The idea
The Book Buddy project is an intergenerational activity to encourage children and adults to enjoy reading together. It involves local crafters working with children and families to make cushions and book bags. The community will donate books for all ages to go in the bags and the cushions will create a comfortable place to curl up and read together.
When the project is successful, local crafts people, both beginners and those with experience will be working together with individuals or families to create the bags and cushions.
The project will engage a wide range of groups including older people, local and diverse cultural groups, young people and those living with disabilities. All will be actively engaged in the process learning new skills and meeting new people if Covid safe.
Stitch! will be the hub of the project, providing fabric, skilled practitioners, equipment and space for groups to work, again in a Covid safe environment..
What we'll deliver
- Make 100 bespoke cushions and bags
- sewing skills building opportunities
- develop and grow reading skills
- improved self esteem
- enthusiasm for reading
Why it's a great idea
This project will bring together local crafters and artists to work collaboratively. This will benefit the communities in Palmers Green by providing opportunity and space to be creative through sewing and matching the books and bookbags to recipients.
Participants will learn new skills and hobbies guided by Stitch!'s experienced practitioners. It is a multi generational project where young learn from the old and visa versa.
Steps to get it done
- Identify the schools to work with.
- Identify volunteers and practitioners from within Stitch to run the project and teaching sessions
- Set up teaching sessions on zoom and in the shop when possible •
- Resource fabrics and books
- Set up mentoring support groups •
- Design an evaluation format to track the progress and measure impact
- Oversee the making of the book bags
