New scheme gets kids into crafts: here's how to help

This year's COVID-19 pandemic has seen hundreds of thousands of children stuck at home without access to basic art materials. Pencils and paper are luxury items for many families that are financially stretched to the limit, so The Crafts Council have launched their Let's Craft appeal to send supplies to keep kids creative.

Let’s Craft packs contain pens, pencils, brushes, paints, a canvas, a scrapbook and activity resource, so that children can be creative throughout the summer. The packs are distributed to families in need of support through a network of community hubs and food banks across England. Thousands of children have received packs already, but The Crafts Council want to raise £100,000 this summer to distribute 10,000 packs.

Here at Gathered we caught the craft bug when we were children and crafting has brought us years of enjoyment, comfort and community, so we want to pass on the many benefits of making to the next generation. That's why we're proud to support this appeal. If you'd like to join in too, here's how...

How you can help

Buy a £10 Let's Craft pack today to support the wellbeing and development of a child in need of support. Text CRAFT to 70085 to donate £10 or online at www.craftscouncil.org.uk

All photos by Kingsley Koranteng taken at Bygrove Primary School in Poplar. Photo permissions for all children held by Mayor's Fund for London