Craft group encourages residents to donate to food banks with Christmas-themes post box toppers
Crafty Wandsworth residents are encouraging others to donate to food banks with a series of whimsical postbox toppers around Balham.
Woodfield Craftivists have made several scenes out of recycled and upcycled materials to decorate the neighborhood – while spreading a positive message.
One scene shows the Woodfield Pavilion, where the group meet, with Father Christmas flying overhead.
Another post box topper on Balham High Road depicts Santa in his sleigh travelling through green lights outside Balham tube.
The globe is surrounded by people of Balham including students from Chestnut Grove Academy and an XR protester who glued himself to the road – thankfully after Father Christmas had passed.
Other post boxes are sporting ice-skaters and playing mice pulling crackers and opening presents.
Woodfield Craftivists member Kate Hudson said the group is a great way to get creative while also nudging people to do the right thing.
She said: “The joy of the challenge of the creativity of coming up with a way to get your message across is part of the fun.
“We get together, we drink wine, and we chat. We all have different skills and everyone contributes.”
The group formed in late 2019 and since then has spread their messages in the community using arts and crafts.
Previous messages included a save the bees, highlighted by a number of crafted bees, and a domestic abuse awareness campaign where they embroidered helpline numbers.
This Christmas the craftivists decided to turn their attention to those going hungry.
Ms Hudson: “One of our women works for a food bank and she said it would be lovely to do something that would encourage people to donate to the good bank.
“The response we’ve had from people has been incredible. Someone emailed us and said thank you, I will be donating.
“If one person has bothered to do that you’ll know that there’s another five who will be donating.”
The Woodfield Craftivists meet at 6pm on Thursdays at the Woodfield Pavilion and are always open to new members.
To find out more about both Woodfield Pavillion and Woodfield Craftivists contact thewoodfieldproject@gmail.com.