A Commonwealth Games star who is set to host Judo will pay tribute to Clydebank by wearing jewellery created by talented designers from the town.
Rachel Tytler, who is a bronze judo medallist from 2022, visited the Clydebank social enterprise Crafting Together ahead of the event.
She said: "I wanted to look around and see if there were any local small businesses that I could try to show off on a bigger stage.
“I saw the lovely jewellery and then I was reading more into it and realising that it’s so much more than just making jewellery.
“There’s a huge legacy which is more than just making and selling for these guys.
“It really is helping transform lives and gives them a bit more of a pathway.”
Crafting Together is a jewellery collective based in Queens Quay which supports makers with learning disabilities, helping them to develop their creative skills, and build confidence.
Two of the jewellery makers, Caitlyn McCracken and Louise Kane, were thrilled to meet Rachel and share their passion and work with her.
Speaking to the Glasgow Times, Caitlyn said: “I’m so happy that someone is showing off our jewellery for the Commonwealth Games, as it shows off the products that we make.”
Louise explained the impact that Crafting Together has had on her life, she said: “It helps me because of my autism, I struggled a lot back in my college years, so it helps me focus.
“I'm always up for new challenges.
“So, when I joined Crafting Together, eight years ago, it was a good challenge for me.
“I learned how to do things that I didn't feel comfortable with, but I managed it, and I made lots of new friends.”
To create the jewellery, recycled Scottish maps are sent over to young women involved in the Awamu skills' development programme in Kampala, Uganda, which they skilfully turn into beads.
The work tells a story that spans further than just Clydebank, showcasing history and collaboration, a connection which is echoed across the Commonwealth Games, which sees athletes from various countries come together.
Speaking on the use of Scottish maps, Rachel added: “It is such a unique and special way of doing things.
“The Commonwealth, that is the only competition that athletes in the UK get to represent Scotland, England, Ireland and Wales.
“Usually it's all under Great Britain, and with the Scottish map being used for the beads and the jewellery, I think it just has a lovely link.”
Louise added: “It’s amazing to represent where we belong and all the history of Glasgow and Scotland.”
Looking ahead to the Commonwealth Games, in which judo is set to take centre stage from July 31 to August 2, Rachel expressed her hopes for the games that are taking place in Glasgow again just 12 years on.
She said: “At the Glasgow 2014 games I was pretty young, but I went and watched some of the judo and I just think that the whole atmosphere of the city centre just was alive, it was buzzing.
“I really hope that we can replicate that even though there are only 10 sports and six para sports this time, as it’s a scaled-down version.
“Even just driving around the city, you can see more and more athletes walking about in their different kits from Bangladesh, Trinidad and Tobago, Wales, Scotland and Ireland.
“I think it's really special for us to be able to host it.”
The jewellery made by Crafting Together will be centre stage with Rachel when she hosts the judo competition, and it’s available to buy across several shops in Scotland including the Scottish Design Exchange on Sauchiehall Street in Glasgow.
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