Family Threads – A Mother and Son Volunteer Duo

Threads of kindness and family
In the sun-drenched main hall at the Asylum Seekers Centre in Newtown, there’s a dynamic duo changing lives and threading beautiful connections.

Meet Alice Crawford and her son Ian Langdale. Alice and Ian run a weekly sewing group for members of the ASC community. Together the mum and son have mastered the art of teaching sewing and creating a space where skill, connection, and support come together—stitch by stitch.

A family tradition
With the desire to stay active and give back to the community, Alice sought out volunteer work seven years ago. That brought her to the ASC.

“I was very concerned with how the government was treating people seeking asylum and how little support they were receiving,” explains Alice.

She initially started with computer support at the Centre. And when the opportunity arose to lead a sewing group, Alice was happy to shift roles.

“It seemed like a natural path. My mum was a sewer, and all my female ancestors did textile work—it was a really important tradition in our family.”

Now, Alice continues that legacy by passing on her skills to members of the ASC community.

In the last year, Ian has also joined her.

“I’m really interested in textile and I’m happy to be continuing that line in our family,” Ian shares.

Fabric of community
The sewing group is flexible and community-led. Alice and Ian’s sessions are crafted depending on the needs and skill level of the members.

“Within the community people have also been repairing and altering things for each other to help people save money,” notes Alice.

The space has also become a place for connection.

“It’s a safe way to hangout and practice a little English and just be in the space with others while occupying anxious time.”

Colourful garments created by members of the sewing group

Memorable moments
For Alice and Ian, the most rewarding part of their volunteer work is witnessing the community’s personal wins.

One story that stands out for Alice is that of a student who found a home within the sewing group.

“(Initially), the student was struggling with depression and isolation and joined the group with a lot of anxiety, even with learning sewing and about being in a group.”

Over the course of weeks, the student found that aside from learning practical skills, their health also improved.

Alice adds, “Their doctor has even told them ‘please keep going because this is making a difference to your wellbeing!’”

Another unforgettable story comes from Ian’s experience teaching a father to sew.

“I remember we taught him from zero (skills) to complex garment making. He was learning for the express purpose of understanding his daughter’s fashion work better. And that was so beautiful.”

By the end of lessons, the father was able to create a yoke men’s collared shirt from scratch.

Transformative threads
In a world that sometimes feels like it’s coming apart at the seams, every skill shared and every moment of connection in the sewing group bring pride and joy.

Alice explains, “It’s a beautiful thing to make clothes. It’s a right of passage. They’re like ‘I made this! I made this’… That’s the nice thing with doing something with your hands. It’s satisfying, and other people are so supportive of what other people are making.”

For Ian, volunteering has not only doubled his own skills, it has also deepened his connection with Alice.

“My mum has been volunteering for so many years and I didn’t really know what that looked like. It was just a thing my mum did, but now I really really see it. It’s been beautiful. It’s been really fun.”