First off –

You don’t need to justify it or explain why you or your gran or whoever ‘deserves’ one, because you do and that’s that. Just drop me a line and I’ll get one out to you. I've got tons of 'em made up ready to go, so you won't be depriving anyone of one. I cover postage as well, so there’s no cost at all.

 

Here's an example of some boxes!

Each box contains:

  • 4 (or more) random packets of beads and whatnot

  • A packet with some random charms (could be bloody anything this year, previously it's been just snowflakes but there's lots of variety this year!)

  • A reel of elastic

  • Instructions

  • A little handmade angel dangle charm.

 

While it’s not much, it’s something that can take your mind off whatever’s going on at the mo – when I first started doing these, it was because of lockdown and struggles there. Now we have other crises and struggles, so we're all still under the cosh a bit. It can be for you, or for someone you know. Again, you don't need to explain why you deserve one – just drop me a message.

I have plenty ready to go (nearly 600 currently); I’ve spent the last year building up to this and have been putting the boxes together since January, so you’re not going to deprive anyone by having one yourself. There’s one waiting for you =)

 

 

I'll try to get them all out ASAP. Unfortunately, at this time, I can only post to the UK. I hope to be able to send abroad next year, but currently the postal cost prohibits this. I can also unfortunately only post one per household at this current time – many apologies for any inconvenience.

If you're part of a community organisation or initiative that could use them (victim support, food bank, community craft café, charity, or similar project), please let me know as I have some small sets of 6-18 boxes set aside for such projects.

 

I've been doing these for about five years or something now, and there are certain times people might need to know they're available. Thank you to the mods for allowing me to make this post. You all continue to be glorious specimens <3

 

 

Q: What's the point of getting beads in a box – how is that meant to help?

I do get asked this a fair bit, and it's a valid question. What's a box of beads going to do for mental health?

Distraction, mainly. It’s easy to do, but also something with an end result. There’s enough beads and suchlike in them to make a bunch of necklaces, bracelets or whatever, and it’s something you can be proud of making for yourself, as gifts or…well, for anyone. Or just break them down and make more. There’s plenty of elastic. Or, y'know, use the elastic to fire beads at people out of the window.

It’s something very simple that doesn’t require any previous knowledge or skill, but it’s time consuming, relaxing, easy to do and has a visible end result you can be proud of.

 

 

Q: Why are you giving these away? What's in it for you?

Another very common and very valid question.

About 6 years ago, I reached out to CasualUK (with help from mods) and asked for help. I was about to end up back on the street again due to not being able to cover rent, but I had a pile of handmade bracelets, earrings and whatnot that were sat in my little online shop unsold. There were thousands of them, and they'd been there for months/years because I'm absolutely pants at marketing. With help from the mods and other kind people, some of these sold and I was able to claw myself back from the brink a bit and get back on my feet a little.

These things need paying forward. I don't have much, but I have beads. A shitload of beads.

 

 

How to help

At the suggestion of the lovely mods in previous years, if anyone would like to help out with postage, you can do so here: 2025 mental health bead boxes.

There’s absolutely no requirement to do so, but people have asked how to help in the past, and postage is the main thing I struggle with. It all goes into postage; the near-doubling of the postage stamp in just the 5 years I've been doing this is bonkers.

 

 

So yeah. Drop me a line if you fancy one, and I’ll sort it. I can also add in little personalised messages if you want to send one to a friend.

It might take me a little while to get them all out; I don’t want my postie to hate me because I’ve suddenly got 500 boxes in a range of sacks for him to haul away. But they’ll all go out, and if you want an update on if yours has gone yet then I do keep track of how many and which ones are posted on specific days, so I can let you know if it’s gone yet or not.

 

Be groovy and stay safe

~SaC

 

 

A huge thank you to those who've helped massively with this year's boxes already – I've been able to get a ton more boxes sorted this year thanks to wonderful donations of 1,000 postage boxes, some huge rolls of tissue paper and padded envelopes, a massive 15kg donation of beads and charms – a portion of which are in every single box this year! – and more. Massive thanks to James, Simon, Coffin & every single person who's helped with everything from beads to postage – I can't have expanded this without you <3

 

by -SaC

29 comments

  1. So glad you’re still doing these. We all appreciate it 🙂

  2. I love that you’re doing this. Am not in the UK myself but I’ve seen you offering previous years.
    Here’s a virtual hug for you.

  3. You rock. The world we live in can be tough sometimes, but you’re doing your bit to make it better. I’m sure you’re helping lots of people

  4. This is such a lovely idea and i hope your post gets seen far and wide 🙂

  5. You’re a good egg, SaC 🥚

    Bought some more postage for you to help out a lil.

  7. Amazing! Distraction like this can be amazing when your mental health isn’t great. 

  8. Hey OP, I have a box of beads and possibly some other bits from making friendship bracelets for TS last summer that I won’t use. Can I send them to you?

  9. You are a beautiful soul for doing this.

    Crafting is something that has really helped my MH over the years, it’s so lovely to see something like this being brought to people.

  10. I would love one! I am someone who cannot work due to disability and used to do these kinds of things with my grandma before she died, I remember the afternoons just flying by!

  12. Got some more postage for you. It’s not a lot, but I’ve seen you do this for the last couple of years and think you do an amazing thing.

  13. I am really struggling with my mental health right now and would love one to take my mind off stuff and distract myself for a while? 🥺

    Can I just say as well that the time and effort you’ve put into these are so wholesome and beautiful. I hope you’re doing okay now. Thank you. 🩷 x

  14. Just wanted to say this is an amazing initiative, well done!

  15. I got one of these last year when I wasn’t in a good place really myself. Something so simple that makes a difference. Thank you for still doing this.

  16. Oh this would be lovely, glad to see you’re still doing it.

  18. I loved getting mine last year. If you don’t mind, could I please get one this year too? I’m finding having something to fidget with really helps.

  19. I have requested one for my friend, she will be so delighted. What a lovely thing to do ❤️

  20. I would love one this year. It’s been a rough one so far and it made the days a bit brighter last time.

  21. SaC! I remember when you started this, it warms my heart you’re still going ❤️

  22. Last year you sent me a box. It was very helpful in getting me through a health scare, and my husband ended up getting me some small, inexpensive boxes of more beads off of amazon, which helped get me through renewing my visa and the death of my mom at the end of the year. It’s not much, but this year I’ve bought postage for five boxes. Does that donation link stay up all year?

  23. Don’t need beads myself, I’ve got loads, and if I get any more I’m never going to get through them! But I have sent you some postage.

    Because what you’re doing is fucking amazing. And the world needs amazing people right now.

  25. Love seeing these! I ordered one for my best friend once when she was feeling really low. She made us matching bracelets and I wear it all the time. She’s in a much better place now but she still wears hers whenever she’s feeling down. She says it makes her feel loved. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR DOING THESE. You truly deserve all of the best things in life 💖

  26. I love this, thank you so much. I actually have some beads I have been meaning to get rid of (mostly new in packaging, I think). Would it be helpful if I sent them on? Was looking for a charity to donate to otherwise.

  27. Hi OP, I am in the UK and have a ton of beads I can send you. All types, glass, faux turquoise, plastic, and some findings I no longer use /sell. I’ll pay postage. Just let me know where, and I’ll get them off to you next week.

  28. SaC, drop me a DM. I’m an avid crafter but I’m much better at buying than finishing (I have enough craft materials to last 147 years, truly!) so I can definitely rustle up some beads and what not. Happy to post to you, you magnificent person!

  29. I had one of these last year. It was amazing! Legendary User status APPROVED!

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