Makers Market January 2024

Dadesley Crafting CIC are a crafting group working in Central and South Doncaster providing both free and subsidised cost crafting sessions within the historic setting of St Catherine’s House and Tickhill.  The crafting sessions support local people to overcome social isolation, make meaningful connections and learn new skills.  They are Dementia Friendly and trained in domestic abuse support.  The group provide a means of respite to those caring for family and friends as the group support the individual with the crafting activity while their carer can enjoy a cuppa and a chat, leaving feeling refreshed.

The group have developed into providing infrastructure support to grassroots organisations and creatives, providing mentoring and support to these groups as they grow and develop.

Community Wealth Builder have supported Dadesley Crafting CIC through their period of growth by providing one to one support, training and information. They were provided with a small grant to hold a Makers Market within St Catherine’s House in Doncaster on 21st January 2024.

The event was held on a Sunday as the group had identified this as a day when there was naturally high footfall with people visiting the tearooms and walled gardens.  15 local crafters were able to showcase their handmade items between the hours of 11am and 3pm.  The funding allowed the event to be free of charge as this is an area that has been identified as being a barrier to members of the public and local crafters being able to take part in these events.

The event was publicised through Dadesley Crafting’s website and social media platform (which has over 1,000 followers), Community Wealth Builder were further able to support by getting the event advertised on their social media platforms, sharing with over 200 local groups and with aider stakeholders.  An advert was also placed in local newspapers which were delivered to over 26,000 homes.

As well as supporting local crafters, the aim of the event was to encourage people to buy locally, engage with local creatives and residents and to get out of their homes.  The venue is set in acres of park and woodland which attendees were welcome to walk in and enjoy the benefits of the great outdoors.

The event was well received by members of the public along with stall holders, the onsite café reported record takings on the day and commented that they were ‘manic’ all day.  Local residents were new to the building and surroundings but commented that ‘they would be returning’ and ‘what an impressive building’, ‘love the surroundings’.  Comments on the event included ‘amazing event!’, ‘can’t wait for the next one’.

Community Wealth Builder will continue to work with Dadesley Crafting to build on the infrastructure support to local creatives, with the intention that a further 4 makers markets will take place during 2024-25.