A DEDICATED group of community minded volunteers have staged a hospital knit-in to create woollen stress-busters for people with dementia.

The team spent a morning at Furness General Hospital, in Barrow, on Thursday to make a selection of twiddlemuffs to be given to new patients with the condition.

Using donated wool, the ladies, who are from Walney, used their skills to stitch up a basket of the cylindrical muffs that are adorned with buttons, ribbons and different textured fabrics.

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Twiddlemuffs have been shown to reduce levels of anxiety in patients by giving them something to do with their hands while they adjust to the unfamiliar surroundings of a hospital ward.

The event was organised by FGH public governor and keen knitter Shahnaz Asghar who joined the team of makers in the canteen.

Mrs Asghar said: "We are so, so thankful to everyone who has helped by coming along and knitting and by donating wool and completed twiddlemuffs.

"The ladies from Walney have been incredible in the way they have supported this project over the last six months.

"This really makes a difference to patients, there are so many benefits, so we are very grateful for everyone's help."

The trust that runs the Dalton Lane hospital launched an appeal for wool last month so that more twiddlemuffs could be made for patients.

Some 600 have now been completed - with Mrs Asghar now hoping residents in nursing homes can benefit too.

Knitters were also asked to come forward to volunteer their time and talents to create the muffs themselves.

The response had been extremely positive, Mrs Asghar added.

"People have given us wool or left twiddlemuffs at reception - there is such support for this hospital in the community and I am very proud of how many people have wanted to help."

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