Crafting Connection: How Craft Groups Are Weaving Community in Melton

At Melton Library, crafting isn’t just a hobby, it enables people to connect, create, and give back. The Night Crafters and Craft and Chat programs effortlessly turn yarn into community, kindness, and lifelong friendships.

Story by  
May 16, 2025

The Night Crafters and Craft and Chat programs run by the Melton Library provide safe and welcoming spaces for all ages and abilities to converse, connect, and give back to our wonderful community, right here in Melton. 

Chelsey Excell, the Team Leader of the Literacy and Learning Programs in Melton Library, gave us the inside scoop, saying, “it's a bit of a social enterprise, but also a social group as well…they do find that they've made connections for life there, and it is beautiful to watch their relationships grow.” 

Crafting Community

Both groups have become an essential community space, particularly for older residents who may otherwise face isolation. “A lot of the people that come are retirees, and a lot of the time this is their main social connection for the week… it’s just fantastic… they sit there for hours, catch up, and work on something themselves”. 

The programs welcome participants of all ages, skill-levels, and abilities, fostering an environment of skill-sharing and support. It’s this spirit of giving that makes the group so special.

 “It’s very beginner friendly,” Chelsey noted. “They’re very happy to help with any questions anyone has”. 

A program member knitting a beanie.

"they do find that they've made connections for life there, and it is beautiful to watch their relationships grow"

Stitched with Purpose

More than social groups,the programs have donated hundreds of handcrafted items in the past year alone, including beanies, mittens and scarves to hospitals and homeless shelters around Melton. 

A notable achievement saw the group providing baby essentials to Bachus Marsh hospital. “We were able to donate at least a couple of hundred beanies,” said Chelsey. “That was for newborn babies, but mostly for premature babies as well – and small mittens too for their hands.”

Loops of Belonging

The Melton Library advocates for Night Crafters, Craft and Chat and programs alike to strengthen our local community, support creativity, and fight the ever-growing isolation epidemic. With over 15 programs offered by Melton Library, from knitting and crocheting, to watching movies with like-minded individuals, everyone can find their own niche to further their creativity and passion. 

“There isn’t a lot of places in society these days that people are free to be in, that you can be in as long as you want, so we see the library as a hub for our community members of all walks of being”.

To find dates, times and more information about Melton Library’s current programs, visit Library Programs and Events.

Knitted beanies and mittens for donation.

Ember is a passioante storyteller from Good News Melton, aiming to share untold stories and inspire others to see the city of Melton as a place of opportunity and resilience.

The Night Crafters and Craft and Chat programs run by the Melton Library provide safe and welcoming spaces for all ages and abilities to converse, connect, and give back to our wonderful community, right here in Melton. 

Chelsey Excell, the Team Leader of the Literacy and Learning Programs in Melton Library, gave us the inside scoop, saying, “it's a bit of a social enterprise, but also a social group as well…they do find that they've made connections for life there, and it is beautiful to watch their relationships grow.” 

Crafting Community

Both groups have become an essential community space, particularly for older residents who may otherwise face isolation. “A lot of the people that come are retirees, and a lot of the time this is their main social connection for the week… it’s just fantastic… they sit there for hours, catch up, and work on something themselves”. 

The programs welcome participants of all ages, skill-levels, and abilities, fostering an environment of skill-sharing and support. It’s this spirit of giving that makes the group so special.

 “It’s very beginner friendly,” Chelsey noted. “They’re very happy to help with any questions anyone has”. 

Ember is a passioante storyteller from Good News Melton, aiming to share untold stories and inspire others to see the city of Melton as a place of opportunity and resilience.

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