Sunday, 10 April 2016

Dementia Crafting


How did we get into dementia crafting?

As a craft group, we support charities that we choose as a group.  Mainly these are charities that help families and children. But we are always happy to diversify and are keen to learn new ideas and skills.

Some of our group members had a personal interest in crafting for  people with dementia and their families. Having tried a few of their own items in a care home they were personally involved with, they introduced the concept to the group and soon more members were researching and experimenting in this area too.




When we looked online and saw the cost of buying some of the commercially available dementia crafted items ... that's when our needles and hooks took off!  The costs of these commercially available items are not unreasonable, given the labour involved.  Everything has to be made with such care and attention to detail.  Knitted, crocheted or fabric items need to be sewn securely. Each crafted item, such as a lap blanket , has to have a variety of sensory activities to hold the owner's interest. (We used buttons, bells, balls, beads, ribbon and other activity ornaments, as well as varying the texture of the stitching or fabric.)  These are firmly attached to withstand the pull of exploring fingers over time. Everything has to be washable, of course.



Our main advantage over the commercial sites is that we don't have labour costs and we can often source our materials reasonably cheaply by recycling and also by using the donated yarn and materials we receive from time to time from people who hear about us. (People sometimes have unwanted materials from a relative or friend's stash that they ask us to put to good use.) Thus we can make items to donate, at no cost to the recipient.

Charity crafting is a friendly, sharing and global 'hobby' (aka addiction?) and the word goes round.

It is commonplace for our members' holidays to include trips to craft shops and also to charity shops in a hunt for attractive fabrics or yarns to 'rescue' for later up-cycling into an item to donate. On a trip to Ireland last year one of our members got talking to some lovely ladies in Galway who were immediately taken with the dementia crafting idea.  She gave them some blankets she had made whilst on holiday ...





...and since then they have taken them to "Alzheimer's Ireland" who have spread the idea to crafting groups, one of which has set themselves a goal of making 20 for a care home.  Super!

Who is using our items?

Recently we visited a local care home here in Edinburgh to see if they would be interested in trialling some of our dementia items.  They invited us in for a chat and two of our members went on behalf of our group, taking some of our items.

This is their account of their visits so far.

On our first visit  to The Elms Care Home in the Grange  we were greeted at the secure front door by a cheery carer and immediately directed to a pleasant seating area to meet the Karen, the Activity Coordinator.

Karen started by outlining some background about the home.  The Elms had moved from being a traditional care home with some dementia residents to being much more specialist.  They take some of the people most seriously affected by dementia to whom other care homes are unable to offer places. Residents can be referred directly from the Royal Edinburgh Hospital.  The home is funded by the Church of Scotland.

We showed Karen some sensory lap blankets and sensory sleeves  crafted by members of  Craft Tea for Charity.




Karen had experience of sensory sleeves and whilst she was pleased to receive these, she was very excited by the concept of the sensory lap blanket.  She loved the idea that they would offer the sensory experience in conjunction with a cosy blanket.  Although the house is well heated, it has large rooms and some of the residents feel the cold. Karen liked the fact that the crocheted / knitted front was backed to add weight to the blanket.  She also mentioned that sensory cushions, made in a similar vein, are also welcomed by dementia patients and are something to cuddle. She took us for a tour of the house introducing us to some of the residents.  We left the lap blankets with Karen and asked for honest feedback once the residents had had the chance to use them.

The second time we arranged to visit The Elms, the appointment had been made at short notice so we were not sure whether the coordinator was expecting us.  However, we were greeted like VIPs and taken to a sitting room for coffee and biscuits.

Karen talked enthusiastically about the reception our lap blankets had had.  An article about the project had even been put in their Crossreach Magazine together with an appeal for knitted/crocheted squares which could be made to make the lap blankets.  She appeared with a pile of squares made from relatives who were delighted to be able to help in some way.

She explained further that a relative had recently made a donation to the home and so they planned to convert one of the lovely sitting rooms into a sensory room.  She took us to meet the Acting Manager who was meeting with a Sensory Room expert and they showed us a website of the type of items they were looking to equip the room with.  They are looking to develop regular themes in order to be able to make the room more dynamic e.g. seaside, forest.

We handed over the 4 sensory lap blankets members had made since our last visit.  Our group members had used their creativity and imagination to try to make innovative blankets that would appeal on a personal level to their recipients. Karen and the others were especially delighted with the shirt and tie blanket, knowing immediately who would benefit from this blanket – a gentleman, wheelchair bound, who had always taken pride in his appearance, always wanting to be dressed in suit and tie.



They also loved the blanket which had areas that looked like a flower garden.






We agreed to establish greater links between our group and the home.  Our group focus at the moment is our monthly overseas parcel to charities who help families and children (see our Facebook page for regular updates on these). We are however delighted to be able to help people closer to home too and to contribute in our own small way to helping people with dementia.

