FVSC Knit and Natter brings creative yarn to Falkirk 20th anniversary event
A community project is bringing a splash of creative colour to Falkirk this month as part of Forth Valley Sensory Centre’s 20th anniversary celebrations.
The sensory centre’s Knit and Natter group has been hard at work during the last few months creating a yarn bomb installation that’s now on display across the town centre.
The handcrafted artwork, covering structures such as bollards, aims to celebrate the centre’s two decade anniversary and raise awareness for the support it provides to people battling sensory loss.
In addition to the yarn bomb, there are a number of projects planned to celebrate 20 years of support in the Forth Valley area, including the “Tree of Life” in the centre’s sensory garden.
Visitors have the opportunity to purchase personalised handcrafted clay hearts for £1 and add them to the tree with the expanding display revealing the centre’s importance to the community.
The crowning jewel of this year-long festival will take place later on Thursday, August 6 between 11am and 2pm with the Big Birthday Party at the cenetre.
This gathering is set to unite centre visitors, dedicated volunteers, and team members for a celebration featuring various stalls and refreshments.
Residents and visitors have also been encouraged to nominate the centre in the Benefact Group’s Movement for Good Awards, where charities can receive up to £5000 in funding.
As the need for support increases, Falkirk residents have been invited to volunteer their time in the centre with a special plea issued for drivers and art group assistants.
Finally, this autumn, on October 8, the Wallace Monument will be illuminated in the sensory centre’s signature colours, providing a visual tribute as the 20 year milestone celebration approaches its conclusion.
Marian from Knit and Natter group: “I relocated to Grangemouth several years ago and within weeks had a stroke and lost my sight. The situation put me into a really vulnerable place with my mental health and I felt very isolated.
“The group at the centre was recommended and I started attending. The group is a fun, welcoming space, you could have a bad day and a good day, always at the end of the group, you leave with a smile.”
Forth Valley Sensory Centre community fundraiser Rowan Ferguson added: “Everyone has worked tirelessly to complete the yarn bombing in the town centre with our Knit and Natter members knitting at the speed of light and getting as creative as always.
"We have had wool donations from dozens of people across Falkirk, giving our group a mountain of wool to use for this and future projects. Projects such as this wouldn't be possible without our FVSC community, donating their time to support us. Thank you to everyone involved.
"We will be at the Falkirk Producers Market on July 4 from 11am-2pm, handing out flyers to ensure everyone knows how amazing our volunteers are and to highlight our anniversary.”