What started as an idea in Altrincham back in May is now bringing communities across Trafford together, with an ambitious target to create 10,000 purple roses for International Women’s Day 2027.

Inspired by the international Roses Against Violence initiative, the idea has grown into a large-scale creative community project led by Art with a Heart, in collaboration with Trafford Council, raising awareness of violence against women and girls.

Karen Wroe, founder of Art with a Heart and the creative lead behind the Trafford project, said:

“Purple Roses was inspired by Roses Against Violence, the international initiative started by Austrian yarnbombing artist Claudia Grünzweig, and by the powerful way creativity can make violence against women and girls visible”.

Since the project began being shared publicly at the end of August, it has quickly gathered momentum, with schools, libraries, community groups and individual makers across Trafford getting involved.

Karen continued:

“Art with a Heart is working in collaboration with Trafford Council to bring that idea to communities across Trafford. I believe its real strength will come from organisations, groups and individuals across the borough working together towards a shared vision”.

Back in Altrincham, Art with a Heart’s Crochet & Chat group is already helping that vision take shape, with more than 400 roses made so far. Purple rose-making sessions are also going on the road, giving people the opportunity to learn how to make a rose and get involved. Sessions are taking place at libraries and community venues across Trafford, with more groups and locations joining the project. And you don’t have to be an experienced crocheter to take part.

“For me, what matters is that everyone can be part of it. Some people will crochet roses, while others might donate yarn, count and sort the roses, or help assemble the installation.  Each contribution may seem small on its own, but together they will become part of something much more powerful – a shared creative statement made by thousands of hands across Trafford”.

Over the coming months, the roses will be collected and counted, and the creative work will begin to turn thousands of individual contributions into the final installation for International Women’s Day on 8 March 2027.  The individual roses will come together in one large public installation, encouraging people to stop, look and ask what they represent.  The installation will be made of roses, but the project will be made of people. Together, we will create 10,000 roses with one message: violence against women and girls has no place in our communities.

People, groups and organisations who would like to get involved can find out more and register through Trafford IS and Visit Altrincham.

10,000 Roses. One Message.

Creativity – Community – Change