Support Walthamstow Welcome's Life Changing Sessions

CRAFTING CHANGE: SUPPORT THE WALTHAMSTOW WELCOME’S LIFE-CHANGING SESSIONS!

At The Walthamstow Welcome, we’re on a mission to bring people together through the magic of craft! Whether it’s knitting, crocheting, or sewing, our free, inclusive community sessions offer a warm, safe space where people from all backgrounds can connect, learn, and support one another.

We’re all about creating a community where everyone feels at home. We support a diverse group of people, including:

Our participants come directly to us through local services like the NHS, the council, Waltham Forest Library services and word-of-mouth. Whether it's a local resident discovering a creative outlet or acquiring skills that may lead to future employment, we provide a warm, friendly space where people can learn, grow, and truly feel part of something special.

Right now, our group is completely self-funded, relying on occasional fabric and yarn donations from kind individuals and local businesses to keep our weekly meetups running. These drop-in sessions have become incredibly popular, and it's clear how vital spaces like ours are for those who feel lonely or that they have no connection to their community. The demand is growing, and we're struggling to keep up. We don’t have enough equipment for everyone, and we’ve even recently had to turn people away – something we never want to do.

With your support, we can make sure that no one is excluded and we can keep this wonderful, special group going strong. Please help us provide the materials and resources needed to give a warm Walthamstow Welcome to everyone who walks through our doors!

New participants learn to sew beautiful bunting on our hand operated vintage sewing machines

Passing on skills from one generation to the next

Making new friends!

Founded by Debbie Bliss MBE and Susan Smith, The Walthamstow Welcome is about more than just craft. It’s about building community, developing confidence, learning new skills, gaining employment, returning to work and making a positive impact. Many of the beautiful items our participants create are donated to causes such as Knit for Peace, who distribute handmade goods to hospitals, refugee camps, and prisons. Through these efforts, we’re not only teaching valuable skills, but also fostering a sense of purpose, belonging, and kindness.

Some of the work created by the participants

What our participants are saying...

The Walthamstow Welcome is a very warm and diverse group that has been nothing short of marvellous!

I have attended this groups session for the past three months and, whilst being able to meet a range of people from unique backgrounds, I have learned to knit two scarves and now I am teaching people to knit for the first time ever!

I never thought I’d be able to knit, but the organisers of The Walthamstow Welcome are patient, kind and ready to help. The best part, I think, is the ability to listen and learn the stories of all the incredible participants of The Walthamstow Welcome over a hot cup of tea or coffee.

I can’t recommend The Walthamstow Welcome enough to avid knitters, bemused non-knitters and anyone who needs a safe and heart-warming

atmosphere to chill-out in.

Michael

I joined this amazing group completely by chance as I was in the village and saw a lovely group of women knitting. I was so intrigued; I knocked on the door and was greeted with so much warmth and kindness. I thought it would be great to be part of this lovely, diverse group to be able to get back to

something I used to do many years ago.

It has been really lovely and I’ve made new wonderful friendships that I really value. Also, I love the diversity of this group. I love being part of it!

Nechama

I am happy to come here, I am really enjoying the sewing & knitting.

I was at home all day feeling isolated and wanted company, to make new friends and learn something new. Then I found The Walthamstow Welcome poster advertised at the doctors’ surgery.

I’ve been attending for six months and I am now bringing my three children which has given them something to during the school holidays. They are really enjoying it and I really look forward to coming each week.

Kadija

I have been learning how to knit since my partner passed away. It has been a very good distraction and given me a new lease of life. It’s something to look forward to at a very difficult time in my life, I always look forward to mixing with other participants.

Thank you so much for this opportunity.

Nesba

I'm really enjoying my time here. Michael is teaching me how to knit squares and I am learning from my mistakes

Mohammed

We've also had some great feedback from Waltham Forest Library and the GP social prescribers team:

The Walthamstow Welcome offers residents a space to connect with others and learn something new at a pace that is suited to the individual. The volunteers create a welcoming, supportive, inclusive and relaxed environment which has really benefited our migrant residents by increasing their sense of belonging and reducing social isolation.

Maeve O’Reilly

Welcome Hub Partnership Manager, Walthamstow Forest Libraries

Within the NHS and Social Prescribing service we rely significantly on the voluntary sector, to refer our patients to meaningful and accessible local wellbeing activities, with isolation being a key determinant of poor health outcomes.

The Walthamstow Welcome project has been a fantastic free and central resource for the borough. It has enabled patients with various needs and experiences (including refugees, single parents, people in temporary accommodation, those with moderate mental health issues, bereaved and long-term health conditions) to access a safe, inclusive space.

A weekly space to relax, be creative and overall, better connected to others in their community.

Several patients now attend regularly and have feedback that they have improved confidence and self-esteem, alongside a greater sense of purpose with reduced loneliness. Also, this has led to some patients engaging with other local resources such as wellbeing walks.

Susan, Debbie and Jacquie are an engaging and reliable team and with funding will be able to successfully develop the scope of this project, ultimately benefitting more adults and children in the borough.

Roisin Reilly

Social Prescriber, project coordinator Addison Road Medical Practice

Here’s how your donation will make a difference:

1. Day-to-Day Running Costs: Ensuring the smooth operation of our weekly sessions and improving the overall experience for participants.

2. Equipment & Supplies: Your support will help us maintain a steady supply of materials, ensuring our sessions run smoothly and participants have the best learning experience.

3. Take-Home Kits: Giving beginners the opportunity to practice their newly learned skills at home by providing them with essential supplies, such as yarn, needles, or fabric.

4. Support Services: Ensuring that our sessions are accessible to everyone, including the provision of services such as sign language interpreters for deaf attendees.

5. Travel Assistance: Helping participants facing financial hardship by covering travel costs, so they can attend and benefit from our sessions.

6. Outreach Programme Transport: Funding the transportation of materials and equipment to community locations, including covering parking and travel expenses for outreach activities.

7. Marketing Materials: Creating promotional materials such as posters, business cards, and flyers to help spread the word about our sessions and events.

8. Textile Care & Labels: Designing and printing care labels for the products made by our group, enabling us to sell these items and generate funds for our cause.

9. Social Media Promotion: Supporting our efforts to raise awareness of The Walthamstow Welcome and promote our crowdfunding campaign across social media platforms.

10. Exhibitions & Events: Funding trips to relevant exhibitions and events to further inspire our community, showcase our work, and engage with wider networks.

11. Professional Services: Covering the costs of necessary professional services, including audit fees and the submission of our annual reports and accounts to HMRC and other funding bodies.

Join us in crafting a better future

Your generous donation will make a real difference to those who attend our sessions, helping them build new skills, boost their confidence, and forge meaningful connections. With your support, we can reach even more people in our community, expanding our inclusive sessions and making sure everyone has the opportunity to grow and thrive.

Donate today and help us create a more inclusive, compassionate society - one stitch at a time!

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