Get Started programme with The Kings Trust Birmingham

2 Mar

In February, I had the pleasure of delivering my tenth Get Started programme with The King's Trust in Birmingham, a great milestone that matches my 10th year of Feed My Creative. Each programme centres on reimagining one functional product into something entirely new. None of the programmes are ever the same; the fabric I bring in is never the same and every group brings fresh energy, different perspectives and their own set of challenges to overcome.

This particular programme was made even more impactful thanks to the wonderful partnership with The Kings Trust and the Elba Hope Foundation 'Creative Futures' project. As a foundation closely aligned with The King's Trust, their support helps create meaningful opportunities for young people who need them most. I’m incredibly grateful for their belief in this work and the difference it continues to make.I was also fortunate to have received a brilliant donation of workwear from ELIS Birmingham late last year.

Transforming industrial garments is very different from working with standard lengths of fabric. The materials are heavier, the construction more complex, and the expectations higher. For young people who, in many cases, had never used a sewing machine before, recreating something new in just five days could feel daunting. Yet, as always, and never a surprise to me, they rose to the challenge.Across the week, they developed far more than practical making skills.

They strengthened:

- Problem solving

- Design thinking

- Adaptability

- Teamwork

- Practical construction skills

- Confidence in speaking in front of an audience

- The ability to push through anxiety and self-doubt

Watching that growth unfold in such a short space of time never stops being inspiring to me. Below are selection of images capturing how the week unfolded and the incredible outcomes achieved in just five days.

If you feel that we could connect and work on a similar programme, please get in touch or share with your connections.

Have a great new month ahead!