‘Craft workshops at the Magpie Project give women the chance to recognise each others' stories’

For our second interview to mark International Women’s Day 2022, we spoke to Jane Williams, founder of the grassroots organisation the Magpie Project.

Based in Newham, east London, the Magpie Project aims to provide a ‘safe and fun place’ for women with children under five who live in temporary or insecure accommodation. It offers a combination of practical support – such as legal and housing advice – as well as supplementary activities, from classes with dancers-in-residence to crafting workshops. Williams tells us how important these experiences are for the women they support.

What is The Magpie Project, and why does it exist?

The Magpie Project is a charity based in east London that provides support and advocacy, as well as play facilities and a baby bank, for women with children under school age who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

It was founded in 2017 by a group of women who were concerned about the difficult time mothers and under-fives were having in temporary or insecure accommodation in our neighbourhood. We resolved to try to give them somewhere clean, enjoyable and supportive to spend time during the day.

What does craft bring to the women you work with?

The crafting done by our community partners Gainsborough Quilting and three local Women’s Institute branches provides each new mother with a baby quilt and knitted layette. These gifts show love and commitment in every stitch and tell the women we work with that someone cares about them and their children.

The crafting sessions we do allow them to concentrate on something creative. They are able to spend time together with no agenda other than making something beautiful and talk about how their mothers, aunts, grandmothers or sisters would craft with them and teach them techniques. It is a way to recognise each other's stories, cultures and hopes and fears without the pressure of directly addressing them.

Tell us about your collaboration with Bethany Williams

The quilted blankets that we give to the women we work with inspired fashion designer Bethany Williams to create her collection of patchwork blanket coats titled All Our Stories. As part of this, artist Melissa Kitty Jarram – inspired by the folklore passed from generation to generation and childhood stories that continue to inform us in our adult lives – ran storytelling workshops with the Magpie families and illustrated the magical narratives they shared.

Bethany’s collection is inspired by five of the main storylines shared by the families of the Magpie Project, as well one from her own childhood.