Crafting with Purpose

Constitutional objectives

The organisation’s main purpose is to provide relief of those in need by reason of ill-health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage. We specifically aim to do the following: a) To alleviate the effects of the cold weather on the homeless, by producing items such as blankets, hats, scarves, gloves, socks etc. to keep them warm on the streets. b) To provide support and comfort for parents and their premature babies, whilst in the NICU at hospital, by producing tiny hats, blankets, booties and quilts to help stabilize the baby's temperature, help avoid blood sugar levels dropping as a result of the stress of being cold, and to allow the family a sense of control, by choosing a hat for their little one, in an otherwise stressful time. c) To provide a sense of security to vulnerable children in foster care by producing handmade blankets to be gifted to them when arriving in care, that they can keep and take with them when they go to their forever home, as a constant reminder that someone cares for them and offering them some continuity between settings. d) To alleviate some of the frustrations caused by dementia/Alzheimer's, by producing twiddle muffs for elderly residents of care homes, to help sooth anxiety, provide tactile stimulation and keep their hands cozy. e) To alleviate loneliness and promote inclusion at Christmas, by crafting handmade items that can be gifted to residents of care homes, that do not have family or friends that visit regularly or otherwise would not be receiving gifts during the festive season. f) To provide comfort and support to young children, during traumatic or distressing events by crafting teddies that will be carried in emergency service vehicles, distributed by police officers, fire fighters, paramedics etc. and gifted to children during incidents such as accidents or domestic disturbances, to ease stress and anxiety and act as a simple distraction, to help the child cope with the potentially upsetting situation. g) To overcome loneliness, social anxiety, isolation, and poor mental health, as well as teaching basic crafting skills by running weekly art and craft sessions, open to the public, where we will be working on group/community projects, that attendees can get involved in, or they can bring their own works in progress to continue working on at their own pace, while making new friends. The craft groups provide a safe, warm, welcoming, non-judgmental environment, where attendees can enjoy a cuppa and a snack and have a good natter with other like-minded individuals.