A chance to remember loved ones in a special memorial quilt is being offered by Bolton charity The Bereavement Café.
Jane Dixon started the cafes in 2021 after the loss of her husband Steve, who was just 46-years-old.
The cafes move around the borough at different venues and offer a safe, informal place with peer-to-peer support for those struggling with grief.
That same year, she displayed the Greater Manchester Suicide Remembrance Quilt as part of National Grief Awareness Week.
“I was really inspired by this beautiful, thought-provoking piece of art and since then have wanted to create our own Bereavement Quilt,” explained Jane.
Now, via Bolton CVS, the Bolton Fund has agreed to support the craft project and she has got together with Dawn Elliott from local company Sew Confident to make the dream a reality.
“We hope that those across Bolton who have suffered a bereavement will come along and create their own square to add to the quilt in any way they wish to do so,” stated Jane.
“They can stitch, knit, print, paint, draw, embroider or anything that they feel represents their person or how they feel. They could choose to paint the Bolton Wanderers FC logo, stitch or write a poem or create a padded heart out of a loved one’s shirt.”
There are two six week sessions, plus a specific youth session.
The first takes place on Tuesday, February 27 at the Bolton Stadium Hotel at Middlebrook.
Commented Dawn: “Jane is passionate about getting more people talking about grief and empowering conversation and approached me after hearing about my sewing classes.
“Jane and I are excited to work together as we both want to help people struggling with their mental health. Crafting and sewing is so mindful and therapeutic.
“This is a project for anyone grieving to come together, learn new skills or pick up on an old hobby. They can meet others who are struggling with similar feelings.”
“We hope the bespoke quilt when completed and displayed will invoke a meaningful conversation with everyone who views it. We cannot wait to get started!”
There has already been a lot of interest in the memorial quilt and places are very limited.
Jane was married to her husband for 18 years when he died at such a young age.
Anyone wanting to get involved should email info@thebereavementcafe.co.uk
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