Mythical Creatures, Story Makers Digital Activities

March 11, 2026 Flick

This half term we have been exploring mythical creatures in our Story Makers Session.

Listen to Flick tell the story below – How does the girl’s world change at the end of the story?

Activities

You can have a go at some of the activities below. We’d love to see what you get up to, so please share what you have created with us on social media or by emailing us.

Creature Feature: Create your own mythical creature with a roll of the dice. You’ll need a dice, some paper and pen or pencil Take turns rolling the dice and use this table to draw a feature of you creature
Animal inspiration: Many mythical creatures are a mixture of real life animals. Can you match the animal to the descriptive word?
Colour treasure hunt: Go for a walk around your neighbourhood and discover the different colours you can spot. You could use our image below to help name the different colours.
Treasured Wish Jar: create your own wish jar of somethings you would like to discover or see more of in the world
Celebrating Mythical Creatures in your Culture: The UK has a rich heritage of mythical creatures in our folk tales from dragons and unicorns to mermaids and giants. What mythical creatures are celebrated in your culture? Can you share a tale about one with your friends or family.

These activities are part of content developed for our Story Makers sessions. Story Makers is a creative group for families with English as a second language who have been driven to Warrington by circumstance.

We know that circumstances change and often families can be moved about the UK at very short notice. This digital program is here to encourage family activity and community connections across the UK. You can find more about the Story Makers group here.

Communication, Community, connection, creativity, Family, neurodivergent, Playtime, storytelling, Wonder More, workshops

Story Spinners, 3rd Saturday in Warrington

February 4, 2026February 4, 2026 Tom Barry

A creative club for neurodivergent families

Designed for families with Neurodiverent Children aged 7-11 (younger and older siblings welcome).

The club provides a friendly environment where families can explore different art forms, boost their confidence and enjoy quality time together.

Families have expressed how welcoming, accepting and supportive our sessions are and the space we host them in. There is comfortable seating, different sizes of tables and chairs or cushions, rugs and mats that can be used.

You may be awaiting a diagnosis, find that other spaces don’t suit or want a different and more flexible approach. You don’t have to prove or justify anything to us, if our space and approach looks or sounds like a good fit, then it might be worth a go.

All sessions are free and take place at The Old School in Warrington.

These sessions were originally developed with support from Cheshire Community Foundation and have now been expanded with the support of The National Lottery Community Fund.

What We Do:

Create worlds and stories together
Use recycled materials and craft tools to make pictures, puppets and objects to tell stories with
Work together or alongside each other as a family
Feel accepted and celebrated for working in a way you enjoy working, without pressure of set targets
Enjoy being creative with family members while meeting new people too.

Details

Day & Time: 3rd Saturday of the month 10.30-12

Location: The Old School, Warrington, WA1 3AJ

To book your place or find out more, please fill in this form below.

Or scroll down for more details about the room we use, access and the people who run the sessions.

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

Easy Read Guide for our group

Who is this group for?

Families with neurodivergent children aged 7-11 and their siblings
Adults and children who find some public or education spaces overwhelming
Children, parents and carers who want an accessible space to be creative and spend quality tiime with their family

What do we do?

Creative activities – arts, crafts and imaginative play
Talk about ideas and things we enjoy doing
Meet new people
Have fun

Do I need a diagnosis or anything to show neurodivergence?

No. We will only ask if you have any access requirements. You may be on a pathway or a long way from that. Our environment and approach is here to help your children and you to be creative and feel accepted.

What does the room look like?

Here are some pictures of the room we use upstairs at The Old School. The building itself is a former Victorian style school. Our room is upstairs via a wide, curved set of stairs or a lift.

While we do make some changes to the layout for each group or session that we run, most furniture, colours and wall displays will be either the same or similar.

Who runs the sessions?

Tom Barry is a Storyteller and Community Artist with more than 20 years experience. He is from Winsford in Cheshire and has worked in many settings including: schools, children’s homes and historical sites. He recently qualified as a Celebrant.

He has been priviledged to work with all age groups from babies and toddlers all the way through to universities, parents and families and older adults.

He spent many years working with primary aged children as a storytelling viking warrior, is a very surprisingly good dancer and LOVES Hedgehogs, although rarely gets to see any.

He hopes this picture shows some of the warmth and kindness that he wants have in his workshops.

