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Need to work from home? Learn to sew with Almond Studio

Need to work from home? Learn to sew with Almond Studio
Made in Bermondsey’s new Almond Studio makerspace project is inviting local people across Southwark to learn to sew with a free online course.
You can learn hand stitching and sewing machine techniques, upcycling, reading patterns, finishing garments and industry tips and tricks. Almond Studio is a non-profit fashion platform making clothing and textile skills accessible to Southwark residents, run by local charity Community Opportunity in partnership with Big Local South Bermondsey Partnership and Tree Shepherd. It is launching sewing classes online and a community-led makerspace in the heart of Bermondsey, following a successful pilot during the Made in Bermondsey regeneration programme at the Blue Bermondsey.
Piarve Wetshi, the project leader, is a young mum from the area. She explained: “Many people have lost their jobs in the pandemic, especially in the creative industry. A lot of people in our area were unemployed before COVID because they needed to work flexibly from home for various reasons such as caring responsibilities or having a disability. There has not been enough support for independent creatives and JobCenters are not yet set up for this kind of work. We want to offer people the opportunity to retrain and sew from home, giving them the flexibility. As well as free online sewing courses, we are setting up a collective of people sewing from home so that they can help each other and share contracts for work in the future.”
Daniel Blake, a local fashion designer and London College of Fashion lecturer, who is a keen supporter of the project, said: “Bermondsey used to be a centre of the London textiles industry. During this particularly challenging time, there is an increasing demand for locally produced products. When so many of us are working in isolation, the importance of community learning is also fundamental to our wellbeing and nurturing creativity and entrepreneurship. Therefore the time is right for local people who need to retrain for the future to learn traditional skills like sewing once more. We’re particularly focusing on teaching people foundational knowledge for making clothing because everyone needs clothes. There is also a growing awareness that fast fashion is very wasteful and needs to be replaced by more sustainable locally made products which are made with care and consideration.”
Big Local South Bermondsey Partnership’s Community Worker said: “We are putting the word partnership into action by supporting Almond Studio and encouraging people who live on estates in the area to take control of their lives.”
Sandra Ferguson from Tree Shepherd said: “We are delighted to support the Almond Studio makerspace and the networks being created for makers through the homeworking collective, particularly during these difficult times.”
The Almond Studio course is open to everyone living in Southwark and particularly welcomes unemployed people, people with disabilities, and people who need to care for children or adults in their families. Find out more about the course and apply at www.almondstudio.co.uk by 10 February 2021.

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Made in Bermondsey

Made in Bermondsey 2019 06 06 - Soft launch Group photo 01MADE IN BERMONDSEY

We’re part of the Made in Bermondsey programme – please click here for more information.

As part of this community-led regeneration programme funded by the GLA’s LEAP Good Growth Fund via Southwark Council, Community Opportunity ran a Made in Bermondsey pop up shop and community space at the Blue Market, Bermondsey, from July 2019 to Dec 2020.

Hundreds of you from the local community came to give your views on what you would like to see in your local area, and try out new community activities including our pilot makerspace, which has led on to our Almond Studio makerspace project funded by Power to Change, London Community Response Fund via City Bridge Trust, and the National Lottery.

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Bermondsey Uprising – our new pop up

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Bermondsey Uprising is a new pop up indoor market and community space.

Currently closed due to COVID-19

The indoor market sells vintage, toys, gifts, accessories, clothes, crafts and more. We support new local entrepreneurs, particularly if you are unemployed or have a disability.

The community space hosts events suggested and organised by people from across our local community.

Ada says pop in to suggest stalls and community activities you’d like to see, or start your own here with us.

Open Tue-Fri 11-5
Sat 10-6

At the Blue Market, 210-212 Southwark Park Road, Bermondsey SE16 3RW.

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Our lovely volunteers

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A big thank you to all the local people who’ve turned up to volunteer to transform an empty shop into #BermondseyUprising over the last few days. We love you all!

Now seeking volunteers to run shop and community activities – can you spare a little time?

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Free Zumba at Blue Market Saturdays

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Free Zumba with reknowned instructor Luis Bravo from Circle Spa – every Saturday 11.30-12.30 at the Blue Market, Bermondsey SE16 3UQ.

Word travels fast – Southwark News heard from local people about how fantastic our Zumba is and came to see us! Come and see for yourself.

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Design a Christmas Card competition now open

20171103 Design a Christmas card for Bermondsey

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Blue Market Saturdays

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We’re here! Every Saturday 10am-4pm at the Blue Market, Bermondsey SE16 3UQ

Currently closed due to COVID-19

Come visit our new stalls with handmade crafts, toys, gifts, books and Bermondsey memorabilia. Lots more new stalls on the way from local entrepreneurs too.

Our friendly big tent always has a warm welcome for you. Pop in for a chat, find out what’s going on locally and get involved in your community.

Would you like to join us? We’ve got lots of opportunities for local entrepreneurs, particularly if you are unemployed or have a disability, and volunteers. Drop by to find out more.