A collaboration between SASS and The Unfinished Shawl, a series of workshops archiving South Asian women's stories through creative practices.
Workshop 1: The stories heirlooms tell - Monday 28th September
In the first session, we will explore what it means to tell stories connected to our relatives, ancestors, lineage, and land through objects and heirlooms. Participants will be invited to bring along a meaningful item to connect with and you will be guided to tell the story or memory from the object’s perspective. We will explore the stories objects and heirlooms hold about a family.
Workshop 2: Penning our stories through poetry and prose - Thursday 8th October
We'll explore the things unsaid, absence, and filling in the gaps. It'll be an opportunity to evoke imagination and creativity, to perhaps have a conversation with someone that they wish they could have spoken to, ask the questions that they wish they could have asked, or perhaps even think about sharing a story, knowing that they want to pass it down to future generations as an heirloom. We will hold space for emergence and for grief, complexity, and joy to be explored.
Workshop 3: Embroidering our memories - Thursday 15th October
This session will focus on the role of making. The first part of the workshop will focus on imparting basic embroidery skills across 3-4 types of stitches. The second part of the workshop will consist of participants embroidering a photograph of their choosing, imbuing it with their own reflection and celebration of what they understand memory-keeping to be. This can then act as a tangible reminder of the course journey and an heirloom for generations to come.
Testimonials:
“The Unfinished Shawl is a timely project of increasing importance, given we are in a time of greater disconnect and division. The project goes beyond providing an education. It is a well-thought-out, active, and therapeutic process that helps its participants uncover more about their pasts, lineage, and heritage whilst celebrating and remembering within a community. The Unfinished Shawl helps bring agency and courage to its participants to recognise greater truths and appreciate nuance in their lives. The facilitators themselves are grounded in literature and lived experiences. They speak and act with an appreciation of all individuals and their differences. They nurture the community whilst ensuring sessions run with clear intent. They welcome all voices, empowering all those involved.” - Memory Keeper, Summer 2026 Cohort
About The Unfinished Shawl:
The Unfinished Shawl is a community-led programme designed to help the South Asian diaspora move from curiosity to active archiving. It is created and run by Nikita Yasmin Shah (Decolonial Strategist & Founder of Hyphen Poetry) and Ishani Rege (Cultural Strategy & Narrative Consultant at Currents & Threads)
Contact: If you have any questions regarding this session, please email programming@stmargaretshouse.org.uk
Venue: The Anson Room at St Margaret’s House, 21 Old Ford Road, London, E2 9PL
Access: We are working to make our Grade II listed building more accessible, but it will take some time. Please note that entry to the Anson Room is not step-free (accessed via 17 steps). If you require access support and/or access to an accessible toilet, please contact us on 020 8980 2092 or email programming@stmargaretshouse.org.uk so we can arrange this for you.
Dates:
Workshop 1 - Monday 28th September
Workshop 2 - Thursday 8th October
Workshop 3 - Thursday 15th October
Times: 6.30-8.30pm (9pm on Thursday 15th October)
Tickets:
Standard (covers most of our costs) – I am employed, have some expendable income, and manage to meet my basic needs - £15
Pay it Forward (covers all of our costs and supports our work) – I am employed or have enough savings to comfortably meet my basic needs - £20
If you would like to attend all three workshops, you can get a bundle deal (£40 at the Standard Rate and £50 at the Pay it Forward Rate).
Email us to ask for this code before booking: programming@stmargaretshouse.org.uk