Bundles of knitted and sewn products will be flogged by a Ruby Bay creative at this weekend’s Māpua Sunday Market to raise funds for an organisation close to her heart.
Emilia Beasley has dyslexia, hypermobility, autism, anxiety and ADHD, and the 21-year-old has been a devoted Nelson Days for Girls volunteer since being out of education at 15.
Days for Girls is a non-profit organisation creating a more dignified, humane and equitable world for girls & women through advocacy, reproductive health awareness, education and sustainable feminine hygiene.
They discover their potential and self-value and are given avenues to thrive, grow and contribute to their communities with added dignity and health economic opportunities.
The local group has around 50 volunteers and on average has 13 females sewing every Tuesday and Thursday at the Old Richmond Information Centre on Gladstone Rd.
While Emilia’s volunteerism with the group had been steady and she enjoys crafting products for females in more poverty-stricken nations like Ghana and Cambodia, she had been at home with mum Ali, often bored and not knowing how to spend her time purposefully.
Eighteen months ago, she was experiencing coordination and concentration trials, but picked up knitting needles, later got in front of a sewing machine, and the rest is history.
Knitting and sewing has become a soothing channel for her mental health, and she can spend hours at it whilst having a yarn with her supporter Cailin Richardson-Hall and grandmother Naomi Jones.
Emilia is set to sell her handmade dog bandanas, hair scrunchies, mixing bowl covers, aprons, tote bags, knitted purses, dish cloths, blankets, buntings, and coasters from 10am at the Māpua Sunday Market with all proceeds woven into Days for Girls account.
Ali Beasley says Emilia’s abilities could also deliver an upside.
“Wouldn't it be wonderful if a local picks up on this… I think with the right guidance and help, she could make a very good part time worker, she’s very diligent, very conscientious, it's almost a problem trying to get her to stop,” she says.
“This is what affects the bottom line for businesses these days with young, neurodiverse people, is that they make incredible workers, because it's that attention to detail and perfectionism.”
