Kia ora
Welcome to “The Change Makers” – a weekly video series.
In this series our Change Makers share their stories, their thoughts, their ambitions and their actions to leave our world a better place – to be a Good Ancestor to future generations.
Our planet is experiencing catastrophic environmental harm and it requires us to Think Long Term, beyond our lifetimes, to evaluate our choices and to take actions to ensure a sustainable and healthy future for all.
The stories of those leading the change – The Change Makers – those thinking and acting with long term vision, are inspirational.
Inspired, we can ask ourselves, “what can we do to be Better Ancestors?”
This week, Better Ancestors visits “Stitch-O-Mat”, a community sewing facility in the suburb of New Brighton, Christchurch, Aotearoa / New Zealand.
Like so many Change-Makers Samantha Fay & Bridget Allen identified a problem and then implemented a solution; “Stitch-O-Mat” was born.
Stitch-O-Mat provides a community resource for upskilling sewing abilities and a hands-on way to recycle fabric and develop creativity.
Machines are available for people to use for their own sewing projects or to sew for a community project. People pop in, work away and learn new skills. An important co-benefit is the development of a sense of community and support for one another.
As Samantha explains, a great choice we can make in terms of minimising harm to the environment is to repair our clothes. Thus by learning to sew and learning to repair people can then make more sustainable choices in their fashion consumption.
The fashion industry is the second biggest polluter in the world. By breaking the link to short term fast-fashion consumption there is an opportunity to think and act long-term and to make a real difference.
To learn more of New Brighton’s “Stitch-o-Mat” - community sustainability workshops and upcycling promotion please visit https://www.stitchomat.co.nz
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Episode 24 premieres next week, Sunday 20th June 2021.
The Change Makers
made possible by the New Zealand Regeneration Investment Group.