We left the home on a total high, feeling that our group could make a difference. 


A sample pattern for a sensory lap blanket has been made available to the group’s members.  If you are interested making one, you are warmly welcome to email us for a copy at  enquiries-craftteaforcharity@hotmail.com

If you are interested in helping us, donating items or services or would just like further information on this or anything we do,  please feel free to contact us at enquiries-craftteaforcharity@hotmail.com
 
  
Our group aim is 'to craft for charity in a caring, co-operative social and ethical environment' .  We hope we can bring a little bit of sunshine into other people's lives.

Tuesday, 12 January 2016

229 Items!

Yes, 229 items - that's what our small bunch of local amateur crafters produced while catching up with friends and family or watching television over the holiday period.  At the end of our first gathering of the new year last week, our parcel coordinator bravely took home the massive mound  of crafted items you see in the photo in the previous post and started counting ... and counting ... and counting.  When she re-emerged into the light of day this is what she had found!

8 neck warmer / scarves            
31 pairs of bootees /children's and adults slippers                        
122 hats  (baby, children and adult)                                          
14 pairs of gloves / hand warmers                     
 4 small blankets 
10 blanket squares
1 quilt
5 bags for storing toys, equipment etc
1 jumper
7 soft toys
26 toy mice
 
 
 
When we watch the news on TV or online it is tempting to think sometimes that we are powerless to prevent suffering and that there is so much of it in the world at the moment.  This may be true, in that most of us cannot prevent the suffering, but we each can do something positive to help when people are suffering - just by doing the crafts we enjoy doing anyway.  
 
Many of these 229 items will go to Turkey to help refugee families there through Lily - Love in the Language of Yarn while the toys and storage bags will go to Capetown to enrich the environment of some of the township creches through Little Libraries. 
 
There are so many organisations looking for toys, clothing, blankets and quilts to help people in need at home and abroad.  Blankets to warm and comfort adults and children alike.  Toys for a child to hug when they have left everything familiar behind. A play mat for a pre-schooler to sit on and enjoy when the creche floor is made of earth or sand. 
 
Many things can be made quite cheaply by upcycling - play mats from cot blankets that are no longer needed; several dresses and shorts  can be cut from one charity shop duvet cover; gloves and neck warmers from fleece tops that have become 'pilled' in places.
 
We feel lucky to have a hobby that can be of some use to others when they are in need.  If you are in or near Edinburgh and would like to join us at our Wednesday afternoon sessions, please contact us at enquiries-craftteaforcharity@hotmail.com .  You can also check us out on our Facebook page Craft Tea for Charity
If you are not close enough to join us, an online search should turn up some of  the many outlets that are out there waiting for your contributions. 
 
Happy Crafting, everyone!

Saturday, 9 January 2016

2016 and the Big Bang!

Traditionally here in Edinburgh a spectacular firework display brings in the New Year with a bang. 


 We kept that tradition going at our first meeting of 2016 with this brilliant explosion of colour and craft! Hats, scarves, toys, blankets, gloves, slippers, jumpers - all crocheted, sewn and knitted while catching up with friends and family over the festive period. We're clearly all 'hooked' on crafting for charity! 


Perhaps our resolution for 2016 should be to keep reaching for the pins, not the pies?

Sunday, 3 January 2016

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to one and all.  We hope 2016 brings you health and happiness. We've had a busy, exciting and rewarding year in 2015 and look forward to sharing another with you in the year ahead.
To celebrate the New Year we'd like to share some of the highlights of last year with you in our calendar for 2016 - the fundraising in aid of Mary's Meals, the fabric books, cuddly toys, play mats and blankets for Little Libraries to take to township creches in Cape Town, the ponchos, hats, cuddly toys, dresses, shorts and of course blankets for Lily - Love in the Language of Yarn to distribute to Syrian refugee families and the sensory items for adults with dementia in a local care home.

We hope you enjoy the glimpses of just a few of these items and memories in our 2016 calendar photos and that you find the year at a glance calendar helpful in organising your own year ahead..

A look back at 2015 has to include our sincere thanks to all of you who have helped us in what we do. To  DHL couriers and  D W Cases in Musselburgh we owe such a huge debt of gratitude because without your support we couldn't send our overseas parcels. Thank you  edinburghprinting.com for your brilliant editing and printing of our calendar.  Last, but not least, thank you Leo's Beanery for allowing us to take over your back room every Wednesday afternoon.


Thank you to our donors for supporting us in 2015 with your donations of fabric, yarn and haberdashery. Thank you to our social media followers for all your kind comments via our Facebook Page and email. They really do encourage us to keep going.  

