Over 1, physician 000 twiddlemuffs have now been collected by Forest of Dean District Council to help people living with dementia in the district.
The twiddlemuffs will be handed out to local hospitals, decease groups, buy care homes and individuals across the district this week to mark Dementia Awareness Week and to create conversations and relationships with individuals. The council’s community engagement team is delighted at how the community has got so involved and behind this campaign.
Twiddlemuffs are a knitted hand muff with interesting bits and bobs like beads, zips and ribbons attached inside and outside. They have been designed and developed to provide simple stimulation for active hands, while promoting increased flexibility and brain stimulation. Bradford Teaching Hospital NHS Trust, who has developed the use of them within the hospital, says many patients with dementia have found the twiddlemuff reassuring and comforting.
Among those taking part in the district are avid knitters from Goode Court in Lydney (a sheltered housing complex), Roselle George, who has knitted 20 so far, and Iris Preece who knitted 10 twiddlemuffs.
Barbara Lilwall from Newnham also took up the cause inviting her friends and family via Facebook to join her for a twiddlemuff knitting session. After reading the post, Barbara’s friend, Doris March, who had moved from Newnham to Churchdown twelve years ago, decided to drive down and join in.
Barbara, who lost a close friend to dementia a year ago, said: “It feels good to be doing something which will really make a difference to someone living with dementia.”
Sam Chilton, aged 7, a pupil at Ellwood Primary School even learnt to knit so he could knit a twiddlemuff in memory of his grandfather who he lost because of dementia.
Lena Maller, one of the District Council’s Community Engagement Officers said: “There are so many lovely stories – too many to tell – about groups of people getting together to knit twiddlemuffs. It’s been really heart-warming and I’m meeting so many new people and groups, it’s been amazing.
“We are so pleased and thankful to everyone who’s got involved. A big thank you to everyone!”
Individuals who would like to collect a twiddlemuff for a family member or friend, or who would like to talk to someone in an informal setting about dementia are welcome to pop by at one of the drop in sessions this week. These are:
Wednesday 20 May. Sheppard House, Newent. 10am – 12pm.
Thursday 21 May. Euroclydon, Drybrook. 2 – 5pm.
Friday 22 May. Goode Court, Lydney. 10am – 12pm.
St Annal’s House, Belle Vue Centre, Cinderford. 9am – 12pm.
More information about twiddlemuffs can be found on the council’s websitewww.fdean.gov.uk/go/twiddlemuff