Sussex Housing and Care launches Craft Club | News

We’ve had an overwhelming response to the new Craft Club, with over 50 free packs requested by residents across all schemes. Personalised packs have now started being delivered to residents.

The first pack includes all the materials and instructions needed for decoupage and decorating a wooden box, paper crafts including card making and making an origami box, and calligraphy. For those that prefer tasks such as building, there are also wooden craft kits of Big Ben available.

Designed for both experienced crafters and novices alike, we have something for residents to try their hand at. Creative expression and social interaction are vital to our mental and physical wellbeing, especially during times such as these. As we age, there are many social and emotional benefits of being involved in creative activities including:

• reinforces essential connections between brain cells including those for memory;
• strengthens morale altering the way we respond to problems and keeping a fresh perspective that makes us emotionally resilient;
• challenging the brain can improve sleep and mood disorders;
• promotes a positive outlook and sense of well-being which is known to boost the immune system and fight disease;
• having an active, creative life makes it easier to face adversity, including the loss of a loved one.

Plus it can be fun!

Colleen from Oakwood Flats who has already received her first pack says “Thank you very much to everyone concerned in providing the wonderful craft pack. It was such a pleasure to explore the many different items and such a help in these present times of limited social activity. I have already decided on calligraphy as a new project for the new year and look forward to making a start”.

Packs are designed so residents can craft on their own, but if they have access to the internet and would like to join our online social Craft Club, the next Zoom Craft Club group meeting is scheduled for Tuesday 2 March, 2pm. Joining instructions are included in the Craft Club pack.

We’ll be working on ideas for future craft projects, so if you have any ideas of activities that residents might like to try, please let us know. We would love to hear from you.

Any residents who would like to reserve their craft pack, please contact your scheme manager and we’ll add you to the distribution list for the next round of packs.

We look forward to seeing photos of our resident's wonderful makes and please send us your feedback and testimonials too. Happy crafting!