THREADS OF DIGNITY (Dilton Marsh)
Threads of Dignity is a community group who make reusable fabric period pads for The Pachamama Project, together with making fabric bags to hold them. All the pads are handmade by the group and they are sent worldwide, to help combat period poverty in a sustainable way.
It started in October 2021, originally as an Eco Church project, but it has now taken a life of its own!
Since it started the group have made over 6,000 pads - thats at least 1000 women and girls who have directly benifitted. Each person receives 8 reusable pads in a drawstring bag, which will last them for 3-5 years.
EXCITING NEWS - 2026!
We are delighted to announce that the group has been successful with an application for a Westbury Town Council Community Grant. This will be a wonderful boost to the project and will provide materials and equipment to make more pads into the next couple of years.
RECENT RESULTS
On 11 July 2026 a bag making day was held - 27 people attended to make 150 completed bags, with more nearly made. In addition to this, donated bedding have been cut out and fleece has been cut into strips ready for the next sewing day in September. Well done everyone for an amazing day and thank you to the seven new volunteers who joined us.
UPCOMING EVENTS
12 September 2026 (10am-4pm) is a pad making day in Dilton Marsh Memorial Hall - we hope to see you there!
For more information, open up the poster at the bottom of this page.
CONTACT DETAILS
To get involved or to join the mailing list, please contact Lynne Vercoe: [email protected]
WOULD YOU LIKE TO JOIN US?
A warm welcome awaits you if you join this community group - there are many ways you can help!
Donate your time
- If you would like to join us on the next sewing day, we'd love to see you.
- You are welcome to stay for the whole session or part of it - stay as long as you wish.
- If you decide to stay all day, please bring your lunch with you, although tea and coffee is available.
- If you are able to use a sewing machine and you're happy to bring it, that would be appreciated.
- There are other things we need help with: cutting out, pinning, ironing, etc
- Men are welcome too! Those that do are affectionately known as 'The Studs'.
- If you're unable to join us on a sewing day but you would still like to help, volunteers can make them at home!
Donate materials
We are grateful for any donations of fabric and materials. The specific fabric requirements are:
- Towelling material to asorb liquid - we can use clean and good-as-new old towels
- Clean, gently used, good-as-new woven cotton. Patterned cotton is most welcome (but please avoid white or pale fabrics).
- Drawstring Bag Fabric: Fun, colourful cotton or poly-cotton fabrics
- Ribbon: for the drawstrings in the bags.
THANK YOU DILTON MARSH MEMORIAL HALL
We can't thank the Hall Committee enough for supporting this day, by allowing us to use the hall free of charge. Without their support we would have great difficulty in continuing this essential project. To view all the events at the hall, click here.
CIVIC AWARD 2026
In March 2026 the group Lynne Vercoe received a Civic Award for her work in the community, in particular the sewing days. They said: her work includes organising sewing days for the Pachamama Project, which produce reusable sanitary pads for refugees and vulnerable women and girls. More than 5,000 pads have been sent from Westbury through the initiative, made from donated and upcycled materials by volunteers. The Mayor said: “it was the most perfect example of one community’s commitment to helping others.”
YOUNG PEOPLE AWARD 2025
We were thrilled to learn in July 2025 that Evie Moore was recognised for her dedicated volunterring to the project. Evie won a Special Area Board Award for her work with us and her mum Stacey said, “Evie was genuinely surprised by the award. She truly didn’t expect it. There were so many wonderful nominees". To read more about the awards, click here
IN THE NEWS
Click on the links to read more and see photos of the group in action
- 26 March 2026 - White Horse News article which includes a photo of our brilliant pacha-papas!
- 23 February 2026 - White Horse News facebook post
- 26 August 2025 - White Horse News article
- 4 June 2025 - White Horse News article
- 10 September 2024 - White Horse News article
- 6 November 2022 - Pachamama (official) facebook post
WHAT IS THE PACHAMAMA PROJECT
The Pachamama Project is a not-for-profit network founded in 2020 which brings together volunteers across the UK to make reusable period pads for refugees and vulnerable women and girls. For the Pachamama Project facebook page, click here.
