> [!NOTE]+ Meta > Author:: [[Design & Craft Council of Ireland]] > Reference:: https://www.sportireland.ie/keepwell > Tags:: #warp #Ireland > WeftLinks:: [[Disaster recovery value of craft]] > Claim:: > - [[Claim - Craft helps recovery from trauma]] > - [[Claim - Craft is a collective activity that forges trust and belonging]] > [!SUMMARY] Summary > A number of craft projects responded to the Irish government's campaign to help recovery from the COVID pandemic by using craft to stay connected. ### Highlights As an ongoing response to the COVID 19 pandemic, the Government of Ireland established the Keep Well campaign. It had five themes: - **Keeping active** - keeping active and being outdoors, even during the winter, is important to help physical and mental health and wellbeing. - **Staying connected -** staying connected with people, addressing isolation, supporting volunteerism and initiatives that support person-to-person connection is important to our wellbeing. - **Switching off and being creative** - switching off and being creative or learning something new, getting back to nature and finding ways to relax can help our general wellbeing. - **Eating well -** by nourishing our bodies and minds, we can develop a better connection between the food we eat and how we feel and positively impact our physical and mental wellbeing. - **Minding your mood** – equipping people with information on where to go if they need support. This will also be linked with the local community helpline to ensure that people can access the support they need. The [[Design and Crafts Council of Ireland]] developed a number of initiatives as part of this campaign: #### Headfort Library Lace Bench project ![[Attachments/fea0c851a5ce02a1dbbfa4fa06fedfdf_MD5.jpg]] _New DCCI-funded lace bench in front of Headford Library in St. Fursa’s Hall, Headford._ [Headford Lace Project](https://www.headfordlaceproject.ie/reimagine/107-dcci-keep-well-campaign) As part of the Irish Government’s Keep Well campaign Switching Off and Being Creative strand, an innovative Sláintecare funded collaboration between Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI) and Healthy Ireland provided funding to HLP to create a new lace bench for the town of Headford.. HLP commissioned Conor Murray of [Kilkee Forge](https://www.kilkeeforge.ie/about "Kilkee Forge"), a professional member of DCCI, to create the lace bench... The blending of two heritage crafts lacemaking and blacksmithing resulted in a second beautiful lace bench. As the bench is 2m long it provided a safe place for people to sit outdoors during the pandemic. The lace bench embeds the rich history of bobbin lacemaking, going back to the mid-1700s, into the fabric of the town. Another point of interest has been created for the Lace Maker’s Shoes walking tour linking it to the bench at the other end of the town. #### [The Quilter’s Guild of Ireland ‘Keep Well’ Project / Challenge 2021](https://quiltersguildireland.com/the-quilters-guild-of-ireland-keep-well-project-challenge-2021/) The Quilter’s Guild of Ireland is a GANS \[Guilds, associations, networks and societies\] member of the [Design and Crafts Council of Ireland (DCCI)](https://www.dcci.ie/consumers/get-making/keep-well/). The DCCI embraced the Keep Well Campaign theme to celebrate their 50th year; chosing as the main thread **‘switch off, be creative, & learn something new’**. Mary Palmer, our erstwhile Chair, designed three sets of blocks with varying degrees of difficulty, each to measure 10 inch square finished. Each set consisted of a house, tree and a garden. Mary Palmer also created video demonstrations which we put up on our newly created You Tube Channel. The response was extraordinary, exceeding all our expectations. “There is growing evidence that creative activities can help lift our mood and to have a positive impact on health and wellbeing.” Minister of State for the Department of Health Ireland, February, 2022 ![[Attachments/56b1855fb8fa17f9548a56b40f73d943_MD5.jpg]] #### [A Breath of Fresh Air - The Keep Well Glass Quilt Project](https://www.museum.ie/en-IE/Museums/Country-Life/Exhibitions/Previous-Exhibitions/A-Breath-of-Fresh-Air-The-Keep-Well-Glass-Quilt-Pr) *A Breath of Fresh Air - The Keep Well Glass Quilt* is a unique collaborative project undertaken by members of the Glass Society of Ireland during the 3rd wave of Covid-19 and subsequent 12 weeks of lockdown. Confined to within five kilometres of their homes and studios, 50 glassmakers came together virtually to collaborate on a large glass quilt. As each piece was added to the artwork, a unique story of a unique time evolved. Testimonies emerged from participants on how this project was critical to their creative process and well-being at a very difficult time. Each of the four provinces of Ireland is represented, bringing the whole island together in one collaborative piece. #### [Keep Well: How to make a St. Brigid's Cross - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHQDBIl-5-w) St. Brigid is one of Ireland's patron saints. The origins of her Feast Day on 1st February are thought to be originally a pagan festival called Imbolc. Imbolc, also known as the Feast of Brigid, celebrates the arrival of the early signs of spring on 1st February.Keep Well - switch off, be creative, and learn something new. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vHQDBIl-5-w?si=EvIno6LcMubasc7D" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe> #### [Keep Well Campaign | Niki Collier Textiles & Art](https://www.nikicollier.com/keep-well-campaign/) Join [Feltmakers Ireland](https://feltmakersireland.com/) and [IFA Region14](https://www.facebook.com/groups/1873477632794807) for three online classes to try felting, spark your passion for fibres and discover a fun technique for making colourful pictures in felt. All materials included. Classes would be taught by three of your favourite Irish masters: Caóilfíonn, Niki & Liadain.