Many Hands Craft Collective is a weekly craft group that meets on a Tuesday from 1.30-3.30pm at Victoria Square Community Centre in Ancoats. Read this group interview with members Ged, Rose, Elaine and Jean to find out more!
How and when did the group get started?
Around about 2010, Rose and Dot started volunteering at the old Mustard Tree’s craft group before it was closed down and refurbished. They spoke to the warden at Victoria Square just opposite and she said they could use the community centre room to continue the group. It was originally called Nippy Knitters. We had some donations of wool and needles, found some grant funding, and the group has grown ever since. It’s seen lots of people join and pass through.
What kinds of activities do you do?
We do all sorts of crafts. We started off as a knitting group, but now we’ve branched off into all sorts: painting, calligraphy, crocheting, jewellery- making. We’ve had groups in making leather purses with us and doing diamond art. We’ve had stalls at different markets selling our knitwear and jewellery. There’s been trips to Bury Market, the Open Eye gallery in Liverpool, we met another knitting group in Blackpool. It’s nice to connect with other arts things going on in different places.
What kinds of things have you been doing recently?
We’ve had someone from the University of Salford come and do a photographic session with us exploring how the area has changed. We took pictures of various buildings and used leaves and printed them onto cloth using chemicals- its called cyanotype photography. We’ve done lots of other projects in the past before with artists and workshop leaders coming in- screen painting, batch printing, pottery, ceramics- we’re open to trying out any kind of activity!
What would you say are the benefits of participating in group activities?
The main thing is the socialising aspect- it keeps your mind active. We’re like one big happy family here. We all just gel together and we can talk about everything and anything. If someone hasn’t come for a couple weeks, we check on them using the Whatsapp groupchat. Also, you don’t have to come and do crafts if you don’t want to- some people just like to sit, chat, and have a brew.
How can new members join and who should they contact?
Email Ged at [email protected] if you’re interested in joining the group. Everyone is welcome including people of all ages. We are open to absolute beginners- you can come and learn. There is an optional donation of £1 per week which goes towards our group Christmas meal at the end of the year. Tea, coffee and biscuits are provided weekly.
“I couldn’t put two stitches together when I first joined let alone do this, thanks to these brilliant teachers!”- Jean
