In 2022, we have made a new partnership with Wellsbourne Health Care CIC in Whitehawk to continue and grow this important project.

Designed around the 5 Ways to Wellbeing, Woven By Us offers a creative, social and supportive group setting to learn new skills but also a space for individual projects, sharing knowledge and experience and building confidence.

Hosted by Artist Sally Bourner and developed out of learning from our previous project Textile Flow Woven By Us makes use of textile processes with elements of repetition, such as weaving and rag rug which are known to help to support group dynamics, alleviating some participants’ anxieties around direct conversations and facilitate the experience of mindfulness.

Loneliness amongst older people is a major problem in the UK: Age UK predict that by 2026 there will be 2 million people aged over 50 in England who will often feel lonely and those aged over 50 are 3.4 times more likely to feel lonely if they are in poor health. With a particularly high population of older people living in East Brighton, there is increased likelihood of loneliness in the area. Woven By Us seeks to reduce isolation and improve wellbeing for those living in this community through social and creative stimulation.

Sessions are explicitly inclusive with varying access requirements and abilities supported. For example, the development of specific tools to support those with limited mobile dexterity and the offer of transport to and from workshops.

To find out more about this project please contact [email protected]

We are grateful to have received funding for Woven By Us from Brighton District Nurses Association Trust and Brighton and Hove City Council.