'My mum was a fashion designer and was always sewing, always making things,' she says. 'We were taught how to sew buttons on, hemming and how to make little things.'

Crafting is a life-long love for her, and she and other talented Norfolk makers pass on their passion at The Little School of Needlecraft in North Creake.

Jolanda Rocklin of The Little School of Needlecraft. (Image: Contributed by The Little School of Needlecraft) It grew organically out of her 30-year career as a homeopath.

Jolanda would hold group meetings for women, round her kitchen table. Over time the participants started to bring along their knitting and crochet projects along and they would work on them while chatting and listening.

'We realised how good it is for everyone to talk about their mental health in a safe environment while doing something that is really rhythmic and repetitive and very calming,' says Jolanda.

'So I looked into that and mindfulness more and I started to put a little programme together for people who are suffering from anxiety. I've worked with a couple of veterans as well.

These denim jackets have been beautifully embroidered to create one-off garments (Image: Contributed by The Little School of Needlecraft) 'The rhythmic and repetitive movements have been equated to meditation because of their ability to calm and still the mind. Also, studies have shown that stress and anxiety and feelings of depression are reduced by serotonin release and that occurs during that sort of repetitive activity as well.

'So making time for making is a real good form of self care and looking after yourself,' she says.

'You can put your knitting or your crochet in your bag and wherever you are you can spend 10 minutes knitting or crocheting. On the bus, on the way to work - it's relaxing, it's meditative, it's good for your health, and it calms you down.'

One of the activities on offer is learning how to knit socks. (Image: Contributed by........

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