Craftivism and Chat takes place 1-2 times per month, both in person and online. Sessions are open to and free for all members of the Merton CIL community. If you want to come all you have to do is fill in a community membership form.

People at Craftivism and Chat using mosaic materials

What does Craftivism mean? (arts) and craft x activism = craftivism. Craftivism is a gentle way to protest and push for change.

It is a thought provoking and impactful way to share our lived experience and challenge the barriers that disable us. 

The disability art created in each session as well as the feedback from our conversations helps us make to our work more impactful, informed and evidence based. It will support our work challenging discrimination and ensuring that our voices are heard in decision making processes. 

Craftivism & Chat 2021 Image

We will believe that joy is an integral part of activism. Craftivism and Chat disrupts the expectation that as Disabled people we have to constantly speak up or think about the systemic barriers that we face when we come together, to make change happen. 

We also use Craftivism and Chat to bring Disabled people together to: 

  • Build optimism and resilience through peer support.
  • Create a stronger sense of community to power local Disabled people to want to get involved in work pushing for social change.
  • Challenge the systems that take away our choice and control and impact our well-being. Joy and connection stand up to efforts to isolate and silence us. 
  • Build collective well-being within our community.
  • Support positive identification as a Disabled person and increase knowledge of the Social Model of Disability.

Merton CIL Member at Craftivism and Chat making a mosaic

Supporting Disabled people to build skills and confidence through creating and hosting Craftivism and Chat sessions. 

We also provide learning and development opportunities for local Disabled people to develop and deliver sessions at Craftivism and Chat. We provide person-centred coaching and accessible support to develop creative ideas. 

We have supported local Disabled people to build skills and confidence to deliver wreath making workshops, card making workshops and well-being focused session. 

If you are a local Disabled person, Merton CIL Member and interested in hosting a session at Craftivism and Chat, get in touch. 

Your do not have to have an idea, just an interest, creativity or skill/hobby and we can work together to create something. 

Merton CIL members at Craftivism & Chat

Get involved from home

We created Craftivism & Chat packs during the the pandemic and have recently re-introduced them. We want to provide creative and accessible ways for local Disabled people to speak up and push for change, in ways that feel comfortable. The packs include guided creative exercises. If you are interested in receiving a pack, then get in contact. 

The packs are free to Merton CIL members - all that we require is that you share pictures of what you create with us. 

If you are a non-member and would like a pack, we would require a small donation to support our project. 

 

How to share what you create with us

We would love to see all that you create, so that we can share it with our members and inspire them to get involved with Craftivism and Chat too. You can share pictures of your arts & crafts with us by posting to social media and tagging us - @MertonCIL

If you want to share what you created privately and for us to share it anonymously or you create a video you can email us at info@mertoncil.org.uk