities to participate.