Dementia-friendly Legacy Cross-Stitch Workshops in Sunderland

This October, Mint Stitches CIC will host two very special dementia-friendly workshops, all about stories, memories, and the joy of making together.

In this two-session programme, we’ll begin with stories, photographs, favourite objects, memory boxes, and conversation. From these moments we’ll create simple collages of ideas, which then flow into colourful, easy cross-stitch project. Each piece becomes a small legacy work, celebrating personal stories and connections through thread.

✨ When: Tuesday 7th October & Thursday 16th October, 2–5pm

✨ Where: Sunderland Museum, Learning Space

✨ Who’s it for: People living with dementia, each with a carer or family member. No stitching experience needed — just curiosity and willingness to join in.

What we’ll do:

• Session 1 (7th October): Share stories, look at personal treasures, and make simple collages to spark memories and ideas.

• Session 2 (16th October): Build on those ideas by having a go at stitching with colourful threads and large-hole fabric (all materials provided), starting to create small legacy pieces together.

The groups will be small, friendly, and welcoming — around 10–15 people in total.

The focus isn’t on perfection, but on enjoyment, connection, and making something meaningful in a supportive social setting.

If this sounds like something you or a loved one would enjoy, we’d love for you to join us. Bring along a photograph, scrapbook, or object that’s special to you, and let’s see where the stories and stitches take us.

Each stitch is a story, and every story deserves to be honoured.

How to join: If you’d like to take part, simply fill in the online form to register. As places are limited, we kindly ask that you commit to attending both sessions — this helps us keep the group small and special, and means every story can be included.

If getting to the venue is a barrier, we offer small bursaries to cover the expenses of travelling to the Museum. Please see the details in the registration form.

Participation is completely free, thanks to generous funding from FirstPort and venue support of Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens.

Host or Publisher Mint Stitches CIC