Today, Young & Inspired is buzzing with excitement as we celebrate the culmination of our Care4Craft project with a vibrant community exhibition – taking place on Tuesday, 9th July. The hallways at our venue are lined with intricately crocheted pieces, carefully carved wooden words, delicate calligraphy samples, and marionettes full of personality – all proudly made by the talented young participants of this one-of-a-kind heritage craft program.
With the generous support of The Radcliffe Trust, our Care4Craft initiative has been more than just a series of creative workshops. It has been a mission to revive the art of traditional British crafts – many of which are now endangered – and to reconnect our youth with the cultural richness and environmental values embedded in handmade artistry.
Reclaiming Craft in a Disposable Age
In an era where a home, wardrobe, or table setting can be assembled with the press of a button, Care4Craft asks a different question: What if we slowed down? What if we stitched, carved, wove, and shaped the things we use, wear, and love with our own hands?
Through hands-on weekly workshops held every Monday and Thursday after school, 55 young people aged 13–18 have delved deep into the world of craft — from letterpress and silk weaving to shoemaking and origami, and from clay modelling to straw-hat making. These aren’t just hobbies — they are time-honoured traditions, many at risk of disappearing from our national heritage altogether.
Guided by expert craftspeople and inspired by elder artisans who visited to share their life’s work and stories, our participants have not only gained technical skills but also cultivated patience, sustainability, pride, and passion.
Care4Craft champions the idea that crafting is more than technique — it’s a powerful tool to counteract a culture of waste, reconnect with our roots, and empower the next generation with pride in what they can create with their own two hands.
As our visitors take in today’s displays — and perhaps even try a crochet hook or calligraphy pen themselves — we hope they leave not only inspired but also reminded of the beauty, meaning, and memory that handmade items carry.
To all our participants: your work today is a masterpiece. And to our community: thank you for believing in the power of craft.
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