Connecting generations by sharing craft skills

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 highly experienced, craft-loving team of volunteers and a local high school to partner with, we wanted to start mentoring vulnerable girls by teaching handmaking skills to improve self confidence and resilience.

With the support of the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation, the Exchange Project was launched in 2021 in partnership with Mt Maria College. Once a week during term, 10 mentors hosted 6 girls in our Everton Park ‘home’ to deliver an experience that was akin to spending an afternoon at Grandma’s house.

Driven by the success of the pilot program we had the opportunity to partner with a second high school.

“Students who attend have flourished under the guidance of experienced mentors, honing their creative abilities and discovering new passions along the way.”
Joanne Smith, Mitchelton State High School teacher.

In September 2023 we relocated from Everton Park to Brendale to accommodate our growing social enterprise, The Nest Haberdashery. Adamant that the mentoring program should continue to be hosted in a nurturing space, we campaigned to establish a creative studio adjoining The Nest Haberdashery where we could run the mentoring program and house our Heritage Collection of sewing memorabilia.

Doug and Jenny Fisher, Directors of Wattlerun gave access to an adjoining space and with support from state and local government grants we restarted the Exchange Project in November 2023 and officially opened its dedicated space, the Gladys Mary Studio in December the same year.

Students learn about sustainability using reclaimed materials and can observe the operations of our social enterprise; The Nest Haberdashery to understand the value of community participation and volunteering. Some even return to volunteer with us.

The program demonstrates 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.

What we’ve observed about the program is 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.

Over the last 4 years, 40 different volunteers from within our community have shared their skills with over 200 girls. Teachers and mentors regularly observe how students come out of their shell, form and strengthen relationships, explore a range of new skills, and most importantly, demonstrate increased confidence back in the school environment.