As more city people struggle with the rising costs of heating their homes, St Stephens Church in Norwich has launched a club to making quilts and draft excluders.  

Assistant café manager Jo Lee English and outreach worker Malcolm Brown discovered they had a similar vision.  

In an interview with Network Norwich, Jo Lee said: “For a long time I have wanted to use my ability to sew to help those who need it.” 

Norwich Evening News: Malcolm Brown has lots of experience in sewing and is able to make curtains in an afternoon Malcolm Brown has lots of experience in sewing and is able to make curtains in an afternoon (Image: Malcolm Brown)

Two weeks before St Stephens Church was due to be making its door huggers, Malcolm got in touch with great enthusiasm for the project.  

He said: “I like to sew, mostly with a machine.  

“It saddens me to see that some people in my community lack proper curtains when I could sew a set of thick curtains for them in an afternoon.” 

Malcolm began making quilts, draft excluders and later curtains for the community under Quilts and Curtains Project (CQAC) 

It was only when Malcolm headed to St Stephens Church to drop off some of his creations that he learned Jo Lee was about to launch a similar project.  

The two have since joined forces and hold sewing workshops to create things for the people who need them.  

Norwich Evening News: The door huggers have been created to help people with rising energy costs The door huggers have been created to help people with rising energy costs (Image: Door Huggers)

Malcolm said: “The group has immediately developed an energetic can-do attitude, with compassion for our neighbours who are struggling to keep warm at home.”  

Since beginning the group has made 25 door huggers – including two extra-long ones for the doors at St Stephens Church.   

Jo Lee said: “We’re excited to see that they are clearly much needed in this community and are finding their way to the right homes.” 

The group is open to everyone and takes place at the community hot spot 12pm to 4pm – they serve simple meals and will be open every Sunday until the end of March.