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2025 Summary Video
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  • 2025 Summary Video
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  • Donation Photos
  • Handmade Donation Gallery
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Stack of books next to pencils in a holder and a camera.

About Us

Woman smiles behind a table of colorful crocheted toys and flowers.

Founder Story

Hi, I’m Ron, founder of Crafting Smiles. It all started with a simple moment of community support. When my son’s classmate underwent brain surgery in the UK, I gifted a small crocheted plushie as a handmade donation. Witnessing the comfort it brought to the child and family made me realize how even the smallest handmade gifts can truly make a difference through charity.

Group of people showing handmade Christmas ornaments indoors.

Founded in March 2025, Crafting Smiles is a UK-wide volunteer-led initiative established by Hong Kong immigrants who are dedicated to giving back to society through community support. By engaging in community handcrafting, we create handmade donations that benefit hospitals, charities, hospices, and schools, delivering items made with care and purpose. Our charity operates with no fees or commercial activity; all fundraising proceeds are directly managed by the recipient organizations.

Crocheted bear with yellow cape standing among colorful crocheted flowers.

Mission

To support UK charities and public institutions through meaningful handmade donations, we aim to foster community support and social contribution among Hong Kong immigrants while crafting smiles through our volunteer efforts.

Crocheted bunny in a pink dress surrounded by red crocheted flowers.

Vision

To build a trusted, compassionate community that connects volunteers with charities and hospitals, encourages cross-generational participation, and delivers long-term positive impact through service, creativity, and crafting smiles with handmade donations.

Our Story

Mission & Vision

 One stitch at a time 

let’s weave smiles together

Donation Programmes

Palm Bear

Handcrafted palm-sized bear with a cute outfit and red beret.

 Help bring comfort to children:

We are donating  palm bears / rabbit for children going through difficult times. Each bear is a symbol of love, comfort, and support.

💛 Your bears will go to:

Children in foster care
Children affected by the war in Ukraine
A handmade bear can help a child feel safe, cared for, and less alone.

Join our Crafting Smiles initiative and support the Buddy Bear Foundation (Charity Number 1164916) and VSI Razom ( Charity Number 1212748) 

Together, we can help children feel cared for and valued during very challenging times.

Learn more

Butterfly

A pink crocheted butterfly with "Wings of Memory" text on a soft floral background.

Each handmade butterfly is a testament to a precious life, providing comfort, love, and hope to families who have lost loved ones. These beautiful creations not only embody care, respect, and compassion but also support hospice and end-of-life organizations through handmade donations. By participating in this initiative, we foster community support and craft smiles for those in need. We encourage everyone to volunteer and contribute to these meaningful charities: 

The Skype High Foundation 1190970 

Our Angel Bears 1195318 

Maggie's Stillbirth Legacy 1067163

Learn more

Worry Worm

Creative collage of a child with a book and a crocheted worm craft.

Handmade crochet worms that are soft to hold and squeeze offer a unique way for young people to pause, relax, and feel calm during stressful moments. These handmade donations not only reduce anxiety through touch but also provide gentle support, especially during exam time. By engaging in crafting smiles, we foster community support and encourage volunteering for the cause. 


BRIYM: Building Resilience In Young Minds

Learn more

Calm Ball

Hand holding a soft blue knitted ball with text about a quiet moment.

The handmade Calm Ball, crafted with care, is soft to hold and squeeze, helping young people relax during stress. This charity initiative supports calm feelings, reduces anxiety, and aids students in focusing, especially during exam times. Each Calm Ball represents the community support that fosters care, comfort, and resilience, while also crafting smiles through handmade donations. Join us in this mission to build resilience in young minds by volunteering your time or resources.

Learn More

Hats & Gloves

Charity campaign promoting knitting gloves and hats for warmth and care.

During the harsh winter, people experiencing street homelessness rely heavily on community support for the most basic protection — a hat to shield them from the cold wind and gloves to keep their hands warm. By engaging with local charity initiatives like InHope 298528, we can make a difference through handmade donations and programs that focus on crafting smiles. Volunteer your time and skills to help those in need.

Footprint

Crocheted baby feet in soft pastel colors arranged on a surface.

