Redefine Education - Sharon Gordon

Hands and Hearts in Action: Craft-Based Volunteering to Ease Youth Anxiety and Build Purpose

Sharon Gordon

n a time of rising youth anxiety, burnout, and disconnection, this workshop introduces a holistic approach to learner support: craft-based volunteering. Grounded in evidence that tactile, creative activities reduce stress, the session explores how hands-on projects—like knitting blankets, sewing reusable pads, or making toys for shelters—can calm the mind, foster connection, and instill purpose. Participants will engage in a craft inspired by a real student project while learning how to integrate similar initiatives into school volunteering programmes. We’ll examine alignment with Life Orientation, Visual Arts, and Technology, and offer tools for tracking emotional growth, collaboration, and impact.

Key takeaways:

• The science behind craft and emotional regulation

• Building low-cost, inclusive programmes

• Connecting creativity, community service, and personal agency

This interactive session shows how creativity and compassion can transform youth volunteering into a powerful force for well-being.

Sharon Gordon holds a BA and LLB and has built a distinguished career at the intersection of law, human rights advocacy, and entrepreneurship. With a strong foundation in legal education, she has dedicated much of her professional life to championing gender equality and menstrual health. Sharon is the CEO of Dignity Dreams NPO, which provides washable sanitary pads and menstrual education to underserved communities, and the founder of Volunteer Now, a dynamic platform connecting young people with meaningful service opportunities. Her legal background informs her powerful advocacy work, and she regularly lectures on topics ranging from social justice to nonprofit leadership. A sought-after speaker and thought leader, Sharon blends legal insight, entrepreneurial drive, and a passion for empowering youth and women. Her work continues to inspire civic responsibility, innovation, and dignity in communities across South Africa.