Threads of Kindness

Autumn never feels quiet here. The darker evenings seem to draw people together — to make, to talk, and to share the sort of laughter that keeps the season from feeling heavy. At Honeybee Cottage, October is always full of movement and conversation, but it’s also a time when I notice how much people crave connection. They’re looking for something steady and genuine to hold on to, and that’s what our classes and gatherings have always tried to offer.

I see it every week. Someone comes in a little anxious or unsure, and within minutes they’re chatting, laughing, or just quietly settled into the rhythm of making. You can feel the change in the room — shoulders drop, conversations flow, and there’s that sense of ease that only happens when people feel safe and welcome. Those are the moments that remind me why this work matters.

Sadly, the people who most need that kind of connection are often the ones who face barriers that stop them — which is why this month we’re introducing our Threads of Kindness campaign. It’s our way of extending that sense of belonging beyond the walls of Honeybee Cottage — taking the same warmth, creativity, and calm that fills our classes and finding new ways for it to reach further into the community.

We’re kicking things off with three projects that open the door a little wider — small, practical ways for people to take part, to give, or to receive depending on where they are in life.

Knit & Crochet with Kindness Packs are the first. Each one includes the knitting and crochet patterns we designed for small handmade kindness tokens. They’re simple, thoughtful makes that people can gift, share, or leave somewhere for someone to find. It’s a way for creativity to travel — carrying a message of care from one pair of hands to another.

The Community Blanket Project invites crocheters in the community to take part by creating a granny square to add to a collective blanket. Every square handed in represents a small act of generosity and connection — one person’s time and care becoming part of something larger.

Once the blanket is complete, it will be raffled later in the year to raise funds for our Pay It Forward initiative, helping us offer more spaces in wellbeing classes to those who need them most. It’s a simple idea with a big heart — each stitch a reminder of what we can achieve together.

The Pay It Forward Initiative sits at the heart of Threads of Kindness. It gives people the chance to help someone else experience the calm and connection that our classes offer. Each £5 contribution goes into a shared fund, and we make up the rest to offer free or reduced places in wellbeing classes for those who might not otherwise be able to attend. It’s a simple gesture, but one that carries real meaning — a reminder that community care doesn’t have to be grand to make a difference.

These small projects are just the beginning. My hope is that they keep growing — that the care stitched, shared, and passed on through them continues to reach people who need it most. Every act of making, giving, or supporting helps to strengthen the fabric of our Honeybee Community a little more.

Because every act of kindness creates ripples. And together, we can make waves.

Denise x