To celebrate International Women’s Day, (8 March) Metro Mayor Dan Norris met some of Bristol’s Ukraine female refugees sewing their way to a brighter future in the city thanks to a brilliant all-women sewing company.
Made My Wardrobe, set up by Lydia Higginson, has offered help and support to ten women who fled conflict and found sanctuary in our welcoming city. She set up monthly workshops teaching the Ukrainian women sewing basics and new skills – from learning how to fix a zip to replacing buttons and helping them repair and re-wear their clothes.
As part of the global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women, Mayor Norris heard from success story Tetyana Ustich who explained how she had been supported to set up her own sewing business.
Gathered around sewing machines and amid a sea of colourful fabric and tape measures, the Mayor also found out how the all-female team have benefitted from a £3,000 investment from his West of England Mayoral Combined Authority.
Metro Mayor Dan Norris said: “For well over a century women have come together to celebrate their achievements on their day of the year and to call for genuine equality. It was an absolute pleasure to meet Lydia and her team who like so many Bristolians have opened their arms to our Ukrainian neighbours to literally help them sew a bright future in this amazing city”.
Made My Wardrobe are fundraising for a £2,500 donation so they can continue to hold refugee workshops. If you can help please contact https://mademywardrobe.com/contact