The material girl who has changed lives
A childhood friendship sowed the seeds of A passion that has Also helped taslima Ahmad support vulnerable women
WHEN Taslima Ahmad’s elderly neighbour taught her to knit, it ignited a spark that would change many women’s lives.
Growing up, Taslima felt different from her seven siblings, who were all more academic. “I was the odd one out,” she says. “I was dyslexic and autistic. But I liked to help, and when I was at pri mary school I’d visit my neighbour Mrs Arthur, who was in her eighties.
“I saw the blankets she had crocheted and she said, ‘Let me teach you.’ That was the begin ning of my journey.”
Taslima went on to study textiles at university, developing a passion for traditional techniques. This led her to open a mill to keep hand-processed manufacturing alive.
But that wasn’t her only aim – she has also used it as a way of giving vulnerable groups the chance to gain skills and pride.
“We work with women who have been sexually and mentally abused,” she explains. “They are forgotten people. But they can relate to me.”
Now Taslima’s efforts have been recognised with a prestigious National Lottery Award.
The online courses Taslima has run during lockdown have also been a lifeline for many women suffering loneliness and fear – she has even those who couldn’t afford them.
“When lockdown started, they were frightened and their children were too – Covid-19 was an illness they couldn’t see. They were afraid to go out. I knew I had to give them structure, and work was the only thing they had to con centrate on. What they’ve pro duced is incredible.”
In 2013, she opened Creative Design & Manufacture in Manchester, a non- jects. The awards celebrate the inspirational people who do extraordinary things with the help of National Lottery
Taslima will receive a £3,000 prize as part of her award to continue the good work of Creative Design & Manufacture. This includes explore and preserve the shared textile heritage of Britain and south Asia.
It’s good causes like this that benefit from the £30million* you raise every week by playing The National Lottery.
Alongside gaining technical skills, students enjoy a therapeutic and safe space to build confidence and make friends of all ages.
Taslima says: “We have attendees from five to 85 and they laugh together like teenagers. We work intergenerationally because of my relationship with Mrs Arthur. What she taught me has stayed with me all my life.”
During lockdown, Taslima delivered 20 sewing machines to her students so they could continue her courses online. She says: “It has been a lifeline for these women and we want to thank National Lottery players for supporting us.”