Reachout - Spring '16 edition

YO U R T W ICE Y E A R LY M AG A Z IN E F RO M FA MILY MOSA IC

SP R IN G 2016

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

GREAT DAYS OUT y8, 9

Get out and about this summer

OUTDOOR PURSUITS y4, 10 Farm work, gardening

SHARED EXPERIENCE y6, 7 Growing up the hard way

AND MUCH MORE y

GONE ON HOLIDAY

2

editorial

contacts ESSEX REGION

HARD TIMES

General enquiries q01268 498 500 Visiting support services Thurrock, Basildon, Castle Point, Rochford, and Rayleigh q0800 288 8883 Southend q01702 445 870 Havering q01708 776 770

Welcome to this edition of Reachout magazine, bringing you the latest news about events and projects that took place over the last six months in London, Essex and the south east.

I always look forward to getting my copy of the magazine so that I can catch up on all the wonderful activities and achievements that have taken place in the last six months.

As usual, I am not disappointed. The heart-warming stories in this issue are truly inspiring and a timely reminder that every day something good happens at our services, giving you hope, helpful advice and positive opportunities.

There is a great deal of pressure on our services, our customers and even on many of our staff right now. As budget cuts and welfare reform start to bite, to be honest even I feel a bit negative at times. But then I visit one of our services or read a good news story and it reminds me just how important it is that we keep doing what we do even if that means dealing with the cuts and becoming ever more efficient.

The challenges facing our sector are unprecedented but I can assure you that we are constantly lobbying politicians and commissioners to make sure that the people who need support will continue to get good quality services.

As I look out of the window and see hailstones falling it is hard to believe that this is springtime. Hopefully over the coming weeks the summer will arrive and we can all enjoy some well-deserved sunshine and warm weather!

Have a great summer.

Best wishes

LONDON REGION

MOIRA GRIFFITHS, GROUP CARE AND SUPPORT DIRECTOR

We all need a bit of sun on our skin to get vitamin D but too much is dangerous, especially if you have fair skin that burns easily or freckles. So if you're outside on a sunny day, wear a hat and sun cream with a protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher that says it will help block ultraviolet rays A and B (UVA and UVB). If you get wet, put more sun cream on.

Don't stay out too long and get under shade when the sun is highest in the sky. Look out for more summer safety tips dotted throughout Reachout.

MONEY FOR GOOD WORKS Each year the Family Mosaic Community Foundation sets aside a pot of money to pay for activities and events that it agrees will do good for you and our other customers.

If you have an idea for an activity or event like this and would like to apply for some money to help pay for it, please talk to your support worker.

Many of the activities covered in this issue of Reachout were very kindly paid for by the foundation.

treading the boards

STAGE LIGHTS INVENTING MADS: THE MOSAIC AMATEUR DRAMATIC SOCIETY

General enquiries q020 7089 1000 Visiting support services Hackney, Islington q020 7241 7940 Hammersmith & Fulham q0800 123 1991 Redbridge q0800 970 8401 Kensington & Chelsea q020 7351 2522

JOSIE TORPEY SAYS: I had a meeting with Shirley, who had asked me for help finding funding for a new drama group. I was very impressed by her knowledge and experience of organising and staging pantomines. I told her about our community champions scheme and she was so surprised that we could give up to £1000 to help start up the drama group. Shirley advertised for members in The Daily Echo and the group now meets in the community hall.

She still has enough funds to stage another panto this summer.

SOUTH REGION General enquiries q01273 468 010  talktous@familymosaic.co.uk  www.fmcareandsupport.co.uk

SUMMER SAFETY

Debut: the MADS cast perform their pantomime, Happy Ever After, to a full house in January

My name is Shirley, I will be 80 in May and I live at Walton Court in Southampton. I was already a member of a drama club and had written and directed some of its shows but began to realise that most drama clubs are mainly for younger people.

I booked a venue, advertised in the local paper for members and we were able to start the club last September. We meet every Friday between 8-10pm.

M. A .D

.S

Star performers: the cast, with Shirley (blue top, back row)

Talent is ageless

Anyone over a certain age seems certain to be relegated to the chorus. I firmly believe that talent doesn’t diminish because you grow older!

