New Craft & Chat group brings creativity and connection to The Marlowes
A new monthly Craft & Chat group is coming to The Marlowes Shopping Centre in Hemel Hempstead, offering free arts and crafts activities and the chance to connect with others over a cuppa in a friendly, welcoming environment.
Run by local charity Rennie Grove Peace in partnership with dementia charity Say it with a Smile, Craft & Chat will take place on the third Wednesday of every month from 2pm to 3.30pm at The Community Hub in The Marlowes Shopping Centre (next to the customer service desk). The first session will take place on Wednesday 21st October, from 2pm to 3.30pm.
The café is open to people living with dementia, their carers and families, as well as anyone living with a lifelong illness. It also welcomes people experiencing loneliness due to illness or bereavement, and anyone looking for a friendly space to connect with others.
The group is designed to give people a relaxed space to get creative, meet others and enjoy some time in good company. No booking is required, and participants don't need to be experienced in arts and crafts to take part. Visitors can simply turn up, enjoy the activities and have a chat over a cup of tea.
Craft & Chat aims to offer more than just a creative activity. By bringing people together in an informal, supportive setting, the group hopes to ease loneliness and give people an opportunity to build connections with others going through similar experiences.
Rennie Grove Peace is bringing this new group to The Marlowes in partnership with Say it with a Smile as part of its work to support people and create opportunities for connection within the community.
Vicki-Lea Workman, Business Manager at The Marlowes Shopping Centre, said: “We’re really pleased to welcome Rennie Grove Peace and Say it with a Smile to the centre and support the launch of Craft & Chat. It’s a lovely way for people to get creative, meet others and enjoy a friendly space within the shopping centre. Community connections are so important, and we hope people will feel able to pop in, have a cuppa and join in.”