Summer Dreams Challenge

This summer has made many of us think differently about the future.

What do you want summers in Derbyshire to feel like in years to come?

As part of Dare to Dream, we’re inviting everyone across Derbyshire – individuals, families, experienced makers and complete beginners – to make a small flag for the future.

Your flag might carry a word, image or symbol representing something you would like future summers – and the places where we live – to feel like.

You could dream of:

• More trees and cool, green places

• Clean rivers and thriving wildlife

• Safe spaces for children to play

• Communities where everyone feels welcome

• More time spent outdoors and together

• A healthier, happier and more sustainable future

• or something completely different?

Your dream can be big, small, practical, playful or completely imaginative. There is no right or wrong way to take part.

1. Choose

Design your own flag or banner, or download our simple template to print, cut out or use as a guide.

[Download the flag and banner template]

2. Make

Bring your summer dream to life using materials you already have. You could use reclaimed fabric, scraps of old clothing, thread, paper, pens, paint or anything else you can find.

Add a word, image or symbol using stitch, collage, print, paint, drawing – or your own creative technique.

You do not need sewing skills, special materials or previous creative experience. You do not need to attend a workshop or be part of a group. Simply use what you have and make it your own.

3. Share

Photograph your finished flag or banner on its own, without anyone in the photograph, and upload it to the Dare to Dream Digital Loom by Monday 31 August 2026.

When you submit your photograph, you can also tell us what inspired your summer dream and how you created your piece.

Share your flag through the Digital Loom

After the challenge closes, we’ll bring the flags, banners, words and ideas created by people across Derbyshire together online for World Dream Day on 25 September.

Each individual contribution will become part of a growing picture of the future people want to see – connecting dreams from across the county and contributing to the wider Dare to Dream movement.

Dare to Dream is a countywide invitation to imagine better futures together.

Over the coming year, residents, artists, schools, community groups and businesses across Derbyshire will create banners, flags and textile artworks that share their ideas, aspirations and hopes for the future. These contributions will help shape a major public installation at Masson Mills during Derbyshire Makes 2027.

Join the movement. Fly the flag for the future.

Dream it. Make it. Share it.