As crafters, we know the numerous benefits of creating something beautiful and useful with your hands; the calm the process brings and the sense of achievement when your project is completed. Many of us have also seen how crafting has helped someone near and dear to us; maybe a child who struggles to concentrate and learn in a traditional setting but lights up when given a foraged stick and a craft knife and patiently whittles away for hours; maybe an elderly neighbour who begins to glow as, over a mug of tea, she demonstrates her knitting skills; or perhaps a friend who is going through a rough patch and begins to relax as you snip and glue to create stunning gift cards around the kitchen table.
Many crafters are using their talents and skills to benefit others in a community setting. We know that our own sense of well-being and mental health is boosted as we turn our attention outwards to encourage or support someone else. In this post, we’re going to take a look at some inspirational ways in which crafters have found a need and have put their time and talents into filling it. However, before we start, a quick word for context. We have different seasons in our lives and for some, maybe with a growing craft business, a young family and other commitments, this might not be the time for pouring yourself into a new project. Our intention is not to load on the guilt, but to inspire you and to recognise those who are doing amazing things with their crafting. Enjoy and be encouraged!
There are many cited benefits of engaging in arts and crafts. Some of these are physical; the development of fine motor skills in young children and maintenance of dexterity in the elderly. Some of these are cognitive, for example increasing problem-solving abilities, concentration and patience, helping with organisational skills and aiding in the management of emotions. Some will be emotional, offering an outlet for emotional self-expression and reflection and the resulting improvement in confidence and self-esteem. Yet others will be social. We have often talked about the benefits of sharing your craft with others in your community, and we must not overlook it here, too. Loneliness is still a major factor in the mental well-being of many here in the U.K. and the local Craft centres, Arts Quarters, workshops and groups in which many of our customers are involved in will be doing much to tackle this and change lives.
Some crafters have taken this a step further and have initiated community projects, such as those in partnership with Scrap Stores. In the physical space such a store provides, sessions for parents and toddlers, young children and the elderly can all be run, offering not only a creative outlet but a space to chat over a mug of tea. The nature and values of the scrap store initiative engender a caring working environment and we know of one store East Kent Mencap which is run by members of the local Mencap group, each of whom live with a learning disability.
Maybe some of the most grassroots ways in which crafters are using their skills to reach out to others are through local community initiatives run in churches and community centres. Buildings which provide a warm space, a hot meal, a shower and a postal address for those living without a permanent home often also run sessions such as “Knit and natter” or “Art for Well-being”. In these most un-ostentatious of settings, service users are offered respect and given dignity as they learn a new skill or develop existing ones. We each have our own story to tell and in a group where the focus is on the art and craft, not directly on the individual, stories can be shared in a gentle way, a small step towards healing and moving forward.
There are also an increasing number of business initiatives set up by entrepreneurs whose aim is to bring regeneration to deprived communities and hope to those whose lives need rebuilding. For example, one social enterprise SCT trains up those recovering from an addiction in woodworking and upholstery skills and then they use these newfound skills to upcycle vintage furniture. Another small business Lovewell sells high-quality beauty products handmade by women recovering from trauma. There are many more fantastic initiatives all across the country.
If you have been inspired by some of these stories, you might want to consider using your craft business to benefit some of the more vulnerable people in your local community. Or, you might decide to give a percentage of each sale to a local charity. It’s great to dream and to then hold on to and test these dreams, but we also need to look at practicalities. Most craft businesses either sell online or at craft fairs and markets, and for this you will need craft stall public liability insurance. If you are just in the initial process of turning your hobby into a business, you will need to know what craft stall public liability insurance entails. While it is not a legal requirement, most event organisers will ask for it. It covers you for all the completely unforeseen events which could lead to a member of the public making a claim against you. Here at Craft Insurance, we have had several decades of experience of working with crafters to ensure they have the correct cover. The easiest way to find out more about craft stall public liability insurance is simply to drop us a message or pick up the phone and either Naomi or Sam will be here to help answer your questions.
We hope you, like us, have been inspired by some of these stories. We cannot shift all the bad things in our world, but we can make a difference in the lives of those around us, brightening up their days and bringing hope and creativity, one small beautiful handmade product at a time.
