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Top knitwear designer Debbie Bliss is leading a community initiative to bring people together in her home of Walthamstow, east London, through the power of craft.
The Walthamstow Welcome hosts inclusive knitting, crocheting and sewing sessions which not only teach valuable skills, but also create a safe space for social connection, improving mental health and reducing isolation for participants – including migrants, the elderly and people with learning disabilities.
Debbie, who has years of experience in supporting refugees and marginalised groups, founded the group in a bid to foster a supportive community for those who might otherwise be marginalised.
She tells Knitting: ‘My dream for the past few years has been to set up some kind of craft session that refugees in particular would feel was a safe space for them to come along and meet people in the community, and we all know about mindfulness and the mental health benefits of knitting.’
Debbie started the group a little over a year ago and has seen it grow and grow, with some people joining after being recommended the group through social prescribing. As well as knitting, people can learn sewing, crochet and other crafts at the sessions. Debbie says: ‘It’s a great joy to be involved in it. It’s lovely to see people just relax. There is something about knitting and crochet that makes people start telling their stories, and some of them are quite heartwarming.’
She has now launched a fundraising campaign with GoFundMe to raise cash to support the group as it grows, for example by covering essential costs such as materials, take-home kits, outreach, transport and professional services. The group has set a fundraising target of £15,000.
Find out more and donate at gofundme.com/f/support-walthamstow-welcomes-life-changing-sessions
Article Details
- Date 6 February 2025
- Tags News
- Newsletter
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