The whir of sewing machines filled a central Watford community room as a group of women prepared for a forthcoming exhibition.

Members of the Watford African Caribbean Association (WACA) were making bags and stitching 'rag mats' yesterday (Wednesday), ahead of a sale they will host as part of Black History Month later this month.

Other home-made items include quilt covers and place mats.

The group, which meets every Wednesday in The Barn, off Clarendon Road, was set up by WACA to provide carers across Watford with respite and friendship.

As well as arts and crafts, members also take part in flower arranging, painting, card making and cooking, and will return to Olabisi Onanuga, a carers support worker, said: “We decided that a lot of people are depressed because they're isolated and don't come out so it would be nice to have something that breaks up their dreary life.

“We found people didn't want someone to visit them but they wanted to come out, so we've been running this group for more than a year now.”

The diverse group, which welcomes people from all backgrounds, hopes to return to the Holywell Community Centre, in Tolpits Lane, when it reopens later this year.

And Ademola Adeniji, WACA's community services manager, explained this was just one of a number of services the association provides for residents in Watford.

It also hosts an elders project for people aged 50 and over, and a supplementary school for five to 16-year-olds.

Mr Adeniji said: “This is one initiative which is to get support to carers and the people they care for. It's a very stressful thing, caring, so the whole idea is to give them a break.

“They have done a lot of things, from flower arranging to cake making to painting. The next phase in the colder months will be home visits, which is something we would like to do.”

The WACA exhibition, as part of Black History Month, will take place at The Barn on October 27. The group meets every Wednesday from 12pm to 3pm.

WACA is also behind a performance of Windrush, the story of African and Caribbean men and women who migrated to Watford after World War Two, which will take place at Watford Palace Theatre on Thursday, October 21.

For more information, visit www.watfordafricarib.org.uk or telephone 01923 220810.