Everyone loves a surprise, and that’s certainly what Dementia Nurse, Chris Venton, received in the post this week. Following an appeal for knitters to help produce Twiddlemuffs for the hospital, launched just 6 weeks ago, hundreds have been arriving at Hull Royal Infirmary every week.
A Twiddlemuff is a knitted tube with items attached so that a patient with dementia can hold it and twiddle it in their hands. People with dementia often have restless hands and it can be very comforting to have something to keep their hands occupied. It provides a wonderful source of visual, tactile and sensory stimulation and at the same time keeping hands snug and warm.
“We’ve had donations not just from the Humber region, but from all over the country, with many Knit & Natter Groups donating, and even former nurses who have now retired getting back in touch to say they’d be supporting us and our patients."
Patients in our care who have dementia often find Twiddlemuffs very relaxing. They are usually brightly coloured and decorated with buttons and beads, so they’re great for keeping people’s hands and minds occupied whilst they’re in hospital. They can be calming and comforting, can reduce anxiety and boredom, and can also prevent people fiddling with drips, for example."
Dementia Nurse, Hull Royal Infirmary
But this week a box of 40 crafted Twiddlemuffs arrived all the way from Sainte Marie la Mer in France. Chris said she had 'no idea' the appeal would stretch that far, but was 'touched' that people so far away would want to help.
Along with the Twiddlemuffs, the parcel also contained pictures of the ladies of the Atelier Créatif Sainte Marie la Mer working on their creations and a letter, in both French and English, which reads:
– LETTER FROM ATELIER CRÉATIF SAINTE MARIE LA MER“Hello from France. Our knitting and sewing club are happy to support your call for mittens. We have enjoyed making these and hope they can be of some help to your clients.”
The letter is signed from Brigitte Carles, President of the Atelier Créatif Sainte Marie la Mer.
Story first reported by www.itv.com 26/2/16
Hull is not the only place in the UK in need of twiddlemuffs. Hospitals all over the country are appealing to knitters to keep them supplied. Each dementia patient will take the twiddlemuff home with them on discharge from hospital so new supplies are constantly needed.
If you can help, or know someone else who could, full instructions on how to go about making a twiddlemuff are available from the charity Knit for Peace.
