After an initial 12 sessions in Thamesmead, CraftA received funding from Peabody which allowed them to run for an additional 15 weeks. Then, following successful applications with the Thamesmead Community Fund and the Peabody Community Fund, the organisation secured enough funding to continue their workshops for another two to three years.
More than 20 Thamesmead residents now regularly attend CraftA sessions which are held at the Moorings Sociable Club on Mondays from 10.45am - 12.15pm. They get to socialise with others while creating their own textiles and fibre arts and crafts.
The sessions are primarily for older residents who find them especially enjoyable, with one regular saying she “doesn’t know what she would do without the group.” Participants are also always happy to welcome younger visitors, with attendees sometimes accompanied by their younger family members.
As well as creating textiles for the themselves, CraftA also takes part in collaborative projects. They were recently commissioned by the Inquest charity to create a banner in recognition of its 40th anniversary. Members of the Thamesmead group created textile pieces that memorialised people who’ve died in police custody, which were used for the banner.
Thanks to support from our communities team, CraftA has successfully registered as a charity – a milestone which will enable them to apply for further funding in future. We look forward to seeing what the group continues to do going forward.