THE ARCH OF HOPE AT FUTURE DREAMS
About the Project
Future Dreams House was decorated with over a thousand hand-made roses to raise funds and support those affected by breast cancer. The centerpiece is a 10-foot-tall, multi-colored Arch of Hope, created from individual knitted and crocheted roses. These flowers were crafted by members of the yarn therapy group, as well as by craft groups and individuals across the UK who wanted to show their support for the breast cancer community.
The roses were made using a special wool created by West Yorkshire Spinners, with a percentage of sales donated to Future Dreams. The project aims to raise approximately £20,000. The arch was unveiled on Wednesday, March 20, to mark the first day of spring, with many roses dedicated to loved ones touched by breast cancer. View some of the powerful messages here.
Knitting and crochet not only promote mindfulness and stress relief but also help alleviate neuropathy—a common side effect of chemotherapy that causes pins and needles and numbness in the hands and fingers. Learn more about the yarn therapy classes here.
Community Involvement
The Makeathon was a collaborative effort between the Future Dreams team and Danielle Deane, Business Development Manager at West Yorkshire Spinners, who has personally experienced breast cancer.
“It was fantastic talking to different knitting groups about the project and seeing people want to get so involved,” said Danielle. “I couldn’t believe it when I walked through the arch into Future Dreams House and then saw flowers everywhere I looked.”
“It has been a wonderful achievement; everyone has worked so hard,” said Nicky Weller, one of the founders of the yarn therapy group. “It felt absolutely amazing to open all these packages from across the country from like-minded women supporting the Makeathon. We literally filled Future Dreams House with flowers.”
Celebration and Impact
The yarn therapy group hosted a special tea party at Future Dreams House to celebrate the completion of the project. The event highlighted the therapeutic benefits of knitting and crochet while honoring the dedication of participants.
Special thanks were extended to the tech team at Estee Lauder Companies for their support in bringing the project to life. See some of the knitted flower displays and arrangements at Future Dreams House here.