News

Welcome to our news page, where we share the latest stories, updates, and insights from Roots to Renewal. Here, you'll find articles on our sustainable fashion initiatives, community projects, and more. Stay informed about how we're working together to create a greener future through creativity and collaboration.

Whether you're interested in learning about new techniques in upcycling or natural dyeing or want to stay updated on our project  and partnerships—this is the place to be. 

Roots to Renewal - Seed to Catwalk Fashion Show

Our Roots to Renewal Community Fashion Show took place at Doncaster Danum Gallery, 8th November 2025 and was an amazing achievement and success! We featured 22 volunteer models showcasing over 40 unique garments and outfits, all crafted with care and creativity. Huge thanks to the four Doncaster College beauty students and Olivia from The Honeycomb in Carcroft, who gave up their Saturday to create stunning hair designs with a nature-inspired theme, natural glow, butterflies in the hair, and incredible floral headpieces made by the Doncaster College floristry department.

Excitement filled the air as, after a quick rehearsal, cameras rolled—captured by the talented Wayne Sables—and our lovely audience was welcomed as the show kicked off at 1:30 pm. Estelle introduced the event with heartfelt thanks to our funders, partners, and supporters and it was so lovely to see Teresa of Age UK Sheffield, Kimberley of Asda, Rachel and Paula of Coop, Jo and team of DGLAM, Saffy and friends of This is Me Training, Nicky representing Fun Filled Days and Voluntary Action Doncaster, Gaynor and Dot from Rossington Community Repair, Alex and Amie from the sustainability team at Doncaster Council and so many participants and their families and friends in the audience.

Estelle Pearce of Fashion Fusion CIC - gives her introduction speech - Video captured by Wayne Sables

The show opened with a Roots to Renewal flower printed dress revealed by Miss Eco Pageant 2025, Charlotte Lister, followed by a vibrant flow of models wearing upcycled, embroidered, naturally dyed, and creatively crafted pieces showcasing the many sustainable techniques explored during the project. During a short interval that allowed for a low stress change, the audience enjoyed a beautiful performance by Sofia on electric guitar and then we got ready to go again as the audience responded with gasps and claps as Sammy opened the second half of the show, wearing their striking red dress and jacket, lovingly made by Estelle as part of a project with Right Up Our Street. This outfit had been showcased in the gallery earlier in the year, and it was wonderful to have it featured on the runway, giving Sammy the perfect opportunity to wear this amazing creation and for fill a life long dream; more fabulous outfits took the stage, including striking nature-themed pieces created earlier in the month and week at the gallery. The show closed with Charlotte wearing a beautifully decorated leaf dress and delivering a heartfelt speech about her role as Miss Eco Pageant 2025.

The event wrapped up with heartfelt thanks from Estelle of Fashion Fusion, Angela and Bex of Plantaura, Susan of Artfelt, and Hamra of World Women Wellbeing, celebrating the project, one another, and everyone who made the day so special. We were honored to donate goody bags to each model, gifted roses from COOP, and offered surprise raffle prizes to attendees—donations generously made by Asda Doncaster, Age UK Sheffield, and others—including a bottle of red wine, 1881 aftershave, and perfume. The show was a wonderful celebration of community, creativity, and sustainability, and we can’t wait to continue this journey!

Roots to Renewal - Seed to Catwalk Fashion Show - Video captured by Wayne Sables

Progress and Achievements on Roots to Renewal

We are thrilled to share how well the Roots to Renewal project is progressing! To date, we have achieved incredible milestones together, delivering 48 workshops and events with over 300 attendees across 10 locations in Doncaster. We’ve successfully saved 4 large bags of textiles from landfill, created vibrant community colour and tea gardens, crafted beautiful catwalk-ready garments, and taught over 12 different skills and techniques. There is still so much more to come, and we can’t wait to celebrate everything we've accomplished with the community fashion show on Saturday 8th November at Doncaster Danum Gallery, Library and Museum. Thank you to everyone involved for being part of this inspiring journey! 

We've put together a selection of some of the moments we've shared so far.

Cusworth Hall - Discovery Day Event

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for Discovery Day at Cusworth Hall this Saturday (5th July 2025)! Held at the front of the house, we welcomed over 80 attendees—including those who had booked and many curious passersby drawn in by our activities. It was fantastic to see so many people getting creative with painting leaves and stones, sketching and filling vases with flowers, making floral crowns and headbands, trying out hapa zome and anthotype (solar and pigment printing), and exploring the Roots to Renewal project.

