Knitting brings happiness to our resident Karen. And it’s something that Nancy, owner of Creatful, has encouraged.
We love working with our community because they have real, positive impacts on people’s lives. Karen is a resident at our Waterlooville residence and has been attending workshops at Creatful for a while.
Creatful is a social enterprise that brings people together to help empower them through arts and crafts. They support women with complex needs by creating a safe space for them to be themselves. They operate in Waterlooville, Havant, Portsmouth, and other areas in Hampshire.
Karen is a much-loved member of Creatful Stakes in Waterlooville. Her gentle spirit and creative spark have made her a cherished part of Monday mornings. Nancy says they’ve been privileged to support her in rediscovering her passion for knitting.
Knitting our community together
Nancy, founder of Creatful CIC, leads a vibrant creative group every Monday from 10am to 12pm at Springwood Community Centre. The group welcomes adults of all ages and abilities. They offer a space where people can connect, create, and share in the joy of arts and crafts. Each week, Nancy introduces an accessible craft for participants to try, though many—like Karen—also bring their own projects.
Karen has always been a maker. She used to knit by hand, but in recent years, she has developed shakes that make traditional knitting more difficult. Last year, Nancy began researching alternatives and discovered portable knitting machines. Although not a knitter herself, she taught herself how to use one in order to support Karen.
Nancy purchased a machine for Karen to use during group sessions, and after some practice, Karen was knitting again—with ease and joy. While she still needs a little help casting on and off, she’s now confidently creating again.
Karen’s knitting machine
Recognising how much this meant to Karen, Nancy reached out to her support staff at The YOU Trust. She shared the progress Karen had made and sent them a link to the knitting machine. The team responded enthusiastically, purchasing a machine for Karen to use at home and inviting Nancy to demonstrate how to support her. Nancy visited Karen’s home in Waterlooville and taught the staff how to cast on and off, ensuring Karen could continue her creative journey independently.
This story is a powerful example of what can happen when services collaborate to enhance the life of someone they support. Thanks to the dedication of community leaders like Nancy, and the care of support workers, Karen is now knitting both at Creatful and at home—reclaiming a beloved hobby and expressing herself through craft once again.
We are deeply grateful for people like Nancy. Working with the community is one of the most meaningful ways to improve the lives of those we support.
