Knit, Crochet, Create and Chat

REGISTER NOW for Term 2, 2026

Winter Woollies for Ballarat is a group for local crafters who wish to donate handmade woollies to the needy of our town.

An activity of the Ballarat East Neighbourhood House, they meet on Wednesdays from 1.00 pm - 5.00 pm in the Ballarat East Neighbourhood House Community Room #102 at Barkly Square, 25-39 Barkly Street, Ballarat East.

Term 2, 2026: 24th April - 24 June

Bring along your own craft projects. All welcome!

Recently, a young boy chose a bright Winter Woollies beanie. It was love at first sight. His carers wrote, "A huge thank you for giving this little boy something to keep him warm and something to treasure as his own."

You can find Winter Woollies For Ballarat on Facebook.

Chatty Tuesdays and Chatty Wednesdays

REGISTER NOW for Term 2, 2026 (Tuesdays)

REGISTER NOW for Term 2, 2026 (Wednesdays)

Chatty Tuesdays (NEW) and Chatty Wednesdays are a lovely opportunity to come along and meet people in a relaxed, casual environment held in or close to the cafe at Barkly Square, Ballarat East.

Chatty Tuesdays and Chatty Wednesdays keep communities connected and brings people together … everyone is invited! If you’re on your own, in a couple, with a friend, if you’re a carer, why not come along with who you care for, mums and babies, dads and babies, grandparents and babies, young people, older people and anyone in between! We are proud to be part of the Chatty Cafe Scheme.

When (drop in whenever suits you and stay for as long as you like):

10.30 am - 12.00 noon Tuesdays (during school term) REGISTER NOW

10.30 am - 12.00 noon Wednesdays (during school term) REGISTER NOW

2026 Chatty Tuesday and Chatty Wednesday Term Dates

Term 2: Chatty Tuesdays, 21 April - 23 June

Term 2: Chatty Wednesdays, 22 April -24 June

If you would like to register your interest in Chatty Tuesdays or Chatty Wednesdays or find out more, please contact us.

Where: We meet at the large indoor community table inside Barkly Square, close to the cafe, Barkly Square, 25-39 Barkly Street, Ballarat East. Look out for the bright yellow signs!

Who: All welcome.

Cost: Free of charge. We provide tea and coffee, or you can purchase a hot drink/snack from the cafe.

Purpose: The Ballarat East Neighbourhood House provides a space for this facilitated weekly activity which aims to offer a safe and welcoming group for people to come together and join in, advancing their mental health through connection and laughter. All are welcome to participate together in open conversation

Chatty Cafe Scheme - Keeping communities connected

We know the impact of social isolation and loneliness on mental health. The Chatty Café focus is very positive on bringing people of all ages and from all walks of life together in comfortable safe social venues to have a chat for as long or as little as they choose. It is Australian “mateship” culture at its best!

We’re not trying to build friendships – just simple interactions that may brighten someone’s day – along the way it might also combat social isolation and loneliness, which is a big issue in Australia. Research indicates one in four people experience a sense of loneliness and social disconnection every week.

Research from the Chatty Cafe Scheme Newsletter - June 2023

The latest research and guidance related to loneliness as published by the Campaign to End Loneliness explores the concept that any conversation about loneliness needs to include the psychology of loneliness. Read more about loneliness in context, the nuances of loneliness and how this affects the way we understand our social relationships and interactions much more negatively. It can cause us to withdraw and get really stuck in our isolation.

The Chatty Café Scheme in the UK has just finished a project with a brilliant team of researchers at Coventry University. Lots of work has culminated in this report which seeks to measure the impact of our work and we hope demonstrates that our services are tackling loneliness in a practical way. You can read this fascinating report as shown here.

And here's another wonderful article out of the UK highlighting loneliness as a growing epidemic and that we don’t have to be alone to experience feelings of loneliness.

Conditions of participation

• Please read the Ballarat East Neighbourhood House Activity Terms and Conditions. You will be asked to agree to these upon registration for this activity.
• All participants in Ballarat East Neighbourhood House activities must follow the current Statewide COVID-Safe principles.
• If you are feeling unwell and/or have cold/flu symptoms please do not come to the activity.
• The Barkly Square Cafe will be open if you would like to purchase hot drinks and food.
• If you have any injuries or issues which may affect your ability to partipate fully in the activity, please arrive early and discuss with the Ballarat East Neighbourhood House team.

Questions?

Please call Ballarat East Neighbourhood House on 0422 612 052 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

Media

Read an article about Chatty Wednesdays and the Chatty Tables initiative in the Ballarat Times.

Also, an article about Chatty Wednesdays, the Chatty Cafe Scheme and the Pay It Forward initiative came second in the statewide Community Newspapers Association of Victoria (CNAV) Annual Awards on 6 November 2021. What fantastic recognition! Read the article below: