Quilt SOS

Image: All images courtesy Alice Caroline

Alice Caroline are delighted to announce the launch of their Quilt SOS project for the sixth year running. The Quilt SOS project’s aim is to coordinate the sewing and donation of quilts to give women and children in need something useful and beautiful to treasure.  In previous years the project has supported charities SOS Children’s Villages and Hestia with donations of over 300 handcrafted, unique and cosy bedspreads. This year, Alice Caroline wanted to work with charities a little closer to home in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and are coordinating the project in partnership with two Gloucestershire-based charities: GARAS, the Gloucestershire Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers; and The Nelson Trust, a charity that aims to bring belief, hope and long-term recovery to people whose lives have been torn apart by addiction.

Image: The Alice Caroline team delivering finished quilts from their customers (2019).

GARAS provides help for families that have had their asylum approved, who are uprooting and making the journey to the UK.  These families can only bring small amounts of luggage and personal belongings with them so GARAS sets these families up in houses in the UK with a fresh new start.  Alice Caroline is hoping to galvanise sewists to make beautiful quilts for these families to brighten their new homes.

Alice Garrett, owner and inspiration behind both the project and Alice Caroline said “I am thrilled to be able to support these Gloucestershire based charities with our Quilt SOS project this year.  Both charities do wonderful work to support people in times of crisis and the quilts our customers make will bring comfort to people’s lives.  We will be delivering the quilts personally to the women and children of the homes at The Nelson Trust and are really happy to be working alongside GARAS who will ensure that the quilts reach specific families in their new homes. We are also hoping to be able to do some crafting with the women and children in the future.  Many of the wonderful quilters who take part in the project have done so since the start – they love to sew and especially for a good cause.  I hugely value their time and effort put into supporting our project. And the quilts we receive from them are all stunning.  We would love to hear from anyone else who would like to take part.”

Image: Four quilts made by Bridget Thorn for Quilt SOS 2020.

Adele Owen, Director at GARAS said “For refugees feeling welcome to their new homes and starting their new lives to receive a beautiful, handmade quilt that helps them feel welcome and safe is a wonderful gift. In a climate that can sometimes feel unwelcoming and cold this shows the generosity that is there in the time and effort given to make such a personal contribution. We are very grateful.”

Beanie Cooke, Hub Academy lead at The Nelson trust said “We are so grateful to Alice Caroline for this amazing offer for our residential clients as part of the Quilt SOS project. Residential rehabilitation is an emotional journey, and these quilts will give women going through treatment a reminder of what they have achieved in their time here. Art has a powerfully restorative effect, but most importantly, these quilts will remind them that they are thought of and cared for, that someone is cheering for them.”

All 2021 SOS quilts must be received by Tuesday November 30th 2021. For more information about the Quilt SOS project visit the Alice Caroline website.