Visitors enjoyed our display of dyed and printed fabrics, saw the plants we’re growing, and discovered the many colours and materials we use in our dye baths. We loved meeting everyone and hearing your ideas—like using natural dyes for wood, which we’re excited to explore further! Special thanks to our friends from Jackson Hope Foundation for coming along, joining in the fun, and discovering the beauty of Cusworth Hall.

We can’t wait to see you all at our upcoming workshops—keep an eye out for more creative opportunities throughout the year!

Bringing the Colour and Tea Garden to Life at Doncaster’s Danum Gallery, Library & Museum.

On Monday 30th June, one of the hottest days of the year so far, our team and volunteers came together to install the Colour and Tea Garden at Doncaster’s Danum Gallery, Library and Museum—a milestone we’re incredibly proud of. Despite the soaring temperatures, we ensured everyone’s safety by setting up drinks, sun cream and shaded areas for activities like stone painting and hapa zome (flower hammering), allowing participants to stay cool, sun safe, and hydrated while still being part of the action.

This garden has been months in the making. Preparation began back in March, with the first seeds sown at Denaby Wellbean Social Garden and countless hours have been spent nurturing seedlings, keeping up with watering, and splitting plants as they grew. The design process included sourcing and scorching pallet collars to create attractive, durable raised beds, and thanks to additional funding from Well Doncaster for a Grow Your Own pack from Plevey’s Garden Centre, we were able to secure essential compost and a wonderful selection of extra seeds and plants, helping us fill the beds with a massive variety.

Once the beds were in place, the team worked together to fill them and water everything thoroughly to help the plants settle into their new home. The transformation was remarkable, and stepping back to admire the finished garden was a truly rewarding moment for everyone involved. Estelle returned after the main installation to finish cleaning and clearing the area, ensuring all the plants were well-watered and healthy for their first days in the new space.

The garden is already attracting plenty of wildlife, with bees, butterflies, and insects buzzing among the blooms. We’ve planted a diverse range of species, including weld, woad, madder (potted), lady bedstraw, tansy, cosmos, marigold, calendula, violas, dahlias, cornflower, rhubarb, mint (contained in a silver teapot), borage, mullein, goldenrod, yarrow, hollyhock, honesty, and dyer’s chamomile. Some of these plants will be used as natural dyes in our monthly sessions at the Gallery, while others will feature in creative projects like hapa zome.

Volunteer days at Doncaster Danum Gallery are every Wednesday from 1–3pm, and we invite everyone to pop along, get involved, and see the garden flourish.

We’re thrilled with how the Colour and Tea Garden has come together and can’t wait to share its beauty—and the creative opportunities it offers—with the whole community.

Images are courtesy of Wayne Sables.

Roots to Renewal Launch Party

We’re delighted to celebrate the fantastic launch of our Roots to Renewal project, which welcomed individuals, families, friends, and organisations from across Doncaster for a truly memorable day. The event offered a wonderful chance to connect with our community, enjoy delicious homemade food and drinks, and set the tone for an inspiring journey ahead.

Our launch coincided with The Eden Project’s Big Lunch weekend, adding an extra layer of warmth as everyone came together to share treats and embrace the spirit of community. It was uplifting to see seasoned gardeners, allotment holders, and newcomers alike joining in our plant and seed sharing—every conversation was filled with enthusiasm for learning, growing, and supporting one another.

Throughout the celebration, we took the opportunity to share more about Roots to Renewal—our goals, upcoming workshops and events, and all the ways people can get involved. We discussed how growing dye gardens and learning new skills can help improve our local environment, boost biodiversity, and make a lasting difference.

Behind the scenes, we’ve been working tirelessly to ensure the Wellbean Social Garden was ready for everyone—cleaning out the composting toilet, pulling weeds, clearing spaces, setting up a kitchen area, and putting up a gazebo. Making sure there were plenty of seeds and plants to give away took a lot of time and effort, but seeing so many people turn up made it all worthwhile.

We’re especially grateful to the community groups, allotments, and gardening enthusiasts who joined us, and we look forward to seeing our dye gardens—and our community—continue to thrive in the months ahead. Thank you to everyone who came, shared, and made our launch such a success. And a huge thank you to Wayne Sables for capturing the day so beautifully!

We can’t wait to see how Roots to Renewal blossoms with your involvement and support.