Communication, Community, connection, creativity, Family, neurodivergent, Playtime, storytelling, Wonder More, workshops

Story Spinners, 3rd Saturday in Warrington

January 14, 2026February 4, 2026 Tom Barry

A creative club for neurodivergent families

Designed for families with Neurodiverent Children aged 7-11 (younger and older siblings welcome).

The club provides a friendly environment where families can explore different art forms, boost their confidence and enjoy quality time together.

All sessions are free and take place at The Old School in Warrington.

These sessions were originally developed with support from Cheshire Community Foundation and have now been expanded with the support of The National Lottery Community Fund.

What We Do:

Create worlds and stories together
Use recycled materials and craft tools to make pictures, puppets and objects to tell stories with
Work together or alongside each other as a family
Feel accepted and celebrated for working in a way you enjoy working, without pressure of set targets
Enjoy being creative with family members while meeting new people too.

Details

Day & Time: 3rd Saturday of the month 10.30-12

Location: The Old School, Warrington, WA1 3AJ

To book your place or find out more, please fill in this form below.

Or scroll down for more details about the room we use, access and the people who run the sessions.

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

Easy Read Guide for our group

Who is this group for?

Families with neurodivergent children aged 7-11 and their siblings
Adults and children who find some public or education spaces overwhelming
Children, parents and carers who want an accessible space to be creative and spend quality tiime with their family

What do we do?

Creative activities – arts, crafts and imaginative play
Talk about ideas and things we enjoy doing
Meet new people
Have fun

Do I need a diagnosis or anything to show neurodivergence?

Community, Early years, Family, Playtime, storytelling, Wonder More

Wonder Weavers – A Parenting Playbook.

December 16, 2025December 17, 2025 Flick

Following 8 weeks of Story and Play sessions for under 5s at the Old School in Warrington, we have created a Parenting Playbook to support Parents and Carers with establishing play at home.

Thanks to funding from Cheshire Community Foundation, you can download your own copy to support play with the little ones in your life.

Wonder Weavers Parenting Playbook Download

Community, connection, creativity, Early years, Family, Games, Home School, Nature, Playtime

Wonder Weavers – Homemade Resources

December 16, 2025December 17, 2025 Flick

Playdough Recipe

Ingredients

1 cup of flour
2 tsp cream of tartar
1/2 cup of salt
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1 cup of water
food colouring

Method

Combine all the dry ingredients and mix well

Add the food colouring to the water and then add the vegetable oil and water and food colouring to a large pan and mix together.

Add the dry ingredients and mix well

Cook over a low to medium heat until the dough starts to form and becomes dry.

Once all the dough has formed a ball, remove from heat and let cool.

Once cooled, knead the dough for 5 minutes to soften. If the dough is still sticky, put back in pan and heat for a few more minutes.

Wrap in clingfilm and store in air tight container and keep in fridge for 1 week.

Coloured Rice

Ingredients

Dried Rice
White Vinegar
Water
Food Colouring

Method

Dilute the White Vinegar – 2 parts water to 1 part White Vinegar

In a Zip lock freezer bag, add a cup of rice, a tablespoon of diluted white vinegar and a few drops of food colouring.

Seal the bag shut, ensuring all air is out of the bag and spread the food colouring across the rice

Once throuroughly mixed, empty the bag onto a baking tray and leave to dry for a couple of hours.

Store in an air tight container for up to a year.

Want to download a free copy of our Parenting Playbook – A guide to support play at home? Follow this link

Communication, Community, connection, creative writing, creativity, ESOL, Family, Joy, storytelling

Story Makers, Warrington from 13th January 2026

December 1, 2025March 11, 2026 Flick

For Families who speak English as a Second Language who have been driven to Warrington by circumstance

At our Story Makers group we aim to support families who have arrived in Warrington through diverse circumstances by offering accessible, arts-based activities that encourage expression, community connection and celebrate our cultures, with support for ESOL learners.

Children, parents and grandparents are all welcome to come together to share stories, play and learn English.

Everyone’s story matters. Everyone is welcome.

What We Do:

Tell and create stories together
Play games with words and imagination
Make art and crafts inspired by stories
Learn English in a fun, friendly way
Celebrate Multicultural Warrington

Details

Day & Time: Tuesdays 4.00-5.30, from 13th January 2026

Location: The Old School, Warrington, WA1 3AJ

Email: hello@storystitchers.co.uk to book your place or find out more

We have secured funding to run this group until June 2026. At the end of the project we may produce some kind of creative outcome like an exhibition or a book. This will be decided by the group in a process of co production.

