Quilted Quest by Sarbani and Isabella

Founders: Sarbani Maitra and Isabella Charlton

School: Year 10 Students At St John's Anglican College

Business Name: Quilted Quest

Can You Tell Us About Your Team Initiative Or Project? 

Our initiative, Quilted Quest, addresses two major issues: social isolation and textile waste. In Australia, one in five people feels disconnected from their community, and each year, 23 kilograms of clothing per person ends up in landfill, contributing significantly to global carbon emissions.

Quilted Quest aims to bring people together through crafting while reducing waste. Our project follows three simple steps: collect, craft, and contribute. We place donation bins in local communities across Queensland, where people can drop off old or unwanted clothes. These items will then be transformed into quilts, blankets, and patchwork during our weekly community sewing sessions, which are set to be at our local community hall and guided by experienced quilters from the Queensland Quilters Guild.

The finished products will then be donated to local homeless and animal shelters, including RSPCA Queensland and Ronald McDonald House Charities.

What Was The Primary Goal Or Challenge Your Team Set Out To Achieve, And How Did You Approach It Collectively?

Our primary goal with Quilted Quest was to tackle the dual challenge of social isolation and textile waste in our community. We identified that one in five Australians experiences a lack of belonging, and the fast fashion industry contributes significantly to landfill waste and carbon emissions. Our challenge was to create a solution that addressed these issues and foster meaningful connections.

We approached this goal by collectively devising a three-step process: collect, craft, and contribute. In the collect phase, we receive old clothing donations in bins across the suburb.

In the craft phase, we rely on our handy volunteers at weekly sewing sessions to craft quilts/blankets. In the contribute phase, items are donated to homeless/animal shelters, such as RSPCA Queensland and Ronald McDonald House Charities, ensuring that our efforts reached those in need.

By working together, we leveraged our diverse skills to create an environmentally and socially sustainable project.

Can You Describe The Dynamics Within Your Team? How Did Each Team Member Combine Their Unique Strengths To Achieve Your Shared Goals?

Our team at Quilted Quest thrived on a dynamic blend of collaboration, creativity, and shared passion for community service. Each member brought unique strengths that were essential in achieving our shared goals.

Isabella, our lead strategist, excelled in planning and organisation. She managed the logistics of the project, from setting up funding for our project. Her keen attention to detail ensured that every aspect of our project ran smoothly.

I, Sarbani, took on the role of community outreach and engagement. Leveraging my

Isabella and Sarbani at the 2024 Next Gen National Awards Evening.

communication skills, I am currently working on reaching out the community for additional volunteers, promoting our initiative on social media and fostering partnerships with experienced quilters and local charities. My focus was on building relationships that would expand our impact/reach.

By leveraging our individual talents, we were able to create a cohesive and impactful project that will foster a sense of belonging and pride within our community.

What Were Some Of The Most Significant Challenges Your Team Faced, And How Did You Overcome These As A Unit?

Securing funding for our project was an obstacle. The initial costs for bins, equipment, and community hall bookings were higher than expected, amounting to over 5 grand. As a team, we brainstormed and decided to apply for the Lord Mayor’s Community Fund, which required careful preparation of our proposal.

Through open communication, adaptability, and leveraging each other’s strengths, we were able to turn this challenge into an opportunity for growth. Our perseverance and teamwork not only allowed us to overcome this obstacle but also strengthened our resolve to make a meaningful impact in our community.

Collaboration Is Key To Any Successful Team. How Did You Ensure Effective Communication And Cooperation Throughout Your Projects? Effective communication and cooperation were the cornerstones of our success with Quilted Quest. From the outset, we established a culture of open dialogue and mutual respect within our team. We recognised that each member brought unique strengths and perspectives, and we wanted to create an environment where everyone felt heard and valued.

To maintain clear communication, we set up weekly team meetings where we would update each other on our progress, discuss challenges, and brainstorm solutions together. These meetings were crucial in keeping everyone aligned with our shared goals and allowed us to make quick decisions when needed. We also used collaborative tools like OneNote to keep track of tasks, deadlines, and responsibilities, ensuring that everyone was on the same page, even outside of our scheduled meetings.

We also made it a point to encourage open feedback. If issues arose, we discussed them transparently and worked together to find solutions.

How Did Your Team Measure The Success Of Your Initiatives, And What Outcomes Are You Most Proud Of? We measured the success of our Quilted Quest initiative through qualitative metrics. Our primary goal was to engage our community and create a positive impact through our interactive quilt project, so we tracked engagement levels, participation rates, and the overall feedback from our community as key indicators of our success.

Since our idea is still in the planning and developing stages, we pitched our initiative to a panel of judges in our school's Innovation Challenge and managed to place 2nd in the Senior School Category - an outcome we are incredibly proud of.

As we progress with Quilted Quest, we are hoping to seek feedback from our community and track engagement and participation rates as a source of overall feedback.

What Advice Would You Give To Other Teams Aiming To Make A Significant Impact? How Can They Cultivate The Same Level Of Collaboration And Success That Your Team Has Achieved?

Our key advice for other teams is to have a clear, shared vision. Make sure every team member understands the overarching goal and feels connected to it. This shared purpose will guide your decisions and keep everyone aligned, even when challenges arise.

Additionally, open, honest, and frequent communication is the foundation of successful collaboration. Create an environment where everyone feels safe to share ideas, ask questions, and express concerns. Regular check-ins, active listening, and constructive feedback loops help keep everyone on the same page and ensure that problems are addressed promptly.

We also encourage other teams to celebrate small wins along the way to keep morale high and acknowledge each member’s contributions.

Finally, make sure you always keep the broader impact in mind. Ask yourselves, "How are we making a difference?" Measure your success not by what you accomplish, but the value and positive change you bring to your community.

Quilted Quest participated in our Next Gen Awards 2024 program and were our one of our finalists for the Dream Team Of The Year award. To find out more about the Next Gen Awards and how your projects and initiatives can be showcased head to: www.nextgenoftheyear.com.au