The idea
Crafty Carers brings together a diverse community of unpaid, family carers in Leicester to create different arts and crafts projects. The aim of this group is to work towards a Christmas exhibition of all the work they have created over the year, that their friends, family, and the wider community can come and look at. The project engages with the carers to focus on themselves and their own needs, whilst trying different techniques to create their masterpieces. The different areas that we want to encourage carers to participate in, include handmade cards, latch hook, sketching, painting with different medias, t-shirt designing, cross stitch, salt dough, jewellery making, photo frames, stencilling etc. This not only builds on their creative abilities but also confidence, self-esteem, quality of life, health and wellbeing, and reducing social isolation and discrimination.
What we'll deliver
- We will run a minimum of 30 sessions over a 12 month period
- Each session will run for at least 2 hours
- We will reach a minimum of 12 carers per session
- The sessions will be held in different locations around the city so that as many carers as possible can access them
Why it's a great idea
This project has been extremely successful for the last two years but demand for more sessions and a wider choice of crafts is increasing. The group would like to learn new creative techniques, to go towards their end of year exhibition.
The group helps bring the carers together as a community, which reduces social isolation and improves quality of life. It also decreases stress and anxiety, while improving confidence and self-esteem. It is great way of looking after their health and wellbeing, without putting pressure on other services.
From one of our members - I love being part of this friendly group it gives me the freedom to express myself and to explore new arts and crafts. We have had an exhibition of some of the work that Crafty Carers have produced. It gave me a real sense of achievement. I felt valued for something other than caring.
Steps to get it done
- Booking venues to run the sessions (through a schedule)
- Booking and planning the exhibition
- Buying all the equipment for the sessions (through a schedule)
The project does not only encourage and support the arts and crafts but also in the group supporting one another, and becoming a network that can help reduce each others social isolation and lack of confidence. This is encouraged by going out and running the group in different areas of Leicester to enable carers to access it more easily. It also encourages the centre's volunteers to support the group and learn new skills for work related experience.
