Knitters bring comfort to end of life patients

A knitting group has been bringing comfort to people receiving end-of-life care in Shropshire hospitals.

The Kushdil ladies knitting group in Hadley made 100 knitted hearts, which were given in pairs to people receiving palliative and end of life care at the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH).

One heart is gifted to the patient, while a matching one is given to a loved one, with the aim of helping them feel connected.

"One lady said she put it under her pillow every night to feel close to her husband," said end of life specialist care nurse Debbie Snooke.

"It is that connection between the patient and their loved one that is so special."

The kindness hearts were first given out during the pandemic, when many families could not see their sick relatives.

"We now gift the extended family a kindness heart, this provides comfort for them at that point and in the future," said Ms Snooke.

"One family chose to tuck the kindness heart into their grandchild's teddy bear.

"The grandparent told us it was a beautiful connection between the baby and her grandfather who was receiving end of life care."

One of the knitters, Jarmila Camier, said she felt privileged to be part of the group.

"Kushdil means happy hearts, so it feels really special to have made these and to pass on something that can make somebody happy even in the last moments of their life."

The group launched in 2023, with funding from Telford and Wrekin Council.

It is not only a social lifeline for the women, but they knit for good causes, including knitting hats, scarves, and gloves for Telford Crisis Support, and making blankets for SaTH's dementia unit.

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