Meet the Team

Meet the members of Oakley Stitchers and learn about our individual skills

Caroline

Founder and Director

"WOW! What a journey! This has been a real eye-opening experience and I have been truly humbled by the generosity, skill and kindness that I have found in my community and beyond.

To have instigated something that has brought so much to so many is, to be honest, just overwhelming.

There is just nothing better than a true win/win for the Stitchers themselves and the recipients of the items they create = a full circle of smiles... perfect.

This is totally a team effort and none of this would have been possible without every one of the Stitchers, donators and supporters.

The fact that everyone wants to keep it going, says it all.

Thank you team for trusting me and helping make this happen."

Emma

Director

Emma took on the role as Director in 2024.

As a keen crafter, sewer, knitter, embroiderer..... etc

She is an amazing advisor and provides honest and unbiased support (or not) so keeps Caroline in check and focused on the objectives.

Veronique

Trustee/Committee

Veronique has been with Oakley Stitchers since 2023 and has been instrumental in setting up and helping facilitate the Sewing workshops.

As a truly talented sewer herself, she has taken part in many of our projects and has now become a trustee to ensure that Stitchers continues to grow and develop into the future.

Charmaine

Trustee/Committee & Website Maintenance

Charmaine has been with Stitchers since 2023. Initially joining the team as a sewer, she has offered her skills from a background in IT to help maintain the website.

Charmaine started sewing in early 2023, quickly learning how to make clothes. Having seen friends and family struggle with many of the challenges we support, Charmaine wanted to give meaning to her new-found hobby, this is when she found us. She has provided bonding squares, drain bags, pressure relief pillows, angel gowns and zip2PICC hoodies.

Charmaine also represents Oakley Stitchers at the Chineham Repair Cafe as well as assisting with craft fairs and spreading the word about what we do.

Charmaine has also donated her hair to The Little Princess Trust multiple times, growing her hair for several years at a time to provide the best length possible.

Christine

Trustee/Committee, Angel Gown Project Leader and Groups Administrator

Christine has been an integral part of Stitchers since 2020 working hard to support the work we achieve alongside the trustees, group leaders and project leaders.

Having enjoyed several roles within Stitchers, she has been amazing at building on the structure of our Stitchers and Crafters Groups from 2023 when she took on the admin role.

Christine became the Project Leader for our angel gowns and a trustee in 2024 to support the smooth running of the organisation.

Christine also runs the Popley and Beggarwood groups.... busy lady!!

Jacqui

Committee member and Alton Stitchers satelite Group leader

Jacqui joined us in 2021 when she came to Oakley during lockdown, while waiting for her new pad to be completed. Being an amazing sewer, knitter, crocheter .... well everything really!! she has been such an asset to Stitchers.

Once Jacqui moved to Alton she kept going and created Alton Stitchers as a satelite group which has grown and grown into a lovely talented group of Stitchers that do so much to provide items of every kind for the people we support.

If you would like more information about, or would like to get involved with, Alton Stitchers.

Please contact Jacqui @ Altonstitchers@yahoo.com

Pat

Tadley Stitchers Satelite Group Leader

Pat co-ordinates an industrious team of Tadley Stitchers who have been busy working with us since 2021! They have created a huge amount of items which have been distributed around the UK to our hospital units.

Diana

Knitted Knockers Co-Ordinator

Diana officially joined Oakley Stitchers in 2023 after having supported us for a long time prior to this, while caring for her husband.

Diana is a keen knitter and has been a very productive Stitcher in many different areas. Eventually moving onto knockers, which she has really enjoyed creating for people, for over a year now.

In April 2024, Diana took on the challenge of co-ordinating and linking our knockers to the amazing people who request them which has been a busy and rewarding transition.

If you would like more information or wish to request some day2day or Aqua knockers please email Diana on:

knittedknockers@oakleystitchers.org.uk

Michelle

Workshop Administrator

With the launch of our workshops in 2024 it soon took off and became apparent we needed help.

Having been on one of our Beginners Sewing Workshops and part of our Tadley group. Michelle stepped up and has been amazing at co-ordinating people to ensure they know the what, when's and how's of the workshops they would like to take part in.

If you would like to find our more or book onto the workshops we have available, please email Michelle at workshops@oakleystitchers.org.uk to save your space!

Carol

Accounts and Spreadsheet Wizardess

Having been with us since the very beginning, Carol has had several roles starting with scrubs. As a fabulous sewer, amongst other things... Carol has been instrumental in helping us master the pattern for our drain bags and have lost count how many she has made!

Carol has helped with raising money for Stitchers by sewing on badges, helping on stalls and helping source materials.

It was then identified that she was amazing at spreadsheets so has been a godsend, especially while learning about grants!! A key area of our funding.

Leanne

Remote Stitcher Project leader

Leanne is the person to contact if you are wishing to get involved but are not local to Basingstoke in Hampshire.

Having been with Stitchers since 2020, Leanne and her family have been so involved in Stitchers despite running their own gardening business!

From creating scrubs, our pressure relief pillows (and being brave with the beans to fill them!!) to stuffing knockers, she is now co-ordinating our remote team.

If you are interested in getting involved please contact her on stitchers.uk@yahoo.com and she will support you to get involved.

Lyn

Group Leader

Lyn is a hugely talented crafter who has taught a variety of crafts in many spheres.

Currently she is creating with pouring art and making some fantastic pieces of furniture and all sorts!

Lyn currently runs the Orchard group in town.

Please visit our groups page to see what we are up to and get in contact.

Stitching & Sewing

Stitchers, Knitters & Sewers

We have over 60 active Stitchers at any one time who continue to donate their time and efforts into helping create items. Alongside over 500 members on our Facebook page alone. We encourage a no pressure policy which enables our stitchers to fit us around their lives and continue to enjoy their hobby as a way of relaxation.

We are always looking for new members to assist with our continuing requests both local and remote, so please don't hesitate to contact us and we can provide you a purpose for your hobby, let you know how it works and how to get involved.

We look forward to hearing from you

info@oakleystitchers.org.uk

Crafters

We have a huge diversity of beginner and experienced crafters who come to our groups

After Covid ended and we could meet, we set up our Stitchers groups.

These were to help and support our Stitchers to become social again and meet the people that they had shared such unprecedented experience with.

Many Stitchers benefited greatly from our groups and found them a huge benefit to prevent isolation, encourage getting out again and a way to meet others and spend time with other creative people.

It was soon apparent that this was something that local crafters were interested in taking part in ... so our groups became open to Stitchers and Crafters alike.

Please visit the groups page to find out about the groups we run and the make and take activities you can take part in.

stitchers.craftgroups@yahoo.com

Non Stitchers/Sewers

Other Skills always needed as we grow larger!

We have a lot of Stitchers who want to help but don't knit, crochet or sew. We can find a role for anyone and as things get busier we are grateful for everyone who comes on board.

If you have some spare time and want to help out, we need

ideas,
social media support,
fundraisers,
project leaders,
group leaders,
administrators etc.

so do please get in contact to find out now what's currently needed, that you could get involved with or provide you a purpose with our fully supported positions.

Help us make a change @ SumUp

Oakley Stitchers is a Community Interest Company (CIC) limited by guarantee (14711617)