There’s no doubt that sharing similar interests and values can help us to connect with each other, regardless of our age, gender or class. These connections are so important, allowing us to learn from each other and to develop mutual understanding, which is beneficial for our family relationships, our work relationships and for society as a whole.
Global Intergenerational Week is being celebrated between 24th and 30th of April this year and it seems a great time to think about how crafts can play an important part in connecting people from different generations.
What are the benefits of mixed generations crafting together?
While the older generations bring wisdom, well-honed crafting skills and life-experience, the younger generations bring energy, enthusiasm, a capacity to learn quickly and new ideas. With crafting in common, doors are opened to new friendships, that can extend beyond the realms of knitting and crocheting, with a new-found empathy and understanding of each other and a more open-minded approach to others in general. I feel like age is just a number, when I’m surrounded by like-minded people who love yarn as much as I do.
What is Global Intergenerational Week?
It’s an annual campaign, celebrating all things intergenerational.
‘The campaign aims to inspire individuals, groups, organizations, local and national governments, and NGOs to fully embrace intergenerational practice. It encourages connecting people of different generations in intentional, mutually beneficial activities. During this week, we celebrate good practices, ideas, moments, and opportunities where different age groups come together, forming intergenerational friendships!’ (generationsworkingtogether.org)
How does Yarny Bees support intergenerational relationships?
I’ve experienced first-hand, the value of learning from members of older generations, who have passed down skills they’ve learnt from their parents and grandparents. This is something very close to my heart, as my grandma not only taught me to knit, but we grew closer through our shared passion for yarn craft. She inspired me to start my Yarny Bees business, to help encourage others to knit and crochet, through my workshops and groups, both in-person and online.
I offer in-person craft workshops and craft and chat sessions, for people of all ages. Due to the increasing demand for my classes and groups, I’ve needed a bigger space. I’ve recently moved from The Fabric Vault in Lichfield, to Unit 2, 69 Upper St John Street, just a seven minute walk away. My new, permanent location, means that larger numbers of people can attend now and I can run more sessions too.
As well as the many children’s sessions and adult sessions listed on my website, to celebrate Global Intergenerational Week, I’m also offering a family Craft Hive session on 27th April, from 12:30-1:30pm and I have plans for more sessions moving forwards. I have two young children of my own and I believe you’re never too young or too old to take up a new skill and yarn craft can appeal to people of all ages. Knitting and crocheting come with added physical and mental health benefits for people of all ages and it’s good to get the family away from screens, learning and having fun together.
If you’d like to find out more about my workshops and Craft Hive sessions, in-person and online, click here: https://yarnybees.co.uk
You can also hear more about what is happening in the Yarny Bees’ community in my regular email newsletters: (link)
Reference
https://generationsworkingtogether.org/global-intergenerational-week