Crafting a community

Thu, 14 Mar 2024 16:17:21 Z

We visited Curo’s Community Room at St Margaret's Close, Keynsham, BS31 2EW, where residents are joining together to share their skills.

Bag decorating, crochet and needle felting are just some of the crafts residents have sampled at a crafting club at Curo’s Community Room in Keynsham.

The club takes place each Friday at 12-4 pm and was started by Livewell Officer Clare Pollock as a way to bring the community together. The club helps to prevent older residents from feeling isolated, says Clare. “They’re making friends and trying something new,” she says.

At the club on 9 February, Margery Leever was sharing her bag-making skills with fellow Curo resident Faye Wright.

“We all have different abilities and everyone is friendly,” says Margery. “If someone is alone, I’d say give this a try. We’ll give them a cup of tea, a slice of cake and a warm welcome.”

Roz Stute, who was teaching Carol Allsop how to crochet at the club, says: “Crochet helps me unwind. This is a chance to share that.”

Janet Durk was having a go at needle felting, taught by Clare Hudson. Janet is partially sighted, but said she didn’t want it to be a barrier. “You have to keep on doing things,” she says. “Trying this has been extremely satisfying and has made me happy.”

Clare says that the group is planning to try new crafts in the future, including dry clay modelling and woodwork. “I got a £500 grant from the Travis Perkins community funding pot. We’re spending it on craft supplies, including magnifying lights and tabletop easels to make painting more accessible.”

If you have an idea for a club in your local Community Room, we can help you set one up. Get in touch with Livewell Officer Tasia Talbot on 07773 059244.

Curo News

Crafting a community