I decided to see if I could form my own club, and make the club age, ethnicity and disability friendly.

I met Josie Torpey from Family Mosaic after she asked if I was interested in taking part in activities. I told her my idea for a drama club and she said Family Mosaic might support it. I was delighted when funding came through.

It took some time to get enough members to fill all the parts but, finally, we produced Happy Ever After on 1 and 2 January this year.

We are now rehearsing our extremely funny comedy show Home Sweet Rome. It will take place in August at Freemantle Community Hall, Randolph Street, in Shirley.

So you see, you can be active and enjoy life at any age.

To qualify for funding from our Community Champions scheme a project has to benefit other Family Mosaic tenants and the wider community. Shirley did this by promoting her club to neighbours at the older persons’ scheme where she lives and to other people living nearby.

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4

out to work

working out

BOXING CLEVER

DOWN ON THE FARM Life as a farm hand is proving just the ticket for Allan Winstanley in Kent Last year my support worker, Bernie Forshaw, suggested I try working at Princess Christian’s Farm in Hildenborough, near Tonbridge.

Bernie came with me on the first visit. I liked what I saw and agreed to give it a try. I was getting fed up with life and the farm is a pleasant change.

Outdoor work is good for your health and gives you fresh air!

Every Thursday a minibus picks me up from my flat, takes me to the farm and drops me off at the end of the day.

I help to muck out the pigs, collect, clean and grade eggs and work with flowers in horticulture. I also go on trips.

In the first week I went tractor driving. In the second I went to a lambing shed. I also played football for Sports Relief.

Both barn and free range chickens are kept at the farm.

There are also chickens, ducks and turkeys in a pets’ section.

One turkey is called Bernard!

The farm provides supported work for people with learning disabilities. It is managed by agricultural school Hadlow College for Kent County Council.

UP THE BOWLING ALLEY TO A CAREER Think back to when you were a teenager. Now imagine you’d found out you were pregnant.

You’d have to leave school before finishing your GCSEs.

Reality bites

You might enjoy the first years with your child but your benefits would soon stop so you’d have to get a job. With no qualifications.

With no work experience.

That’s how it is for some of our young mums at Ambedkar House. So we organised a family evening at Bexleyheath

SUMMER SAFETY

Bowling, where they'd have fun but also get useful information.

Jonathan Richmond from the employment team was there to give advice on everything from how to pay for child care if you're on an apprenticeship to how to start your own events management business.

The evening was a great way to meet and learn from other young mums in the same boat.

The bowling was also a first for some of their children and they’ve since been begging their mums to take them back!

Most importantly the evening

changed lives for the better.

More than two-thirds of our guests are now either working, in training, back in education, on an apprenticeship, or getting support with their job hunt from our employment team.

Fragile health, some medications and being over 75 or under five can raise your risk of heat stroke. To lower the risk, don't spend too much time in direct sunlight, indoors or out, and drink lots of water – along with other commonsense precautions.

Boxing with a professional trainer helped Eagle Dwellings tenant Andrew win the battle against alcohol addiction. He has now moved on to a flat of his own. Reachout managed to get in a quick interview just before he left How often do you use the gym?

I’ve used the gym facilities at Eagle for 10 months now, three to four times a week.

That includes Wednesday sessions with Emeka.

Packs a punch: personal trainer Emeka

What work out do you do?

Boxing for cardio, strength and conditioning.

How has it been working out with a trainer?

Great. Emeka taught me all the workout techniques and gives me weekly rotas that I can do unaided. He also helps with nutrition/dietary regimes, which has been very beneficial physically and mentally.

Emeka gave me the confidence to sustain recovery from alcohol addiction.

Without his motivation I also wouldn't have gone to CRISIS Skylight to seek help with reading and writing.

I have never missed a gym session with Emeka because I find it stimulating and relaxing.

Without Emeka’s support I don’t know where I would be.

What motivates you?

Knowing I'll meet Emeka on Wednesdays. When he is not here I have to tell him how I got on with the workout regime he set. Working out to music can also be motivating.

Do you have any get fit tips?

Make an effort to come to the gym even if you just watch the

sessions. Getting fit is good for the mind, body and soul.

