Crafting for Generations

August 12th marks International Youth Day – a time to recognise the vital role young people play in our world, reflect on the challenges they face, and consider how we might better support them on their journey into adulthood.

Every generation has faced its own set of obstacles. Teenagers during the two World Wars were shaped by global conflict, while those growing up in the post-war 1950s were deeply influenced by rationing, which left a lasting imprint on their attitudes toward waste and consumerism. Looking further back, history reveals a tapestry of challenges: from the harsh, uncertain life of self-sufficient farming before industrialisation to the gruelling hours and dire conditions endured by child labourers in the early industrial era.

While Generation Z – those born between 1997 and 2012 – has grown up with greater material wealth and more educational opportunities than previous generations, they are also among the most unhappy. Mental health struggles are alarmingly widespread, and suicide rates remain tragically high. Clearly, something is going deeply wrong in our society.

This is the first generation to grow up entirely in the digital age, with smartphones in hand and instant access to information and connection. Yet paradoxically, they are often described as the loneliest and disconnected generation in history. In many ways, we have lost something essential – our sense of community, our moral anchor points, and the grounding that comes from belonging to a particular place and people.

So, what does this have to do with crafting?

As crafters, simply through the work you do and the way you do it, you embody values and experiences that many young people are missing in today’s fast-paced, digital world. Creating something by hand from start to finish requires patience and perseverance – qualities that are increasingly rare in a generation raised on instant access to information and immediate gratification. The constant presence of smartphones has even rewired the brain’s ability to wait and focus, making these traits more essential than ever to cultivate.

Crafting also fosters community. Whether through workshops, shared studio spaces, or local galleries, crafting often brings people together in a way that screens cannot. Despite having hundreds of online “friends,” many young people struggle to build and sustain meaningful, face-to-face relationships. In contrast, the shared experience of making can provide a sense of belonging and connection.

Finally, crafting offers a deep sense of accomplishment. Mastering a new skill or completing a handmade piece brings real satisfaction, while also connecting the maker to the historical and cultural roots of their craft. It’s not just about making something beautiful – it’s about reclaiming something timeless.

While the overall picture of Gen Z can often seem disheartening, with rising levels of unhappiness and daily life challenges, this certainly doesn’t apply to everyone in this generation. Many of us are fortunate to know teens and young adults who are confident, articulate, and grounded, with a strong sense of purpose and direction in their lives.

This sense of purpose is often rooted in something they deeply believe in or are passionate about. For some, it’s their faith, while for others it’s their hobby or skill, from sports to music to crafting.

Having a skill to develop gives young people an immediate sense of purpose and offers the satisfaction that comes from progress and achievement. The act of creating—especially with our hands—can be therapeutic in itself. We all benefit from having a meaningful outlet for our creativity. It’s not just about the end result, but about the process of making, growing and expressing something that’s uniquely our own.

Many crafts are deeply rooted in a sense of place, either tied to a specific region or reflecting the local landscape and heritage of the maker. For example, the tradition of working with wool runs deep in the gently rolling green hills of Wales, where it has long been a part of daily life. In Cornwall, pewter jewellery – made with tin as its main component – echoes the region’s rich history of tin mining along its rugged coastline.

Crafts also often reflect the maker’s personal connection to their surroundings. The soft purples and greens of heather-covered moorland might find their way into a line of ceramics, while the wildflowers of chalky downlands could inspire a series of prints or bookmarks. These creative expressions do more than just capture beauty—they foster a sense of place and belonging.

In this way, craft becomes a powerful means of preserving cultural heritage and passing traditional skills down to future generations, keeping the story of a place alive through the hands and hearts of its people.

There are numerous ways crafters can share their skills with young people, from centre-based or detached youth work, through to taster sessions, workshops and training opportunities. At a time when the economy and job market seem somewhat uncertain, training a young person up to run a side hustle, or even a business of their own, will also pass on purpose and a sense of independence.

As any small business owner knows, there is much to learn about monetising a skilled hobby. One foundation which needs to be in place is artistic venture cover. Artistic venture cover will generally include both public and product liability insurance. It can also include insurance for specific items connected with your business, be they specialist tools, finished products or electronic equipment used for the running of the business. For anyone looking to start up their own business, insurance may seem a little confusing, and for a young adult with less experience in dealing with professional calls, this may be even more so. However, as a family business ourselves, we respond to each enquiry in person; we enjoy hearing about your businesses and will explain the options for artistic venture cover, thus offering a personal and friendly service.

So, as International Youth Day approaches, you may like to pause and ponder some of the ways you could pass on your finely honed skills to a younger person. In days gone by, skilled artisans passed on their craft within the family or to apprentices; thus, many traditional skills remained alive.

Maybe this is a model which could be resurrected in the twenty-first century, not only to hand on this part of our heritage, but also to nurture and train up the crafters of the next few decades.