“Having friendly people to chat with gives your day a bit of structure” – Karen’s Story
Karen, a retired material scientist and former lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University, volunteered with the Rag Revival sessions, where she blended professional expertise with accessible, peer-led learning. After retiring two years ago, she took time to rest before realising she wanted to contribute again:
“I’d had a year de-stressing and I was at the stage of going, I need to be doing something,”
With a lifelong interest in crafting and sustainability, the sessions felt like a natural fit. For Karen, volunteering offers both creativity and connection:
“It’s a chance to get out, to have a chat with people who have similar interests and feel useful.”
Skills and Contribution
Karen has been crafting for most of her life, with 58 years of experience. The sessions have mainly helped her build on existing skills, though she has enjoyed trying new techniques:
“Lino cuts have been brand new and a bit of a challenge, it feels good to challenge myself”
The group’s collaborative piece explored the question, “What’s Stockport?” Inspired by the town’s viaduct, the design developed into arches representing industry, waterways, architecture and the future. Karen focused on the waterways, incorporating elements of the River Mersey, the Peak Forest Canal and the Marple Aqueduct.
“I focused on the River Mersey, which has always driven the development of Stockport over time, I started off thinking it was going to look one way and it’s evolved into quite a different look.
What began as a stylised idea became more textured and three-dimensional, guided by donated materials and creative instinct.
Community and Purpose
The project also sparked reflection about the town’s future, with Karen asking:
“Where have we gone from the cotton mills and the hat mills, what’s the future of Stockport?”
Having grown up in a coal mining community that declined after the pits closed, she understands what happens when people lose faith in a place:
“If you think there’s no future in a place, you don’t commit to it, you want to move away.”
For her, celebrating change and possibility is essential:
“What we need is for the young people to have opportunities, jobs, and investment in the community for local people.”
Volunteering has given her structure and renewed confidence, as she knew that getting out of the house, meeting new people and broadening her skills was very important when she retired.
Her advice to others is practical and encouraging:
“Find something that excites you. Whether that’s crafting, litter picking, or learning something new, the key is taking action. You’re never too old to learn or to develop new skills. The hardest bit, but the most important bit, is that first step”