Burngreave Community Craft Association

Story & Photos: Lisa Swift

Friendship, support, and an exciting list of activities were the focus of the new Burngreave Community Craft Association, launched at the Seventh Day Adventist Church on Andover Street in May.

There was certainly a warm welcome for the Messenger at the well attended launch event, which shared the group's vision to be a supportive weekly get together for retirees, the unemployed and senior citizens.

Guest speaker, Grace Walsh, a qualified nurse, summed up the group's aims,

“It's about forming lasting friendships and providing social support. Research has shown people who don't have friends are more likely to die prematurely. We also know that keeping the brain active can prevent early dementia. This group will help you keep your brain active by challenging you to do things you have never done before.”

The group's impressive list of weekly activities is certainly designed to keep members active. Alongside many traditional craft activities, such as knitting, sewing, floral arranging and greeting card making, the sessions will also explore ceramics, painting, computers and woodwork, as well as occasional exercise sessions and day trips.

The display of delicate knitted and sewn clothes and accessories made by members of the group, showed the marvellous skills they have developed and shared since the first sessions in January. Pastor Randolph Prime explained how it all got started,

“The church helped to set up the group at the beginning of the year to give the community a chance to share their skills with each other and socialise. The group is now entirely independent and is open to anyone who is retired, unemployed or a senior citizen. There will also be hot food every week.”

Burngreave Community Craft Association welcomes new members. Come along any Tuesday 10.30am-2pm Burngreave Seventh Day Adventist Church, Andover Street.

The group is also looking for donations of wool and material, contact them on 247 3648 or 272 4073 if you can help.