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Meet the Team

Meet the members of Oakley Stitchers and learn about our individual skills

Caroline

Creator, Co-Ordinator and Trustee

"WOW! What a journey! This has been a real eye-opening experience and I have been truly humbled by the generosity, skill and kindness that I have found in my community and beyond.

To have instigated something that has brought so much to so many is, to be honest, just overwhelming.

There is just nothing better than a true win/win for the Stitchers themselves and the recipients of the items they create = a full circle of smiles... perfect.

This is totally a team effort and none of this would have been possible without every one of the Stitchers, donators and supporters.

The fact that everyone wants to keep it going, says it all.

Thank you team for trusting me and helping make this happen."

Lucy

Trustee & Lucy’s Gowns’ Co-Ordinator

Lucy has been with Stitchers from the very beginning, supporting us in any way she possibly can with initially cutting out scrub patterns but through being part of the team over the years has learnt the skills to crochet and be able to contribute in the way she wanted to help people in need with our wonderful items we send out. This has given her enough confidence where she is now a Trustee and now runs our monthly Oakley craft group. An inspiration to us all to never give up!

Lucy had the unfortunate experience of going through years of IVF and miscarriage and sadly never being able to have children due to stage 5 endometriosis she therefore took on the project for the charity of ‘Lucy’s Gowns’ as this has a special place in her heart, the project provides angel gowns for precious babies born sleeping or shortly after from donated wedding dresses.

Alongside helping out at the Charity, she also runs a very busy business called ‘The Long Dog Hotel’ where she provides a home from home boarding for miniature dachshunds (aka sausage dogs) and specialising in those with IVDD (back issues) and medical needs.

A busy lady indeed!

Charmaine

Trustee & Website Maintenance

Charmaine has been with Stitchers since 2023. Initially joining the team as a sewer, she has offered her skills from a background in IT to help maintain the website.

Charmaine started sewing in early 2023, quickly learning how to make clothes. Having seen friends and family struggle with many of the challenges we support, Charmaine wanted to give meaning to her new-found hobby, this is when she found us. She has provided bonding squares, drain bags, pressure relief pillows, angel gowns and zip2PICC hoodies.

Charmaine also represents Oakley Stitchers at the Chineham Repair Cafe as well as assisting with craft fairs and spreading the word about what we do.

Charmaine has also donated her hair to The Little Princess Trust multiple times, growing her hair for several years at a time to provide the best length possible.

Christine

Wool Guru Extraordinaire and Trustee

What Christine doesn't know about knitting, crocheting, and yarn... is not worth knowing.

As our chief yarn guru Christine has been a godsend! Dealing with donations, developing and adapting patterns, and supporting stitchers to achieve the best for every organisation and individual who requests our help.

Having spent lockdown restructuring her whole house to create a clear and clutter-free living environment. Its been fortunate for Stitchers that we are able to benefit from this new space to stash Stitchers wool donations (short term, apparently).

(if you know of any storage in Oakley or close by, please let us know)

As a trustee, Christine is amazing at 'how to make it happen' and keeps the ideas Stitchers brains generate achievable, focused and real with her sales eye... which is hugely appreciated (and often needed).

Jill

Chief Haranguer

Jill has been a total gem! Stepping in and taming the Facebook side of things and, in her words, being Chief Haranguer!

When you meet a total powerhouse with the most massive heart (a phone book with EVERYONE in it and the brains to conquer Facebook) you know that you have come across someone very special and totally amazing.... Jill is certainly that!

Instigating the Dementia trial was truly inspirational and this has brought a whole new dimension to the Stitchers. We now have our fingers crossed that some of the ideas we came up with well become a way of helping the anxiety and distress of those living with dementia, across the UK and beyond!

Stitching & Sewing

Stitchers, Knitters & Sewers

We have over 60 active people who continue to donate their time and efforts into helping, and over 200 members on our Facebook page alone. We are always looking for new members to assist with our continuing orders so don't hesitate to contact us and we can let you know what our current need is.

Non Stitchers/Sewers

Other Skills

We have a lot of Stitchers who want to help but don't knit, crochet or sew. We can find a role for anyone and as things get busier we are grateful for everyone who comes on board.

If you have some spare time and want to help out, get in contact by email to find out know what's currently needed that you could get your teeth into.

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Oakley Stitchers is a Community Interest Company (CIC) limited by guarantee (14711617)