When my children were little, I often wished there was a space where I could spend time being creative while they were happily occupied nearby. Now my kids are 20 and 22, and it feels slightly ironic that this is the moment we’re finally creating that space. Craft & Crèche is exactly the kind of group I would have loved to attend when they were small, and I’m so excited to see it come to life at Lamhan.
The idea is simple. Every Monday morning, parents and carers can come together at the start of the week to craft, chat, and enjoy a warm, welcoming environment while their children take part in fun, age-appropriate activities. I’m writing from my own lived experience as a mum, but we know it’s not always mums who care for little ones — dads, grandparents, foster carers, and anyone supporting a child are all very welcome. Our aim is simply to support families and carers in our community.
There’s something about Mondays that always felt a little harder for me — I don’t know about anyone else, but it was the day I missed my partner the most during the week — and having a friendly group to connect with makes such a difference.
Those attending can learn some simple beginner sewing with Eden, bring along their own craft projects, or just enjoy sitting by the fire with a cup of tea and a few snacks. It’s all about shared creativity, relaxed conversation, and having a bit of time for yourself while still being close to your little ones.
For the children, we’ll be offering juice and age-appropriate snacks, along with fun activities to keep them engaged and happy. I’m really hopeful that we can encourage even our smallest visitors to start making art and trying very simple crafts too — messy hands and big smiles very much welcome.
To help us plan properly, we’ll be asking everyone to sign up each week. This is simply so we know how many craft materials and refreshments to prepare in advance, and to make sure we’ve got enough supplies for everyone.
One thing that feels especially important to say is that there is absolutely no cost to attend Craft & Crèche. We know how hard things are just now for families, and we want this group to be open and accessible to everyone. If people are able to, a few pounds now and then towards refreshments is always very welcome, but it is never required. From time to time, we may also ask participants to complete a short form or share a testimonial, which helps us with future funding applications so we can continue offering the group for free while ensuring our staff are paid fairly for their work.
We’re incredibly grateful to the Callander Hydro Fund, through the Callander Community Development Trust, whose support has made a real difference to our space. Their funding has allowed us to install new energy-efficient heaters in the studio, making it a warm and comfortable place for families to gather — especially important on chilly Monday mornings.
Craft & Crèche is about community, creativity, and connection. It’s about giving carers a moment to breathe, make, and meet others, while children play, explore, and begin their own creative journeys. I can’t wait to welcome you all. We are starting on 23rd February and hope to meet you there!