This week, I chat with Debbie Judd, the inspiring founder of Wool on the Exe, a truly special yarn shop and community interest company in Exeter, UK. From a quiet life in New England to Exeter, where Debbie has created a thriving fiber arts space that goes far beyond just selling yarn, we will dive into her journey from AmeriCorps to building a sustainable social enterprise that fosters connection, reduces isolation, and even gets kids knitting!
Whether you are as passionate about knitting and wool as I am or just here for the community building, I hope you enjoy the episode!
What We Dug Into:
Her transformative experience with AmeriCorps and asset-based community development.
The evolution from the Blanket Box Scheme and NeighborWorks to the Knit Stop.
The birth of Wool on the Exe and the Community Interest Company (CIC) model that funds social impact through business, easing reliance on grants and donations.
The power of knitting and crochet to fight loneliness and build community across demographics.
How Wool on the Exe fostered community connection during the pandemic, including the heartwarming "Christmas tree" project.
The historical significance of fiber arts communities as spaces for activism and idea sharing.
Exciting future plans to expand into a community "pocket park" for plant dyeing and workshops.
Innovators who Have Her Attention:
FLOW Orchard: a communal orchard along 5km of the River Exe, running through Exeter.
Links:
Wool on the Exe: Check out their shop in Exeter for beautiful yarn and a vibrant community!
The Knit Stop: The impact arm alongside Wool on the Exe, planting knitting groups in underserved areas.
Knit for Peace: An organisation that uses knitting for charitable purposes.
Devon School for Social Entrepreneurs: Where Debbie developed the NeighborWorks business plan.
Camfed: An NGO founded in 1993 whose mission is to eradicate poverty in Africa through the education of girls and the empowerment of young women.
Stitchlinks (Betsan Corkhill): Pioneering an exciting approach to improving health and wellbeing through the use of therapeutic creative activities, particularly knitting.
If you know someone who would be a great guest, please email me at rachel@sixdegreesstrategy.co or send me a message on LinkedIn.
Podcast recording and editing by me, Rachel Sosin.
Cover art by Danielle Brooks: https://www.daniellebrooksillustration.co.uk/
Technical support from Abhinav Wadhwa: https://www.abhinavwadhwa.in/
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/vocalista/strangers-in-the-night-acapella
License code: IP17ENDYVQGNUH6E
