This document serves as a living workbook, which will be regularly updated as the project progresses and further work is carried out.

Place: Somerset and Dorset (our research indicates that these insights are playing out in other rural communities)

Co-ordinator: Laura Tyley

Vision

Similar to food growing, fibre production and craft have the power to build agency within individuals, grounding them in the understanding that they are creative, capable, and interconnected with their place and community. I believe a place with a thriving local fibre and textile culture builds a cultural narrative of stewardship and environmentally conscious innovation.

Engagement, Problem, Potential Identification

Through community engagement and scoping, I identified that local fibre and textile cultures foster environmental awareness, reduce social isolation, and strengthen community bonds. But often fibre and textile efforts sit outside of the usual funding circuit - not recognised for it’s environmental and social benefits. Initiatives here are struggling with engagement, and ancient knowledge is in danger of disappearing.

Project Development

To address this, I’ve put a lot of energy into building social infrastructure, networks and platforms to strengthen local fibre culture in Somerset and Dorset. This work is ongoing and has included:

• Supporting guilds and fibre-focused organisations with promotion and collaboration
• Building networks to facilitate communication between crafters and producers and showcase the nodes of a thriving local network
• Leveraging national and local media to amplify personal stories
• Organising and contributing to community events and workshops

Collaborative partners

None of this work would be possible without the incredible projects already working in this space: