A major survey undertaken by Hobbycraft, the UK’s largest arts and craft retailer, to launch its partnership with national mental health charity, Mind, has revealed that 72% of the nation believe that healthcare experts should recommend structured arts and craft activities to support mental health. With an incredible 8.8m Brits already using creative activities to improve their mental wellbeing, and 59% of people getting a real sense of achievement from crafts and hobbies, the importance of mindful creativity cannot be underestimated.
Alex Willson, CEO of Hobbycraft says: “This research confirms what we hear every day from customers: crafting is so much more than just a hobby. Whether it’s stitching, painting or pottery, these hands-on activities help people slow down, express themselves and feel connected. We’d welcome crafts and hobbies being formally recognised as a tool for wellbeing within healthcare settings.”
Rosie Weatherley, information content manager at Mind, says: “One in four of us have a mental health problem and there are currently 1.6 million people on the waiting list for support. The solution to the mental health crisis requires a wide range of approaches, and acknowledging the role crafting can play in people’s wellbeing should be part of that.”
Of the parents surveyed, 88% believe crafting is vital for children’s development and 80% want their children to spend more time on creative hobbies. However, a 2024 report by the Campaign for the Arts and The University of Warwick found that the number of hours of arts teaching in English state-funded secondary schools fell by 23% between 2011 and 2024, with GCSE entries in arts subjects falling by 47% since 2010.
The survey reflected interest from parents about crafts in schools, with over 80% saying arts and crafts should be part of the school curriculum as part of kids’ mental health support. When asked about other barriers to getting their kids involved in creative hobbies at home, 27% of parents cited time constraints and 23% cost, showing there are structural issues that are preventing young people from gaining the benefits crafts have to offer.
Additionally, one in four (23%) parents cited screens as an obstacle for their kids’ taking part in arts and craft projects and an incredible 89% of parents said that they want to reduce their children’s screen time.
Respondents were also asked about where their arts and craft inspiration came from and it seems that for Gen Z, social media is king, with YouTube and its long form content meaning 34% use it regularly for tutorials, hints and tips. In contrast to this, Millennials state that their main source of learning comes from parents and carers, whilst over 75s still favour books and magazines. And what hobbies are piquing the interest of the nation most? Perhaps surprisingly, pottery tops the wish list of new crafts most people would love to try – with one in five women (21%) keen to take a seat at the wheel. With TV shows like The Great Pottery Throw Down proving to be a smash hit, it perhaps explains why interest in more niche crafts like this, has surged. In the past 12 months, compared to the previous year, sales of pottery kits have risen by 99%, while online searches for ‘clay’ increased by 345%. It’s also a hobby loved by actor and comedian Johnny Vegas, who cites pottery as something that “saved me”. However, for those lacking the space or cash for the full pottery kit, there are several pottery-adjacent options that are also proving a huge hit.
Another hobby rising in popularity is model making, which is a firm favourite with actor Danny Dyer and most popular in the Yorkshire & Humber area, whilst classic crafts like crocheting remain popular across the globe – with everyone from Katy Perry to Ryan Reynolds confessing their love for this age-old hobby. Online sales of crochet products at Hobbycraft surged by 98% year-on-year in 2024, with searches for “crochet pattern” also up by a huge 87%.
This research shines a light on the effect hobbies and crafts have on improving mental health, so to double-down on its commitment to the nation’s wellbeing, Hobbycraft is launching in-store Mindful Mondays – offering crafters of all abilities a free and welcoming space to come and craft, make friends and feel part of their community. This new initiative will launch in selected stores in September.
