Through The Mill – Stories of Resilience and Renewal has been a deeply creative and collaborative journey, running over the past nine months. Together, we’ve explored Renfrewshire’s rich heritage, inviting young people to connect with local stories in fresh and imaginative ways.

From Paisley’s global textile legacy to hands-on experiences in mending, natural dyeing, and sustainable making, this project has blended traditional skills with contemporary issues — like climate change and the cost-of-living crisis — sparking new conversations about activism, identity, and our shared future.

Throughout the project, we’ve explored:

• Paisley’s world-renowned textile heritage
• Traditional skills like mending, making, spinning, and dyeing
• Environmental sustainability in garment production
• Local social history through creative research
• Political activism in Paisley’s past, viewed through the lens of today’s climate and economic challenges

We’ve delivered:

• 40 public events and heritage talks, including:
  • Mill Movie Night with Richard Vassie
  • Textile Talk: The Environmental Legacy of Traditional Textiles
  • Clothes swaps
  • Heritage trails
  • Paisley textile history talks
  • Outreach sessions in schools focused on Paisley’s protest history
• 62 creative workshops, such as:
  • Garment-making and upcycling
  • Spinning and natural dyeing
  • Animation and podcast production
  • Zine-making, banner-making, and group singing

In total, 40 young people took part, shaping this project with their creativity, curiosity, and care.

We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who joined us on this journey; participants, community members, and our brilliant partners: Pachedu, Active Communities, Paisley Thread Mill Museum, Paisley People’s Archive, Paisley Heritage SCIO, the Old Paisley Society, and the entire ReMode team.

A heartfelt thank you to our funders — The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Young Start Community Fund, and Engage Renfrewshire for making this all possible.

This project was about looking back to move forward. Thanks for being part of the story.