Crafting Connection: Supported by Croydon Loves You

In 2025, Blue Lotus Collective CIC was proud to be part of Croydon Loves You — a local grants programme that invested in grassroots creative activity across the borough. This initiative awarded funding to projects that brought people together through hands-on, imaginative group experiences that strengthened connection and supported wellbeing.

One of the projects we were delighted to deliver was Craft and Connect, a series of Crochet workshops especially designed for mums in Croydon. These weekly sessions offered a calm, welcoming space where participants could relax with others, learn new skills and enjoy time out from busy routines while making beautiful items with yarn and creativity.

What made Craft and Connect special was not just the chance to learn stitches — it was the friendships that were formed, the laughter shared and the sense of confidence participants discovered in themselves. Many mums told us that carving out that time to be with others, have a cuppa and create something meaningful helped them feel more grounded, connected and listened to.

The programme also introduced practical skill-building elements with guest sessions that explored how creative skills can grow into business opportunities or support everyday life — from creative small-scale making to conversations around managing money with confidence.

Our 2025 Crochet series showed just how powerful it can be when people come together around a shared activity. When mums met week after week, smiles widened, friendships deepened and a supportive group blossomed — reminding everyone that connection matters just as much as the craft itself.

We’re so grateful to Croydon Loves You for supporting this project and helping us bring people together through creativity, shared time and meaningful conversation.

Call to Action: If you’d like to be part of future sessions like Craft and Connect, sign up for updates below — we’re planning more opportunities to meet, make and grow together in 2026!