Craftivism: The Art of Gentle Protest

We all have issues we’re passionate about. But what if shouting in protest isn’t your style? Could the answer be not to get cross, but to get cross-stitching?

That was the topic we explored at today’s assembly, with singing, sketching and superb news thrown in. Read on to find out more…

Our guest speaker: Sarah P Corbett

The global Craftivist Collective has helped change laws, policies, hearts and minds around the world as well as expand the view of what activism can be.

We were thrilled to be joined by its founder Sarah P Corbett: an award-winning activist whose ‘Gentle Protest’ methodology of strategic, compassionate, scientifically-backed and visually intriguing activism has helped craft a more beautiful, kinder and fairer society.

We learned about the unique appeal of craftivism: for skilled crafters, burnt-out activists, introverts, highly sensitive people or those struggling with anxiety. We heard how it replaces aggressive enemies with critical friends. And we discovered how embroidered hankies really can change how major companies operate. 

Thank you to Sarah for her inspiring stories of Craftivist Collective’s meaningful, measurable impact: a tribute to the perseverance of a determined voice.

If you missed it, look online for Sarah’s TED talks (or should that be thread talks?). To get deeper into craftivism, Sarah’s latest book is available at a discount through Sunday Assembly London’s online bookshop.

Today’s songs

In the spirit of using our voices together, there were four pop songs performed by our Sunday Assembly London band:

• Paint it Black – Rolling Stones
• Pencil Full of Lead – Paolo Nutini
• Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds – The Beatles
• Perfect Day – Lou Reed 

Portraits

We love drawing people in to our twice-monthly assemblies. This time we took it literally when Matt encouraged us to pair up and sketch each other.

We had fun admiring each other’s results and trust that the National Portrait Gallery is making space as we speak.

A big announcement at today’s assembly

Sunday Assembly London have been awarded a National Lottery grant!

This goes a huge way towards covering our running costs for 2025. More than that, it helps our small volunteer-led charity to continue doing what we’ve proudly been doing for over a decade: hosting events and sustaining a secular community that helps people to Live Better, Help Often and Wonder More.

A massive thank you to Tanya for her work on the grant application!

As always, we followed the assembly with tea, biscuits and chat at the Backyard Comedy Club, lunch locally (taking advantage of the picnic-friendly weather), and drinks & games at The Three Colts pub.

Thanks to our host Hanna; co-host Andrew; all our wonderful volunteers (especially as it’s Volunteers’ Week from 2nd-8th June) and everyone who filled the room with singing, good energy and appreciation – especially our first-timers!

If you enjoyed yourself, please spread the word by sharing our social media posts or tagging us in your posts.

Coming up at Sunday Assembly London

Dolphins: Their World and Ours, 15th June

Following World Ocean Day on 8th June, marine biologist Pavan Kaur Virdee from Incredible Oceans will be our guide to dolphins and the enchantment under the sea.

The Outside Project: Creating an LGBTIQ+ Safe Haven, 6th July

The Outside Project was founded as the UK’s first shelter, centre and domestic abuse refuge for the LGBTIQ+ community. Hear from co-founder and director Carla Ecola about how their team have been working since 2017 to support LGBTIQ+ people in London without a home or a place to feel safe – driven by the team’s own personal experiences.

[Photo credit: Carla Ecola]

Conversations on Kindness: How the Power of Kindness Can Change the World, 20th July

What if one small act of kindness, every single day for a year, could ignite a light in the darkness? Bernadette Russell gives us an insight into her extraordinary 366-day journey of discovery and connection.

[Image credit: Bernadette Russell]

← Our previous assembly: Come Together: Towards a Synergistic Society, 18th May