When Online Events and Craft Boxes Collide

Since we started our virtual events to replace our monthly, in-person meet-ups, we now meet three times a week and welcome 12 regular befriendees. Although 13 volunteers have also taken part, each event really is befriendee led, with relationships blossoming while maintaining social distance. Craft boxes have been distributed to our members to allow everyone to participate equally in activities such as sock puppet making and plant seeding; and weekend sessions have taken place to make sure that everyone can come along, even if it is not easy for them during the week. 

Our events coordinator, Lisa, says, ‘The extension of online events has been a lifeline to our clients. Although many aspects of our lives have been slowly opening back up, many elderly and socially isolated people still face loneliness and the inability to get to social or community groups - either these groups have not yet resumed or people are physically unable to get to them. Providing online events allows our clients to still have vitally important social interactions and participate in activities that have a huge benefit to their emotional and social wellbeing.

‘A few weeks ago, we planned a series of workshops that included various craft activities, from planting sunflowers in pots our clients had decorated to making sock puppets and therapeutic drawing. These had to be very well planned because we had to assemble home kits that would cover all the materials for the planned events. An effort was also made to make sure the recipients would have enough of each material to work on future sessions that may come up. Over 30 items went into each box so it was essential to be organised!’

Anyone can imagine the hilarity when one member had their craft box delivered while they were on Zoom, at one of the online events. Their doorbell went and they took their ipad along so everyone else could see the delivery of good things to come. The banter that came with it gave everyone a great laugh - even the nonplussed mailman, eventually. 

Lisa says ‘Our clients have now built up a small craft box that they can go to time and time again for any sessions we plan or any creative work they would like to do in their own time should the notion take them.' 

The image attached best shows the wonderful creations yielded by these craft boxes and, as lockdown begins to ease, we are excited to see what the future will bring. 

If you are 18+, feeling isolated and lonely, and would like to join our online events, please email info@befriend.org.uk.