Do you have some spare time you can dedicate to creativity or just sharing a cuppa with those in a similar situation to you?

Canowindra Creative Centre (CCC) at Orana House [Canowindra] does just that by providing a space for the community who are looking to make new friends, learn new skills and quite simply just having someone to talk to and be an open ear over a cuppa.

Founded in 2015, it began with four locals who saw a need within the community. Founder, Deb Rutter explained, “Canowindra has some fantastic groups, there were just some needs that weren’t being met, and that’s where the craft, which started out as a wool or crochet group and has developed into whatever you want it to be.

What I found initially was people who have retired, who have been unwell or have been caring for someone. They just don’t know where to go, they need someone to talk to and mix with and just relax. Money is not what we are about.”

Make no mistake this group is not only open to Canowindra locals, they already have members from Cudal, Blayney and Orange.

Natika Millar has been with the group for two years now “My daughter had just gone off to school and I was casually employed at the time, after spending five years basically at home with my daughter I had little to no friends so I thought I would give this a go and I am so glad that I did.”

“I just love that you can come in, you might be feeling down, but by the time you leave you’re laughing and smiling, I look at a lot of the ladies like they are my grandparents as I’m the youngest in the group.” *laughs*

The mission statement of the not for profit community group is to provide a safe, friendly environment where people are welcome to share in creative ideas and activities. Each Monday the group will work on craft that takes their interest and on Tuesday they gather for mosaic projects.

Deb continued, “The activities are a good excuse to get out of home, we are all very conscious of mental health which is essential to everyone. Everybody helps each other, if they are struggling someone will help them and support them, you can’t ever get it wrong and if you do, there’s no worry our facilitators are on hand.”

Other activities the group get involved with include; blacksmith projects, writers’ group and woodworking.

The community-based facility is also trialling a shop space at 44 Gaskill Street, Canowindra for three months with the hope to continue into the future.

The shops items are products made by CCC financial members with some special product lines thrown in as well. Open weekends and public holidays, along with special events.

Deb explained, “The shop was only made possible thanks to Newcrest Mining and it represents a few things for us, it’s about the individual making things whether here or at home, it’s a way of having an outlet and it also boosts the persons’ morale to have those items there, it supports the community and we are always very inclusive. The Canowindra Men’s Shed have joined us also.”

At the shop you can find everything from art and books, to blacksmith made items, plants and painted pots.

“This is a safe space, come as you are or just call in and have a cuppa if you want.”

If you would like to get involved with the Canowindra Creative Centre please contact Deb Rutter on 0487 801 767 or debrutter@bigpond.com alternatively you can keep up with all the happenings on their Facebook page, ‘Canowindra Creative Centre.’