Resilience through Craft: The inspiring journey of the Macmillan Textile and Craft Group
Over the past eight weeks a group of fifteen Cancer survivors and carers, found strength, healing, and friendship by participating in a therapeutic textiles course facilitated at Millennium Court.
During this course participants learned a wide range of crafting skills from tutor Nancy Mooreland from “Nifty Needles”, whilst experiencing invaluable mental support, friendship and creativity in the group. The project, supported by Macmillan Cancer Support, provided participants with not just creative skills but also a deeply emotional and transformative experience.
In these classes, there was laughter and tears wrapped up in encouragement and compassion. Participant Sharon Platt states “We all got so much from this course, we laughed and cried. I have made wonderful friends through this group; I hope that we will be friends for life”.
The beginning of the course was emotionally fuelled for certain members of the group as they had been through a long and difficult journey with their Cancer treatment. This workshop provided a safe outlet for the participants to express themselves incorporating their experiences into powerful and inspiring patchwork pieces.
Diane Robinson said “I’ll never forget my experience with Nifty Needles and Millennium Court. They were my medicine”.
Millennium Court is delighted to feature these beautiful craft pieces created by the inspirational participants in their double August Craft Month exhibition entitled “Embroidered Lives”. Each piece on display will convey a reflection of each participant’s individual journey with Cancer. Illustrating their resilience, healing, memory, and support, through their unique artwork.
This exhibition will be opening on Saturday 2nd August at 2:00 PM and will be on display until Saturday 23rd August, were after it will be travelling for display at ‘The Quilt Fayre’ at the Stormont Hotel on Thursday 28th August.
All are warmly invited to attend this celebration of storytelling through textiles. Visitors will have the opportunity to view the exhibition, meet the makers, and experience the emotional depth and artistry on display.
Dionne Stewart provides words of encouragement to others through her experiences by stating “Never be afraid of trying something new. You don’t know, how much you could enjoy it or how much healing and growth you could achieve out of it”.