Get in touch

If you would like to book a place for you family or find out more, please use the form below.

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

Easy Read Guide for our Group

Who is this group for?

Families who have come to Warrington driven by circumstances
People learning English (ESOL)
Grandparents, parents and children to spend time together

What do we do?

Creative activities – arts, crafts, creative writing, storytelling and imaginative play
Learn new words and talk
Meet new people
Have fun

Do I need to be good at speaking English?

No. You can join even if you only speak a little English. We help each other. We use pictures, words, and art to communicate.

Why join the group?

To make friends
To feel part of the community
To relax
To learn English in a friendly way
To enjoy being creative with your family

What do I need to bring?

Your family. All art materials are provided

How much does it cost?

It is free. These sessions are funded by The National Lottery Community Fund.

When and where is it?

Tuesdays, 4 – 5.30pm, upstairs at The Old School, Warrington, WA1 3AJ

Fairfield Street, Warrington, England

Who is running the group?

Flick Barry is a CELTA qualified ESOL teacher and has been a community artist for 20 years. She is experienced at storytelling work with all ages, including working with ESOL students and refugee families. She is British born and throughout her life is lucky to have worked and travelled around the world. Flick is supported by friendly staff and volunteers to ensure that your experience is a positive one.

How do I find out more or sign my family up?

Please send an email to hello@storystitchers.co.uk to sign up or find out more.

Please feel free to download and share our poster with anyone who you think might be interested in coming.

StoryMakersPoster, Warrington Download

Story Makers Digital

adult workshops, Communication, Community, connection, creativity, Family, Playtime, storytelling, Wonder More, workshops

Warrington Stories – Call Out for Freelance Emerging Artists

October 24, 2025October 25, 2025 Flick

Fee: £50 per 90-minute session (+ 30 minutes setup/pack down)

Location: The Old School, Warrington

Discipline: Open to all art forms (Storytelling, visual arts, music, movement, writing, performance, etc.)

Commitment: Regular sessions over the project period (November to June)- afternoons, evening and weekends (schedule TBC)

Requirements: Public Liability Insurance, DBS Check, and two references

Deadline for applications: 5th November

Workshop Interview: 11th November, 1.30-4.30

About the Project

We are looking for an Apprentice to support a creative community space in Warrington, engaging three community groups:

Older adults, once a week
Families seeking Sanctuary, once a week
Neurodivergent (ND) primary-aged children and families, once a month

Building on the success of a pilot project with ND families, this new initiative funded by Lotteries Community Fund, will expand our Story Stitchers approach to foster confidence, creativity and connection through regular arts-based sessions.

Our listening-led, storytelling and co-creation method helps participants express themselves, share stories and build a sense of identity, belonging and wellbeing in a safe, inclusive environment. You can read more about what this looks like in practice here.

Role Description

As an Apprentice Facilitator, you will work alongside an experienced lead artist to:

Support participants during creative sessions
Help set up and pack down materials and equipment
Assist with gathering participant feedback and reflections
Contribute to a positive, inclusive, and welcoming atmosphere

This is an opportunity for an emerging artist interested in developing community facilitation skills and working with diverse groups. You will gain hands-on experience in socially engaged practice and learn how to deliver inclusive, participant-led creative sessions.

Who We’re Looking For

We welcome applications from emerging artists working in any creative discipline who:

Are passionate about community arts and creative inclusion
Are reliable, adaptable, and supportive in group settings
Have or are willing to obtain Public Liability Insurance and a DBS check
Can provide two references

We are particularly keen to hear from artists who have cultural understanding relevant to the communities we are engaging with.

Workshop Interview

Date: 11th November

Time: 1.30-4.30

Location: The Old School, Warrington

We will host a workshop interview in the afternoon. In this workshop we will share more about the project and invite you to lead a 15 minute activity relevant to your creative discipline. Applicants will need to be available for the duration of the workshop and expected to join in the session.

How to Apply

Please email your application to hello@storystitchers.co.uk by 9am, 5th November including the following:

A short statement (up to 500 words) about your practice and why you’re interested in this role
Your CV or a short summary of relevant experience
Two references

We look forward to hearing from you.

adult workshops, Community, creative writing, creativity, Family, Games, Grow Wild Together, storytelling, workshops

Autumn Newsletter

October 12, 2020October 12, 2020 Flick

We are excited to share our Autumn/Winter season of workshops and events.

