Crafting Connections - Autumn Workshops

Crafting Connections: heritage for wellbeing workshops

Following a hugely positive response to our spring and summer workshops, Manchester Histories is delighted to offer a brand-new series of 10 weekly crafting connections sessions this autumn.

These workshops bring people together through fun, hands-on heritage-inspired activities like weaving, singing, sketching and storytelling. Designed with well-being and connection in mind, each session offers a chance to try something new, spark memories, and share experiences in a relaxed and friendly setting over a brew.

Previous participants described the workshops as “uplifting” and “inspiring,” with many saying they helped them reconnect with their creativity, meet new people, and reflect on their own histories.

While especially suited to people aged 55+, these sessions are open to anyone who enjoys creativity, learning about shared-history, and conversation.

Time: 2:00 - 4:00pm

Dates:

Week 1 Wednesday 24th September -- Weave together

Create your own miniature cardboard loom to explore how it feels to weave and share your connections with the past with others.

Week 2 Wednesday 1st October -- Pattern book

Reflect on how colours and patterns enrich your environment and find out more about the role of design and printing in the Lancashire cotton industry.

Week 3 Wednesday 8th October -- Model city

Discover about post-war town planning and the role of models to represent ideas. Design your own community using simple building blocks.

Week 4 Wednesday 15th October -- Group draw

Inspired by ‘Big Draw’ activities popular in art galleries, this session encourages you to take part and work together to create a large drawing inspired by your personal skills or interests.

Week 5 Wednesday 22nd October-- Hand-made

Take part and share what you have made before or would like to create in the future. This session encourages reflection on what makes hand-made objects special. Share your hobbies and interests with the group and explore the small but significant details in everyday life.

Week 6 Wednesday 29th October -- People in our world

During this activity, participants are encouraged to look at the people in their world and appreciate those who go unnoticed. L. S. Lowry (1877–1926) and Paul Graney (1908–1982) captured those who went unseen elsewhere in artworks and archives. Through looking at their practice, you can use these ideas to explore who matters to you in your community.

Week 7 Wednesday 5th November -- Sketching your surroundings

Learn about the different skills involved in making textiles and the work of Burnley based documentary maker, Sam Hanna. This activity will provide historical insights into the tradition of handloom weaving and invites you to consider your connections with the past and with others.

Week 8 Wednesday 12th November -- Making your mark

This activity will consolidate the idea that history is for everyone, and anyone can record history. It will introduce different ways archives are collected and invites you to consider how you would make your mark on how today is recorded.

Week 9 Wednesday 19th November -- Storytelling

All around the world people have passed on stories from generation to generation. Myths and legends help us to explore life’s mysteries, in this session we hear about Lancashire’s mythical creatures: the Boggarts and learn more how the tradition of storytelling can shape our own stories.

Week 10 Wednesday 26th November -- Sing it!

Learn about Manchester songs recorded in the twentieth century, and songs recalled by migrants to the city. Share and remember old songs or nursery ryhmes as a group.

Access

The venue is fully accessible, but we endeavour to ensure this event is open to all, so welcome you to contact us regarding any specific requirements you may have before the event.

Email: info@manchesterhistories.co.uk

Call: 0161 306 1982

Location: Manchester Histories Hub, Lower Ground floor, Manchester Central Library, St Peter's Square, Manchester, M2 5PD

To find out more about the workshops available visit: Crafting Connections – Manchester Histories

Donations

These workshops are free to attend, but you're welcome to make a donation by visiting our website at any time. Every donation, no matter what size, can make a big difference.

Data Gathering

When registering for this event we will ask you some questions about your age, gender, ethnicity, disability and postcode. Gathering this information helps us to report back to our funders and enables us to better understand our audiences so we can ensure we reach as many people as possible now and in the future. The information is given anonymously.