Hello everyone, and welcome to an update from our heartwarming Community Knitting & Crocheting Project here at Salford Community Upskilling!
We’re absolutely thrilled with how the project has kicked off. The main goal is to bring together a wonderful group of elderly women from ethnic minority backgrounds, offering a friendly space to learn new skills, practice English, and most importantly, build lasting friendships and reduce feelings of isolation.
It’s hard to believe we’re already two sessions in! Our first gathering on Saturday, May 17th, was all about warm welcomes. We spent time getting to know each other with some fun icebreakers, shared our hopes for the project, took our initial survey, and even had a gentle introduction to basic knitting – lots of smiles and enthusiasm filled the room!
Then, on Saturday, May 24th, we delved deeper into basic knitting techniques. It was wonderful to see everyone concentrating and helping each other out. A real highlight was our “Cultural Story Circle,” where participants shared beautiful snippets of their heritage. We also wove in some English vocabulary practice related to our crafts, making learning fun and practical. The atmosphere has been so supportive, with laughter and conversation flowing as freely as the yarn!
We’re already seeing new friendships blossom and confidence grow. It’s truly inspiring to witness the connections being made and the joy that fills the room as our participants learn and create together. Plus, we’re committed to using eco-friendly materials, so we’re crafting with a conscience!
Our next session is just around the corner on Saturday, June 14th, and we’re all excited to introduce the basics of crocheting and kick off our first simple group project. We can’t wait to see what beautiful creations emerge!
A huge thank you to our amazing participants for their enthusiasm, and to our dedicated Program Coordinator, Lead Instructor, and wonderful volunteers who make these sessions possible.
Stay tuned for more updates as our community continues to knit and crochet its way to connection and creativity!
