The Slow Stitching Group offers people time and space, in a friendly environment to get creative, share ideas and enjoy each others company. The group welcomes everyone to come along and have a go.
This activity is good for wellbeing because
- Spending time in the company of others helps with feelings of belonging. It even helps our physical health to have connections to others.
- Getting creative is great for expressing how we feel, boosting morale and can help with difficult feelings such as anxiety and depression.
- Focussing on a task is helpful for relaxation and reducing stress. It also benefits our cognitive function and can make make us feel good when we achieve something.
How to contact
Where to go
Haddenham Arts Centre
High Street
Haddenham
CB6 3XA
What to Expect
You don't need to book, you can just turn up. Sessions will be held either in the room on the right as you enter Haddenham Arts Centre by the main door or in the small exhibition space/studio on the left inside the shop. Lisa, Anna or Lydia (exhibitions, gallery and outreach manager) will be there to greet you and direct you at the beginning of each session. All materials are provided and there will be plenty of inspiration to get you started and tips on techniques should you want them. You don't need any prior experience, just a willingness to invest some time and brain power in the projects. You can expect a group of between 10-15 people.
As a group, Slow Stitching is aiming to produce four wall hangings reflecting the fen landscape through the seasons which will be on display at the Gallery at the end of the year. But people are welcome to work on their own projects if they prefer.
Haddenham Arts Centre is an accessible building. The toilets are found at the far end of the gallery space to the right of the shop; they are on one level and there are grab rails. The doorways, however, are of standard width and therefore inaccessible to many wheelchair users. There is an area for baby changing in the lobby by the toilets.
More Information
Haddenham Arts Centre can be found via a small turning off the High Street opposite Hereward books, look out for their sign mounted high up at the entrance. There is a small carpark on site and plenty of on-street parking nearby if this is full. To find out more about the Arts Centre, take a look at their page here. Slow Stitching sessions are on Thursdays at 10am - 12.30pm.
The group is lead by Lisa Baker and Anna Osbourne. Lisa started as a keen hobby crafter who recognised the therapeutic power of making and creating and is keen to share this with the community. Anna is a professional artist (aka The Speculating Rook), who has a studio at Haddenham Arts Centre.
Haddenham Arts Centre have an excellent on-site cafe which sells hot drinks, cakes and light lunches. It is anticipated that some Slow Stitching group members might stay to enjoy refreshments together there afterwards.
There is a suggested donation of £3 per person for each session, which is primarily a contribution to room hire. However, Lisa and Anna are keen that this should not be a barrier to anyone attending so is optional.
How to contact
Where to go
Haddenham Arts Centre
High Street
Haddenham
CB6 3XA
