A MOTHER hopes to reach out to people feeling lonely and isolated through the medium of craft.

Jennifer Snow, 52, of Richmond Street, Southend started the Craftable club as a way of reaching out to people who rarely left home or felt frightened about going outside.

Craftable is a non-profit community group serving Southend and surrounding towns.

It is open to adults with long term physical or mental health conditions which make it difficult for them to socialise, resulting in isolation and loneliness.

The group meet up once a week to make things together and to chat and laugh.

Jennifer said: “I started the group back in January 2014 but we had a very slow start because the people that we are trying to reach out to have become socially isolated from the outside world.

“We have been going properly for about eight months now and the group has picked up.

“I used to work for the HM Revenue and Customs but when I stopped to have my son I began to fear leaving the house and, even though I had my family around me, I still felt very lonely.

“I went online to find crafting groups and was surprised to see that I couldn’t find any that helped people who felt like me.

“So I started up Craftable, I think there was a gap in the market because although we are becoming more aware of the long term effects of things like depression there are not enough groups like our one."

Jennifer believes people with depression often struggle because others cannot see any physical symptoms.

She added: "This can lead to people who are living with conditions feeling uncomfortable in public and some even feel that others are judging them when people may not be judging them.

“We met regularly and we may not all do the same crafting, but we have crafting in common, I have been knitting for over 40 years but recently I have taught myself to crochet too.

“There are so many different types and kinds of crafting out there so the group’s members can do anything really."

The group also do community projects and they work together on initiatives such as making bonnets for premature babies at hospitals and, at Easter, making little bunnies for children in hospital.

Jennifer said: “Although we are doing alright as a group and word is spreading we need help to let more people know that we are here and we can help if people want to join.

“One good way of getting the message out there is word of mouth. We have had members who have introduced their friends to the group.

“When I first reach out to somebody, the first thing I do is suggest that we go for a coffee somewhere quiet, just them and I.

“I will then slowly introduce them to the group, I do things this way because I know it can be daunting for people who are feeling socially isolated to suddenly walk into an established group of people for the first time.”

Craftable costs £3.50 a week to join, and this pays for materials and refreshments.

The first session is a free taster for people for people to try it out.

The group is holding a fundraising event on Saturday, May 14 at Westcliff Free Church, London Road from 11am until 3pm.

To find out more email Jennifer Snow at: craftable@outlook.com