Sashiko Project
The Recovery Pathways service, part of Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (GMMH), has recently launched a collaborative textile project inspired by the sashiko stitch technique.
The aim of the sashiko project is to invite individuals from all walks of life, including NHS staff, service users and charitable organisations to experience the therapeutic benefits of mindful stitching.
Led by Mia Nisbet, Wellbeing Arts Tutor, the project is designed to unite people in creativity and connection, promoting mental wellbeing through the shared act of creating something beautiful and meaningful.
Watch the short video below to learn more about the sashiko project from Mia.
Mia will be running some pilot sessions to introduce the project.
To find out more about the sashiko project and how to get involved, please contact mia.nisbet@gmmh.nhs.uk
Find updates on the project below.
Project Update – October 2024
Sashiko project pilot at Laureate House
On Wednesday 16 October 2024, a sashiko project pilot session was delivered on Anderson Ward at Laureate House, and it was a hit! Both staff and service users came together to try their hand at this calming, Japanese embroidery technique, creating a shared space of unity and collaboration.
The tactile nature and hands-on process of stitching and creating something tangible helps to ground participants in the present moment. This physical sensory engagement can be incredibly soothing, offering a sense of calm and focus that supports emotional wellbeing and mental clarity.
Creative activities like this are at the heart of building strong connections in recovery, providing the opportunity to bring staff and patients together in a shared experience. Through creativity, service users are reminded that they’re not facing their journey alone - staff are actively engaged with them, side by side, creating together.
Here is what the participants had to say:
"I found the activity very calming, and it was a really peaceful moment for me. I do a lot of intuitive quilting with scraps, so this felt familiar for me. I liked that the denim frayed as I was able to use the thread that had come off to sew more. The repetitive motions with sewing are almost meditative."
"Completely engaged. Relaxing, highly enjoyable. I loved having the time to interact with the materials, letting my mood and the textures dictate what I was doing to create a tiny ‘perfect’ piece of art/therapy/mending, representing me, a moment in time and creating a lovely memory - who knew denim could be so therapeutic."
"It made me very relaxed, but I still felt focused and also able to engage in conversation. It was the perfect balance that led me into a very mindful state. I want to do it again and again! I also love the philosophy behind it, and it made me let the perfectionist side of me disappear and this was much needed - thank you."
"I felt focused, I enjoyed it quite a lot. I've never tried it before, and I did not think it would be something I enjoyed but it was the opposite. Once I started, I did not want to quit."
"Very relaxed, love that it can be messy, organic and not perfect. Great to try something new. Very calming and soothing. Love the range of colours to choose from."
"I found it relaxing and something I've not done for a long time."
A collection of sashiko project textile patches completed by service users and staff on Anderson Ward at Laureate House
Project Update – September 2024
Peer-led empowerment: From core groups to community collaboration
In an important move towards peer-led support, a newly formed group at START Recovery Pathways will spearhead the creation of the sashiko collaborative textile installation.
This transition from core groups to a more peer-focused environment embodies our commitment to empowering service users and fostering a sense of ownership and camaraderie in their journey towards recovery.
Our volunteer facilitator sewing a red sashiko design on a piece of denim fabric following a white pattern
Sashiko project pilot session delivered at Boaz Trust!
On Thursday 26 September 2024, a pilot session of the sashiko project was successfully delivered with the Boaz Trust (Kath Locke Centre).
This initiative is part of our ethos to strengthen ties with the wider community, fostering collaboration and support.
Here’s what some of the participants had to say:
"It was very relaxing. I enjoyed doing it and wanted to do more.”
"I was very focused. I felt happy.”
"I wanted to do more. It was relaxing and I felt very happy.”
"Relaxing, I'd like to do more. Really opened my mind because when thinking what to do, it makes the mind relaxed, it makes you take your stress out."
"Good to learn something new and reflect on how to take something that could be considered 'scraps' and turn it into something new to be proud of. Good to get to know others in the group in a relaxing way."
Participants sewing sashiko designs onto pieces of denim fabric with colourful threads
Project Update – August 2024
The Ageing Well group at Age UK Brunswick Village are continuing work on their sashiko stitch pieces.
Through the workshop, group members are gaining social interaction, forming friendships, and increasing their happiness levels.
A collection of sashiko project textile patches completed by the Ageing Well group at Age UK Brunswick Village
Project Update – July 2024
The first pilot session for the sashiko project was held at Age UK Manchester, Brunswick Village.
The session was well attended, and the feedback expressed comments about how relaxing and focusing the stitching activity was.
Participants will continue to meet weekly to continue their textile patches that will contribute to the collaborative textile installation.
A participant working on their sashiko project textile patch
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