21 Nov Colchester volunteers to make blankets for patients who are nearing the end of their lives
A Colchester ward sister is setting up a group of volunteers to make blankets for patients who are nearing the end of their lives and also to reduce loneliness.
Sarah Sands from the Acute Cardiac Unit at Colchester General Hospital has been encouraged by the positive response from patients and their loved ones after blankets were donated by a knitting group in Norfolk led by her partner’s mother.
She also believes that the group of volunteers, which will be called the “CHUFT Blanketeers”, will bring together people who are often socially isolated, and give them a chance to get out of their home and meet other people.
Ms Sands said the CHUFT Blanketeers will meet regularly at Colchester General Hospital.
People who attend will not necessarily have to knit – they can make tea, crochet, sew or simply come along for a chat to combat loneliness, which she described as “our biggest epidemic”.
She is hoping to attract volunteers who can support the group in various other ways, such as by transporting knitters to and from meetings or by delivering and collecting balls of wool.
Anyone who is interested in helping to start a group of volunteers or supporting the CHUFT Blanketeers should contact Sister Sarah Sands on 01206 742718 or sarah.sands@colchesterhospital.nhs.uk
