A creative skill sharing for the community to learn, reset and pivot. With lessons given in a number of crafts virtually by local experts and tutors alongside the ability to hire equipment. With equipment for hire being a covid-19 addition with cleaning taking place before and after use with a local delivery service using electric vehicles. Crafts are known to make a great impact in reducing stress and improve mental health. This past year has played host to higher levels of anxiety and has been detrimental on all of our mental health due to covid-19 restrictions and the national lock-downs. The skill sharing will take place within the local Tower Hamlets community in an expert environment to provide learning of craft and the exploration of their cost on the planet through exhibitions in local galleries within the borough. To save the need for raw materials clothing that would otherwise go to landfill will be reworked into another use for embroidery, knitting or other clothing.
What we'll deliver:
- Bring the local community together to provide craft skills for their future.
- Sewing machines for hire
- Ability for craft experts and tutors to access more people
- Educate people on the worth of their clothing and lifestyle choices.
- Re-imagine old clothing into something useful and reusable.
- Crafting tools for hire
Why it's a great idea:
The project will have a great impact on the local and wider community through the teaching of craft skills as part of a group or individually in 1 to 1 sessions, the exploration of ideas to help reduce the environmental impact of ourselves. Crafting as a hobby affects your mental health on multiple levels, creating higher happy endorphin levels with lower cortisol and blood pressure. Studies have shown that by engaging in an hour of creative activity reduces to risk of dementia and helps fight conditions such as depression and anxiety. Tower Hamlets is a London borough with higher inequality and poverty levels throughout Greater London. Many people fall through the gaps due to a lack of education within companies. By equipping them with life skills through the skills they pick up through learning crafts, that express their abilities above any other. Community groups )even virtual ones) are the future and we wish to nurture this to become a wider project that continues worldwide.
Steps to get it done:
- Order sewing machines ready for to rent out.
- Order craft and sewing tools/ kits ready to rent out.
- Set up a rent system online
- Promote teaching craft skills through live virtual classes.
- Tracking progress of project; number of people involved, crafts and skills shared
Through the hiring of craft equipment I will be able to reach a far greater number of people, especially during this time of covid-19. This will take place through a website designed for easy use, allowing people to book equipment for a length of time that suits their project. The rental of craft tools was an idea I thought of through troubles I come across in my own virtual teaching, where students would find machines wouldn't work correctly or were unable to take classes due to not having a machine to use. I find this to be an injustice and want to help all people learn craft. I am in touch with a number of craft tutors who are very excited to bring knitting, jewellery making and painting, alongside tailor skills workshops. With all of this new knowledge it is hoped that the community will go forth and use their new found knowledge further afield than just for fun. The skills learnt will be useful within work and home life too, helping to engage people in securing jobs and income.
