Laois volunteers weave stars in Portlaoise against violence

Laois Volunteer Centre has recently set up star weaving workshops as part of a national endeavour to provide an inclusive community arts project connecting communities across Ireland.

The workshops take place weekly in Portlaoise Library and are part of Amber’s One Million Stars Ireland project  which is an inclusive community arts project connecting communities across Ireland in solidarity against domestic abuse and all forms of violence.

The project comprises star-weaving groups of people who commit to weaving between 10,000 and one million stars over a two-to-five-year period. These woven stars symbolize solidarity in ending all forms of violence, including violence against women. Once they reach their target, the groups display their stars, contributing to the global goal of weaving one billion stars by 2032.

The group in Portlaoise was launched in June and welcomes everybody interested in developing arts and crafts with an emphasis on the integration of diverse groups living in Laois. The workshops are free of charge and all materials are provided. To date, the national programme has worked with diverse groups including TY students, care home residents, new community groups, Respond, Rehab Ireland, Mental Health Ireland, Irish Wheelchair Association and many others.

The Laois Volunteer Centre Manager Caitriona Ryan spoke about the project. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Pictured: Bundles of Stars made at the workshop.

“It’s a great opportunity for diverse groups of people to enjoy crafts and at the same time meet new people. The star weaving workshops create an awareness of global and domestic violence. We invite guest speakers weekly to give the group an outline of work based in Laois and, to date, we have had speakers from PATH (Portlaoise Action to Homelessness), Sosad who offer support and services for people who are struggling with suicidal ideation, depression, bereavement and stress, Laois Domestic Abuse Service and the Guild of St Philip who provides a befriending service for prisoners in Portlaoise and the Midlands Prison,” said Ms Ryan.

Ukrainian born Zhanna Dubinina and her 14-year-old daughter Mariam have been participants of the programme in recent weeks. Zhanna is an accomplished artist.

“I want to help the community and I am interested in learning about the theme of the programme. I enjoy the star making and it’s a good opportunity to meet people,” she said.

Laois Volunteer Centre plan to set up a further star weaving group in Rathdowney in the autumn.

If you would like to be a star weaver or if you have some spare time at home to prepare star weaving kits, contact Caitriona Ryan, Manager Laois Volunteer Centre on info@volunteerlaois.ie or phone 0872499659.

For more on volunteering in Laois check out www.volunteerlaois.ie