Members of the Canberra Quilting Group have been hard at work producing quilts and blankets to keep future residents of Common Ground in Dickson warm.

The Thursday Friendship Group are a group of friends who met in a sewing introductory class 16 years ago. The group have previously produced and donated quilts for bushfire recovery, Canberra charity organisations, Diabetes Australia and the first Common Ground residence in Gungahlin.

Set to open later this year, Common Ground in Dickson will provide long-term, high-quality housing options for Canberrans at risk of or experiencing homelessness and people who are on low-incomes.

Common Ground board member Diane Bray has been working with the group to produce more than 150 quilts for the new Dickson residence.

“Before working with Common Ground, I was introduced to the group, and it was suggested that if I met with them, they might be kind enough to make a few quilts for the Gungahlin Common Ground residence. We ended up with 65,” Diane said.

“For the homes in Dickson there are set to be a variety of residents, there will be singles, young people, single parents, and small families. These amazing women have made a range of quilts to suit each age group and situation.”

^{Diane Bray, fundraising and philanthropy of Common Ground Canberra}

“These ladies enjoy their quilting and for the quilts to be going to people that will cherish and enjoy them gives the group a sense of fulfilment. Occasionally we get letters from those that receive them, which is always nice to see.”

Common Ground’s 40-unit development has been designed to meet the needs of the identified future tenants. The residence will feature one, two and three bedroom dwellings, communal areas, community spaces, and onsite services to support the residents.

To contribute to the new Common Ground or its residents, please contact the Community Housing Canberra or the YWCA Canberra.

_{Each quilt is fitted with a label which reads “Made with love by the Thursday Friendship Group, Canberra A.C.T”}

Stay up to date with Our Canberra news by subscribing to our email newsletter: Subscribe to Our Canberra