From Passion to Purpose: Rosie Turns Knitting Hobby into a Niche Brand with Support from East Kent Mencap’s GOLD Project

Rosie, a creative and committed member of East Kent Mencap’s GOLD (Getting On with Learning Difficulties) project, has transformed her love of knitting into a thriving small brand. Her handmade hats, each carrying her own custom logo, are now proudly stocked at the Westgate Galleria in Westgate-on-Sea.

Rosie said of the achievement: “It makes me happy and excited that people appreciate the time I take to make them.”

What began as a personal passion has grown into something much more meaningful. Demand from friends and her natural eye for design have fuelled Rosie’s journey, helping her to see herself not just as a maker, but as someone building a brand with purpose.

Her journey started when she joined East Kent Mencap’s GOLD project, which supports people with a learning difficulty to build independence, confidence, and community connections. Rosie credits GOLD with giving her the skills, confidence, and friendships to step forward: “I now feel proud of myself because I have met new friends at GOLD, built confidence to go into the community independently, and meet more people.”

Rosie’s father, Mick, has also noticed the transformation: “Since Rosie has been part of East Kent Mencap, she has come on leaps and bounds in her relationships with other people and has grown so much in confidence.”

Through GOLD, Rosie has not only developed her craft into a business opportunity but also discovered a sense of belonging and pride. Her story highlights how creativity, community and the right support can unlock potential.

About GOLD
East Kent Mencap’s GOLD project offers short-term, 1-1 support and social groups to people with a learning difficulty in Thanet. It helps people access information, build independence, and get involved in community projects. GOLD is open to those who:

• live independently,
• receive less than 5 hours of support a week, or
• live with unpaid carers and receive no other support.

The project also runs The ScrapStore at East Kent Mencap, a green initiative that reduces waste by recycling craft materials and reselling them at affordable prices.

For more information about GOLD or The ScrapStore, email info@eastkentmencap.co.uk or call 0845 004 1876.

Written by:
Sherrill Hawker
Fundraising and Marketing Manager
East Kent Mencap