Woolly Wellbeing

This issue we meet the Woolly Wellbeing knitting group from St Helens and find out about the projects they've been working on

The Woolly Wellbeing knitting group is a supportive club that's there to give woolly support to fellow knitters and a shoulder to cry on if needed. The group was set up to help anyone who felt socially isolated because of mental or physical disability or personal issues, and its meetings are a chance for members to meet socially, out of the house and amongst the presence of other crafters.

SOCIAL GATHERING

The group meets every Thursday at 10am in a community interest cafe in the town of St Helens for two hours of, simply put, "getting away from it all".

Knitters of all ages attend the weekly sessions. Some come to every meeting while others pop in when they can around other life commitments, and there is no pressure to attend every week. Most of the group knit and crochet to some degree and new members are actively welcomed, "even if their knitting has holes or the granny squares have five corners, it doesn’t matter!" says group leader Sally Coomber.

PROJECTS TO BE PROUD OF

As keen knitters, the group like to always have a project on the go. Last year, thanks to a few extra pairs of hands, they managed to complete bunting, poppies for a special display and little hats for soft drink bottles to add some decoration during the winter months! One of the biggest projects completed was a large friendship blanket (above), which everyone contributed to and helped put together. The blanket is currently being used in the cafe at the children’s autism group, and for teddy bear picnics for the younger children at the cafe. The Woolly Wellbeing group is now in its third year and still going strong – and looking for more woolly people to join them!

Want to know more?

Woolly Wellbeing meets each week in Momo’s co ee shop in St Helens. To find out more about the group, visit www.facebook.com/icancraftuk. If you have a knitting group you want featured, get in touch at simply.knitting@immediate.co.uk.

The WooPllIyC ON SERVER Wellbeing knitters support each other This friendship blanket was a collaborative project Just some of the group's colourful knits!