I am a shoemaker travelling to Mexico and Japan to investigate the preservation and use of traditional crafts in our modern day world. I will be visiting small weaving communities to understand more about the great need for passing on these skills to the next generation and not have them lost as the world continues to create a demand for factory made goods. My aim is to investigate our value of items made by hand and bring awareness to making communities all over the world. I was awarded a travelling fellowship from the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust (www.wcmt.org.uk) The Trust funds British citizens from all backgrounds to travel overseas and bring back inspiration and examples of best practise for the benefit of others in their communities and professions.