A collaborative yarn bombing project to raise awareness of mental health & let everyone know we are all good enough, just as we are!
by Stacie Clark in Cornwall, England, United Kingdom
We Are Enough; The Creative Yarn Bomb of Love is a collaborative, community project aimed to raise awareness about mental health, bring people together to share experiences and encourage more self-expression through creativity whilst spreading positivity and kindness so that we can all know that we really are good enough, just as we are.
We Are Enough is open to all creativity; from knitting, crocheting, writing and poetry to drawing, painting and photography. If you can create it, we can include it!
We all have moments when we feel like we’re not good enough. We criticise and beat ourselves up, we believe that if we’re not perfect then we’re not deserving. It can hold us back, leave us feeling anxious, low in confidence and self-worth, can lead to depression and worst of all, feeling judged, ashamed and as though we’re entirely alone. This can have a massive negative impact on our mental health, and I know this from experience and because of the people that I have worked with. But it doesn't have to be this way. We are ALL capable, strong, intelligent, resilient and beautiful in so many ways.
We Are Enough:
We Are Enough will be a year-long project, starting in May 2018 and concluding during mental health awareness week in May 2019.
How Will It Work?
Here in Cornwall:
Community crochet groups & workshops
Time To Talk Day 2018, crafting with students at Cornwall College
Coffee, Cake, Create event for World Mental Health Day 2017
Yarn Bombing
the action or activity of covering objects or structures in public places with decorative knitted or crocheted material, as a form of street art.
People all around the world have been transforming spaces with their textiles either just for fun, in aid of charities, to promote events, to raise awareness around important causes and build communities - the latter two being what this project is all about.
Whilst this has been a form of street art exclusive to knitters and crocheters, we believe it's time that we all come together and open up this art to everyone else as well!
If you're still a little unsure about what yarn bombing is, this Ted Talk explains it further:
Please Note: We will request you gain permission from your local councils and any necessary businesses etc. before the yarn bomb is displayed. We will help with this.
We know because this has helped us; and because there are so many scientific studies to prove it! Here’s what we know:
Creativity and mental health & wellbeing:
Self-expression and self-acceptance:
Vulnerability and connection:
Did you know that around 55,000 adults in Cornwall alone struggle with social anxiety?
Over a third of the money pledged will be donated to Quiet Connections to help set up monthly community groups throughout Cornwall so that they can support and reach out to even more people; in the same way that they helped support me.
We Are Enough will be delivered through these groups to encourage self-care through creativity and share experiences through self-expression; in a way that is gentle without the pressure to talk.
No one should feel alone, broken or ashamed. Quiet Connections supports people when they’re feeling socially anxious or not good enough; bringing like-minded people together to create a community of understanding and a safe space to gently connect with others and make new friends; growing self-acceptance and confidence.
Over 1 in 10 people feel socially anxious; and almost half of all people consider themselves shy. So many people feel awkward in social situations and think bad of themselves for it; We want to change this.
Quiet Connections is just one example of how this project will be working with organisations!
Your pledges and support will be helping people to love themselves, express themselves and be themselves!
With your support We Are Enough will be:
Here in Cornwall:
What we can achieve depends on your donations!
To say thank you for your pledges and to show our appreciation, I've put together some fab rewards to treat you with including:
Check them out!
Hi, I'm Stacie, and I'll be heading up and managing We Are Enough; The Creative Yarn Bomb of Love! I'm an award-winning knit and crochet designer with a 1st Class Honors in Fashion. Mental health advocate, Time to Change Champion, creative collaborator and team member at Quiet Connections and fellow of the Lloyds School for Social Entrepreneurs.
For years I struggled silently, too afraid, confused and ashamed to explain how I was feeling; depressed, anxious, alone and hating everything about myself. I had no confidence, self-esteem or worth. I believed that I wasn't good enough.
Immersing myself in creativity has been the best way in which I have been able to help myself, and I've learnt many important lessons through my experiences:
I've been on this mission of mine to spread the mental health and wellbeing benefits of creativity ever since I realised how beneficial it's been for me, and although I still have my challenges... here we are today!
What will happen if we don't reach the target?
The project would still go ahead, but on a much smaller scale; so while many people would still benefit from the project, it wouldn’t have the amazing impact that I'm hoping to achieve!
Can I still get involved in the yarn bomb even if I don't want to knit or crochet?
Absolutely! I want as many people as possible to benefit from this project and to be involved. You can express yourself through:
We can easily incorporate pieces like this through laminating (with eco-friendly laminating pouches), punching holes around the edges and crocheting/stitching them into/onto the knit and crochet, and they may even inspire some knitting and crochet as well.
Is collaboration only open to knitting/crochet groups?
Not at all! I would love to see the project collaborating with writing groups, art groups, photography groups, community centres, colleges, universities and organisations as well.
I run a group and would like us to be involved in this project, how do I do that?
The project will officially start in May 2018, and I would love to hear from anyone who wants to be involved in it now. Feel free to drop me an email at [email protected] to have a chat.
How do I set up my own group to be involved in this project?
I can help and support you in doing that. Feel free to drop me an email at [email protected] to have a chat to get started.
Do I have to join a group to be involved?
No, not at all. Individual participation is welcome, and you can do as much as you like. Pieces can be emailed or posted to then be used in the yarn bombs. You are also welcome to join in any of the online hangouts and the Facebook group.
I would like to join a group but I am feeling anxious about it, can you help?
I understand how this feels, and I'm always happy to have a chat and support you. A Quiet Community Connections group will be a great place to start and can connect you with someone already attending through their befriending scheme.
I don't think I'm creative, is this for me?
Of course! You were born creative, and it’s still in there somewhere. Creativity isn't about artistic talent or producing a 'masterpiece'. It's about the process, the playing around, trying ideas, asking what if, and just giving it a go and seeing what happens. I'll be offering inspiration, tips, suggestions and thoughts on the website to encourage and support you. We are all creative in our own way and this project will help you find YOUR way ❤
What will happen to all the work created for the yarn bombs after the project has finished?
I would like to avoid anything that's been created to be wasted or end up in landfill. One of the beauties of knit and crochet is that it can easily be reworked and recycled. I would love to encourage you to wash and clean pieces after the display and then rework them into blankets, jumpers, scarves etc to donate to homeless shelters and people in need.
All laminated pieces can be returned to the participant, or to me to be used in a mental health exhibition in Cornwall next year.
Thank you for taking the time to look at We Are Enough; The Creative Yarn Bomb of Love. I am so excited to invite you to become a part of this amazing journey, project and community! Please pledge, support us and most importantly, get involved and join the movement!
This project offers rewards in return for your donation