Andrew lived with us for a year at Eagle Dwellings, a scheme for single homeless people that has its own gym. Andrew now has his own flat. His boxing sessions with Emeka were paid for by Family Mosaic’s Community Foundation.

LAURA VOTED MISS SLINKY 2015 Super slimmer Laura has been voted Miss Slinky by her slimming club after losing two stone. Laura’s weight had left her tired and out of breath just climbing the stairs. She’d tried eating less and doing more exercise but the pounds didn’t budge. Then a friend joined Slimming World so Laura did too, followed by two of our staff. With all four trying to lose weight, it became a team effort.

In the first week Laura lost 4lb and was so pleased she rang her mum. Another 3lb went the next week. Every week she made new friends at the club and joked about who would lose the most weight. Laura got the last laugh by scooping the prized title of Miss Slinky on a vote by fellow slimmers. She wore her sash all the next day. And she’s looking fantastic. Well done Laura.

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personal experience

ON THE PATH TO INDEPENDENCE Living with a disability is tough not just for you but your family too, writes Sam. Growing up with a younger ‘normal’ sister, who I still see as the ‘perfect one’, I often resorted to child-like tantrums, crying hysterically, even making myself sick I recently discovered that it was - and is - because I can’t express how I feel. When I scream or cry I get heard. But in 2012, aged 27, my jealousy, mood swings and ‘child like’ behaviour got too much for my parents. They contacted adult social services who put them in touch with Family Mosaic.

First visit

A couple of weeks later west Sussex manager SallyAnn Lawrie came by to talk to my parents and me. During the meeting it felt like my parents were talking for me, telling SallyAnn what my issues were and why I reacted this way.

In fact they didn’t know.

How could they? I didn’t really know myself. SallyAnn noticed and asked my parents to step out of the room so she could speak to me on her own.

To be honest, the rest of that meeting is a blur but in January 2013 I made the big move.

After filling in what felt like endless paperwork at Family Mosaic’s office, and answering endless questions, my parents, auntie and I were taken to my new flat. It was cold and empty but my parents, especially my mum, were so excited they threw ideas at me left, right and centre. I was so overwhelmed I reverted to my child-like coping strategy – bursting into tears.

On the day of the move I was luckily taken away by my then boyfriend for his 40th.

I had a lovely relaxed weekend but it must have been really stressful for those who helped at my new flat. If they read this I am truly grateful for everything they did and for all their support through my early, teenage and college years.

Once I had got the noises under my belt and realised that they were nothing to worry about it was time to meet the neighbours. My time at the flat helped me to grow in confidence, maturity and positivity and I have now moved on to a council flat of my own in East Grinstead.

I have been able to decorate the flat the way I want it and hopefully I will be here for a long time. The move was very stressful as I was training to be a peer supporter, trying to pack at the same time as writing my presentation for the course. Setting priorities was very tough but my new place is great and I love the independence.

Family Mosaic’s staff are still there for emotional support. Both of my parents are now seriously ill. My dad was diagnosed while I was in Spain enjoying myself so my parents didn’t tell me until I got home. It brought me back to reality with a bump.

7

“

Since coming to Family Mosaic I have grown in confidence, maturity and positivity, though this has been challenged recently.

The staff have really changed my life for the better and I am truly grateful.

I am still finding this really hard to deal with and at times have cried so much in private I have made myself sick but Family Mosaic has been there every step of the way, from going with me to the doctors to discussing what they can do for me. Most importantly they have kept my confidentiality.

Since coming to Family Mosaic I have grown in confidence, maturity and positivity though this has been challenged recently.

The staff have really changed my life for the better and I am truly grateful.

THANK YOU

WHAT I NEVER THOUGHT I’D DO Being part of Family Mosaic I've done things I never thought I could do. Last October I went to Malaga in Spain with only my best friend. She has the same physical disability although she is fully sighted. We booked the flights and paid for them ourselves. We arranged for my friend’s parents to take us to Gatwick Airport, booked our own assistance and, by ourselves, arranged to stay with my friend’s aunt. It was such a triumph and it is all down to the belief Family Mosaic had in me.

