From craft groups to choirs, drama companies to amateur orchestras, Creative Lives is currently celebrating groups from across the UK and Ireland, and all they have achieved, through this year’s Creative Lives Awards. One of the shortlisted groups is Dadesley Crafting CIC, based in Tickhill.
Here is Dadesley Crafting CIC’s story in their own words:
September 2021 saw the start of Dadesley Crafting with one two-hour craft session a week in Tickhill. Just three women wanting to share their love of crafting with others. We were lucky to obtain a small grant from the National Lottery, which allowed us to deliver a free yarn group once a week.
On 26th November we became a CIC and we were lucky to secure a larger grant from our local council.
The aims of the group were to:
- Bring people together, improve mental health and wellbeing and to combat loneliness.
- Use crafting as a form of therapy to improve mental health and wellbeing of its members.
- Promote mutual support and cohesion to combat isolation experienced by individuals and communities.
- To support people with dementia and their family members / carers.
July 2022 saw us open a dedicated craft room, in Balby. We were now open six days a week across two different sites, with a growing membership of over 100 people aged between 18 and 90.
We’re an inclusive group which allows everyone from the community to join in. People with dementia crafting alongside people with anxiety. We don’t label our members, by their condition, as everyone just comes along, to craft and for companionship.
We’ve offered 65 different craft workshops in 2022, all aimed at beginners. We offer support in every session and it can be from threading a needle, to holding someone’s hand and just listening. Whatever support the person needs, we adapt our way and level of support to suit them.
We have six free Craft and Chat sessions every week. People bring their own projects, and we supply the refreshments; chocolate biscuits always help (just as much as sticking your tongue out when you concentrate). We supported one lady to finish a knitting project she started 28 years ago!
When you’re crafting you’re normally looking down at what you’re working on. It means people don’t feel pressured into having to talk, they don’t feel like they are under the spotlight. We love it when we know we’ve made the connection and we can see the person finally relaxing and enjoying their time. Their shoulders drop and the smile appears on their face.
Judging panels from each nation will choose a winner for England, Ireland / Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, while members of the public can vote for their favourite in the People’s Choice Awards.
Voting in the People’s Choice Award is open until 27th January. To learn more about the shortlisted projects and to cast your vote, please visit www.creative-lives.org/2022-shortlist.
Winners will be announced at the Creative Lives Awards ceremony in Leeds on 7th March, as part of the Leeds 2023 Year of Culture’s celebrations. Winners will receive a bespoke award, framed certificate, cash prize and access to support and training.