York textile artist Natalie Needham aims to raise awareness for substance misuse through a thought-provoking exhibition.
Natalie, an artist from Holgate, supported her father who has an alcohol addiction. But she often felt alone in the frustrations that come with being a carer for someone with an addiction.
In May 2020, Natalie began hand-stitching her thoughts on scraps of fabric – and then she found a whole community.
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“I found stitching thoughts I couldn’t get out of my head calming and cathartic,” explained Natalie.
“I realised, if it was helping me, it might help others in the same position.”
So Natalie launched the Stitch Away the Stigma campaign which involved posting fabric packs across the UK to others affected by the addiction of a loved one.
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The packs contain two squares of hand-dyed fabric to stitch on, a needle and thread and a stamp to return one finished square to Natalie. The other can be kept as a personal reminder of the participant’s strength.
The campaign gained traction on social media, and was featured on Fearne Cotton’s Happy Place podcast Instagram account. The publicity led to more than 50 people getting involved and sharing their stories.
A vast community
Natalie has transformed the fabric pieces into a wall hanging, which will be displayed at City Screen York on Sunday 28 November.
The exhibition aims to celebrate and recognise people’s stories and also raise awareness about the broader effects of addiction.
“Stitch Away the Stigma has given me, and other people in the same position, a new opportunity to say things I may have never been able to articulate and discover a vast community of people in the same position as me,” said Natalie.
“My goal is to raise awareness about the effects of addiction on the families and friends surrounding the addict by creating an opportunity for carers to reflect on their own mental health and wellbeing needs.”
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The event will also raise funds and awareness for the York Carers Centre and their substance misuse support group – a group that Natalie herself is a part of.
Alongside the exhibition launch there will be guided meditations, complimentary hand and shoulder massages, a raffle, talks from carers of addicts and welcome drinks.
Tickets are £8 and are available via Eventbrite, with all funds going to York Carers Centre.
“My hope is that participants will see all of their fabric messages together and realise they are not alone,” said Natalie.