Paper chain Project

During Christmas 2023, inspired by two of our CAMHS experienced volunteer elves, we ran a paper chain making project. It went down so well in CAMHS units that we’re going to do it again in 2024!

Our paper chains are a team effort - they will be started by members of the public (like you!), and then the young people will connect them together when they arrive in the CAMHS units. Each paper chain will have a cheesy cracker joke written on the inside (we need you to do that bit too!) to add an extra bit of fun during assembly.

Paper chains, as well as being an awesome decorations that are suitable for most CAMHS units, symbolise connectedness. For young people in CAMHS units it’s really important to feel connected to the outside world and to not feel forgotten. Making these special paper chains, which will be a team effort between the community and the young people on CAMHS wards, is a real opportunity to provide a tangible reminder of that we are all still connected despite everything.

Thank you to our Volunteer Elves for
Providing The Inspiration behind this Project

Instructions

You will need:

• Good quality festive paper - scrapbook paper or thick wrapping paper works (no construction paper)

• Decorating materials - e.g. gold/silver pens, stampers (no glitter or anything stuck on please)

• Scissors

• A ruler

• Large paperclips

Method:

• Carefully mark and then cut strips of paper. These should be 20cm long x 5cm wide

• On each one, write a pre-approved cheesy cracker joke on one side. You can find a list of these here (please don’t make up your own jokes or use ones not on the list) - though, if we’ve missed any amazing ones, do drop us an email!

• If you’d like, on the other side add some simple decoration (e.g. stamps of Christmas Trees or Snowflakes) - you can be creative with this. Think sophisticated rather than too home made!

• Group these strips of paper together in a pile of 50, then hold them together with the large paper clip. PLEASE DON’T GLUE YOUR PAPER CHAIN TOGETHER! The young people will do this on CAMHS wards when their box arrives.

• Contact us to find out where to send your paper chain strips and send these to arrive no later than the 23rd November.
  

Make sure to take some pictures while you’re crafting and share these on social media (remember to tag us!). You can use the hashtag #PaperChainProject. Why not host a Crafternoon and invite your friends to make some too!