Stitch and b*tch with craftivist Kim Laidler

What’s it all about?

These welcoming meet up’s are opportunities for people to come together and chat whilst they take part in their crafts.

Kim will be posing questions to the group that will feed into a yarn bomb or two in spaces you feel safe and want to highlight. We want to use this project to raise awareness of DDN people’s lives, give platform to your voices, and offer a place to share your experiences (good and bad) through creativity.

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).

Where is it?

It’s being held in the Willow Cafe in central park so you can get yourself that special treat or cuppa. Bring your friends or come on your own whatever suits you.

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:

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.

If you're bringing a support worker, please book them a free ticket too.

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

Wheelchair accessible with step-free access

Accessible & gender-neutral toilet

The workshop will be seated on standard cafe style chairs with no arm rests. You are welcome to bring your own chair if you prefer.

The room has doors that open out to an enclosed part of the park and the side of the cafe. There are windows all-round the room, but we can close curtains for more privacy.

You will be able to access the room via the main entrance of the cafe which faces the willow tree in the centre of the park. Or via a side entrance opposite the paddling pool area.

Finding the venue and transport information

The Willow Cafe is the small building behind the Willow tree in the centre of the park, its brown and has a small seating area at the front. There is an ice cream counter at the front and the entrance is on the left-hand side.

There is parking available on Park Crescent but there are restrictions if you don’t have a blue badge.

You can catch the number 2 bus that stops at Central Park.