I WAS PUSHED TO DO BETTER SallyAnn was very keen that I go to the Queen Elizabeth Foundation for the Disabled (QEF)*. It is a vocational college for adults where everyone has a disability of sorts.

It runs a variety of courses, from business administration to IT support and maintenance to horticulture. The college is in Leatherhead so I had to stay during the week to be ready to start by 8.50am.

Needs assessed

Every prospective trainee has to first undergo a threeday, two-night assessment where the tutors take you through the course to see what you can and can't do, and how they can help.

I left at the end of June with a higher diploma in business administration. A fond memory that will stay with me for a long time was a trip to Guildford Ice Rink. I really wanted to go so put my name down thinking I'd be watching from the side lines.

But the staff member who ran the trip took a wheelchair onto the bus. I recall sitting at the front asking why he had brought it. He said: ‘I am going to take you on the ice in it.’

I thought he was joking.

He wasn’t. It was like skydiving - there is such a buzz. At first I

was unsure and made him go slow but soon I was shouting ‘faster, faster’ at him, as if I was on a fairground ride.

It wasn’t all fun. Looking back I see I behaved younger than my age and I was vulnerable.

I wanted everyone to like me so let some people into my room who were wrong for me.

It took ages for them to leave so I didn’t want to stay on campus after that. I took any opportunity to go home.

As the course ended, we were each put on a placement to put to use skills gained on the course, ideally leading to a job. The college tried to place you somewhere that interested you, and suited your skills.

I got the East Grinstead Children & Families Centre because I am interested in social care. I started on the front desk greeting parents and children coming for the weekly baby weigh-in. I also answered the phone and dealt with enquiries, where I could.

After the placement I was kept on as a volunteer and I am still there, doing a different but still rewarding job. I split my one day a week there between helping the Children and Families Centre and helping the health visitor team in the baby weigh-in clinic.

HOW I NOW HELP OTHER CUSTOMERS In late 2015, Family Mosaic asked me if I was interested in becoming a peer support worker. If a new customer at the Family Mosaic scheme has an issue and is uncomfortable going to one of the support team they come to a peer support worker instead.

The peer support worker has been in their shoes and can go with them to Family Mosaic, as their advocate, to work on a solution together.

They can also attend hospital visits if a customer is on medication. They can speak up if a meeting gets too focused on medical matters and not on the customer’s needs.

In February I passed a 12day training course with flying colours. Everyone had to give a brief presentation on what peer support meant to us and how we would use our new skills in the role of peer support worker. My presentation lasted just under seven minutes. I was really pleased about that. * Unfortunately due to lack of government funding The Queen Elizabeth Foundation has since had to close its doors.

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summer days out

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GO EASY ON THE POCKET: LOW COST OR FREE DAYS OUT FOR THE SUMMER There are lots of things you can do in warmer weather that don’t cost a fortune. Some of these may have a small cost but a lot are free!

LONDON: Museums: Science Museum, Natural History Museum, National Gallery, Victoria and Albert Walks on the South Bank: see the Houses of Parliament, London Eye, South Bank Centre, HMS Belfast, Tower Bridge and Tower of London Parks: Hyde Park, Queen’s Park, Regent’s Park, Richmond Park, Clapham Common and more!

HAMPSHIRE Museums: Southampton City Art Gallery, Natural History Museum in Portsmouth Farm: Manor Farm County Park, Burlesden Parks: New Forest National Park, Wellington Country Park, Queen Elizabeth Country Park Castles and forts: Royal Armouries Fort Nelson, Wolvesey Castle, Portchester Castle Seaside fun: the beach at Lepe or Hayling Island SUSSEX Museums: Hove Museum and Art Gallery, Jerwood Gallery Hastings Seaside fun: Brighton and Hove, Worthing, Eastbourne, Bexhill and Hastings all have seafronts you can explore Farms: Middle Farm near Lewes Parks: South Downs National Park, Devil's Dyke, Brighton's Stanmer Park, Hastings Country Park Castles and forts: Lewes Castle, Pevensey Castle near Eastbourne ESSEX Museums: Chelmsford museum, Colchester Castle Museum Parks: Bobbit’s Hole nature reserve, Chelmsford's Central Park, Cherry Orchard Jubilee Country Park Seaside fun: the beach at Clacton or Southend Farms: Babs Barnyard, Hadleigh Farm.

