2024 Quilt Squares
Words from Jane - The Bereavement Café
We would like to thank The Bolton Fund for funding This project. Earlier this year we gathered two groups of people across the Borough who were Bereaved and struggling with their Grief. Each person was given their own square to present their own thoughts, feelings and memories on.
Supported by the super talented Dawn Elliott, Create and Sew, we all slowly designed, talked, learnt new skills and made new connections, these gentle sessions helped to ease the loneliness of Grief which was felt by many. We supported some beautiful conversations over shared memories each week.
We hope that those who view our quilt will gain a deeper understanding of what Grief really is and can feel like. Our main aim continues to be that we want to stop Grief being a Taboo subject and encourage and empower others with confidence to have discussions with those around them who may be struggling.
Our first display will be during National Grief Awareness Week. We will be within Bolton Library 2-6 December (10-2:30). We will also be holding some well-being sessions on how to support yourself through difficult times (Journalling / Poetry / Crafts) Please get in touch for more details.
Jane
The Bereavement Café
Words from Dawn - Create & Sew Studio
Hi, my name is Dawn Elliott and I teach others to sew and craft at my studio in Chorley, Lancashire.
Jane and I met about a year ago. Jane chatted about how she would love my help to create a Bereavement Café Quilt. She talked about how she’d seen a suicide awareness quilt and the exposure and awareness it was getting all over the UK and wanted to do something similar to get people talking more openly about grief.
We connected straight away, I just had to say yes to help bring Jane’s vision to light.
I was a little concerned as I am such a softie and have no experience in helping others deal with grief and like others I never knew the right things to say but I had my creative skills to share and loved the sound of making the first Bolton Bereavement Café Quilt.
I’m a very good listener, love being creative and always happy to give someone a hug if they need one.
The sessions exceeded my expectations many came along and said they had no sewing skills but by the end produced amazing squares, each one telling a story.
I am so proud of the quilt and delighted to have worked with Jane and her team. The finished quilt is powerful, and emotive and has brought so many lovely people together and formed beautiful friendships.
Dawn
Create & Sew Studio
Martin is my brother….I am adopted and traced my birth family in 2007. Martin was the 1st family member I met….he was supposed to wait until I had...
You promised my mum the day you met me that you would take care of me and for over 45 years you did that. Michael you were the love of my life, the...
Mike my courageous husband of 54 years, loving father, marathon runner, avid football fan, talented gardener, poet and loyal friend to many. You...
To our beautiful daughter Laura taken from us at the age of 33. You whole life ahead of u and not a day goes by when we dont miss and love you. Our...
My square To Infinity & Beyond hold very special place in our hearts for our whole family. When our grandchildren were small we took a holiday...
My second square represents anyone who has encountered grief and it is a simple elephant….as elephants never forget.
My square is in memory of my wonderful husband and my best friend, Lee, who really was the most amazing Daddy to our daughter Molly. Taken from us...
As a social prescriber I am very passionate about support for people who are grieving, this quilt square represents supporting on of my lovely...
My square ‘Memories’ is dedicated to Joe Kennedy, our Dad, and Harpers grandad. He was a kind and generous man who gave the best hugs. The heart is...
Tony and I met in 1972, we married in 1976. He was a wonderful dad to our three children. Friends and work colleagues loved his company. He was very...
It was on a blind date in 1967 that I met my beautiful Vida, I think it must have been love at first site as I never wanted to be with anyone else....
My first square is in honour of Jason Stokes, son, brother, husband, father, friend, the man with the purple pig van, a true gentleman, the squire...
My square is in honour of my precious husband Paul who passed away to cancer during lockdown 2020. I was inspired by his love and loyalty to...
My square is my mum & dad. Very much loved and very much missed every single day x
My Dad was my world and my best friend growing up. Not long after he passed, l kept seeing robins and I felt his presence when I saw them. He was in...
This is in memory of a dear friend who suffered many losses and struggled with her self-worth all her adult life. She always signed off her messages...
The loss of my Mom Pauline in January 2024 was a profound shock. She suffered a cardiac arrest and it was only when she arrived in hospital where...
‘You will always be in our hearts’
In memory of my loving husband John. I miss you everyday. You were a wonderful husband, Dad and Grandad. Love you always Pat x
My squares are in memory of my darling husband / Oscars dad, taken away too soon at the age of 58. Chris was diagnosed with advanced metastatic...
In memory of my much loved dad. My hero and a massive influence in not only my life but the whole family.He was full of life and lots of fun and...
My square is a picture of Chris waterskiing - his passion, his happy place. I can't really put into words how much I miss Chris but I do know that...
Dear Gerry/Ariff, I have a big void since you went, but I know one day when we meet again it will be filled, I love and miss you more than I could...
Mum and Dad, Grandma Elsie and Grandad George. Loved and missed by all the family xx
“Lillian” Mum, grandma, great grandma you were the world to us all. You were so loved. We miss your lovely smile. God bless
In memory for My mum, my best friend Mum was a hairdresser and worked in Southport, she loved gardening and colourful flowers As you see...
In Loving Memory of my Brother taken too soon age 52. The pain is unbearable not a day goes by we don’t think of you. Our lives have changed forever...
Life Tree In loving memory of mum, dad brother and daughter. Laura loved and missed by everyone. Forever in our hearts x
My square in memory of Christopher John Davies Our Eldest Son we tragically lost suddenly March 3rd 2022 due to a ruptured Aorta.Chris was 39, an...
This is my beautiful wife Frances. We were married in 1970 in Liverpool and married for 54 years. We have two wonderful sons and two lovely...
My amazing Mum who was my biggest cheerleader, my support system, my safety and whose love was unconditional. Not a day goes by that I don't think...
My square is for my much loved and dearly missed Husband and best friend, Steve, who sadly died suddenly innocently June 2018 aged just 46. ...
Our beautiful 1st born daughter ‘Holly Isobel’. We were so happy when we found out we were expecting our first baby and never realised how our hopes...
