“Integration is so important!” Community group praises trust wellbeing event

Women and Children United, a local community group based in Bournemouth, has praised a recent workshop held by grant giving charity Talbot Village Trust.

The Dorset Buttons Workshop, facilitated by local artist Pauline Stanley, took attendees through the history of the heritage craft process, which was popular across the county until the mid-1800’s.

The group worked to create buttons using a traditional yarn binding process, which forms intricate and detailed weaves that are designed to provide a colourful and eye-catching means of fastening garments.

Originally, Dorset buttons would use materials from local sheep farms, with button shapes, sizes and colours changing over time to suit fashions of the time. At its peak, ‘buttony’ employed more than 4,000 local people, but is now considered an endangered heritage craft by the Heritage Craft Association.

Several women from Bournemouth-based community group Women and Children United attended the workshop, including group Chair Amal, originally from Libya, who came to Bournemouth in 1995.

Amal said: I’ve lived in the UK for a long time, and I feel more English now than Libyan – going back to Libya makes me homesick for the UK, where my children and grandchildren live. I have a life here, with lots of English friends and neighbours.

“Integration is so important, but families who emigrate here sometimes find it difficult to settle: we often hear about depression and homesickness.

“At first, mixing with other people seems like a barrier – the language, the culture, knowing how to interact. But coming here to events like this, people can understand what’s being said in a social setting and learn something too.

She added: “My friend, who’s a refugee, said she didn’t have any English friends, so I encouraged her to come to the session today to help her. I invited a lady I met at the workshop today to our Arabic gathering so that she can meet Arabic ladies and share in our culture.”

Pauline Stanley, local artist and facilitator, said: “Today’s workshop was vibrant, open, and international! People learned a new skill, shared contacts and experiences, and explored cultures.

“It’s been interesting to see how much these creative sessions provide a welcoming and non-judgmental environment where important conversations that reach beyond community and cultural barriers happen.”

Martha Searle, Community and Engagement Lead at Talbot Village Trust said: “It’s wonderful to see community groups like Women and Children United joining in with our community and wellbeing focused events.

“Dorset Button making is a small and intricate art and skill that you can take with you anywhere, and as we’ve done, use to spark up conversations, friendships and bonds through art and collaboration.”

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