Donate to Charity Footprint Babyloss 1206261, it supports for families who have lost a child, offering care and understanding during their time of grief. Through our handmade donations, such as unique footprints, we help remember and honor the babies who have passed away. Each contribution not only brings comfort but also reminds families that they are not alone. We encourage everyone to get involved and volunteer, as together we can craft smiles and foster a supportive community.

Pair of Hearts

Red crocheted heart with a loop, symbolizing love and care for donations.

The Pair of Hearts is a handmade gift created as part of our charity efforts to support individuals at the end of life and in hospice care. This initiative focuses on community support by sharing love, comfort, and care with patients and their families. Each heart serves as a reminder that they are not alone in their journey. These hearts have been donated to many hospitals and hospices, showcasing the impact of our volunteer contributions.

Rose

Crocheted bear and rabbit surrounded by crocheted roses with a heart-shaped sign saying "Crafting Smiles".

We donate various handmade flowers as part of our community support efforts to assist a UK charity that provides hospice, end-of-life care, and bereavement support. These handmade donations share love and comfort, reminding families that they are not alone during difficult times. Our efforts focus on crafting smiles and bringing hope to many hospitals and hospices.

GiveASmiles Cards

A hand holds a card with a pink crocheted flower and an inspirational quote.

Each card features a handmade crocheted star, heart, or flower created by dedicated volunteers, emphasizing our commitment to community support. Simple messages are included to uplift patients, conveying care, kindness, and hope. These handmade donations are part of our charity efforts, crafting smiles for those in need. Donated to Royal Bekershire Hospital.

Chinese Tangerine

Crocheted orange fruit with leaf and stem, festive lanterns and Chinese text for Lunar New Year.

Support the charity that enhances community support for the Chinese community, including elderly individuals and new immigrants. Your donations also contribute to crafting smiles by helping special school students learn about the traditions of Chinese New Year. 

Support Charity & Special School: 

Camden Chinese Community Centre 288008 

Portesbery School in Newbury

Support for Reading Hongkongers CIC – New Year Event 

Ribbon

Ribbons play a vital role in supporting Baby Loss Awareness Week and White Ribbon Day, which fosters community support for those affected. White Ribbon Day encourages individuals to speak out against violence and discrimination towards women, reinforcing the importance of charity initiatives. Pink and blue ribbons symbolize love and support, reminding families who have lost babies that they are not alone, and that there are opportunities for crafting smiles through handmade donations and volunteer efforts.

Forget-me-not wristband

The Forget Me Not flower symbolizes care and community support for individuals living with dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. The patterned wristband conveys the message of 'we remember you' and 'you are not alone,' offering comfort and support to patients and their families. Through crafting smiles, these handmade donations play a vital role in enhancing the lives of those affected. This initiative has been generously donated to Royal Bekershire Hospital by dedicated volunteers.

Learn more

Everyday Comfort Crochet Project

 The Everyday Comfort Crochet Project is a community initiative dedicated to spreading warmth through simple, practical handmade items such as coasters, bag charms, and small decorative pieces. These creations are made for charity shops to help raise funds while promoting wellbeing and sustainable living.  Volunteers are encouraged to follow principles of safety, simplicity, and original design. Each handmade piece carries care and intention — small creations with meaningful impact. Through mindful stitching, we not only support the wider community but also create a calming and connected space for those who take part.

Special Ukraine Support Project

   We are also running a dedicated project creating bears and rabbits specifically for Ukrainian children who have lost parents in the war.

These handmade comfort bears will be distributed directly to children through trusted community organisations:

  • AUGB Reading Ukrainian Community Centre
    Vsi Razom (Charity Number:  1212748 )

In addition, we are creating special items to support fundraising efforts that directly benefit Ukrainian families and children in need.

Annual Donations

Poppies

Collage of red poppies and remembrance messages for Remembrance Day.

 In support of Poppy Appeal 2025, we are proud to donate 2,000 poppies and raised funds over £4,000 to The Royal British Legion.

The Royal British Legion supports veterans, serving personnel, and their families across the UK. Funds raised through the Poppy Appeal help provide vital financial assistance, mental health support, and community services for those who have served. This donation is our way of remembering those who sacrificed their lives and supporting veterans in need — today and in the future.

Learn more

Christmas Ornament

Colorful handmade crocheted Christmas tree ornaments with festive designs.

