BBC: Crafts are like medicine!

Today we're diving into a surprising trend- young people, especially Gen Z, are embracing hobbies that many thought belonged to their grandparents' generation. 

We're talking about things like crochet, knitting, pottery, supper clubs, even dog life drawing classes! Far from being old-fashioned, these activities are now helping young people connect, relax, and feel part of a community. 

And along the way, we'll learn some great English words to describe this movement. 

But first- let's start with our quiz. Here's your question. 

According to one recent UK survey, which of these gave people greater life satisfaction than paid work?

a) Arts and crafts   b) Watching TV    c) Playing video games    or   d) Online shopping. 

We'll reveal the answer later in the show- so stay tuned!

Picture this: a group of young people gathered in a cafe in Edinburgh. The table is covered in fabric scraps, beads, and crochet hooks. They chat, sip coffee, share biscuits, and work on little creative projects together. 

That's the Girls Craft Club, started by a young woman named Gabby.She was feeling isolated after an ADHD diagnosis and wanted a place to connect with others. 

And here's our first vocabulary word: crafts. Crafts are creative activities you make with your hands- like knitting, painting, or making jewellery. For many young people, crafts aren't just hobbies- they're a way to feel calmer and more confident. 

This is part of a bigger cultural changes. Gem Z are turning to what some call slow hobbies- things that take time, focus, and patience. Crochet, pottery, supper clubs, and book readings are booming. 

That brings us to our second word: nostalgia. Nostalgia is the warm feeling you get when you remembr something from the past. At first, these hobbies might look like nostaligia- like going back to grandma's knitting circle. But actually, they're more than that. They're about creating new communities and coping with digital stress. 

Let's talk about that. So many of us spend hours online- working from home, scrolling on our phones, binge-watching shows. For many young people, that's led to digital fatigue- feeling tired and drained from being online too much. 

Exactly. And here's our third word:respite. 

Respite means a short period of rest or relief from something difficult. For Gen Z, crafts and slow hobbies are a respite from screens, from stress, and from the pressure to always be productive. 

At a pottery cafe in London, people say it's one of the only times they truly switch off. They paint, they chat with friends, and they have feeling relaxed. 

And at supper  clubs in Beifast, people gather in art galleries to eat together, laugh, and meet new friends. For just $45, they get a meal, consersation, and- most imortantly- community.

Which brings us to our fourth word:purpose.

Purpose is a the feeling that what you're doing has meaning and value. These hobbies aren't just about passing the time- they give people a sense of purpose and belonging. 

Many people describe crafts as therapy. Stitch by stitch, our brush stroke by brush stroke, they feel calmer and more present. 

Right. Sarah Corbelt, founder of the Craftivist Collective, even said " crafts are like medicine."

And that gives us our fifth word: therapeutic. If something is therapeutic, it helps heal your mind or emotions. Crafts are therapeutic because they relax your body, reduce stress, and give your brain a break. 

In cities like Sheffield and Leeds, dog life drawing classes are packed with students- some beginners, some returning to art after years. People come alone, but leave with friends. 

And book clubs in Manchester now bring in more than a hundred people at a time. It's about literature, yes- but also about connecting face to face, instead of through screens.