Sew Positive is a charity that provides opportunities for people to nurture their mental health through sewing workshops and courses, growing a supportive community and reducing social isolation.
This activity is good for wellbeing because
- being creative and making something beautiful lifts your mood;
- sewing can be mindful, calming and sociable;
- you will be learning a new skill whilst helping the planet by using recycled materials.
“The session was so relaxing. As someone who has little experience of sewing and gets flustered when trying new things, today’s session was very relaxing.” Cathy B who took part in a ‘Sew Don’t Throw’ workshop
“I rarely sit still to undertake an activity in a calm quiet space – I’m on the go all the time and it made me realise that I need to take time to do an activity like sewing that allows me to relax my mind and body. It was also great to get to know members of my community.” Donna M
How to contact
Phone
Website
Volunteering opportunities
Where to go
Sew Positive Hub Unit 2 Gwydir Enterprise Estate 23-25 Gwydir Street Cambridge CB1 2LG
What to expect?
Sewing, sew-cialising, a safe space, mindful upcycling and support!
Sew Positive runs a variety of events, workshops and courses across Cambridgeshire, using sewing to support mental wellbeing and reduce social isolation, bringing communities together one stitch at a time. Examples of events include ‘Upcycle a pillowcase to tote bag’, ‘Make a lampshade from unused textiles’, ‘Visible mending’, ‘Sashiko slow stitching’, ‘Festive mindful embroidery’ and many more.
Most Sew Positive activities in Cambridge now take place at the Sew Positive Hub on Gwydir Street. There are a few regular groups:
- 'Men's Hems' - Tuesday evenings 7-9pm. A free, weekly drop-in group for men facing mental health challenges, offering a creative space to slow down and create with other men.
- Sewcialise Good Mood Cafe - Thursdays 10am - 12pm (term time only). A free group combining conversation, connection and creative upcycling.
- K2tog Community - Wednesdays 10.30am - 12.30pm (term time only) A free, drop-in knit and crochet peer support group.
Sew Positive also offer longer courses that take place in working hours during term time, aimed at adults facing mental health challenges who have been referred by their GP or Social Prescribing Link Worker.
To ask questions or book your place on a course or workshop, it is best to get in touch with by email or by completing a booking form on the website. You will need to fill in the main registration for Sew Positive, before booking onto the specific course. Please include a telephone number if you can, so Sew Positive can get back to you (this will be from a No Caller ID number).
More information:
All equipment and materials are provided for workshops and courses, but when your book your place, you might be asked to bring items you may have at home to upcycle or mend. If you don’t have anything, don’t worry – there will also be plenty of fabrics available for you to use.
A Sew Positive tutor will support your learning and sewing skills. If you have a sewing machine you want to use from home, you are welcome to bring it, but there are also donated sewing machines available for participants to use. Or, depending on what it is, you may prefer to hand-stitch your sewing project.
Sew Positive would love to hear from you if you’d like to volunteer and can also offer corporate workshops to support employee wellbeing.
There are some courses for residents of South Cambs. For more information visit the How Are You South Cambs website.
There is a cost to attending some workshops/courses which you can pay by cash or by card on the day – details on the website.
If you are experiencing long term health issues, unemployment or facing other forms of disadvantage, some courses or workshops are free. Contact Sew Positive for details.
How to contact
Phone
Website
Volunteering opportunities
Where to go
Sew Positive Hub Unit 2 Gwydir Enterprise Estate 23-25 Gwydir Street Cambridge CB1 2LG
