Hi, this is Ellen again!
Sustainable wrapping may seem like a recent trend, but in Japan, the art of furoshiki has been around since the Nara period (around 710 B.C). Pronounced foo-roo-she-kee, furoshiki involves wrapping gifts using cloth or fabric instead of traditional wrapping paper. The fabric options include cotton, silk, and nylon with numerous available designs.
In the Nara period, the cloth was known as ‘tsutsumi’ meaning ‘present’ or ‘package’ and was frequently used to wrap important treasures and valuables found in Japanese temples. Moving to the Muromachi period (1136-1573), guests in bathhouses utilised furoshiki to wrap their kimonos, preventing confusion between their garments. Family crests and emblems were also often used to distinguish personal items. As guests fried off after bathing, they stood on the fabric, leading to the translation ‘bath spread’: ‘furo’ + ‘shiki’ = ‘bath’ + ‘spread’.
With advancements in technology during the 20th-century, the sewing machine made mass production possible. It became a versatile item with more patterns available, used for carrying tools, transporting merchandise (or lunch!) as well as serving as travel or gift-wrap.
Although in recent years its popularity declined as people more often use wrapping paper, suitcases and handbags, the recent surge in eco-friendly products has revitalised interest in furoshiki around the world.
In 2006, Japanese Minister of the Environment Yuriko Koike promoted furoshiki cloth to raise environmental awareness and reduce plastic usage. Furoshiki is known for being environmentally friendly, convenient, economical, versatile, and thoughtful.
In Japan, furoshiki is considered an art form, offering the flexibility to create intricate or simple wraps. Furoshiki can be reused as a fashionable headscarf, tablecloth or even a resizable pouch. Lush Cosmetics even offers a furoshiki service to gift-wrap!
Excitingly, at our upcoming Japan Event on Sunday 18th February, you’ll have the chance to create your own furoshiki fabric designs. Becky’s Unique Sewing Boutique has kindly donated fabulous scrap fabrics for us to use during the event, where we’ll explore Japanese traditions through creative crafts and games, including furoshiki. Join us in the morning or afternoon (10-12 or 1-3) to welcome in the New Year with the spirit of Japan and UK Unplugged!
Have you discovered The Unplugged Subscription service? Delivered monthly, UK Unplugged’s boxes are your gateway to screen-free, eco-friendly explorations and adventures. Both furoshiki and our Unplugged Boxes embody the essence of gifts that keep on giving.
We look forward to seeing you there!
UK Unplugged began in 2019 as a local community group dedicated to helping local parents and carers balance their family’s time on and off screens.
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Being a Change Maker: by Shreya Shukla I undertook a placement in my final year of university called the ‘Change makers programme’ and it was
On Wednesday, Diana pitched at @wirralsoup to fund boxes for young people on the CAMHS (mental health) waiting list. The average waiting time is over 8 months
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Kadar volunteered as our Marketing Lead for UK Unplugged’s Environmental Chemistry Project sponsored by the Royal Society of Chemistry, while studying Business Management at the University of Liverpool, and he felt this experience led directly to his being hired after graduation as a Graduate Project Executive.
As the marketing lead on the UK Unplugged Chemistry Project, Kadar gained essential hands-on experience. This role not only helped him develop critical skills but also instilled the confidence needed to succeed in his new position.
When asked about the benefits of volunteering with UK Unplugged, Kadar pointed to the fact that the real-world experience and community involvement it offers are unparalleled, providing an excellent foundation for anyone looking to launch their career.
Reflecting on his 3-year journey studying Business Management at the University of Liverpool, Kadar explained one of the highlights of their university experience was working closely with Diana Powell, CEO of UK Unplugged to lead the marketing for an event that promoted environmental chemistry to future generations. This project allowed Kadar to apply his academic knowledge practically and engage more deeply with the Liverpool and Wirral communities.
“I highly recommend students volunteer with Unplugged. It’s a great way to gain real-world experience to help start your career”.
77 university student interns since 2020 and countless volunteers
A parent deeply committed to sustainability connected with us in April 2020 and has remained a part of the UK Unplugged community.
