Craft Projects Bring Worcestershire Communities Together

Community Craft Projects, from Learning Services’ Adult Learning Worcestershire team are designed to bring local people together to work on art and craft, with an aim to brighten up the area in which they live. The free projects offer a chance for people to not only discover new skills but also to connect with other people in their community and choose how and where they want to display the art created.

The Community Craft Projects have already made a significant impact, with artworks displayed in community venues across Worcestershire. Previous locations for weekly activities included The Pod in Charford - Bromsgrove, The Oasis Hub in Warndon - Worcester, REACH CIC in Wynates - Redditch, St. Peter's Community Hall in Birchen Coppice - Kidderminster, and Redditch’s Woodrow Library. New community craft projects launch this September again in those locations, alongside new projects taking place at Astwood Bank, Malvern, and Beoley. Artwork from the Woodrow project was displayed in the community pharmacy at the Woodrow Centre.

Wendy Beddard, Dispensary Assistant at Woodrow Pharmacy praised the project, “We’ve had loads of positive comments. Everyone who has seen it has said how lovely it is. We’re a community pharmacy and people here rely on us as we rely on them, so it’s wonderful that the community came together to create artwork from recycled materials and chose us as the focus. It’s fantastic and it’s really brightened up the area.”

Nikki Stearman, Curriculum & Partnerships Manager for Adult Learning Worcestershire, spearheaded the projects, "Our Community Craft Projects are about more than just art and craft – they're about getting local people engaged, connecting with one another, learning new skills, boosting wellbeing, and having fun! By doing them, people can take pride in their community by being instrumental in brightening up their surroundings, plus it opens doors to new learning opportunities. It's an avenue to other courses we run such as digital skills, GCSEs in English or Maths, career skills such as hair and beauty, plus a variety of artistic courses. I’m so proud of everyone who’s taken part in one of our Community Craft Projects and I can’t wait for the next ones to get underway."

Worcestershire County Councillor Marcus Hart, Deputy Leader of the Council & Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Communities also commended the projects, "They demonstrate how neighbourhoods working together can promote positivity. It really exemplifies how Worcestershire is a leading light in community involvement, and our commitment to helping communities stay connected. Through community learning, we not only foster skill development and untapped potential but also provide a medium for people to unite and take part in creative activities together. This further underscores our commitment to deepening our connections with the communities we serve."

Community Craft projects will resume across Worcestershire in September in Astwood Bank, Beoley, Birchen Coppice, Warndon, Winyates, Woodrow, and Sherrards Green in Malvern. People living in those communities that are interested in taking part should contact Nikki Stearman on 01905 728537 or email adultlearning@worcestershire.gov.uk.

Adult Learning Worcestershire offer a variety of courses including those built around employability skills, vocational qualifications, GCSE, health and wellbeing, community, and family learning. To view all available Adult Learning Worcestershire courses from Adult Learning Worcestershire, please visit the Adult Learning Worcestershire course booking website, or call 01905 728537.