We had an incredible turnout for our Culture in Art session, hosted by Salford Community Upskilling. The Emmanuel Centre was transformed into a bustling hub of creativity, storytelling, and community connection. The theme was “Whose Art, Whose Culture?”, and the answer was resoundingly clear: “Our Art, Our Culture!”

Traditional Doll Making: ‘Bana Bitendi’

The highlight of the afternoon was the traditional doll-making session. Participants dove hands-first into crafting, using vibrant African prints to create unique, hand-sewn dolls.

The tables were covered in fluff, fabric, and thread as we navigated the different stages of creation—from shaping the bodies to the trickier task of sewing on the hair!

More Than Just Sewing

While the hands were busy stitching, the hearts were open. As one of our participants beautifully put it while sewing hair onto her doll: “It teaches patience… and it makes me happy.”

That is the essence of what we do. It wasn’t just about the dolls; it was about the storytelling and the wisdom shared around the table. We shared laughs over “big babies,” discussed the importance of positivity, and listened to inspiring stories about keeping a positive mindset even when life throws unexpected challenges our way.

It was a space where volunteers and community members—from different generations and backgrounds—came together to learn, share, and support one another.

A Big Thank You

This event was a testament to the power of community. We want to extend a massive thank you to everyone who attended and made the atmosphere so electric.

We are also incredibly potential to our funders and partners who made this event possible:

• Salford City Council
• Salford CVS
• Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA)
• UK Government

Thank you for helping us prove that Wellbeing Matters. We can’t wait to see you at the next one!