Images are courtesy of Wayne Sables

You can also read an article in The Star by following the link: Dyeing for change as major new environmental project launches

Funding News!! Awards for All - May 2025

Great News! Roots to Renewal has Secures Funding to run this years pilot initiative!

We’re absolutely over the moon to share that Roots to Renewal has secured the big funding boost we’ve been aiming for from National Lottery Awards for All! This incredible support means we can finally get our pilot project off the ground across Doncaster-creating vibrant, biodiverse natural dye gardens and running hands-on workshops in planting, natural dyeing, sewing, and upcycling.

This funding is a game-changer for us, opening the door to connect communities deeply with nature and sustainable fashion while nurturing creativity, biodiversity, and wellbeing. We can’t wait to share this journey with you-stay tuned for upcoming events, ways to get involved, and all the fun ahead!

Fashion Fusion Meets Innovation:

Naturally Dyed Red Dress Featured in Doncaster Gallery Exhibition

We’re excited to celebrate the creative achievements of Estelle Pearce from Fashion Fusion CIC, who has been involved in The Album Project through Right Up Our Street Doncaster. As part of this inspiring community initiative, Estelle was commissioned to create a naturally dyed red dress and jacket, which are now featured in the Balby Bridge exhibition at Doncaster Gallery, Library and Museum, running from 22nd April to 22nd May.

The outfit was developed to closely match an AI-generated design created by Sammy, with Estelle using natural dyes to achieve a vibrant shade of red. The entire process blended digital innovation and traditional craft: the design and pattern were first created digitally using CLO3D, before Estelle handmade the final pieces. This project not only highlights the possibilities of sustainable fashion but also demonstrates how digital tools and natural processes can come together to bring creative visions to life.

The exhibition showcases this work alongside many other community projects, reflecting the power of collaboration, creativity, and sustainability in Doncaster’s cultural scene. Be sure to visit and see Estelle’s stunning naturally dyed red dress and jacket as part of this unique display.

Funding News!! - April 2025

Roots to Renewal Takes Root - 28/03/2025

We are thrilled to announce that we’ve officially begun our collaborative journey of creating natural dye gardens for Doncaster communities! 🌱✨

Bex and Angela of Plantaura, Susan of Artfelt, and Estelle of Fashion Fusion came together with family, friends, and members of the Edlington Pitwood community to start planting seeds that will soon be distributed across Doncaster. This marks the beginning of a truly inspiring project aimed at connecting people with nature, sustainability, and creativity.

As part of this initiative, we’re also establishing a dedicated Natural Dye Garden at the Wellbeing Social Garden in Denaby. This space will serve as a hub for learning, creativity, and community connection.

Stay tuned as we grow together and bring vibrant natural colours to life across Doncaster! 🌿💚

#RootsToRenewal #NaturalDyeGardens #Sustainability #CommunityGardens

Roots to Renewal Celebrates Partnership with Age UK Sheffield - 04/03/2025

We are delighted to announce our partnership with Age UK Sheffield, a leading organisation dedicated to supporting older adults in the community. This collaboration marks an exciting step forward for our Roots to Renewal project, which aims to promote sustainability and creativity through innovative textile practices.

A special thank you to Teresa, CEO of Age UK Sheffield, for warmly welcoming Estelle of Fashion Fusion CIC to their facilities. The visit included a tour of their shop on Eccleshall Road and their vibrant spaces at Hillsborough Park, featuring the Pavilion, Bradbury Makers' Shed, Gardens, and the Depot Bakery café. These facilities offer a range of activities and services that enhance the lives of older adults in Sheffield, from creative workshops to dementia-friendly programs.

We are particularly grateful for the generous donation of unsaleable clothing and textiles, which will be repurposed in our upcoming workshops. This contribution not only supports our mission to reduce waste but also highlights the shared commitment to sustainability and community engagement between our organisations.

As we move forward with this partnership, we look forward to exploring new opportunities for collaboration and growth. Together, we aim to foster a more sustainable and creative community that benefits everyone involved.

Discover Age UK Sheffields website here: Welcome to Age UK Sheffield

Age UK Sheffield's mission is to ensure that no older person in Sheffield faces poverty or loneliness. They provide essential services and resources for those over 50, including dementia support, free advice & information, digital support and housing & income assistance. Their charity shops, stocked with generously donated items from our community, help generate vital funds that directly support our work.