Designing belonging through conversation, craft and visible social signals

Loneliness is an increasingly common experience among university students. While campuses are designed to support learning, they do not always provide clear or comfortable ways for students to connect with one another. Many students want to form friendships but feel uncertain about how to approach others, particularly if they are shy, neurodivergent, living with disability, or returning to study later in life.

Have a Yarn is a regenerative social design intervention that transforms a simple craft activity into a tool for connection.

Students are invited to make a bracelet from colourful yarn and wear it as a visible symbol that they are open to conversation.

Supported by conversation cards and an upcycled bracelet-making station, the project creates a low-pressure and inclusive way to foster belonging on campus.