A big, big thank you! Over the last 6 months you have helped us build Stitch from an idea in our heads to something that we can all share in. From creative challenges, to audio tales and our first Story Circle, you have made this possible through generous donations via Ko-fi and participating in our work.

We continue to grow our story store and continue to add to our catalogue of stories. We have added the Tell Me A Story of...collection to our website. You can see this here

We have put together a mixture of events, creative challenges and workshops over the next few months. If you would like to sign up, please fill in the form at the bottom of this page.

Workshops and Events

Creative Writing Course: Overcoming the Monster

7.30 -9pm, 2nd, 9th, 16th November, £18

Join Flick on a three part course exploring the story structure, character and setting through this practical course to kick start your writing. 8 spaces available

The Talking Teller

7.30- 9pm, 5th November, £6

In this playful workshop, Flick will help you explore the potential of your voice to add colour and animation to your storytelling. 8 spaces available.

Wild Wonder Family

3-4.15pm, 8th November, £9

Explore the stories of the wild, from your own home! Come and join Tom as he guides you and your family through a nature based folktale. Bugs become beasts, bushes grow into jungles and puddles can be sailed for miles. You will then create your own characters, events and environments from the story. For families with children aged 4-8. Spaces for 6 families

Story Circle

8pm, 19th November, 17th December Free (recommended donation £3)

Come gather round our virtual fire as we trade tales.

Want to share your story? We have space for up to 6 people to tell a 5 minute tale. Email us to book your slot.

Want to listen? Sit back and relax. Just let us know you want to come and join us.

The Playful Teller

7.30-9pm, 7th December, £6

Come and test your improvisation skills as we look at how Storytellers play and adapt to different styles, spaces and audiences. 8 spaces available.

We are really pleased to have launched our next creative challenge:

We will be curating an online gallery of all your amazing responses. If you would like to join in, please fill in the form below for the Brief Sheet.

We hope you can join us as we continue to grow Stitch into something marvelous.

All the Best,

Flick and Tom,

Stitch HQ

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Thank you for your response. ✨

Community, creativity, Family, storytelling

A Coffee For a Tale

May 21, 2020 Flick

Hey,
We are Tom and Flick. We are storytellers, writers and community artists with over a decade of experience in working creatively with schools, families, young people and older adults. We usually work in museums, art galleries, heritage sites and arts centres. Then Covid 19 hit and the UK went into lockdown, and all our usual storytelling venues shut up shop.

So we ate some chocolate, and we had a little panic and we scratched our heads and we may have cried and we told some stories and some people told us their stories and that is where we discovered Stitch. It had been there the whole time.

Because it turns out that people need to tell and hear stories now more ever.

So we went about setting creative challenges and silly videos and creative writing prompts and we told people tales about two idiot story scientists and dandelions and woodlice and people told us stories about space and friendship and journeys and kindness and together we started creating a story store.

Together we took the stories we heard and we stitched them into a Patchwork, an Easter Sunday, and an Intergalactic Space Mission. And the best part is. We are not done. Because we all need to tell and hear stories. So the story store continues to expand, unravelling yarns and revealing thousands of opportunities for stories to be spun.

It looks fairly likely that we will not be able to walk back into our usual places to tell and listen for a while. We miss that so much. Amongst the debris of a crumbling arts sector, we are doing something so incredibly forward and un-british. We are asking you to buy us a coffee. We love coffee. By buying us a coffee you allow us to keep going. Keep helping people tell their stories and hear the stories of others.

Because it turns out that people need to tell and hear stories now more ever.

creativity, Family, Grow Wild Together, Home School, Nature, storytelling, Wonder More

Wild Wonder

April 16, 2020May 13, 2020 Flick

Stay Curious, Grow Wild Together and Wonder More.

Wild Wonder is a podcast for families brought to you by Stitch. We explore the outdoors and share stories about what we discover. We curate the podcast involving our children as we believe that if children hear others speaking, it makes them feel powerful with their own voice.

Each episode includes a walk about with our children, followed by a story inspired by what we discovered on our walk. This current series of podcast is being made at a time when the UK is under lock down due to the Corona Virus. The conversations happen within walking distance of our house and were part of our daily outing. We found these conversations with our children allowed us to hit the reset button. We felt more connected to each other and the habitat that surrounds us (which maybe at a better time, we would have taken for granted.)