Pick up a needle, make a connection, join Cayr Quilt 2026
You don't need to know how to sew. You just need to want to feel part of something.There's something quietly powerful about sitting in a circle with others, needle in hand, making something together. That's exactly what Cayr Quilt is, a creative space where people come together to stitch, share, and support one another.
This year, we're inviting you to be part of it. Whether you've been quilting for decades or have never threaded a needle in your life, Cayr Quilt 2026 is for you.
What is Cayr Quilt?
Cayr Quilt grew out of our Pink Stitch programme, a project using participatory textiles to bring people affected by breast cancer together. Over the years, we've seen what happens when people make something with their hands in the company of others: conversations start, barriers come down, and something real gets created.
The 2026 programme runs online from June to August, with an in-person London quilt day in October. Participants create individual fabric squares that together form a collective quilt, a physical piece of art that reflects the stories, care, and creativity of everyone involved.
“Every square in the quilt carries a piece of someone’s story. That’s what makes it extraordinary.”
Who is it for?
Cayr Quilt welcomes anyone who wants to take part, particularly people who are:
Living with or beyond breast cancer
Caring for someone with a long-term illness
Feeling isolated or looking for community connection
Curious about creative wellbeing and textile arts
Simply wanting to try something new in good company
No experience is needed, just a willingness to show up. We'll provide guidance, materials information, and a warm, supportive environment throughout.
This year we're aiming to reach 250 participants across our online sessions and in-person London quilt day. Every square sewn adds to a growing collective artwork, and to a growing community.
What can you expect?
The online sessions (June–August) are relaxed and informal, a chance to learn basic stitching techniques, hear from others, and work on your quilt square in your own time and space. Our facilitators are warm, experienced, and passionate about making creative health accessible to everyone.
In October, we'll bring everyone together for a special in-person day in London, where the collective quilt will come to life. It's a celebration as much as a workshop, a chance to meet the people behind the squares you've been connected to online.
Why does it matter?
At Cayr, we believe creativity is a powerful tool for health and wellbeing, not a luxury, but a necessity. Research consistently shows that arts participation reduces isolation, supports mental health, and builds community resilience. Cayr Quilt puts that belief into practice, one stitch at a time.
But you don't need to read the evidence to feel it. Just ask anyone who's taken part.
Ready to join us?
Spaces for Cayr Quilt 2026 are limited. Sign up now to secure your place in the online programme starting this June.