Roll on 2016 with all the challenges and joys it will bring us. We are so grateful to you all for helping us to help others in need.  Please do get in touch with us at craftteaforcharity@btinternet.com if you are interested in joining us, donating materials or helping in 2016.  Find out more about what we do on Craft Tea for Charity

Wednesday, 22 October 2014

Autumn already!

The cold weather is creeping up and the need for warm hats, scarves, socks and gloves in this part of the world is here. Just as well autumn is also a time when staying in and crafting in the evenings is a welcoming thought.  Here is an extract from Lily (Love in the Language of Yarn) 's Facebook page.

'Last Wednesday I packed up:
900 blankets,
5,000 hats,
4,000 cardigans/sweaters,
3,000 pairs of gloves/mittens.
3,000 scarves,
2,000 pairs slippers/booties,
and 8,000 pairs socks.
An amazing amount!
I wanted to send these to the Kurdish Syrians that have recently fled the fighting in Kobane, Syria. Many of the 170,000 have not as yet even got a tent to live in. The nights are getting colder and
it pains me to think of the conditions they are living in. 


  The figures show why they need every single blanket square they can get.  900 blankets is a lot but then try to imagine 170,000 people needing warmth - and that's just in this one district.

That is why we are so glad to have received two wonderful donations from friends and family of group members this month - the beautifully knitted stripey blanket squares and baby sweaters with matching hats (see the last two photos below).  Thank you for your kindness in helping families in real need.

What sort of craft things are needed for the charities we currently support?  Cosy clothes, hats, scarves, gloves, socks, soft toys, summer dresses and shorts and 20cm/8inch blanket squares.  Blanket squares are always needed. Here are some examples of items we have made to go in our October parcel to Lily (Love in the Language of Yarn)


Children's hats and hand puppets in jolly colours ...


 cosy joggers - so practical for boys and girls in the winter cold ...


some trendy baby and children's aviator hats with ear flaps to keep out cold winds ...


hats for adults too ...


a baby poncho made from just two simple rectangles - an easy project if you're looking for a change from squares ...


a practical and pretty wrap around baby dress in denim that will add warmth and glamour over a jumpsuit ...


and these beautiful donations of twelve baby sweaters with matching hats - cute, warm and just gorgeous ...
 as well as these beautifully knitted squares with super stripes.

 This is a case where every square and every item of clothing does help.  If you want to join us in Craft Tea for Charity, or just to pop in and say hello one week, contact us on craftteaforcharity@btinternet.com or use the contact form on the top right of this page.  We meet every Wednesday afternoon from 2.30 - 4.30pm in Leo's Beanery and would love to welcome you. Can't make Wednesdays but want to craft something?  We'd love to hear from you. You can join us on Facebook too Craft Tea for Charity

Happy crafting this month, everyone!

Tuesday, 9 September 2014

Going to the Fair!





The sun shone, the band played, the ducks raced and the people were out and about for a fantastic afternoon at Portobello Village Show on Sunday. Thank you to everyone who came to see our stall, to buy, to make a donation and to find out more about crafting for charity. Your support will help us do so much more.


The calm before the storm ...
A photo finish for the duck race taking place  in the stream behind our pitch!
...and the band played on!




Remember to send your completed design competition entries to us by Monday 15th September.  You could be our winner!

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Contact us using the form at the top right of this page or email us on craftteaforcharity@btinternet.com

If you would like to join us, or if you are a charity who would like to find out more about the items we make, please contact us. We'd love to hear from you.

Wednesday, 3 September 2014

Keeping our enthusiasm in check!

In the approach to the Scottish referendum later this month a tartan and tweed theme seems somewhat appopriate. A couple of upcycling projects from the group this week showed how we can use our cast offs to keep people not just warm but stylishly warm too.


A red rectangle of tartan that can be used as a bright neck warmer, a hat or a ski headband.


Use up a bit of tweed to make a few teddies and what have you got?  Why, the Tweddies, of course!  The Tweddies are off on an adventure later this month to meet some children in a Syrian refugee camp and some orphaned and vulnerable children in South Africa. (See our page of charities we support for more details)


And for anyone who was around in the 60's or who likes to indulge a passion for vintage, this fringed go-over for an older child or teenage girl has definite overtones of  a Mary Quant creation.  This was someone's discarded pashmina before becoming a really warm go-over that can be worn over trousers and a sweater in the cold months ahead in a Syrian refugee camp.

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Contact us using the form at the top right of this page.
Join us in person any Wednesday afternoon 2.30 - 4.30. (Use the form or email craftteaforcharity@btinternet.com to find out where we'll be)

AND ...  on Sunday 7th September 2014 visit our fundraising stall at Portobello Village Show, 2-5pm in Rosefield Park, Portobello .  We'll have lots of hand crafted goodies for sale to raise money for charity and lots of  helpful info on how you too can get started in crafting for charity. Hope to see you there!