15 Jul ##sewinspeakout Schools craftivism project with World Aims in Methodist Schools
Late last year (2013) I delivered a talk and workshop at World AIMS annual residential weekend with Methodist School students & teachers from across the UK. There were approximately 70 students and teachers in the session and feedback from all ages was really positive. Teachers spoke about how they could use craftivism in their Global Citizenship classes as well as art and textile classes. All teachers received a copy of our A Little Book of Craftivism to take back to school with them for inspiration. World AIMS, students and teachers enjoyed the session so much they asked us to create a national schools project with them.
Tweets from participants on this craftivism project
The craftivism Love Fashion Hate Sweatshops #sewinspeakout project with World AIMS launched March 2014 to engage students and others on the issue of sweatshops and support War on Want’s campaign: Love Fashion Hate Sweatshops. We provided instruction sheets, case studies & questions for students to read and reflect on whilst they stitch their message as well as suggested content for their patch such as facts, quotes and slogans to provoke themselves and viewers to engage in this issue.
World AIMS is a charity that provides a range of teaching resources and sources of inspiration for helping learners find out more about the world around them. It’s vision is: “A world where poverty and injustice are always challenged, in order that people may exercise their rights and live with dignity”.
Students and teachers have been asked to stitch patches (that look like our Mini Protest Banners) for a large banner that is now on display at Methodist Conference.
Tweets from participants on this craftivism project
“It acts as a reminder that the small action of an individual has caused a much bigger reaction to a wider audience, posing a question, forcing us to stop, think and reflect, perhaps motivating us to take action with those in a position to change these conditions.”
Tweets from participants on this craftivism project
“The campaign is still going and what has been really inspiring to see is how the campaign has spread from beyond the schools to members of Methodist Women in Britain as well as children from Methodist Churches.”
We have now exceeded over two hundred banners, from at least eight of our schools. There are currently some of the mini banners on display at the Methodist Conference and the aim is to do a hand-in to Downing Street in mid September and we look forward to inviting some of our students and staff to attend this event. It is also fantastic to see the campaign continue to grow in strength via twitter, so please keep the campaign alive by tweeting about it using the hashtag #SewInSpeakOut, It is also not too late to produce some banners over the summer that we could also hand in to Downing Street!
Tweets from participants on this craftivism project
“I have been astounded by the strength of feeling behind this campaign from the students involved. This only seeks to highlight how young people have a voice and also have the power to use it.”
Tweets from participants on this craftivism project
Craftivist Collective is a social enterprise that relies on your support! If you enjoyed this blog post, please comment or share.
Do visit our shop too, where all profits support the work of Craftivist Collective. You can also donate via Paypal.
If you would like to write a guest post for the Craftivist Collective blog, email us at hello@craftivist-collective.com
No Comments