Stitching the Community Back Together
At Mint Stitches CIC, every stitch represents much more than just a decorative pattern; it’s a small, deliberate step toward a much bigger goal: bringing people together.
Founded by Yulia Dzenkovska, this creative social enterprise works across the North East to celebrate local heritage, reduce social isolation and make cross-stitch and needlepoint accessible to all. Using the rhythmic, repetitive nature of stitching, Mint Stitches offers a calm, meaningful alternative to fast-paced daily life, creating opportunities to spark conversation and build confidence among those who might otherwise feel disconnected.
In many corners of the North East, social isolation and mental health struggles have become growing concerns. Yulia noticed that while many people wanted to connect, traditional social settings could often feel intimidating or overwhelming. She saw a need for a "third space", somewhere between home and work, where people could gather with a sense of purpose. Yulia’s solution was Mint Stitches CIC. By focusing on cross-stitching, she introduced a craft that is easy to pick up but deeply rewarding to master.
Recognising the potential for social impact, Yulia sought out guidance and financial support from the Social Enterprise Boost Fund. With help from both PNE and Firstport was able to turn this simple, mindful craft into a sustainable force for good. The funding was instrumental in helping Yulia scale her impact, providing the resources needed to reach deeper into the community and offer specialised sessions for those who need them most.
“The Boost Fund support, along with guidance from Firstport and PNE, helped me move Mint Stitches from an idea I cared deeply about into something I could test properly in the real world. It gave me the confidence to try things, learn quickly, and see that this work can create real social value while also moving towards financial sustainability.”
Today, Mint Stitches CIC is developing and delivering a range of accessible workshops, kits, and heritage-based creative offers designed to be as inclusive as possible including:
· Mindful Stitching: Focused on mental wellbeing, these sessions use the "slow art" of sewing to help participants decompress and find a "pocket of peace" in their busy lives.
· Dementia-Friendly Workshops: Gentle sessions that tap into long-held memories and provide tactile stimulation in a safe, supportive environment.
· Creative Workshops: Vibrant, all-ages workshops that welcome everyone from seasoned pros to those who have never held a needle before.
· Heritage Projects: Using stitching to tell the stories of the North East, ensuring that local history is literally woven into the fabric of the community.
By creating a warm and welcoming space where stories are shared and friendships are formed stitch by stitch, Mint Stitches is building a powerful impact. The organisation has helped reduce isolation by building a “creative family” for people living alone or facing social barriers, boosted wellbeing by offering a practical and calming outlet for managing stress and anxiety, and preserved the craft of cross-stitch by passing it on to a new generation of makers.
“The next step is to keep building on what we’ve learned - developing more workshops, refining the kits, gathering feedback, and growing Mint Stitches into a full-time, sustainable social enterprise. I want to keep creating accessible, meaningful ways for people to feel calmer, more connected, and part of something.”
At Mint Stitches CIC, the mission remains clear: to ensure that no one in the community feels like a loose thread. Through Yulia’s vision and support of the Social Enterprise Boost Fund, Mint Stitches is proving that a needle and thread can do so much more than create art, they can truly weave a stronger, happier, and more resilient community for everyone. One stitch at a time, Mint Stitches is mending the social fabric of the North East.
The Social Enterprise Boost programme is funded by the UK Government. Want to learn more about Social Enterprise Boost and how the project can support your social business? Visit https://www.pne.org/social-enterprise-boost.