Knitters of all abilities who would like to meet like minded people in a friendly, fun and social setting are invited to join a new ‘Knit and Natter’ group which has been launched at East Riding Carers Support Service.
The aim of the group, which meets every Monday from 10am-12noon, is to give carers who knit and craft the chance to socialise, indulge their creative sides, and support a good cause.
The group are currently knitting items including comfort blankets, outfits and teddy bears in support of a knitting project called Tiny Treasures which is based in Driffield.
Launched in May Tiny Treasures has so far donated over 2,400 handmade knitted items of clothing and toys to hospitals across the UK for babies who have been born prematurely, are in Neonatal Intensive Care Units(NICU) or who have died.
Aware that not all carers who may want to get involved in the project can travel to Driffield, Evelyn Lawson was keen to develop a knitting group in Beverley to support Tiny Treasures.
Evelyn, known affectionately by her family as ‘granny knit’, said: “It’s all about doing something which we already enjoy doing but helping someone who perhaps is less fortunate than yourselves at the same time.”
Evelyn, 78, cared for her husband until he recently moved into residential care and now she says the knit and natter group is an essential part of her life after caring.
Fellow Knit and Natter group member Berris Robinson, 71, who is also a carer and is cared for, said the group is a vital outlet for her too.
Berris said: “What I love about our Knit and Natter group is the fact that I’m doing something for a good cause.
“If I wasn’t doing this I would be stuck in the house because I don’t get out, so this gives me the opportunity to get out, to socialise and to create something that we hope makes a difference to others.”
So far the knitters have created a whole range of items, including comfort blankets, trauma teddies for babies who have been particularly brave in hospital, and dresses for ‘angel babies’ who have passed away.
Jess Laughton, who founded Tiny Treasures said: “The support from people either making items to donate, helping fundraise or donating supplies to make the items has been absolutely fantastic and has far exceeded my expectations. Without these people we wouldn’t be able to support the hospitals like we do.
“Although the primary aim of Tiny Treasures is to send the items needed to the hospitals I know we have also managed to help a lot of people find a purpose again, myself included, and it is lovely to see that happen.”
Anyone who is unable to attend the group but would like to support their work can donate items such as unwanted wool, ribbons, and buttons. Anything surplus to requirement is sold to raise money to cover the cost of posting the items to hospitals.
For more information you can call into the group which meets at the East Riding Carers Support Service, 18 Wednesday Market, Beverley on Monday 10am-12noon, or call 01482 396500.
