Our impact Your stories Val and Jackie: Knitting hearts with care MAKing A DIFFERENCE WITH EVERY STITCH Our charity volunteer knitters have been hard at work, crafting pairs of knitted hearts and soft blankets for patients at the end of their life. These thoughtful items are given to patients and their families by our volunteers, providing comfort and connection when it matters most. A Senior Staff Nurse at UHBW shared how a matching pair of knitted hearts brought great comfort to a patient and his wife of 60 years, helping them feel connected during their final moments together as they had never been apart before. Thank to all of our wonderful volunteer knitters for their continued support, touching lives and bringing comfort to patients and families when they need it most. knitting volunteers, Val and Jackie, share their experience VAL "It is very rewarding to be knitting something so special." Why did you decide to volunteer to knit for BWHC? I hope that by knitting I can help with raising money for the Hospitals Charity. I also have helped a few times with the shop on special occasions. I don't have a link with the charity, I just enjoy knitting! I don't knit very quickly but make myself useful by bringing knitted items to the office, made by a good friend who is not very mobile. How long have you been knitting? I have been knitting for probably about 70 years on and off. I am now 77 and I began knitting dolls clothes for my dolls when I was quite young - not very accurately! What does it mean to you to be knitting hearts and blankets for patients at the end of life? I love the thought that by knitting I can give something to patients that they can hold, patients who are at the end of their lives. Their families too can also have the same heart to hold which gives a lovely link. It is very rewarding to be knitting something so special. JACKIE "Although it's only a small effort for me I can understand how much it means to the families who may receive them." Why did you decide to volunteer to knit for BWHC? I got involved with BWHC through Val (also a knitting volunteer) and felt a strong connection to the hospitals from my time as a foster carer, when I often spent long, sleepless nights there with sick babies." How long have you been knitting? I was taught to knit by my mother when I was 6 or you years old and I havent stopped. I made some doubtful fashion clothing in the 60s and 70s! My first baby was born in 1972 and I knitted lots for her, she was followed quite quickly by two sisters. So my needles were busy but when they became teenagers they didnt want mom's hand knitting any more. In the early 80s we became foster parent and during the next 30 years we foster 100 babies. So I was busy again with children's knitting. We adopted our son in 84 and then became grandparents. And so the knitting carried on. What does it mean to you to be knitting hearts and blankets for patients at the end of life? I love knitting the hearts and blankets and although it's only a small effort for me I can understand how much it means to the families who may receive them. Do you love knitting or crafting? Want to make a difference from the comfort of your sofa? We need your purls of wisdom and crafty creations to help raise vital funds for your Bristol and Weston hospitals at our charity shop and at craft sales. We also have some free downloadable knitting patterns to help get you started. FIND OUT about knitting for charity Manage Cookie Preferences