Blinds are not only for windows at Avenue Day Care Centre, Newark
A day care centre for adults with learning disabilities has been busy making crafts out of an unconventional material thanks to one savvy volunteer.
Carolyn Brocklebank came up with the idea of making items out of unwanted blind samples after buying some new blinds from a shop in Grantham.
After receiving two boxes of samples for free, she then had a go at making something for herself and took her creations to the Avenue Day Care Centre in Newark.
“I bought some blinds from my local shop and I asked them if they had any cuttings that they could get rid of,” Carolyn said.
“I did some weaving with them and took the stuff to the centre and showed the staff there what I had done. They loved it.”
The Avenue Day Care Centre operates inside London Road Congregational Church and offers a safe space for adults with learning disabilities.
Carolyn’s brother has downs syndrome and already attended the group, so she was all too eager to get involved.
The clients at the centre have now been making book marks, plant decorations and lap try mats all for next to no cost.
Carolyn said: “It’s a really positive thing to do and it hasn’t cost anything.
“The only thing we’ve bought is some little green canes for the windmills that cost 99p.
“The mantra for it whatever we make is something useful.”
Carolyn, who is a retired teacher, has been humbled by the reaction to her crafts and said that this type of activity is only more important after an isolating couple of years.
“It’s been a struggle for them with the lockdown,” she said.
“My brother had seven days a week when he was very active and lockdown precluded it all.”
“I don’t charge because it’s a lovely thing to do. It’s quite an honour to do it.
“They have really tried so hard and they are so chuffed when they achieve something.
“They are so proud of it and they get the choice of what they would like to do. They are actually making the decision for themselves.”
“Every client was able to take something home.”
