25/11/2023
Hello Lovelies, I thought I'd write about how the The Cosy Craft Haven came about and what I hope to achieve going forward.
Almost exactly a year ago I suffered a complete mental breakdown, burnout as a direct result of a lack of support for my family from local services despite begging for help for over 2 years and warning them that this would happen.
I was working full-time as a single parent whilst caring for my two adult sons who are both autistic and have ADHD. I also have ADHD and as a result of my breakdown discovered that I am also on the autistic spectrum.
12 months on and things are very different, much better and I have had time to think. I am not yet well enough to go back to my previous job and I am not sure if I ever will. But I am ready for something.
In January I wrote a mahoosive manifesto for a safe space I wanted to create. It's been on my mind for over a decade. I guess finally writing it down made it a goal.
The short version is I want to create a community center that provides a safe space for those struggling with their mental health, but very specifically people like me and my sons, for those aged 18 and over suffering with their mental health be it depression, anxiety, or any of the co-morbid conditions associated with autism and ADHD. For those that either don't know where to find it or they are waiting for support or therapy.
I want it to be a safe space for everyone from the socially isolated autistic individual to the first time mum with postnatal depression to the parent carer who has no energy left for selfcare.
That is the long term plan and The Cosy Craft Haven is the first step. I am under no illusions that I alone can bridge that gap in services but I want to try to at least provide something to help.
Art and crafts, making things and doing things with our hands are scientifically proven to make our brains happy and be good for our mental health.
I have always loved learning new skills so whilst I have been in recovery ( it's ongoing) I looked around for craft and art workshops I could do and found very little and what there was was not financially or physically accessible to me, I don't drive.
I realised there is also a gap there, for community and crafts that are accessible to all. and so in the last few weeks I have finally felt well enough to start building my dream, step by step and so The Cosy Craft Haven was born.
The Cosy Craft Haven is not something I am doing to earn money at this point. I want to provide something that we all need - meaningful connections and some fun along the way.
xxB
