By Alesha Capone
Volunteers from a not-for-profit group offer craft and café sessions at the Wyndham Park Community Centre, based on the idea that participating has many mental benefits.
Biance Hosemans, along with daughter Keira and sister Kerstin, runs Creating Villages with assistance from genU disability service volunteers.
Miss Hosemans previously ran a non-profit café in Hoppers Crossing, named Craft and Caffeine, which shutdown last year due to the pandemic.
After this, Miss Homemans moved to the Werribee community centre at the invitation of its manager Greg.
“On Wednesdays, we have a sensory craft group for kids on the autism spectrum funded by the council,” Miss Hosemans said.
The sessions, which are also open to other children, run from 11am-1pm.
Creating Villages also offers craft sessions for all on Mondays and Tuesdays from 8.30am-1.30pm, Wednesdays from 10am-1pm and occasional Saturday events.
“We suggest gold coin donation, but not essential,” Miss Hosemans said.
As a qualified social worker with a post-graduate certificate in art therapy, Miss Hosemans said she was passionate about how craft can help with mindfulness, motor skills, breaking down barriers, self-esteem and creating friendships.
“Craft can give parents and carers a chance to have a break and have a coffee with friends, which is hard at traditional cafes so reduces social isolation,” she said.
Miss Hosemans said Creating Villages was keen to set up more craft groups, including after-school craft and a disability craft group.
Details: www.facebook.com/craftandcaffeine/
