Electronic Textile Workshop Toolkit: Participants' Workshop guide

This is one of two guides - the other is for workshop facilitators, this one is for workshop participants. The guides were developed to support design and delivery of e-textile workshops for mental health service users according to a Person-Centred Approach to participatory design research. Both include summaries of the approach to participatory research and to the e-textile learning facilitated by the 6-week rpogramme of activity. The guidelines are an output of the EPSRC project An Internet of Soft Things 2014-2016.

This booklet is designed to be used with an accompanying kit of equipment. The kit includes everything you will need for the practical activities in the workshops: electronics, sewing and prototyping. These activities are intended to be done in a group, and with the support of a workshop facilitator. No previous skills in these areas are required, but if you do have skills in one or more of these areas, that is also welcome – and please let your facilitators know!
The kit also comes with sheets to help write reflections and comments on the various practical activities and your experiences of the workshops. These reflections may be done independently, or with the support of a workshop facilitator.
It may be that your participation in these workshops is part of your ongoing personal development and growth, or recovery. If so, resources are also included.
Our aim is to offer a safe person-centred environment, which is inclusive and supportive, where you can learn, practise and/or improve skills, express yourself creatively if you wish, and reflect on your achievements. Along the way we hope you will enjoy yourself and have some fun!