We seek to serve the local church by providing the staff, technical skills and resources to run regular sewing workshop as a means of demonstrating Jesus’ love to their local community. Workshops aim to support people out of financial hardship by providing a space to make, mend and alter clothes and home furnishings, whilst drawing the local community as a whole together. We aim to provide a place of belonging: building communities that love and care for one another.
As we build this network we ask churches to partner with us. We seek host churches who are willing to provide accommodation and hospitality. We then connect with the wider local church network to find people willing to come and help create a welcoming and loving atmosphere to invite people into. These supporters do not need to be able to sew, but have a willingness to engage with the sewing topics each week, and more importantly enjoy making friends. We aspire to a place where people are loved, appreciated and belong, all inspired by our namesake Dorcas, a disciple from the early church. We ask supporters to work as a team on a rota basis. We work on a 5-6 week, half-termly basis during the school academic year, with pausing sessions often in the holidays so families can participate together. We do much of our communication and planning via WhatsApp.
We work on a 5-6 week, half-termly basis, generally during the school academic year. We do much of our communication and planning via WhatsApp. We ask all participants to use WhatsApp as a text based tool only. Making direct calls is only permitted by mutual agreement for a set time and date, negotiated via text. Sharing another person’s contact details is not permitted without their direct consent.
As a Sewing Hub Supporter you would be required to work alongside the Hub Leader and Sewing Hub Technician:
- providing a welcoming and loving atmosphere through conversation, helpfulness, and working as a team to provide hospitality through refreshments.
- helping to start conversation and encouraging people to participate in activities.
- recognising how best to support different people by being willing to work alongside different groups as the need requires.
- liaising with the local Sewing Hub Technician to promote the sewing sessions in your local area.
- helping to lend out sewing equipment and encourage its safe return.
- helping to monitor and remind people of safe practices.
- helping to set up and tidy away equipment and furniture, within your physical abilities, where possible.
- working and praying in a way that respects the charity’s Christian values and ethos whilst honouring all participants have different views and opinions.
Skills and qualifications:
- a friendly and personable disposition.
- a willingness to engage with the sewing topic of the week, you do not need to come with any sewing experience.
- an understanding and appreciation of the Christian faith.
We ask supporters to be available once a month. We like 2 supporters to attend each session: this facilitates conversation. Supporters are very welcome to attend more regularly. Each term we ask for supporter’s availability and then formulate a rota that fits with people’s commitments. We ask if you are unable to attend a session you are scheduled to attend, that you find another volunteer through the WhatsApp Supporter chat.
Oxfordshire (maps of all locations are available here)
Abingdon
We are currently seeking supporters for our Abingdon sewing hub, hosted at Peachcroft Christian Centre, OX14 2RT. These sessions are Thursday mornings 9:30 – 11:30 with volunteers asked to attend at least monthly, from 9:00 – 12:00.
Chipping Norton
We are currently seeking supporters for our Chipping Norton sewing hub, hosted at the Parish Rooms, St Marys. These sessions are Wednesday mornings, with volunteers asked to attend at least monthly, from 9:00 – 12:00.
Didcot
We are currently seeking supporters for our Didcot sewing hub, hosted at Didcot Baptist Church, OX11 0BS. These sessions are Friday mornings 9:30 – 11:30 with volunteers asked to attend at least monthly, from 9:00 – 12:00.
Oxford
We are currently seeking supporters for our Oxford sewing hub, hosted at The Vue cinema, near the Kassam, OX4 4XP. These sessions are Thursday afternoons, with volunteers asked to attend at least monthly, from 13:00 – 16:00.
Witney
We are currently seeking supporters for our Witney sewing hub, hosted at Cogges Church Centre, Witney OX28 3LA. These sessions are Friday afternoons 1:30 – 3:30pm with volunteers asked to attend at least monthly, from 1:00 – 4:00pm.
If you would like more information please contact dorcasdressproject@gmail.com