Stories That Take Flight
Through papercraft & interactive storytelling, Wild Wings of Hope celebrates the awe-inspiring migration of barn swallows & swifts between the UK and Africa.
Crafting Stories of Hope
Created by environmental artist Ed Harrison, Wild Wings of Hope is a collaborative arts project developed with storytellers from Celtic and African traditions.
Inspired by the annual return of barn swallows to his family home in Wales, the project has grown from a personal response to grief into a collaborative arts initiative connecting people, species and places across continents.
Through immersive experiences of papercraft and storytelling, participants are invited to slow down, create together and rediscover our shared relationship with the living world.
Wild Wings of Hope is crowdfunding to bring workshops to schools, palliative care communities and dementia-friendly groups.
Led by Ed Harrison in collaboration with storytellers Chief Gift Amu and Cara Silversmith, the project seeks to share stories of hope and connection with the people and places that need them most.
At its heart, Wild Wings of Hope celebrates the interconnections between culture, nature and community, offering creative ways to navigate loss and nurture resilience, imagination and belonging. In an age of growing disconnection, there has never been a more important time to create spaces where people can come together through story and craft.
Workshops & Experiences
Vibrant performances that interweave Celtic & African folklore with stories of migration & the natural world.
Making insects & birds through papercut activities, inspiring creativity through sustainable craft.
Bringing stories to life through songs, drumming circles & shared musical experiences.
Using creative writing & shared reflection to explore hope, memory & our connections with the natural world.
Partnerships &
Projects
National Museums Scotland launch
A three-day celebration of papercraft, oral storytelling and conservation, marking the public launch of Wild Wings of Hope during the Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 and Black History Month Scotland.
3 ways to take action
From planting pollinators to becoming a citizen scientist, we’ve put together a shortlist of ways to take action for insects and birds.
Updates & Events
From the blog
When Ideas Take Flight
How one Wild Wings of Hope workshop inspired educators to create their own swift project—bringing together schools, conservation and community in the Scottish Cairngorms.
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