Community projects
Neighbourworks is a not for profit, community interest company that supports people who want to use their time and knitting talent to raise funds for local charities. We provide free kits of beautiful UK sourced yarn and patterns for accessories that use 100 grams of yarn or less and when the knitter has completed the garment, their gift of time and talent is donated to their charity of choice. Over £2500 has been raised over the last 2 years from the dedicated efforts of these amazing people. You can learn more and purchase our gorgeous knitwear here www.neighbourworks.co.uk
The Knit-Stop is a project originally funded by the People's Health Trust in 2014 with the aim of improving well-being for people in central Exeter. We started up 12 knitting groups over a 2 year period. The groups met for 8 weeks and each participant was given yarn, needles and instruction on the basics of knitting with the goal being to knit a cushion cover. Some amazing cushions were made and many of the groups continue to meet up over a year later! The formal project culminated in an event we called 'Sitting Pretty in the City'. Over 90 knitted and crocheted cushions decorated the benches of Exeter's High St. We have a short video of the day here.
More recently, we received a grant from the Big Lottery Fund to continue to grow the Knit-Stop programme which has resulted in 6 new adult groups and student groups in St James and St Peter's schools.
Knit for Peace is a London based charity that coordinates charitable knitting and crochet activities. We will work closely with them so people in Exeter and the surrounding area can have confidence that their knitting is going to the people who need it the most. You can learn more about them here.