Create and Change is our project with Dolphin Women’s Centre taking place every Tuesday, where we provide weekly arts and wellness sessions with women from Ward End. These sessions provide a space for women to engage in various activities such as seasonal outdoor workshops, crafting, drama, meditation and wellness discussions. Our aim is to foster connections, encourage self-expression, and create a supportive environment where participants can make new friends.
Over the past few months, we have worked with artist Abeda Begum to deliver embroidery workshops. Each session saw women of different skill levels come together to create, learn, and support one another. The workshops evolved into a vibrant community where creativity and camaraderie flourished.
Session Highlights:
- Creative Beginnings: Our first session was filled with enthusiasm as participants tried their hand at embroidery, with some initially hesitant but eventually succeeding with encouragement. The group’s creativity began to shine through as they designed and crafted their pieces.
- Growing Participation: The response was overwhelmingly positive, with attendance growing each week. Abeda skilfully adapted the activities to accommodate the varying needs of the participants, ensuring that everyone, regardless of skill level, could contribute to the group projects.
- A Sense of Community: The sessions have not only been about crafting but also about building relationships. Participants have started taking creative ownership of their work, contributing ideas, and even discussing broader topics like translation and cultural memory. One participant shared, “I am looking forward to sessions and I can’t wait to do different nice stuff!”
- Art and Wellbeing: The workshops have been a space for personal growth, especially for women facing challenges. The group has become a calm, supportive environment where everyone feels valued and involved.
- Creative Progress: The group expressed pride in their collaborative efforts. The final embroidered wall hanging is a testament to the creativity and teamwork that has developed over the sessions.
We are excited about the ongoing collaboration with Dolphin Women’s Centre and look forward to next term, where we will be working in collaboration with Shakespeare Birthplace Trust to work with their archive.
