Calling All Knitters – People Living With Dementia Need Your Help

An East Riding based branch of the Trefoil Guild have generously donated several innovative knitted creations to a council run care home for people living with dementia.

And they have proved so popular with the residents that the care home is now appealing for more people to get knitting.

The Beverley Trefoil Guild have been busy knitting what are affectionately known as Twiddlemuffs which they have donated to The Old School House residential care home, in Beverley.

Twiddlemuffs are knitted bands to which items such as buttons, beads, bells and zips can be attached.
People with dementia often have restless hands and like something to keep them occupied.

The Twiddlemuffs provide a source of visual, tactile and sensory stimulation at the same time as keeping hands snug and warm.

The bands have proved so popular among the residents of The Old School House they now want more eager knitters to get creating Twiddlemuffs so everyone can benefit from what has been hailed as a truly innovative project.

Emma Smith, manager of The Old School House, said: “We had already been talking about obtaining some Twiddlemuffs for some of our residents who are less mobile, and then by sheer coincidence a couple landed at our door from the Beverley Trefoil Guild to whom we are extremely grateful.

“It’s really inspiring something now and it’s wonderful to see how something so simple can make such a huge difference to our residents, some of whom don’t engage as well as others in activities.

“They are proving to be very popular with our residents and we are already seeing the benefits, so we would really like everyone who wants one to have their very own Twiddlemuff which they can keep and treasure.”

The Old School House have been spreading the word about Twiddlemuffs, appealing for donations of wool, and distributing patterns to get the project rolling in the East Riding.

June Hutchinson, of the Beverley Trefoil Guild added: “The whole of our county has been knitting Twiddlemuffs for Warrington Hospital so between us we thought we would try donating somewhere local instead and it has just gone from there.

“The Trefoil Guild is a branch of Girlguiding and its members agree to support the guiding ethos, including the pledge to help other people, so we were only too happy to help.”

A demonstration of Twiddlemuff knitting will take place at a special event which is being held at East Riding Leisure Beverley on the afternoon of Saturday 23 May during Dementia Awareness Week (17-23 May).

The event will feature an information session and a Zumbathon in aid of Alzheimer’s Society.

If you would like further information about how you can get involved in the Twiddlemuffs knitting project or the Zumbathon event contact The Old School House on 01482 868118.

The Beverley Trefoil Guild meet from 7.15pm to 9.30pm on the second Wednesday of every month at St Mary’s Parish Hall, North Bar Within, Beverley. For further details contact Christine Hilditch, secretary, on 01482 860769.