Local craftivist and artist Kim Laidler will be hosting this crafty ‘stitch and b*tch’ meet up for those living with chronic illness, daily pain, mental health struggles from the disabled, deaf and neurodivergent community (DDN).
Thursday 9 October
11am – 1pm
Unit 27, Queensgate Shopping Centre. What3words: ///legend.again.blitz
FREE and for people 16 and over
What’s it all about?
Local craftivist and artist Kim Laidler will host this crafty ‘stitch and b*tch’ meet up for those living with chronic illness, daily pain, mental health struggles from the disabled, deaf and neurodivergent community (DDN).
A Stitch and B***h are opportunities for people to come together and chat whilst they take part in their crafts.
No experience necessary, bring along any crafts you have on the go, whether its crochet, knitting, sewing a button on a shirt, colouring or making a shopping list. Expect some cheekiness (which is why the minimum age is 16 years old).
Not only can you take part in this welcoming meet up, but you can also experience Kim’s exhibition and the other RAD Artists Collections too. Which means that you can have a brew, get crafty and explore the themes of the exhibition too.
Where is it?
It’s being held in Unit 27 inside Queensgate shopping centre.
Venue: Inside the Willow Cafe in Central Park, Central Park, Park Crescent, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire. PE1 4DX (what3words: cotton.using.tracks)
Drop in but let us know you are coming by either emailing keely.mills@neneparktrust.org.uk or booking via Eventbrite here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/…/rad-20-stitch-and-bh-in..
What’s a yarn bomb?
Just in case this is what we mean by a Yarn Bomb: Yarn bombing – Wikipedia
About the artist
About Kim Laidler is an artist and craftivist who uses textile and craft techniques to create outdoor installations or yarn bombs. These are the crafty world’s version of street art, these can be thought provoking, but for Kim, they started creating their yarn bombs to highlight what they feel is the magic of unloved places. Kim also feels that their work celebrates nature and how these spaces feel safe to them. Kim is also a peer support worker for CPSL Mind, a founder of a local Stitch and B*tch and Angry Pencil live paint paint jam participant.
Instagram
About the Reasonable Adjustments Programme
This workshop is part of a project called Reasonable Adjustment 2.0. The aim of the project is to mark the 30th anniversary of the Disability Discrimination Act, and 15th anniversary of the Equality Act. We are using these anniversaries to make artworks that capture honest feelings and experiences of what it’s like to be Deaf, Disabled, and/or Neurodivergent (DDN).
Access information for the workshop
If you have any Access Requirements such as BSL interpretation, support with transport, please contact Keely on keely.mills@neneparktrust.orguk or call / text her on 07436 031383.
Maximum spaces available – 20 including support workers
Free refreshments are available too. Please don’t bring your own unless necessary for medical reasons.
We will have a box of focus toys and Ear Defenders, or feel free to bring your own
We will have some pens, colouring and other little activities if you’d prefer to be part of the conversation but don’t have your own craft.
Kim and the Peterborough Presents team will also be there to support if you need and will greet you when you arrive and direct you to the workshop location.
You are welcome to go at your own pace and take breaks whenever you need.
Access information for the venue
At Unit 27, we will be able to offer the following:
• We will have a variety of stim toys in the unit for you to use.
• There will be a mixture of chairs, most are without armrests.
We will keep numbers in the unit to a minimum and reduce any sound.
• The unit has an accessible toilet which is available to visitors, staff and volunteers.
• A member of staff will be available at the unit to help talk you through the exhibition or activities.
• Sanitiser wipes will be provided.
• Please feel free to wear a mask in the unit.
• We will advertise which events have live BSL interpretation.
• We will have signposting information to other services and other creative activities
• If you have any other access requirements please do let us know before your visit so that we can assist if possible.
Finding the venue and transport information
Getting to Unit 27:
• Unit 27 is located in Queensgate Shopping Centre on the ground floor at the back close to where John Lewis used to be and next to Rev the clothes shop.
• Queensgate Shopping Centre is an indoor shopping centre. It has lifts, escalators and seating throughout the centre. You can find out more about Queensgate here:
• We recommend using the Westgate entrance to Queensgate Shopping Centre – the one nearest to The Banyan Tree restaurant, opposite North Street. It is the quietest entrance and closest to the unit
• There are disabled parking bays behind the Cathedral which is a short push to Queensgate from there.
• There is a gentle slope down to the unit from the Queensgate entrance.
• Unit 27 is next door to clothes shop Rev. See first bullet point• There are a set of glass double doors into the unit.
• A member of staff will be available at the unit to answer any questions or help talk you through the exhibition or activities should you want this.
Travel:
• Parking: details of parking for Queensgate can be found here: https://queensgate-shopping.co.uk/your-visit/
• The Bus Station is located within the perimeter of Queensgate. You can access Queensgate via the escalators or lift.
• The train station is a 5 minute walk from Queensgate.
You can access Queensgate via a footbridge or via the pedestrian crossing in front of Waitrose before heading down Westgate