Maureen at her party, with June

OFF TO THE GARDEN CENTRE - TO PARTY Staff from Braintree visiting support and friends turned up to Roundwoods garden centre in Braintree to help Maureen Brown celebrate her 70th birthday in March. Maureen worked at Roundwoods some years ago and friends still working there were given time off to join the fun. ‘Do you know dear, I haven’t had such a good time in ages,’ she said to organiser June Felstead on the way home. ‘Thank you so much.

It was lovely.’

A VISIT TO KEW GARDENS SAFFRON WALDRON'S SILVER SCREEN A group of 21 Ferguson Close customers enjoyed a private screening of Mamma Mia recently at their local community cinema in Saffron Waldon. Staff and customers sang along and we’ve already been asked about the next visit. The Saffron Screen Cinema is run by volunteers and was built with Lottery funding.

This is the second year we have been able to hire it for private sessions. It gives customers who, like those at Ferguson Close, have learning disabilities a chance to see a film on the big screen with their friends.

Customers at Ferguson Close share four bungalows, where they get support for a learning disability. We also support another 18 people who live in their own home locally.

A group of our mental health support customers have already enjoyed a visit to Kew Gardens in south west London this year. A second group is set to follow.

Kew Gardens is one of the world’s most famous botanical gardens and in spring it is especially stunning.

Beautiful scenery ‘It was amazing,’ said Daniel. 'I enjoyed the beautiful scenery.’ VS agreed. ‘What a beautiful place! It was so lovely.’‘I’ve never been to this part of London but I love it,’ added Michelle. ‘I can’t have enough of it.’

This will be our third year signed up to the Kew Community Access scheme. In the first two years, over 100 of you from Essex, London and Southampton used it to visit Kew Gardens for free.

‘It gives you ideas on how to do your garden at home,’ said former visitor Graham. ‘They put vegetables in the flowerbeds sometimes, which is a good idea.’

SUMMER SAFETY

The entrance to Kew Gardens

“

It was amazing.

I enjoyed the beautiful scenery.

If you'd like to visit Kew Gardens, ask your housing support worker to contact Greening Communities officer Pippa Gray.

If stinging insects fly at you, don't wave your arms or try to swat them - it makes it worse. Move away slowly.

Cover any sweet food or drink if you're having a picnic.

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outdoor industry

dignity matters

YOUNG CHAMPS TRANSFORM FORLORN GREENWICH GARDEN A group of our young community champions have turned a neglected back garden into a childfriendly playspace for the children of teenage parents at Ambedkar House in Greenwich

New look: the finished garden

Our community champions, Family Mosaic customers who also live locally, have already given over 1000 hours of their time to projects across London and Essex but were keen to help in their own borough.

First they had to get funding for Ambedkar House's garden.

Family Mosaic's Community Fund agreed to pay. Then they talked through their ideas for the garden with the young parents who live there.

GALLIMORE'S GARDEN MADE OVER IN TIME FOR SUMMER Residents at Gallimore Lodge in Grays have helped brighten their huge garden just in time for the warmer spring weather.

Inherited garden

Giant raised beds, built for earlier residents, had lain bare for some time, with staff not sure what to plant. And lack of shade meant the garden was being used less and less.

After talks with our customers, who all use a wheelchair to cope with a physical disability, the Greening Communities team got to work.

To add shade, they planted climbing wisteria around the pergola. When in bloom, the flowers will also add scent and colour. A new mosaic table

under the pergola will let residents eat out in the summer, surrounded by plant pots decorated with their own bright designs.

A trough filled with plants has added another wheelchair-friendly touch and one of the raised beds now grows plants picked for scent, colour and feel.

The second raised bed is now a rockery, with ferns and assorted pebbles.

Resident John Grudge is already enjoying the feel of the pebbles, laid specially for residents to hold.

Thanks to Family Mosaic Community Foundation for funding the work.

Two days of hard work for our community champions came next, guided by our staff.

The garden space now has a living willow tunnel, a colourful tyre tower, a sandpit, handmade xylophone, wellie plant pots and a garden full of smells, sounds and colours for the children to enjoy.

