In the autumn term of 2024 RCLC, in partnership with Jelly Arts and the Museum of English Rural Life (MERL) ran a 10 week arts and craft course for migrant women. Women were invited to share the stories and textiles that they brought with them from their country of origin. Learners shared arts and craft techniques but from their countries but also produced some beautiful handicrafts too. The Community Case display, delivered by Jelly and RCLC explores the routes women have taken to arrive in Reading and celebrates the textiles that travelled with them.

On Monday 20/2/25 everyone involved in the project was invited to a special afternoon tea to celebrate this work. The exhibition at MERL explores the route that women from all over the world have taken to arrive in Reading and the textiles skills that travelled with them. Women from all over the world, Sweden, Turkey, Pakistan, to name a few contributed to this exhibition and you can listen to their stories through a telephone next to the Community Display. The display will be available to view at MERL until May 2025.