At Romsey Mill, we collaborate with partners who share our vision of a society where disadvantage can be overcome and social inclusion is prioritised.

Recently, the Young Parents Programme at Romsey Mill began a partnership with a fantastic Cambridge-based charity, Sew Positive. Their work and other research has shown sewing and creativity can be used as an intervention for addressing social isolation, mental health and health inequalities, and they run services across Cambridge incorporating mindfulness, confidence and community.

Textile waste is an increasing issue (it is the second largest industry contributor to carbon emissions globally), and Sew Positive both educates and encourages use of donated, upcycled and pre-loved textiles, with skills to mend, repair, and upcycle. YPP seeks to enable young parents to fulfil their potential by building their confidence, knowledge and connections. We were keen to collaborate with a charity sharing so many of the same values.

Earlier this year, a lovely team from Sew Positive came along to our regular baby group, Babies & Buddies. The theme was “sew yourself some love”.

The mums who came to the group joined in a free session making greetings cards, bunting and wall art using upcycled fabrics with stitching.

There was the opportunity to learn some basic sewing skills including working a sewing machine, with gorgeous, finished items to take away at the end. Romsey Mill’s young parents workers supported the session to ensure there were familiar trusted faces and experienced pairs of hands to look after the babies

The emotional wellbeing of young mums and their babies is a real priority within the work we do at Babies & Buddies - widening horizons and learning new skills is part of that.

One young parent said this following the session: “I had a great time and learnt lots of new skills. It inspired me to want to start sewing.”

The items created were beautiful, but more importantly it was great to see the mums having the opportunity to engage mindfully in something lovely for themselves and their babies - investing in the well-being of the whole family.

A few of the mums are hoping to attend other Sew Positive services to build on their sewing skills, becoming part of the wider work of strengthening communities.