Abbotts Barton craft fayre raises £300 for The Boaz Project

Residents at our Winchester care home have helped to raise nearly £300 for a disability charity through a craft fayre in one of their lounges.

Strong community connections brought dozens of visitors to the afternoon event at Abbotts Barton.

Residents, staff and community friends sold handmade items including pottery, needlecraft, jewellery, foods and greeting cards.

Proceeds are going to the Boaz Project, a farm-based therapeutic work community for adults with learning disabilities.

One resident of the Worthy Road home, Rosemary Smale, even had her very own stall selling handcrafted stained-glass gifts she has made during a long-standing hobby.

Rosemary, who still enjoys regular arts and crafts sessions, said: “I’m so pleased with how much I sold, and it was lovely to see so many people supporting the event.”

This is the second year in a row that Abbotts Barton residents have nominated Boaz as their main charity, with the fayre just one of several activities in their current campaign.

Abbotts Barton Home Manager Dee Lovewell said: “Involving our residents in their community is a passion of mine.

“It is made even more special when supporting our local crafters and our charity at the same time.

“We had a fantastic turn out for the fayre with stalls featuring many local craft and food vendors.

“It was a lovely afternoon full of company, laughter and the chance to buy beautiful crafts. We welcomed friends, old and new, to come and share the event with us.”

Boaz representatives were among the stallholders at the fayre, selling crafts made by some of the adults they support from their base at Hill Farm in Sutton Scotney.

Items included woodwork, cards and preserves with free-range eggs available too.

Abbotts Barton, together with fellow Winchester home St Catherines View, will hold a summer fete in support of Boaz at the city’s St Peter’s Primary School on 3 August 2024.