✨The Craft Room Opens in the Howard Centre✨

We are so excited to share that The Craft Room has officially opened its doors in the Howard Centre, Welwyn Garden City! This is such a big step for us as a charity, and we couldn’t be happier to finally have a space right in the heart of the community.

Our new hub is more than just a shop – it’s a welcoming creative space where people of all ages can connect, craft, and feel at home. From our popular holiday camps for children to our adult workshops in crochet, diamond painting, and paint-by-numbers, there’s something here for everyone. The best bit? These sessions are completely free for eligible people, making creativity accessible to all

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Thanks to funding from the Hertfordshire Community Fund, we’re also thrilled to launch our drop-in community space, where visitors can enjoy a cup of tea, coffee, and a biscuit while taking part in relaxed craft activities. For families, our “homework help trolley” is stocked with free art and craft supplies, ensuring children can access what they need without the added worry of cost.

We’re also proud to announce that our Creative Connections programme is being funded by The National Lottery Awards for All. This support means we can deliver even more workshops and activities designed to tackle loneliness, improve wellbeing, and strengthen community bonds through creativity.

We were honoured to have so many guests join us for the opening ceremony. The Mayor of Welwyn Hatfield, Lynn Chesterman OBE, was in attendance alongside Councillor Alan Chesterman, and Dave Seaton representing our local MP, Andrew Lewin. We were also delighted to be joined by our trustees Sandy Jones, Aaron Alsford, and Michael Devall, as well as our wonderful chair Elaine Jones, whose support and commitment continue to drive The Craft Room forward.

The day was made even more special thanks to generous donations from local supporters like Gail’s Bakery, and the warm welcome from the Howard Centre management team. A heartfelt thank you goes especially to Vicky Smith (Centre Manager), along with Danielle Cooper and Amy Cooper, for their incredible support in helping us bring this project to life.

This is just the beginning. Our Howard Centre base will allow us to expand our reach, provide a safe, fun, and creative space for the community, and continue tackling issues like food poverty, loneliness, and lack of opportunities for young people.

We’d love for you to pop in, say hello, and see what we’re up to. Together, let’s make this new chapter for The Craft Room one filled with creativity, connection, and community spirit. 💜