THE benefits of creativity on mental health and wellbeing have been recognised with extra funding for a local project.
The Langholm based Creation Mill have recently received funding from the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund to set up new In Stitches sessions in other communities, including: Canonbie, Kirkpatrick Fleming and Eskdalemuir which have drawn in lots of new keen crafters.
The In Stitches project sees weekly textiles groups meeting up to share and learn new skills.
The original meet was in Langholm, where it still happens every Friday afternoon at the social club, and is about keeping the history of Langholm’s woollen mills alive.
Project manager Abigail Setters explained what they are trying to do: “Our aim is to boost our local textile industry by inspiring the next generation to get involved and learn new skills.
“At Creation Mill we love sharing skills which are at risk of being lost following the decline in the teaching of textiles in schools and the downsizing of the heritage textiles industry in the town.
“Our ‘in Stitches’ sessions provide a friendly and supportive environment allowing participants to talk all things textiles, show off their current projects and seek advice on something they would like to give a try.”
Aimed at all ages, the sessions are relaxed and friendly.
They are hosted alternatively by Abigail herself, as well as creative director Emma Duncan and group co-ordinator Hannah Johnson, along with a team of volunteers.
Abigail added: “We love hosting these sessions. They give us a chance to have a nose at all the projects that are on the go. We love to learn new skills from our talented participants too, so it doesn’t always feel like work!”
And she appealed to anyone with a unique textile skill to get in touch about setting up a workshop.
For more information, and to support Creation Mill in their work, go to www.creationmill.org.
n NEXT week Creation Mill are holding an SOS Sewing for School Uniforms workshop ahead of the new term.
Participants will learn how to sew on buttons, patch holes, transform trousers to shorts, sew on name labels and upcycle.
Emma Duncan said: “This is a great opportunity to learn with your young person about how to repair clothes and be more planet conscious.”
To book, go to the website.