It has been turned into a safe place where parents can spend time with their children and chat to each other.

‘It was great fun getting our hands on a large garden,’ said Becki Partridge-Hayes from the social inclusion team. ‘We even made a gold picnic bench! Our community champions have left a great legacy.’

ONIONS ALL SET FOR SUMMER DOWN ON THE SOUTHAMPTON ALLOTMENTS Down on the Southwells Farm allotments in Milbrook, overgrown plots have been cleared and new raised beds built so our gardeners can grow strawberries this year.

By mid March we had all mucked in to plant onion sets of the Sturon and Centurion varieties in some of the other vegetable beds.

Our gardeners are all people who use our disability and older persons service in Southampton or get ‘floating support’ from our staff.

Know your onions: spring planting

Contrast: raised beds after their beautification and, below, before

INSPIRING THEMES An art workshop on the themes of dignity and respect got ideas flowing for customers of our Islington mental health team.

The workshop was one of a series of events held to celebrate World Mental Health Day on 16 October. Our customers agreed that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity. ‘Thank you for doing this,’ one customer told us. Another said later: ‘I enjoyed myself.’

Gallery: some of the artwork created during the workshop

MENTAL HEALTH EXTRA Did you know that one in four of us in the UK will experience mental health problems each year?

The most common type of problem is a mix of anxiety and depression, affecting nearly 10% of people. Other issues can include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, phobias, anxiety and eating disorders.

Whatever the problem, having a mental health issue can be scary and you might not know where to turn to get help. It’s also very common to feel worried or embarrassed about telling anyone how you are feeling but remember, there’s lots of help out there.

Before ...and after!

A good place to start is talking to a friend or relative, to your GP or to people at an organisation like Mind, the national charity that supports people with mental health issues. Mind's phone number is q0300 123 3393. Their website is at www.mind.org.uk If you feel really low or desperate you can also call the Samaritans on q116 123. They also have a website, at www.samaritans.org

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GOING WITH A SWIRL Coffee mornings for older people in Hastings have become mini-social whirls since customers got involved in their planning Now held once a month, with a special guest speaker, these once neglected events are buzzing. They’ve also led to a whole host of spin-off events, like quizzes, bake-offs, raffles, mini-concerts and open mic sessions.

Under new management

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A new customer steering group is introducing new activities, among them trips to the theatre and art galleries, tea dances and ‘seasonal’ events.

Our coffee drinkers have also taken part in a computer workshop, run by Family Mosaic’s Get Connected team. It was so popular, it is now being repeated every month in Hastings and The coffee group organising team Bexhill.

‘I am very grateful to have the opportunity to attend the coffee mornings. It keeps me in touch with the STEPS support workers, I make new friends and it encourages me to get up, get dressed and go out.’ - Margaret Davies ‘The coffee morning is really nice. I've met new people and it gets me out. It is something to look forward to and I have enjoyed talks from other services.’ - Ernest Taylor

BUMPER TURNOUT FOR DIGNI-TEA AND ICED BUNS AT ELM COURT IN ESSEX A digni-tea held at Elm Tree Court ran into one problem - so many guests turned up that seats ran out.

Dignity theme Customers and staff had spent the week before walking miles to hand out leaflets and invitations explaining why dignity in care is so important.

They also made bunting from wallpaper samples and ribbon to decorate the community room and buttered a small mountain of bread and iced buns.

Other than the small matter of seating, the digni-tea was a big success. While guests drank tea and knitted, staff gave out 'challenge' cards to inspire conversations about how to put dignity at the forefront of everything we do.

We also used the tea to recruit more people to our Wednesday morning Knit and Knatter, where we put the world to right over coffee and biscuits, knit, do word puzzles, make pom poms or do nothing at all.

The coffee morning events are funded by the Family Mosaic Community Foundation. STEPS is the Family Mosaic older people’s floating support service for the Hastings area.

SUMMER SAFETY

Adders are our only poisonous snake.

If a snake bites you call 999 and try not to move your bitten part. Try to also remember the snake's markings and colours to help identify its breed.

Cosy: resident Carole, left, and local pub manager (and our great ally) Gillie show off the Knit and Knatter group's latest finished project