Wellbeing

No WGW Knit & Natter - Saturday 7th September 2024 at the Barleycorn Inn

Wellbeing & Mindfullness workshops and activities

Wellbeing in our community

In an ever increasingly stressful world there is increasing evidence that engaging in knitting, crochet and other yarn crafts can positively impact on mental health, physical health and wellbeing, both in childhood and adulthood. A survey of 3,545 knitters & crocheters was conducted, worldwide with quantitative data statistically analysed to establish relationships and qualitative data for key themes.

The respondents came from a virtual community of knitters and crocheters, who were frequent crafters, who commonly reported knitting and crochet boosted their ability to relax, relieve stress and be creative. The results also showed a significant relationship between knitting & crochet frequency and the participant feeling calm and happy. More frequent knitters also reported higher cognitive functioning, whilst knitting in a group significantly impacted on the participant's perceived happiness, improved social contact and communication with others.

Wiltshire Green Woollies provide yarn craft based wellbeing activities (knitting, crochet and weaving) for the elderly in care homes, wellbeing groups, school children and summer schools. All our personnel hold current enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service certification.

The Benefits of Knitting for Personal and Social Wellbeing: Findings from an International Survey. Authors: Jill Riley, Betsan Corkhill and Clare Morris.

Activities for the elderly

Group activities in care homes are a wonderful way for the elderly and people with dementia to socialise with each other. Group activities provide participants with an opportunity to talk and interact, sharing experiences and reminiscences which has a major impact on their emotional and physical wellbeing.

Depending on the weather, knitting, crochet and weaving sessions may be enjoyed inside or outside. Care home residents and dementia patients can follow basic patterns to create group projects such as creating blankets for charities or create pieces of their own design, assisted by our activity leaders.

Yarn crafts provide a wonderful way to access the elderly person's creative spirit and provide a bridge to engage with younger family members who visit them.

would you like to book an activity?

Mindfulness workshops

Knitting, crochet and weaving are great destressing tools. These heritage yarn crafts can help you stay focused, removing yourself from the hurly-burly, stress and time constrains of day-to-day life.

What do you do when you’re lacking mental stimulation or bored? Do you find yourself snacking, shopping online, or checking your social media for the latest new or celebrity happenings?

Knitting, crochet and weaving, in fact all the heritage yarn crafts are wonderful tools that help you focus on positive activities with positive outcomes, enjoying your own company in your own time.

The simple act of creating a new piece of fabric either by knitting, crochet or weaving, the repetitive meditative process fills the crafters heart with joy, allowing the mind to slow down, whilst focusing on the activity at hand.

Would you like to book a workshop?

Children's yarn workshops

Introducing yarn crafts in schools, knitting, crochet, weaving and spinning can be one of the most transformative skill sets introduced in an optional school class or summer school.

Children are improving their hand to eye coordination and dexterity whilst employing mathematical skills without realising. As the children are working in groups together, they also start to help each other in a deeply engaged, attentive and intelligent way.

We design and deliver yarn-craft workshops for children from 6 to 16 years old in schools, academies and summer schools, and can develop a workshop to meet your specific requirements to fit in with your syllabus.

Would you like to discuss a children's workshop?

Community Knit & Natters

Wiltshire Green Woollies is perhaps best known for it's Knit & Natter community gatherings held across Wiltshire. These gatherings are free of charge to come along to and are designed to bring people together in their local communities.

Our own Knit & Natter is held on a weekly basis at The Barleycorn Inn each Saturday between 10am and 12 noon.

We will work with you to set up your own Knit & Natter in your community to bring the magic of yarncrafts to you.

Would you like to set up a Knit & Natter?