Snug and warm in Cowra’s library, far from the frosty conditions outside, a small group of dedicated wool workers are knitting together a strong community, one purl at a time.
The Cowra knitting and spinning groups meet weekly on Mondays and Tuesdays at the library, sharing tips and tricks while bringing together the threads of connection and conversation, with some feathery friends to boot.
Knitter Belinda said the group had been running for more than 18 months, bringing together spinners, weavers and crafters to one place, helping create long-lasting and beautiful knitted creations.
“We teach knitting and spinning, we’ve had people who have come with no idea [of the process], she said.
“One person came here for knitting, and saw that our wool was hand-spun and hand-dyed, the very next week, she showed up for spinning.”
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Belinda said the easy going nature of the community catch ups helped keep connection front and centre, where slow and steady knitting led to some crafty creations, with inspiration bro
“We’re here because we’re all like minded,” she said.
“If we create something [like a fine piece of crochet], we share our pictures, we all have each other’s phone numbers [to keep connected.]”
The group, both yarn-workers are quick to share, is free to attend, with no ‘bosses’, but instead a community-led approach to sharing knowledge, time and a laugh together.
Community groups like the Cowra knitting group are crucial for helping reduce isolation and boost mental health, according to research from the University of Queensland (UQ.)
“We found people tend to have greater resilience when they feel part of a community, which can prevent symptoms of depression and reduce stress and anxiety,” Professor Alex Haslam from UQ’s School of Psychology said.
“There are many features of a neighbourhood that can affect health and wellbeing, and it’s important to understand those when promoting health in the community.”
Researchers integrated the findings of more than 50 studies conducted with community groups globally, including sports clubs, charities, men’s sheds, choirs and other hobby groups.
Professor Haslam said the research showed community-based initiatives designed to improve health and wellbeing were most effective when they contributed to neighbourhood identity-building.
“We find when residents relate to each other in terms of a shared neighbourhood identity this tends to be very good for their mental health,” Professor Haslam said.
“When neighbourhoods are designed with this goal in mind, activities like volunteering, grassroots participation, and campaigns to promote connection are a good opportunity for policymakers to have a positive impact.”
Professor Haslam also said community groups can help outside of weekly catch ups, particularly during times of stress or emergency.
“When people see their neighbourhood as cohesive, this increases their willingness to work together in ways that support mental health,” he said.
“A central insight of our work is shared social identity is the key to understanding and improving the mental health of neighbourhoods, and this needs to be a focus for efforts to unite and heal fractured communities.”