  Our handmade Christmas decorations are proudly supported by more than 20 high street charity shops across the UK, including Cancer Research UK, British Heart Foundation, and Sue Ryder and raised fund over £12,000. Through these charity partners, the decorations help raise vital funds to support cancer patients, people with heart conditions, those facing terminal illness, and individuals and families in need within the community. Every decoration sold contributes directly to charitable causes, turning festive joy into meaningful support. Together, we decorate for Christmas — and give back with purpose.

Learn More

Easter Hug for Eggs

Easter Hug for Eggs

  Our Easter project builds on the success of our Christmas initiative, where handmade decorations were sold through UK charity shops and schools to raise vital funds for charitable causes.

This Easter, our crocheted Easter egg covers are created by volunteers and donated to charity partners to support people affected by illness and those in need within the community. Every item sold helps turn a small Easter gift into meaningful support.

Together this Easter, we craft with care and give back with purpose.

2025 Impact & Achievements

Bar chart showing total donated items by category, updated to December 31, 2025.
A collage of logos from various charities supported by Crafting Smiles.

Support to 40+ charities, hospitals, hospices, and schools

Map showing over 30 UK gathering locations with city names listed on a Union Jack background.

700+ volunteers across 30+ UK locations

Various charities raised thousands through crafting and donations.

£20,000+ raised for partner organisations in 2025

We were delighted to welcome MP Peter Swallow to Bracknell crochet gathering on 24 Sep 2025.

We were delighted to welcome MP Peter Swallow to our Bracknell crochet gathering on 24 Sep 2025, where he learned more about our community support efforts in crafting smiles through handmade donations and the hard work of our volunteers.

Handwritten thank-you note from Peter Swallow MP on House of Commons stationery.

It was wonderful to receive MP Peter Swallow's support and recognition for our charity and community support efforts, which focus on crafting smiles through handmade donations and the dedication of our volunteers.

On 11 February 2026, we were honoured to welcome The Worshipful the Mayor of Wokingham Town, Councillor Louise Timlin, to Crafting Smiles at Kings Church Well. The Mayor learned about our community initiatives supporting hospital patients and foster families.

Following the visit, the Mayor kindly sent us a lovely email expressing support for our community work.

2025 Summary

Check out this great video showcasing our charity efforts that focus on community support and crafting smiles through handmade donations. 

Media Coverage

2025

Click this video

BBC Berkshire

Crafting group members gather around a table full of handmade items, smiling warmly.

BBC feature on 20 Oct 2025

Learn more

Reading Today

Reading Today cover featuring colorful crochet figures and a crafting group photo.

Reading Today on 27 Oct 2025 

Learn more

Bracknell News

Community group donates 1,000 handmade poppies with shopping centre support.

Bracknell News on 29 Oct 2025

Learn more

Wokingham Today

Kings Church initiative supports community with crafting and meals, plus a Christmas tree dressing event.

Wokingham Today on 1 Nov 2025

Learn more

BBC Radio

Podcast interviews and crafting moments featured on BBC Radio Berkshire.

BBC Radio On 16 Oct 2025

Learn more

Feature Interview

 In this exclusive interview, Crafting Smiles shares the story behind using handmade crafts to spread joy and build meaningful community connections. Through creativity and compassion, the initiative shows how small acts of making can create smiles and positive change across cultures. 

Thank You Messages

    Volunteer Stories

    Volunteer stories shared by diverse individuals on YouTube, promoting Crafting Smiles.

     

    This series documents 18 real stories of a group of Hong Kong volunteers. Although the voices are AI-generated, every word comes from their heartfelt sharing. Through crochet, they bring care to hospitals, schools, and communities — donating handmade items, fundraising through charity sales, and supporting one another.

    In the UK, they are re-weaving connections between people.

    Click Here

    Donation Photos

      Handmade Donation Gallery

        Volunteer Crochet Community - Crafting Smiles UK

        We have over 30 gathering locations.  WhatsApp us to get more information.
        If you’re unable to attend a gathering, you may also deliver the items to us.

        WhatsApp

        Deliver to Us

         If you are unable to attend the gathering, you may mail or deliver it in person to the following location 

        Zen Mart Oriental Supermarket 

        Unit 8, 1/F, Alston House, Market Street, Bracknell, RG12 1FA  


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