Stitching Belonging Through Conversation
When expert seamstress Elene arrived in Melbourne from Cameroon in 2024, she brought decades of experience sewing traditional pagne wraps and kaba dresses. She had travelled to Australia to help her daughter, Priscilla, care for her grandson, but quickly encountered a new challenge: she spoke very little English.
At the same time, St Kilda local Liz Hurst was searching for a more meaningful way to contribute to her community. Working in corporate risk management for the Department of Treasury and Finance, Liz wanted something grounded and personal. “My desire to offer my time to my local community was very strong,” she says. “I wanted something local and grassroots. If you feel more rooted in your community, you feel more stable.”
Recognising a natural connection between the two women, the team at Space2b introduced them. Elene could sew products for the shop while practising conversational English with Liz. From this simple idea, the Craft and Conversation Programme was born. Meeting every Wednesday, the programme has now run for more than three years, with Liz volunteering as mentor and coordinator.
A Space for Confidence and Connection
What began as sewing sessions soon became something much deeper. For many migrant and refugee women, the programme offers a safe place to build confidence, friendships, and independence.
Another participant, Kadija, fled Afghanistan after experiencing violence and oppression under Taliban rule. When she arrived in Melbourne to reunite with her husband and daughter, she spoke only Dari. Everyday tasks — answering phone calls, reading messages, navigating daily life — felt isolating.
After two and a half years of weekly conversations with Liz, Kadija can now confidently communicate in English and has also learned basic sewing skills. “The resilience is really amazing,” Liz says. “Kadija fills me with joy every time I see her. She always makes me laugh.”
Their friendship has extended beyond the classroom. Kadija regularly cooks meals to share with Liz, and through these exchanges, deeper parts of her story have emerged — including her experience working as a seasoned cook back home. “These are the tentacles of people’s lives that we get to know more over time,” Liz explains.
Creativity as a Universal Language
The programme has gradually grown through word of mouth and community referrals. Some participants arrive unexpectedly, simply walking through the door in search of connection. Yira, a Colombian-born painter, joined in this way. Rather than sewing, she brings her own artistic practice into the space. Attendance naturally ebbs and flows, but the programme’s strength lies in its consistency. Participants know there is always a welcoming space waiting for them.
At its heart, Craft and Conversation is not just about language learning or sewing. It is about mutual exchange. Liz believes the programme succeeds because participants are treated as equals, each bringing skills and experiences to share. “There’s so much racism out there,” she says. “We’re committed to people having a good experience here led by kindness. We want you here. We want you to learn.”
In a world where genuine connection can feel rare, the programme shows how small acts of consistency, creativity, and care can help people build a sense of home
____
Want to join the weekly class as a peer learner? APPLY HERE.
