A vibrant quilt exhibition titled “Quilts 4 You” was held at the Methodist Church in Evesham on Saturday, offering a heartfelt welcome to refugees settling in the local community.
The event, which ran from 10.30am to 4.30pm, featured free entry and refreshments, and showcased 182 handcrafted quilts in various sizes for children and adults. These beautiful pieces were created by the Refugee Women’s Sewing and Knitting Group, who have been learning textile skills as part of a community integration initiative.
Refugees attending the exhibition were invited to choose and take home a quilt of their choice, a gesture organisers described as symbolic of warmth, care, and inclusion. Donations were accepted throughout the day to support refugee welfare programmes in the region.
Among the organisers was Sharon Gresham, a retired nurse who has been teaching sewing, crochet, and knitting to refugee women. “This is our second event, and it’s a way to show what the refugees have learned so far,” she said. “Each refugee and child gets a quilt of their choice — this is how we welcome them in Evesham.”
Sharon also shared that when refugees complete their training, they are provided with a sewing machine and fabric supplies to help them start their own ventures. “One of our group members has recently received her residency papers, and we’re now helping her find a sewing job to use her skills,” she added, thanking her team and volunteers for making the event possible.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube <iframe width="560" height="315" src="www.youtube.com" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin">The exhibition was attended by Mayor of Evesham, John Clatworthy, and Lady Mayoress Mariol Griffiths, who praised the initiative. “It’s encouraging to see how scrap materials have been transformed into beautiful quilts,” said Mayor Clatworthy. “This event is a testament to how our community embraces refugees and helps them gain skills to contribute meaningfully to society.”
Refugees who visited the show expressed deep appreciation for the warm welcome. Many described the event as a sign of community compassion and a symbol of safety and acceptance. “Evesham has a loving community that guides us and helps us settle here with dignity,” one attendee shared.
The “Quilts 4 You” show not only highlighted the artistic talents of local and refugee women but also served as a powerful reminder of the strength found in unity and kindness.
