Become a volunteerI have always been a massive fan of craft and can already knit and crochet. In 2019 I joined the action for change programme to get involved in making a difference and raising awareness of mental health. 2020 has certainly highlighted our need for this and knowing effective ways to help boost our own mood during uncertain times. Not only was I keen on making a difference to people’s mental health, but I thought I could tie this together with helping the environment with making small changes within your own community. Spending time outside and being part of something bigger can be something that is beneficial to our mental health. The idea was chosen but I just didn’t know how I would make it a reality. I had already previously made a challenge badge to help people with being kind and also helping the environment through completing some of the challenges within their units, but I wanted to spread wider than the guiding community!
During the Action for Change weekend, the author of the book ‘How to be a craftivist’ did a session where we did some craft which involved choosing someone inspirational and used mindfulness techniques to sew thread to complete the picture. This inspired me and my love for craft, although my sewing skills are not the best. The act of sitting and concentrating on the repetitive movements really focusing your mind to think about your project and what it means to you.
So I decided to use my crocheting for good! I crocheted loads of little hearts with a tag attached to say helpful ways to boost your mental health and inspirational quotes and some with ways to help the environment. The idea was that once you found a heart in the community, you took a picture to share on social media and then the heart was rehidden so someone else could find this and the crochet hearts would travel, inspiring many people to help the environment and their mental health!
Now we are all busy bees and unfortunately this year did not go to plan and my action for change project went virtual on social media but hopefully I can spread some hearts in the future! 
