Some friendships are borne of a chat on a bus. Some are from childhood. And some are because you view the world in a similar way, and you want to make it a better place.
Oh and that person is also bloody lovely.
I first met Sarah, from the Craftivists way back when I was a committee member of Manchester WI. I got involved in her project #Iamapiece. She’s the founder of the Craftivist Collective, who look to make change through craft. She’s one of the hardest working people I know, and for those who know me, that’s saying something.
Since meeting, we’ve hand stitched letters to help push for Marks & Spencer to support The Living Wage. We’ve worn our hearts on our sleeves. And now we Dare to Dream.
I #DaretoDream is a project looking back, reflecting, whilst looking forward. Manchester’s event takes place on 22 September at the People’s History Museum, where alongside looking at the history of protest, and it’s impact on our world, you can add your voice to a chorus of those calling for change. But in a gentle, quiet way. The Craftivist way. I #DaretoDream is a project in collaboration with Heritage Open Days and supported by the Peoples Postcode Lottery.
During the day there’ll be opportunity to pop by the Museum and stitch a cloud, with your own positive message for the future. Everything will be provided for you, and it’s totally free of charge. And don’t worry if your stitching isn’t brilliant, or you can’t thread a needle. There’ll be plenty of volunteers on site to help – and if you run out of time, you can take it away with you to finish it.
Later on in the day, there’ll be a talk with Sarah, about changemakers, about the past and future of protest, and how it doesn’t always have to involve a placard and shouting in the street. Subtle, quiet craftivism is just as much part and parcel of calling for change.
In advance of the even itself, Sarah has sent me my cloud. I’ll be adding my dream of the future. It could be that I dare to dream of a world free from hunger. Or I dare to dream of equality. Or maybe, I dare to dream of a world without hate. You’ll just have to watch my social feed, or the hashtag #DareToDream to find out.
If you’d like to join us at the drop in Craftivism session on 22 September, you can find out more information here, and tickets to the afternoon talk here. And I hope to see you there.
Please note that this is an event for adults (16+), though there is likely to be a children’s event in the near future.