Bannside Stitchers

Public benefits

Members have learnt to sew, knit and crochet in a safe, friendly environment under the direction of qualified tutors. By providing a weekly class with like-minded individuals, members can not only learn and develop craft skills which would give them a sense of achievement and build confidence (especially when their completed items may be used in

exhibitions or provided for sale) but they also have the opportunity to discuss various crafts/skills leading to further conversations on a friendly basis, lending itself to the potential opportunity to forge and develop new friendships which would alleviate loneliness and isolation which can be more pronounced in a rural area. By participating in stitching/crafting classes feelings of depression and anxiety may be alleviated thereby bringing about an improvement in mental and psychological wellbeing for some of our participants. We display and sometimes sell our work during an annual village festival. Two wall hangings made by our members are permanently displayed in our local Community Centre. In the future we hope to have a more permanent display area in the new Portglenone Enterprise Group Premises. We also send work to the Neo-Natal Unit at Antrim Area Hospial Benefits are all positive as a member of Bannside Stitchers. Woman from 18 to 100 living in the Portglenone and surrounding areas. NA

What your organisation does

In order to carry out the charitable purposes, the Bannside Stitchers provide the facilities for four classes per week to be held in order to teach various needle crafts and educational trips to its members.