One Stitch at a Time: Fighting Loneliness Through Free Craft Sessions

In Walthamstow, a simple ball of yarn is transforming lives. At The Walthamstow Welcome, we bring people together through the art of craft — knitting, sewing, crocheting, and mending treasured garments. Our free sessions are open to everyone, offering a safe, welcoming space where creativity connects people who might otherwise never meet.

Every week, our community grows — from local residents rediscovering their creativity, to refugees building new lives, to elderly neighbours finding companionship, laughter, and purpose. What begins as a craft project often becomes something much deeper: friendship, confidence, and a sense of belonging.

Founded in November 2023 by Debbie Bliss MBE, The Walthamstow Welcome is entirely community-led and self-funded. We rely on kindness, donated materials, and volunteer time — but demand is growing fast, and we’re struggling to meet it. We never want to turn anyone away, yet we’re running out of supplies and our beloved sewing machines are wearing out.

With your help, we can keep our sessions free, inclusive, and full of life — ensuring that everyone who walks through our doors can connect, learn, and feel truly welcome.

Every week, we see how a simple act of making — a knitted square, a shared story, a cup of tea — can change someone’s day, or even their life. Your donation, whatever the size, helps us keep these sessions free, inclusive, and full of hope.

Together, we can make sure no one in our community is left feeling lonely or forgotten. Please give what you can today and help us continue crafting connection, confidence, and kindness — one stitch at a time.

✨ Thank you for being part of The Walthamstow Welcome. ✨

Who We Are

The Walthamstow Welcome (TWW) is a community-led organisation focused on connecting people through the art of textiles. Our mission is to provide a welcoming, inclusive space where people of all backgrounds can build confidence, develop creative skills, and improve wellbeing through shared making experiences — including knitting, sewing, crochet, and mending treasured garments using techniques such as embroidery, Sashiko, and Boro.

Each week, our free sessions bring together neighbours, newcomers, and generations — creating friendships, reducing loneliness, and strengthening community ties. Everyone is welcome, and no one is ever turned away.

What Your Donation Can Do

Every contribution, no matter the size, helps keep our free community craft sessions open to everyone:

£10 – Provides yarn, fabric, and thread for three people to take part in a session.

£25 – Gives a beginner a take-home starter kit to keep learning and practising new skills.

£50 – Covers travel costs for someone facing financial hardship, so they can attend and connect.

£100 – Funds an interpreter so deaf participants can fully join in and feel included.

£250 – Helps repair or replace one of our much-loved sewing machines, keeping sessions running smoothly.

£500 – Supports outreach sessions in new community spaces, bringing creativity and connection to even more people.

✨ Whatever you can give, you’re helping someone feel welcome, valued, and part of something special. ✨

How We’ll Use Your Donations

Every penny goes directly into keeping our free community craft sessions running and welcoming for everyone:

35% – Materials & Equipment: Yarn, fabric, sewing supplies, and tools so everyone can take part.

15% – Organiser Support: Covering the time and coordination of our small, dedicated team who plan, run, and support each session — ensuring every participant feels safe, included, and cared for.

15% – Running Costs: Training for volunteers and organisers, and the essential repair or replacement of our much-loved sewing machines and tools.

15% – Accessibility & Inclusion: Interpreters, travel assistance, and support for participants with additional needs.

10% – Digital Connectivity: Wi-Fi, tablets, and online tools to help participants stay connected and join in remotely.

10% – Outreach & Community Engagement: Taking our sessions into community spaces and reaching those who can’t find us otherwise.

✨ Your support keeps our sessions free, inclusive, and full of life — ensuring that everyone who walks through our doors can connect, learn, and belong. ✨

Join Us in Crafting Change

Every week, we see how a simple act of making — a knitted square, a shared story, a cup of tea — can change someone’s day, or even their life. Your donation, whatever the size, helps us keep these sessions free, inclusive, and full of hope.

Together, we can make sure no one in our community is left feeling lonely or forgotten. Please give what you can today and help us continue crafting connection, confidence, and kindness — one stitch at a time.

✨ Thank you for being part of The Walthamstow Welcome. ✨