£205,000 Grant Could Be a Lifeline for Cambridge's Struggling Community
Image source: Mousumi Bakshi/BBC
By Mousumi Bakshi and Aimee Dexter
A Cambridge-based charity, Sew Positive, has just received a game-changing £205,000 grant from the National Lottery's Reaching Communities scheme. But here's where it gets heartwarming: this funding isn't just about numbers; it's about transforming lives through the power of creativity and community. And this is the part most people miss: how something as simple as sewing or knitting can become a lifeline for those battling social isolation and mental health challenges.
Sew Positive, founded by Melissa Santiago-Val, focuses on using crafts to support individuals facing inequality and mental health issues. With this three-year grant, the charity plans to establish a permanent base on Gwydir Street, off Mill Road, where 90% of its services are already delivered. Santiago-Val describes this as a 'massive change' for the five-year-old organization. 'This is a really pivotal point for us,' she says, emphasizing the impact this stability will have on their ability to serve the community.
The funding will be allocated to three core programs: Men's Hems, the Sewcialise Good Mood Cafe, and K2Tog Peer Support. These initiatives aim to create 'creative, participant-led spaces' where individuals can connect, heal, and grow. But here's where it gets controversial: in a city like Cambridge, often labeled as 'one of the most unequal in the UK,' can crafts really address deep-rooted issues like trauma and deprivation? Santiago-Val believes so. 'We see a lot of people struggling with complex issues,' she explains. 'Social isolation is incredibly hard to overcome, but regular, engaging activities can make a world of difference.'
Take Julie Smith, for example. After leaving her job for personal reasons, she turned to knitting as a way to stay occupied but soon felt the weight of loneliness. 'When you're at home, self-esteem drops, and you feel worthless,' she shares. Searching online, she discovered Sew Positive's knitting groups combined with mental health support. 'I felt so welcomed and accepted,' she recalls. 'It’s become invaluable to me.'
Adam Cleevely, another beneficiary, joined Men's Hems and later started a knitting group. He calls himself a 'knitting teacher and influencer.' 'Crafts create a unique environment,' he says. 'Sitting side by side, you tend to have gentler, more open conversations. It’s easier to speak up about what you’re going through.'
Pam Green, director of Neighbourhood Health & Partnerships for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Central East Integrated Care Board, highlights the importance of such community-based initiatives. 'These charities offer a non-traditional support system that can be just as impactful as formal services,' she notes. But here's the thought-provoking question: in a system dominated by institutionalized care, can community-led approaches like Sew Positive's truly bridge the gap in mental health support? Green believes they can. 'There’s still a lot of stigma around mental health,' she says. 'Community offers like these can provide the right intervention at the right time, before issues become severe.'
As Sew Positive embarks on this new chapter, the question remains: Can creativity and community truly heal? What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below. Do you have a story suggestion for Cambridgeshire? Get in touch and let your voice be heard!
