How handmade gifts are warming hearts in Stockton-on-Tees

Over the past year, health and wellbeing charity Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP) knitting group based in Newton Aycliffe, has lovingly crafted therapy dolls, scarves, blankets, and twiddle muffs, each stitch made with care. These handmade items have now found a meaningful new home supporting those with dementia the LiveWell Dementia Hub in Stockton-on-Tees.

PCP's knitting group stood behind attendees of the LiveWell Dementia Hub

The therapy dolls and twiddle muffs, designed with varied textures and patterns, offer sensory stimulation and help ease restlessness for people living with dementia which also supports mental focus and provides comfort through routine.

With a generous collection ready to share, Stockton-on-Tees Community Wellbeing Champions (SCWC) quickly connected with local organisations that would benefit most from the donation.

Vicky Williamson, Project Support Officer for SCWC at PCP, said: “I immediately got in touch with SCWC Champion, Alison Watson-Shields, who runs a dementia support group at the LiveWell Centre in Stockton.

“Alison welcomed the idea with open arms, I started bringing over a selection of items, and the response was instant.

“The feedback has been unbelievable, their eyes light up when new items are brought in. It’s lovely to see their faces.”

As time went on, it was suggested that the knitters visit the LiveWell Dementia Group to see first-hand the impact of their creations.

Alison said: “The visit from the knitting group, together with their ongoing donations, has had a meaningful impact on our members, fostering comfort, connection and a renewed sense of belonging. Our members treasure being able to choose something that feels made especially for them, and several of our group have found quiet reassurance in the therapy dolls.

“We have been deeply touched by the generosity of the PCP knitting group and every single item has found a grateful home across our dementia activity groups.

“It is a genuine community partnership and we were delighted to donate multiple bags of wool back to the knitting group as a small token of thanks and to support future creations.”

The visit was a beautiful moment of connection, the knitters saw their handiwork in the hands of people appreciating their knitted goods.

Marion, one of the knitters, said: “To see that our knitting and crocheting is having the kind of impact it is having on these people is brilliant.

“And as much as it’s about what the dementia group gets out of it, it’s also about what we as a group get out of it. Knowing, but now seeing people with the knitting gives us all such a boost, we are making a difference.”

The knitting group meets at the Pioneering Care Centre (PCC) in Newton Aycliffe every Thursday from 1.30pm to 3.30pm and welcomes new members, whether you’re an experienced knitter or just starting out. You can find out more about what PCP offers by visiting www.pcp.uk.net

The LiveWell Hub ran by Stockton Borough Council is a community-based service that provides dementia information, support and training for anyone living in Stockton-on-Tees, and is open from Monday to Friday from 9am to 4.30pm.

SCWC is delivered by PCP in collaboration with Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council and Public Health Stockton. The Community Wellbeing Champion network empowers residents of Stockton-on-Tees to share accurate health messages, tackle misinformation, and identify local barriers. If you want to find out more about this service please visit: www.pcp.uk.net/stockton-community-wellbeing-champions