Wild Wings of Hope

Using papercraft and traditional storytelling to explore migration, hope and connection through the remarkable journeys of barn swallows and swifts between the UK and Africa.

Illustration, Papercut

Wild Wings of Hope

Inspired by the barn swallows that return to my family home each spring, this participatory arts project interweaves papercraft and collaborative storytelling to explore migration, resilience and hope.

“Wild Wings of Hope has had such a positive impact at St Columba’s Hospice Care. The workshops and interactive exhibitions created opportunities for reflection, creativity, and connection."

Prof Giorgos Tsiris Director of Education & Creative Arts,
St Columba’s Hospice Care

The Inspiration

  • Wild Wings of Hope emerged following the death of my father, who nurtured my lifelong love of birds and the natural world.
  • On the anniversary of his passing, we scattered his ashes in the garden and, on that same day, the swallows returned, inspiring a new body of work exploring migration, loss and hope.
  • The project began with a community Crowdfunder raised over £4,000 to support the development of the project.

The Idea

  • Collaborations with Celtic and African storytellers brought the papercuts to life, connecting cultures through migration, folklore and shared ecological stories.
  • Wild Wings of Hope launched at the National Museum of Scotland as part of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 and Black History Month Scotland.
  • It expanded from a public museum programme into hospice and dementia-friendly settings through partnerships with St Columba's Hospice Care and Alzheimer Scotland.

The Outcome

  • A community Crowdfunder raised over £4,000 to support the development of the project.
  • Hundreds of Messages of Hope were written and shared by participants, creating a growing collective artwork inspired by migration and connection
  • To date, the project has engaged over 4,800 participants through partnerships including National Museums Scotland, RSPB, Butterfly Conservation, St Columba's Hospice Care and Alzheimer Scotland
View all work