The post box topper has been made by a group of local crafters who have been attending workshops at Sherbet Felt. I challenged them all to make a mouse and they all generously gave their time and donated their woolly creations.

We LOVED creating the post box topper together and hope it made you smile!

I have chosen PHAB Life as the charity to support this year because they were a big role in me starting Sherbet Felt.

The first needle felting workshop I ever ran was for Phab at a craft evening at their cafe in Leigh. I was nervous but they were so welcoming and enthusiastic - it was such a wonderful night and ignited a desire to share the craft with more people.

I'd love to be able to give something back to this brilliant local charity, it's lovely to know it's a donation that will be used directly to support people within our Rayleigh community.

Claire xxx

A bit more about Phab:

'The Phab Shop and The Phabulous Cafe provide opportunities for adults with additional needs, primarily learning disabilities, to gain retail and cafe experience and skills in a real work environment, enhancing independence and self-confidence. On reaching 18, adults with learning disabilities face disadvantage when seeking work or further training; 49% will have no qualifications and no access to suitable courses; 94% will have no paid employment. This impacts on self-esteem, mental well-being and leads to increased social isolation. Since 2012 The Phab Shop has provided volunteering opportunities for over 30 people at any one time; in 2021, we opened our Phabulous Cafe, a community cafe providing an additional 15 opportunities on our trainee programme. Individuals work in the shop or cafe, gaining work experience, independence, and self-confidence through interactions with the public and The Phab Team. The Phab Team is a small group of paid staff, supported by a larger group of volunteers who give their time, commitment, energy and experience to work alongside our shop volunteers and cafe trainees.

The Phab Shop and Phabulous Cafe also challenge misconceptions about people with additional or different needs and learning disability; customers enter to shop or buy a coffee and we hope leave with a different perception of 'disability' and difference. We offer much appreciated services to local communities: our shop is much loved on Rayleigh High Street and has a high profile, garnering support and a loyal clientele for nearly ten years. Our cafe is a community cafe. We are well supported by local people and we have also welcomed groups from schools and other organisations providing services to people with disabilities, from further afield, who feel welcomed and comfortable when visiting our cafe. We also have an adjoining community space used by a variety of local groups who can then avail themselves of our cafe services. In the evenings we also use this space to facilitate activities and clubs for our volunteers and trainees.'

A bit more about Sherbet Felt:

'I have a cosy little cabin at the View Garden Centre where I host needle felting workshops. It's a very relaxing and versatile craft and I love the chance to introduce new people to it.'

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.