Taking a tea break is a very British thing and we all love our tea as well as the delicious treats it often comes with.  Although in these increasingly busy times, do we really give ourselves enough time to stop and enjoy a proper tea break?

Jenny, creator of the The Teabreak Project has turned her love of tea and need for time to herself into a small business which has found a following in Pembrokeshire and beyond.

She says, of the idea behind the business

“It’s about giving yourself permission to stop and take a break. We often feel guilty or bad for not keeping busy or getting things done and there’s this weird feeling of obligation.

The Teabreak Project gives us that time and the tools to enjoy a proper tea break as well as to focus on something for us.”

Jenny uncovered the idea for the TeaBreak Project in the Autumn of 2020 when needing a change from her full-time job and to focus on a new challenge.

“Having children and being a mum, I realised I’d lost track of who I was and what I enjoyed doing. When I had the time, I just didn’t know how.

My friends and I spoke about our husbands having numerous hobbies and it made me think about finding out what I enjoyed again. I also wanted to start a business that I could build slowly around my full-time job.”

Jenny’s love of tea and cake formed the second part of her idea to form a subscription box that allowed the buyer some time to themselves to enjoy tea and a treat as well as to have a go at something new.

“I floated the idea around to my friends and they were really positive about it.”

 She says that despite there being many subscription boxes around, there is nothing quite like The Teabreak Project.

“Subscription boxes are really big thing at the moment, and there are so many, I thought it must have been done before. But there isn’t anything like it out there already.”

The Teabreak Project launched in November 2020 offering monthly subscription boxes or one offs, which appear beautifully packaged and offer the receiver a slice of locally made cake (from Haverfordwest Bakery Claireys Cakes) and tea, coffee or hot chocolate alongside a small project to complete such as crochet face scrubbies, knitted pompoms and even a home library kit, complete with ink date stamp.

She says,

“The home library kit was so popular. People loved the idea of creating their own libraries at home.”

Jenny says the feedback has been great, particularly as the boxes encourage people to share their projects on social media with The Teabreak Project.

“So many people love the idea and many have got in touch wanting to make more.

I love the idea that you can rediscover a past love or find a new hobby. There’s also the very important element of keeping your mind from wandering and doing something different for you. Each box is different too.”

Subscribers don’t know what each Teabreak project box will contain, while those buying a one off box can get a feel for what the project is all about. Jenny says she is sure to upload the details of each box, once the subscribers have received their surprise treat.

The macrame plant hanger still remains one of the most popular activities. Jenny says,

“I had a lot of positive comments on this. It’s so simple to make and looks really pretty. People wanted to do more.”

This has inspired Jenny to extend what she offers at The Teabreak Project, despite having a full-time job and three children.

“I’d love to do a few YouTube videos for in between the boxes. People often have excess material to use up or want to do more of an activity if they’ve really enjoyed it.”

Jenny is quick to point out that as she works full time, the project isn’t her sole income, so she can give more time and energy to doing such things without needing to think about her income.

She says she loves the idea that there is something to treasure at the end of each project,

“I love that you can start with a ball of string and end up with something colourful and lovely.

It’s also that sense of achievement, which is why we have the achiever’s badges in each box, that you get as a reward. I love the nostalgic feel of the project. It’s like being in Brownies again.”

The process of packing up each box is also really therapeutic for her.

“It’s like my own little tea break and time to myself. I love getting the boxes ready to go out, even though our dining table is currently covered.”

Each Teabreak Project box contains everything you need to relax and unwind, with the tools and instructions for your project. They usually encourage you to switch off your phone too, aside from a few exceptions, such as the crochet box, which needs YouTube videos to follow.

Jenny adds, laughing:

“It’s so difficult to write instructions for crocheting or to learn from written instructions.”

Her mission goes much bigger than her small business, and she is keen to make The Teabreak Project more community focused in future, perhaps having regular groups where people involved can do the projects together.

“I’d love the TeaBreak Project to be a movement that brings people together. Connection is so important, particularly right now.”

So go and put the kettle on and grab yourself a tea break project, or find out more here.