Scratchcard winner Bee meets Sewing Bee star Lauren

When not working, learning to drive, renovating or looking after her 8-year-old son, Bee watches her favourite TV show, The Great British Sewing Bee. Enjoying arts and crafts and making clothes for herself and her son is something the 32-year-old really enjoys. She said, “It gives me another focus away from work. It gives me a great sense of satisfaction seeing what I’m able to create.”

To celebrate her first year as a National Lottery winner, Bee visited Guthrie and Ghani, a haberdashery and dressmaking shop in Birmingham owned by Great British Sewing Bee finalist, Lauren Guthrie.

Bee said, “Meeting a real-life ‘sewing bee’ was brilliant. Lauren’s shop is full of beautiful fabrics and materials that have given me so many ideas. Chatting with her was inspirational. Learning her story – physiotherapist turned dressmaker and now a successful businesswoman and author – it just shows you that you can follow your dreams. The win has given me the opportunity to do the same.”

Bee’s own foray into fabrics is called Bee’s Bespoke Creations. The online fabric and embroidery business was set up in early 2022 after Bee used some of her winnings to buy an embroidery machine. It sells everything from hair bows to embroidered pram blankets.

Bee said, “It’s early days but word is spreading, and the number of orders is creeping up.”

Bee’s job as a community carer saw her at the frontline of the pandemic. She said, “It is such a fulfilling job, even more so in the pandemic. To see the smiles on peoples’ faces when you visit them is very rewarding – it feels great to be doing a job that helps people.”

As Bee doesn’t drive, she walks to work. She said, “I walk at least 20,000 steps every day. I especially love walking down the canals to different appointments, although getting my driving licence is very much in my sights. I’ve got an amazing instructor, so fingers crossed, I’ll be able to tear up my L.”

28th June 2022