SANTA visited Redditch early when he delivered a present in the form of knitted hand warmers for dementia patients at the Alexandra Hospital in Woodrow Drive.
Patients living with the advanced stages of dementia can find the mittens stimulating to fiddle with whilst in hospital.
The gift came about after some of the county’s adult learners took up knitting through its ‘Knitting for Charity’ course.
They decided to pass on their creations to the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust for dementia patients at the Alex and Worcestershire Royal Hospital – and they were very gratefully received!
The course taught learners how to create ‘twiddle mitts’, which are colourful knitted or crocheted band with beads, buttons, bells and other items attached to provide sensory stimulation.
They help to keep restless hands busy and soothe and comfort those who are anxious or agitated.
The Knitting for Charity course took place online during the summer and catered for those new to knitting and those with more experience.
Dementia support worker Emma Handley, at the Alex said: “Our wonderful patients are really appreciative of the twiddle muffs and I’d like to say a huge thank you to those who have knitted them.
“Please keep up the good work, as twiddle muffs are not just for Christmas, they offer benefits to our patients all year round.
“We have been using twiddle muffs successfully for some time and we are always grateful for additional supplies.
“Our patients with dementia get to keep the twiddle muffs that they receive in hospital for ongoing therapeutic benefit so this additional supply will enable us to keep distributing them to all patients who can use them.”
Donna Kruckow, lead nurse for older people at the Trust, added: “We have been using twiddle muffs successfully for some time and we are always grateful for additional supplies.
“Our patients with dementia get to keep the twiddle muffs that they receive in hospital for ongoing therapeutic benefit so this additional supply will enable us to keep distributing them to all patients who can use them.”
For more on adult learning courses visit Worcestershire County Council website: www.worcestershire.gov.uk/adultlearning
