In July 2019, Alison became one of three founding Directors of Eat Make Play, a community organisation based in Ladywood, Birmingham, with the aim of bringing neighbours together to share skills, ideas, resources and friendship.
In January 2020 we got the keys to our Share Shop, located in the centre of Ladywood, and began transforming this empty shop into a welcoming community space. The shop ran from March 2020 to March 2022, throughout the height of the Covid pandemic and the most challenging times our communities have faced.
Along with fantastic co directors Sam Ewell and Kate Smith, and our amazing community and volunteers, we made a creative haven in the middle of uncertain and frightening times. We found ways to stay connected through lockdowns, and to build our confidence back when things opened up. We made new friends, learnt so much, and met so many challenges.
During lockdowns we provided online activities and creative kits for the community, and when things opened up we run a programme of weekly activities in the shop. Alison led sewing, yarn craft and mixed media art sessions every week, all driven by our community’s ideas and enthusiasms. You can see some of the highlights below.
MAKE GOOD ARTS 