VolunCHEERing with the Yarn and Stitching Group
Annual Report 2024 - 2025
Every Thursday afternoon, Fliss swaps her desk at CRCS for a seat around the table with the Yarn and Stitching group. From 1 to 4 pm, she joins participants at the community centre to share stories, laughter, and creativity.
For Fliss, volunteering has become one of the highlights of her week. “Watching participants’ projects start with a simple ball of yarn and a pattern to the final product and seeing their sense of accomplishment and joy in their own and other participants’ projects is an uplifting experience for all involved,” she says.
But it’s not just about the craft. The group is a place where friendships form, stories are shared, and connections are built. “Hearing their stories of the lives they have lived, about their friends and families and their crafty and non-crafty adventures is an honour, and with each story shared you know that friendships are being forged,” Fliss reflects. These moments help reduce the risk of isolation and create a real sense of belonging.
More Than Craft
Involve groups like Yarn and Stitching are inevitably more than about the craft itself. They are about helping people to make and sustain connections with others, supporting mental and physical wellbeing, and ultimately, independence.
It’s no wonder that CRCS participants tell us they feel this way. In recent feedback:
- 100% of participants said the team treated them with respect
- 83% said they trust CRCS to do the right thing by them.
- 100% said CRCS meets or exceeds their expectations.
- 83% said CRCS helps them connect with their community.
These results show the difference it makes when staff like Fliss step outside their usual roles to connect directly with people in community. Her “volunCHEERing” each Thursday brings added joy to participants while giving her a deeper understanding of their experiences, which she brings back into her work at CRCS.
Join Involve
Groups like Yarn and Stitching are about much more than craft – they’re about community, connection, and wellbeing. If you’d like to be part of this Involve activity, give us a call on (02) 6264 0200 or email involve@crcs.com.au to find out more.
Explore More of Our Impact
Each part of our work is connected. Explore more stories, programs and results from across the Annual Report.