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We were very moved to receive this beautiful note from Shona, one of our volunteer knitters.  As a bereaved parent, she describes how even through the devastating loss of a precious and much wished for baby, a volunteer knitter brought her a little comfort. “Words can barely describe the powerful gratitude I felt when I was able to provide a garment to my wee baby. My thoughts constantly thought of the kindness of the person who had made it and how that kind act had made a difference in my time of grief.”   Read more as Shona captures how our volunteer knitting programme helps in ways we couldn’t begin to imagine.  Thank you for sharing your story with us Shona.

I love knitting because it gives me an opportunity to create something beautiful. I feel it’s a good use of my time, particularly if watching TV, but most importantly, I find it therapeutic. This was especially so when I was laid up 5 years ago with a leg injury. I felt quite traumatised and I found knitting to be a calming influence and was instrumental in helping me heal.

Why do I like knitting for the hospital? I find joy in coming together with like-minded people. I constantly learn different knitting methods, when I didn’t think there could be more to be learned. I enjoy the camaraderie with the other knitters and I love the fact that the end result is a beautiful garment for a child in need.  The ‘ball of wool’ represents a powerful mix of social interaction with a ripple effect like the tentacles of an octopus.  It brings people together. To knit. To talk. To share problems. To laugh.

It mostly brings together our older society whose skill of knitting is unparalleled, and it gives them an opportunity to continue to contribute to society and make them feel valued. This is especially important in today’s world, when the word ‘boomer’ is spoken like a slur.

 And that gorgeous garment. Often it goes to a baby whose parents were caught short with a premature birth and have not had the opportunity to purchase small size clothing. Or it goes with other items to new mothers as part of a wonderful and much appreciated ‘start up pack’. Or to the hospital shop where the proceeds from the sale goes towards much needed hospital equipment.

 And then there are the garments for the mortuary babies. As a recipient of one of these garments many years ago, words barely describe the powerful gratitude I felt when I was able to provide a garment to my wee baby. My thoughts constantly thought of the kindness of the person who had made it and how that kind act had made a difference in my time of grief.

 And so, that ball of wool when unravelled travels many journeys.