This statement outlines the activities and key impacts of our community groups (for instance Moorings Sociable Club, creative crafts club in Thamesmead), which provide a supportive and creative space for their members. --- Activities Our groups are vibrant, intergenerational, and inclusive drop-in spaces focused on textile arts. We provide a holistic environment where individuals can engage in various crafts, including knitting, crochet, quilting, embroidery, and patchwork. Sessions are facilitated by an expert tutor who assists in developing skills at a comfortable pace. Key activities include: * **Skill-Sharing and Workshops:** Members are encouraged to share their skills by running workshops on topics such as quilting, beading, and macrame. We also host professional guest workshops to introduce new textile art forms. * **Creative Collaboration:** Our groups foster a collaborative spirit, with members working together on projects and sharing their progress during regular "show and tell" sessions. We have also collaborated with external artists on installations like "Hidden Voices." * **Community Engagement:** Our groups serve as a hub for local news and events, and we are now working towards planning a community event to showcase our members' work. A new initiative has been launched by two members to raise money for food poverty. --- Impact The primary objective of the groups is to combat loneliness and isolation, particularly among older adults, and their impact has been significant and deeply personal for our members. Key impacts include: * **Alleviating Loneliness and Isolation:** Our groups provide a crucial and valued space for social connection. For some members, this is the only social interaction they have all week. The environment is described as a safe, holistic, and inclusive space where people feel valued. * **Fostering Friendships and Social Cohesion:** A key measure of success is the deep friendships that have formed within the groups, with members meeting outside of regular sessions. Laughter and conversation are defining features of the sessions. * **Building Confidence and Well-being:** Participants have reported significant increases in confidence, with some even going on to lead their own workshops or plan their own community-based business initiatives. The shared creative process helps members cope with challenges like chronic pain, bereavement, and other health concerns. * **Skill Development:** Members, including those recovering from health issues, have shown remarkable progress in their creative skills. The ability to learn and teach new skills to others is a major benefit for both new and long-time participants.

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