Crafting and connecting
Building literacy skills through craft activities and cultural exchange.
)
The project partners were:
Louth and Meath Education and Training Board (LMETB)
Age Action
About this project
This project brought together women from different backgrounds to learn and share craft skills while improving their literacy skills.
The programme combined activities such as embroidery, crochet and sewing with opportunities to practise reading, writing, measuring and calculating. Skills were developed through hands-on activities that made learning more accessible and relevant.
More about this project
The programme ran in late 2024 in Adult Literacy Service centres in Dundalk and Kells, with 16 learners involved.
Learning was built into real tasks. Learners researched craft ideas online, followed instructions, and used skills such as measuring, cutting and counting as they worked. Activities included a range of cultural crafts such as cross-stitch, crochet, sewing and printing.
A key feature of the project was its learner-led approach. Learners shared their own skills and experiences with the group, supporting peer learning and cultural exchange.
The project supported learners by creating a welcoming environment where people could build skills at their own pace. It also promoted social inclusion by encouraging interaction and understanding across different cultures and backgrounds.
The programme ended with an exhibition of work, and feedback highlighted benefits for confidence and wellbeing.
This model can be used in other ETBs in future. This course content is largely learner-generated and can be adapted to different groups and settings.