The Crafters’ Cafe
The Crafters’ Cafe emerged as an idea from the people who completed the first Making Well course in 2021. They wanted a space where they could continue to enjoy their newfound friendships and to share craft skills with each other. It has grown into an essential part of Making Well, offering an urban drop-in centre where anybody can arrive and encounter new crafts and new people. For many it is a welcome opportunity to be in a calm and creative community and to learn to be comfortable in each others’ company.
It also offers local artisans a chance to engage with their community and to share their amazing skills in a generous and life-giving way. Each week we offer a different craft, returning every 6 weeks to some of the ongoing projects. The crafts include knitting, french and loom knitting, rag rug making, wool latch hook rug making, willow crafts, clay crafts, hand-sewn quilting, lino cutting and printing, charcoal sketching and back strap loom weaving. We also aim to have guest artists sharing a different craft every few weeks.
We have developed connections with many local agencies who direct people our way, including, the community mental health team,, MIND, Versus Arthritis, Powys Befriending service, Brecon Volunteer Bureau, PAVO, Community connectors, Credu, Powys Bereavement services, Mental Health Crisis Team and Brecon Job Centre. We are very grateful to Brecon Cathedral for allowing us to use their magnificent medieval tithe barn in this way.
