Our project will offer a route back towards social normality & create a busy mind using a Crafty Chatty delivery model. We will encourage peer support and offer volunteer roles within our setting to rebuild personal confidence, self-worth and self-esteem for all who engage with us. Fear & anxiety affects all ages & imposes many stresses, strains & enforced isolation under normal circumstances let alone where we find ourselves today. The fear of integrating back into the community has become a huge social barrier for so many of our previously vibrant arts and craft groups. CraftChat will not be specific to one style of craft or art, we will encourage our attendees to take pleasure in their preferred craft, to share knowledge and skills with others. We feel that through this Peer Support approach it will provide an avenue for those who are expereincing the after effects of enforced isolation a clear pathway back towards the importance of social interaction and mindfulness of needs

What we'll deliver:

• Safe and vibrant cafe area promoting self worth
• An area to accomodate CraftChat Sessions to learn new skills
• A cafe area open to all as a safe haven to share concerns
• Volunteer opportunities to reengage back into social circles

Why it's a great idea:

During lockdown we delivered crafts packs to as many young families as we did our older community - to maintain brain activity and reduce boredom. We have gathered evidence that the fears of returning back into the community has manifested since restrictions have been relaxed. One of our clients has shared with us that they feel more trapped now than they did during lockdown. Quote: 'Isolation is no longer being forced on me, it is purely my head that’s stopping me' Our community already trust us to keep them safe, all safe guarding measures are in place and they appreciate that we do not reply on large numbers to deliver a service. We will offer the most anxious 1-2-1 craft sessions for them to move at their own pace, eventually they will feel confident enough to join the group. Some organisations have told us that sessions are suspended & say 'We need numbers to run a group, its just not worth it for one person' We say 'Come to us, you are worth it , let us invest time in you.

Steps to get it done:

• Reduce isolation and create new social circles
• Create a minimum of 5 small groups of 5 attendees in each group within social distancing guidelines
• Develop a robust referal route into other health related organistions
• Introduce a minimum of 5 volunteers to support 1 group each
• Self supporting groups beyond the project

Our project CraftChat Cafe will offer the community a vibrant safe space offering a route to making small steps towards the reintroduction of social circles, accessing previous activities that were once enjoyed without being rushed back into taking part of a larger group. Small steps at a pace that suits the individual We are passionate about our community and will offer 1-2-1 arts and craft sessions within the Cafe setting maintaining social distancing at all times to rebuild trust and confidence in our service More importantly we will also introduce a 1-5 delivery model option which will encourage those who are most anxious to re-engage and access arts/crafts on a 1-2-1 basis. 1 crafter, 1 tutor/volunteer offering peer support. As anxieties subside and confidence builds, we will encourage them to couple up, then become a small group of 3, 4 and eventually 5 individuals creating a small secure bubble of their own & 'Hey Presto' we have a new exciting 'Social Circle'