Through a continued effort to maintain Campbell County community involvement with Cooperative Extension programming during the pandemic, Ronda Rex created a two-part program to assist people with mental health support.  This was done by both teaching embroidery skills, practicing and adopting those skills and by developing new community leadership skills in an existing leader.  The embroidery classes were conducted via Zoom to twelve participants.  The classes focused on teaching the participants the basics of embroidery techniques and perfecting such techniques as “chicken scratch” embroidery which is a lace like design created on fabric.  The participants practiced mindfulness during the class as they created their projects. Financial management was also a component of the class.  The second part of the program was conducted as a leadership development activity with Ronda serving as a convenor between the Campbell County Homemaker Organization and the Transitional Care Center in Cold Spring, KY.  Stuffed bears were created out of very colorful materials supplied by Ronda and each bear was named with a tag that was stamped with a name and was inscribed with the words “Please take care of me.”   The bears were hand sewn by Extension leader/Homemaker, Juanita Mitchell and were given to people with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease at the center.  

The following University of Kentucky Family & Consumer Sciences’ publications were utilized during the program:  Beginning Creative Stitchery, Chicken Scratch Embroidery, and the Use Less, Spend Wise Challenge ideas/resources.   Prior to the program Ronda attended two Zoom trainings:  Sewing Hobbies as a Stress Release and Cross Stitch on Gingham.  Information and resources from both trainings were taught during the program.  

Nine out of twelve of the Chicken Scratch program participants responded to a 3-month follow up evaluation.  Twenty-five percent said that they planned to give their project away as a gift.  Fifty-eight percent think that embroidering has increased their critical thinking (problem solving) skills.  Sixty-seven percent said that they were able to effectively learn hand stitching skills through virtual classes.   Seventy-five percent now have a better understanding of how hand stitching or taking up a hobby can help to manage stress and that it has increased their confidence to try another more advanced project.  Seventy-five percent either plan to or have completed their projects and have sent photos to Ronda.  Forty-two bears were created by Extension leadership and Ronda donated the bears to Transitional Care Center.   A similar stuffed bear costs around $20.00 each on Amazon.  This activity saved Transitional Care Center about $840.00 on average.  One participant stated… “learning sewing skills and finding new hobbies are important and good for our brains especially now!  Hand stitching and other activities like this can be very calming.  It is a good tool for stress and anxiety management.   Thank you for offering the classes!”

See photos of class participants and  Extension activity leader below.

Chicken Scratch Class learning new skills and working on their projects with Ronda.