Year 1 Climate Sisters – Stitches in Time

The third Phase 1 group of 2023 was made up of fifteen women who were learning English through Stitches in Time, a long-standing charity based in Tower Hamlets. For over 25 years, Stitches in Time has supported the local community through arts, education, and a social enterprise that expands opportunities for local residents.

The course was made possible thanks to the support of three incredible Sylheti translators from Stitches in Time — Anwara, Jahnara, and Zulfa. Their presence enabled participants to engage more deeply with the sessions and with each other.

A highlight of the programme came in week five during a powerful video by Srilatha Batliwala on feminist leadership. With time to pause, translate, and reflect as a group, participants were able to explore the ideas in detail and share their own perspectives.

Creating space for everyone to take part in climate conversations is at the heart of Climate Sisters. Breaking down language barriers is a vital step in making these discussions accessible and inclusive for all.

Climate Sisters Creative Projects – Phase 2

In Phase Two of the programme each of the women were encouraged to develop their ideas about what they wanted to say in relation to climate change and what meant the most to them.

Each project is a creative piece which disrupts the narrative and dominance that the written word is the only way to communicate knowledge. It’s all about creating spaces and ways for the women to have their knowledge valued, shared and their voices heard – bringing women’s voices to the climate table.

The group chose to collaborate on a final piece – a theatre performance held at the Brady Arts Centre. Complete with lighting, sound, costumes, and scripts, it was a fully realised production that showcased the creativity, courage, and collaboration of the Stitches in Time Climate Sisters cohort.

Sylheti was the first language spoken by the group, and the performance reflected this, with key sections performed in Sylheti and translated into English. By decentralising English, the performance not only made the space more accessible but also honoured the knowledge and cultural context the women brought with them.

Together, they wrote, designed, and performed an original piece exploring the devastating impacts of climate change on Bangladesh — telling the story of a changing homeland through personal and collective memory, and placing their lived experiences at the heart of climate storytelling.