Trafford Roses Against Violence

Help to create 10,000 handmade purple roses as part of Trafford’s Roses Against Violence campaign for International Women’s Day.

These roses will form a powerful public installation for International Women’s Day on 8 March 2027, helping to shine a light on violence against women and girls and inspire conversation and collective action across the borough.

Get involved

Everyone is welcome to take part. You can support the project by:

• Crocheting, knitting or sewing an individual purple rose
• Using your own design or following the free Art with a Heart crochet pattern
• Donating purple yarn, crochet hooks, knitting needles or other suitable materials
• Joining a free workshop or community making session
• Involving your school, community group, charity or workplace
• Volunteering to help count, sort and prepare the roses
• Encouraging friends, family and colleagues to participate
• Helping to spread the message across Trafford

Making your rose

Roses can be made in different shades of purple using different patterns, materials and techniques. This variety will reflect the many different people and communities taking part.

No previous crochet or crafting experience is needed. There will be opportunities to learn, join supported sessions and participate in a way that works for you. Experienced makers are also welcome to use their own designs.

Who can take part?

Schools, community groups, charities and businesses can organise their own making sessions, contribute roses as a group, collect purple yarn or encourage others to participate.

Art with a Heart can provide patterns and participation resources, together with advice and practical support.

Free workshops and community making sessions will take place at Art with a Heart and other locations across Trafford, including local libraries.

Where to drop off your roses

Completed roses can be dropped off at any Trafford library or at Art with a Heart. Further drop-off locations will be added as the project develops.

Why purple roses?

The project uses creativity and community participation to encourage conversations about violence against women and girls. Making a rose gives people a reason to ask what the roses are for, understand the message behind them and share that message with others.

As thousands of individual contributions come together, they will create something far larger and more visible than any one person could make alone. The installation will be made of roses. The project is made of people.

About the project

Trafford Council is collaborating with Art with a Heart to create 10,000 handmade purple roses. Art with a Heart is coordinating community participation and delivery across the borough, bringing together schools, libraries, community groups, charities, businesses, creative makers and residents from across Trafford.