Pre-Involvement Perspectives on Sustainability:
Before our engagement with UK Unplugged, our family already had a strong connection with the environment and the principles of sustainability. We actively instilled in our children the importance of mindful consumption, using reusable and plastic-free products, cultivating our own fruits and vegetables, and participating in regular litter picking activities as a family.
Impact of UK Unplugged on Sustainability Education:
Being a civil engineer with an existing interest in sustainable practices, my involvement with UK Unplugged provided me with a unique opportunity to further explore and promote sustainability within my community. The activity boxes enabled me to engage with young people and introduce sustainability concepts in a playful and accessible manner. It’s crucial that sustainability becomes ingrained in the normal habits of the younger generation, rather than an afterthought.
Significance of Sustainably Sourced Boxes:
The fact that the UK Unplugged boxes are sustainably sourced holds significant importance for our family. While these boxes may come at a higher cost compared to alternatives, we find value in supporting local businesses and contributing to our community’s resilience against corporate giants. Knowing that our purchase supports local talent and family businesses brings a sense of fulfillment that transcends mere material acquisition. The conscious decision to shop small and locally resonates deeply with us, especially when it aligns with our environmental values.
Dedication to Environmental Responsibility:
UK Unplugged, under Diana’s leadership, exemplifies a commitment to environmental responsibility that extends beyond mere rhetoric. Diana’s dedication to fostering talent, creativity, and community engagement is commendable. Her choice to deliver boxes via bicycle underscores a genuine commitment to sustainability, contrasting with superficial carbon offsetting measures adopted by larger corporations. It’s this authentic dedication that sets UK Unplugged apart, making it a beacon of sustainability within our community.
Conclusion:
Our journey with UK Unplugged has not only deepened our understanding of sustainability but has also empowered us to actively contribute to our community’s environmental well-being. Through our engagement with UK Unplugged, we’ve not only found a platform for sustainability education but also a community-driven initiative that embodies the principles we hold dear. As parents, we’re grateful for the opportunity to instill these values in our children and contribute to a more sustainable future, one UK Unplugged box at a time.
80% of kids give us 5 out of 5 stars
In the realm of mental health, the struggle for timely intervention and support has long been a challenge. On average, a young person spends 40 weeks on the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) waiting list.
In 2023, the Care Navigators who support the waiting list connected us with a young person. Their story shows the profound impact that UK Unplugged boxes can have on the lives of individuals dealing with mental health issues.
At the time, this young person was struggling to leave their house. They had lost interest in their usual hobbies and their school work. UK Unplugged hand-delivered a space-themed box, which includes activities ranging from educational materials to DIY projects. This allowed the young person to discover a new set of hobbies and interests they had never considered before, and this spark of passion set the stage for positive change.
Through engaging with the thoughtfully developed activities within the boxes, the young person rekindled their desire to go outside and see the stars, which began by learning about different constellations.
Going outside had such a positive effect on the young person, and led to more confident trips outside. Eventually, this experience led to the young person going to the library and wanting to learn more about this topic, meaning they were integrating back into society and regaining a sense of community.
This brought joy to not only this young person but their family and friends too. The case of this young person exemplifies the real-life impact of UK Unplugged boxes on mental health and well-being. By providing a tangible and engaging avenue for self-discovery and exploration, the boxes became catalysts for positive change.
434 boxes donated to the CAMHS waiting list
A young person was struggling with emotional regulation and mental health when themselves and a family member attended a UK Unplugged event.
This young person was very shy, and often could not go to activities outside of the house, such as school. They usually struggled with focus, often moving from one uncompleted task to another, which caused family frustration and financial strain, leaving films, and events early, in an attempt to keep them entertained.
Attending UK Unplugged’s event was revelatory for the young person and their family: they stayed for the entire 2 hours and were entertained throughout the entire event, including listening to inspiring talks from students, getting involved in the activities and games, and even claiming that, despite hating science at school, they would enjoy it if their teacher did lessons like UK Unplugged!
The young person took the games played at this event and showed the rest of his family how to play at home, providing fun for the entire family.
The parent of this child said, ‘in other settings, our children are noticed for what they are struggling with rather than what they’re interested in, […] I just wish more people would go out of their way to look for, encourage and grow these things in our amazing children’.
50% of families we interact with have a SEND member