Action for Conservation (AFC) is a UK grassroots charity using innovative approaches to inspire and empower young people from diverse backgrounds, between the ages of 12 and 24, to become the next generation of environmental leaders. To them, being a ‘conservationist’ or ‘environmentalist’ doesn’t just mean following a career as a field biologist or a campaigner. They inspire today’s young people to a long-term belief in the wonder of the natural world, which will shape their dreams and actions whatever path they choose in life. The RSN has partnered with Action for Conservations young Ambassadors by offering courses on garment upcycling and transformation. 

Action for Conservation

Hope for Home charity was born out of shared personal experiences looking after loved ones with dementia at home, and our mission is to help others to do the same. The RSN has partnered with Hope for Home to deliver free embroidery kits to up to 100 carers of dementia patients who are living at home.  

Hand embroidery combines gentle cognitive stimulation, sensory engagement, and emotional reassurance in a calm, purposeful activity. The repetitive, rhythmic movements can be soothing and reduce anxiety or agitation, while following simple patterns or choosing colours helps maintain attention, hand–eye coordination, and fine motor skills. Embroidery can also trigger memories through familiar textures or techniques, supporting reminiscence and a sense of identity, and the act of making something tangible can foster feelings of achievement and self-worth at a time when confidence may be reduced. 

The kits will include a unique hand-printed fabric and recycled materials and will ask the stitchers to consider their thoughts on nature. The final pieces will be returned and displayed as part of our 2027 exhibition. 

Hope for Homes

Global Generation is an educational charity, which works together with local children and young people, businesses, residents and families in Camden, Islington and Southwark.  The RSN partnered with Global Generation in order to create a new art piece for their new garden in Kings Cross. As part of the Fragile Threads initiative, the RSN is leading a year-long series of workshops to design and create a nature based centrepiece. 

Home — Global Generation

Intoart is an evolving alternative art school and pioneering studio programme, championing equity, leadership & visibility of learning disabled and autistic artists, designers and makers. The RSN partnered with Intoart to deliver embroidery masterclasses to artists with learning disabilities using sustainable materials. These new skills can then be incorporated into the artists existing art practices

Intoart – Intoart is a visual arts charity based in London working with adults and young people with learning disabilities.

The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST) is a charity that transforms the careers of talented and aspiring makers by funding their training and education, creating pathways to excellence and strengthening the future of the UK’s craft sector. The RSN will be introducing QEST Alumni to new sustainable materials and supporting selected QEST Alumni through an embroidery workshop and mentoring programme with RSN Tutors. Pieces produced will be displayed as part of the Fragile Threads Exhibition. 

The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST)

 ATW80F is a multimedia educational non‑profit that fosters connections between plastic‑free fabrics and planetary health, celebrating the rich diversity of nature‑friendly alternatives to fast‑fashion materials. Through its Around the World in 80 Fabrics database, ATW80F showcases more than 260 sustainable materials and textiles. 

RSN has partnered with ATW80F to select 20 sustainable fabrics from ATW80F’s extensive materials library, these fabrics will be tested for their suitability for embroidery and used across our partner projects to champion and promote responsible, planet‑friendly textile choices. 

Around The World in 80 Fabrics