BCR Youth Collective Textile Art Workshop Empowers Young People

Everyone has that one piece of clothing they can’t quite let go of. For 16-year-old Sol, it was her favourite pair of jeans - comfortable, familiar and worn constantly. When a hole appeared, Sol was ready to say goodbye, until a needle, some thread and a dash of creative inspiration changed their future.

Sol was one of a group of young people who recently took part in a Youth Collective Textile Art Workshop at the BCR Youth and Community Centre in Sanctuary Point. Rather than discarding damaged or forgotten clothing, participants were invited to bring items from home and learn how to transform them through fabric printing and embroidery.

The workshop was facilitated by BCR Community Program Officer Cita Daidone, who brings decades of experience as an art teacher and a strong belief in creativity as a tool for confidence and self-expression.

“What we wear often tells a story about who we are,” Cita said. “This workshop was about giving young people the chance to explore their identity, build confidence and realise they can re-imagine something instead of throwing it away.”

Through guided activities, participants learned how to embellish, repair and restore clothing - turning holes, stains and worn patches into creative features. For Sol, a simple embroidery flourish meant her much-loved jeans could be worn again.

“I’m excited to wear them again,” Sol said. “I haven’t really done printing on fabric or embroidery before, and I’ve liked it a lot because it’s really creative.”

Funded by the Office of Regional Youth, the workshop reflects a growing focus on providing young people in regional areas with meaningful opportunities to build confidence, skills and employment pathways close to home.

“A spark of an idea can turn into something much bigger,” Cita said. “It might lead to selling handmade pieces at a market stall or online but just as importantly, it creates that moment of realising, ‘I can actually do this’ which is priceless.”

Beyond the creative process, the workshop also opened conversations about sustainability. With thousands of clothing items discarded each year, participants were encouraged to think differently about fashion, consumption and waste.

The workshop reflects BCR Communities’ ongoing commitment to creativity, sustainability and empowering young people to see new possibilities – not just in their clothing, but in their skills and confidence.