Crafting group thrives on 'connections and hope'

Crafting Smiles began as a small weekly meeting in Bracknell, but has now expanded to more than 15 UK regions

"It's about connections and hope because many Hong Kongers in UK are just not settling in."

Ron is one of the Hong Kong nationals who are using their professional experience to give back to the community.

Her group Crafting Smiles began seven months ago with five mothers meeting weekly in Bracknell, Berkshire, to make handmade items supporting mental wellbeing, care homes, schools and hospitals.

It has now expanded to more than 15 UK regions, with more than 400 Hong Konger volunteers who look for "meaningful" ways to reconnect.

The group are aiming to create and donate 1,000 handmade crochet poppies for this year's Poppy Appeal

The group was formed when the daughter of one of the members, Amy, underwent brain surgery in the UK.

"I crocheted some toys for her during her recovery time," Ron said.

"I thought something this little [and] handmade can bring comfort and support, so we would spread this kindness to other patients, too."

She said their first project had been a donation of crochet hats for babies that needed extra care.

The group grew quickly from there, encouraging the participants to volunteer, integrate into British society and contribute their skills.

Ron said they now have volunteers in cities including Southampton, Bristol and Manchester.

They are collaborating with The Lexicon shopping centre and the Royal British Legion to support the annual Poppy Appeal, aiming to donate 1,000 handmade crochet poppies.

"We are so glad to participate this very important event in the UK," Ron said.

So far, the volunteers teams have created more than 13,000 handmade items including worry worms, calm balls, Christmas ornaments and message cards.

The group's handmade items support mental wellbeing, care homes, schools and hospitals

Mother-of-two Amy moved to the UK in April 2022.

After her daughter underwent urgent brain tumour surgery earlier in the year, she said Ron's crochet gift had given her "positive energy".

She said learning to crochet was "just a very small part" of the group.

"What we can see is the interaction between the persons, no matter the age," she said.

Amy said they "discovered most of the people from Hong Kong feel alone" when they first arrive.

"When we gather them together, we can see their smiling faces more and more each time," she added.

Crafting Smiles crochet poppy brooches will be sold at The Lexicon from 24 October.