Bristolians stitch together to break down cultural barriers

An organisation is helping to break down cultural barriers by bringing refugees and locals together to learn stitching skills.

The project Stitching Together was created by Bridges for Communities, which works with refugees in Bristol.

Some of the work produced by the women was exhibited at the city's Arnolfini art centre last summer.

Janet Ramirez, originally from Peru, said the group helps people feel like "part of the community".

Members are from many different countries, including Sudan, Hong Kong, Peru, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh alongside locals from Bristol.

Janet, who also volunteers with the project, said: "It makes the unity and the diversity, the inclusion that exists in Bristol, real.

"I know Bristol has many different areas and sometimes they are not cohesive, they don't mix with each other."

But she said being in groups like this is "really lovely" and brings everyone together.

Dawn Giles said she started to hand stitch, to develop more conversations.

"We sew and we talk and we share our love of sewing and we teach each other the stitches we know or maybe the stitches we learned from our families or at school.

"We make beautiful things together," she added.

Some of the women have also recently sold work in London and after its success, the project is being expanded.

A new group is soon to start in South Gloucestershire.

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