Exchange Project

Resilience, confidence and community through craft

Mentoring through intergenerational connection

Inspiration for the Exchange Project came during the 2020 COVID pandemic, a time when many people turned to craft as therapy during great uncertainty.

As an organisation we asked ‘what more can we do’ and took inspiration from The Craft Nest Project – the genesis of our organisation. With a team of highly experienced, craft-loving volunteers, we leveraged the power of craft and intergenerational connection to offer students the opportunity to connect, share, learn and grow, in an environment that is akin to visiting Grandma’s house.

The program maximises the benefit exchange that happens when intergenerational connection is encouraged. Many of the mentees feel empowered and come out of their shells in the course of the program, but our mentors also benefit from having a sense of purpose and giving unconditionally.

When we relocated from our ‘home’ in Everton Park in September 2023, we were adamant that we needed to create a nurturing environment to continue the program. We established the Gladys Mary Studio where we also house our Heritage Collection of sewing memorabilia. The collection often sparks enquiry from the students and mentors share their personal knowledge about the objects.

We are looking to partner with one High School, starting Term 3 2025. Although we offer this as a free mentoring program, our school partner is required to provide transport and teacher support. Expressions of Interest are open until 25 May 2025.

Mentoring through intergenerational connection

Inspiration for the Exchange Project came during the 2020 COVID pandemic, a time when many people turned to craft as therapy during great uncertainty.

As an organisation we asked ‘what more can we do’ and took inspiration from The Craft Nest Project – the genesis of our organisation. With a team of highly experienced, craft-loving volunteers, we leveraged the power of craft and intergenerational connection to offer students the opportunity to connect, share, learn and grow, in an environment that is akin to visiting Grandma’s house.

The program maximises the benefit exchange that happens when intergenerational connection is encouraged. Many of the mentees feel empowered and come out of their shells in the course of the program, but our mentors also benefit from having a sense of purpose and giving unconditionally.

When we relocated from our ‘home’ in Everton Park in September 2023, we were adamant that we needed to create a nurturing environment to continue the program. We established the Gladys Mary Studio where we also house our Heritage Collection of sewing memorabilia. The collection often sparks enquiry from the students and mentors share their personal knowledge about the objects.

We are looking to partner with one High School, starting Term 3 2025. Although we offer this as a free mentoring program, our school partner is required to provide transport and teacher support. Expressions of Interest are open until 25 May 2025.

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FAQs about the Exchange Project

How does the program work?
When we partner with a school, we can take up to eight participants selected by school guidance officers. We require a commitment to a full school semester and run the program for eight weeks per term, with sessions being two hours. Sessions usually start in the second week of each term.
What do students learn?
Working with our group of mentors, typically in one to one partnerships that last the duration of the program, students develop skills in machine sewing, hand stitching, knitting and crochet. The program is loosely structured to allow for student-led projects, and opportunities for connection and ‘working it out together’ between students and mentors.
What is supplied during the program?
Sessions are held in the Gladys Mary Studio, filled with our Heritage Collection of craft memorabilia. The space is air-conditioned, surrounded by gardens, and with tea and coffee facilities. A morning tea is also provided for the program, often featuring home made treats contributed by our wonderful mentors.

We supply all machines and materials that have been reclaimed through our Textile Recovery Centre.

What are the program outcomes?
The pillars of the Exchange Project are community, sustainability and skill-sharing. Students come away with craft skills which hold lifelong benefits practically, creatively, and for mental health. They gain an immersive experience of community-led action towards tackling the global textile waste crisis, and also develop confidence, resilience, communication skills and relationships amongst each other and with our diverse volunteers.

This unique program has supported over 250 students and we’ve observed that student outcomes are most pronounced when they’ve been participating for several terms. Repeat participation builds camaraderie and students attend enthusiastically, always making the most of their time. Several participants have joined us as Junior Nest Volunteers and even gained references for their first employment.

How does my school get involved?
As a small self-funded charity we have limited spaces available to partner with schools. As this is a free program, we have an expression of interest process so that we can discuss the feasibility and logistics of participation prior to partnering with a new school.