Along with many small businesses, visitors from across the country and keen crafters, Home-Start UK spent last weekend (Friday 13th – Sunday 15th September) at Hampton Court Palace joining in the fun at The Handmade Festival.

The Handmade Festival, run by Home-Start UK’s ambassador, Kirstie Allsopp, is a three-day event in which small creative businesses get together to sell their creations. Home-Start UK is invited along each year to join in on the action as a chance to let the public know about the brilliant work of Home-Start’s local community networks of trained volunteers and expert support helping families with young children through their challenging times.

 Over the three days, our newly branded stall sold a variety of Home-Start UK merchandise and Christmas Cards, as well as bespoke Christmas cards designed by Snow Windows artist, Tom Baker.

After discovering his work and inviting Tom on her show, Kirstie’s Handmade Christmas, Kirstie asked Tom whether he would be interested in designing Christmas cards for a charity she cared deeply about. From these discussions, Tom kindly donated his time to design these beautiful cards for Home-Start UK, which can be found in our online shop.

 Click here to buy your own pack of Tom's Bespoke Christmas cards

Stephanie, Home-Start UK’s Community and Events Fundraiser, said “I am delighted with the new partnership with Tom and Snow Windows. It’s great news that he has come on board to support Home-Start UK”.

The Handmade Festival was also the launch of our brand new Christmas Card competition in which children and adults can put their creative skills to the test and design Home-Start UK’s Christmas cards for 2020.

 Get creative and take part in our Christmas Card competition

“I’m really excited about this competition that we launched at The Handmade Festival and I can’t wait to see some of the entries”, says Stephanie.

If you would like to take a look at what we got up to in more detail over the weekend, head to Home-Start UK’s Facebook and Instagram pages to find out more.