Threads of Belonging worked with children, young people, families, and women across Bradford to co-create personal and collective expressions of identity. Made possible through the funding by Innovate UK, the project was inspired by the heritage of Dalton Mills—a former textile mill and future cultural hub—and used textiles and creative coding to help participants translate their stories into visual forms.
The programme was designed to be low-barrier, inclusive, and hands-on, ensuring people of all ages and abilities could take part.
What we delivered
Family Coding Workshops Families created 8×8 digital motifs using Python. Designs were displayed on an LED matrix, making coding playful, accessible, and highly engaging.
Community Textiles Workshops These sessions supported participants to design and stitch textile motifs representing their sense of belonging. Individual pieces were brought together into a collective tapestry, celebrating both difference and connection.
Reach and participation
- 66 participants in community textiles workshops
- 723 participants in family coding workshops (444 children and 279 adults)
Sessions were delivered in trusted community and cultural venues, contributing to strong engagement and high turnout across diverse groups.
Impact and outcomes
Participants reported:
- A stronger sense of being seen and represented
- Reconnection with cultural heritage
- Increased confidence through learning new creative and digital skills
- Pride in contributing to a shared, visible outcome
“This workshop helped me express something I feel but never put into words. Seeing my piece in the tapestry made me feel part of something bigger.” — Textile participant.
“We learned together—and that’s what belonging feels like.” — Parent, Coding sessions.
The combination of design → making → coding → display created immediate, tangible learning outcomes and fostered shared ownership across generations.
Partners
Threads of Belonging was delivered in partnership with: Future Transformation CIC (lead), National Science & Media Museum, University of Sheffield (Live Projects 07), Keighley Creative, Keighley College, and Historic England.
Want to bring Threads of Belonging to your organisation?
We are now offering tailored versions of the Threads of Belonging programme for:
- Schools and colleges
- Museums and cultural venues
- Community organisations
- Youth and family services
The programme can be adapted to:
- Different age groups and abilities
- Curriculum or enrichment goals
- Community cohesion, identity, or wellbeing outcomes
- Art, textiles, STEM, or cross-curricular learning
We also provide partner packs, including lesson plans, materials lists, printable resources, and code templates.
👉 Get in touch to discuss how we can tailor Threads of Belonging for your setting. We’d love to work with you to create meaningful, inclusive creative experiences for your community.