Knowsley FACE is proud to announce a working partnership with two amazing charitable organisations in support of members of the community suffering from Cancer.
Making for Charity, an organisation who support people to get involved in creating sewn products for use in healthcare settings, and Willowbrook Hospice have joined forces with Knowsley FACE to produce material items which are used by people following surgery.
Julie Taylor founder of the organisation Making for Charity stated ‘It has been a great pleasure to work closely with Andrew and the adult education team on this ongoing project. I have given advice on what is needed locally and provided instructions and information on making syringe driver bags and connection hearts for Willowbrook Hospice and heart shaped cushions which have been donated to Breast mates in Prescot.’
‘This project has so many benefits, from the learning of a new sewing skill and using the sewing machines, enabling people to come together and learn in a group, making something that is needed within the local community, reusing and recycling fabric that may otherwise go into landfill and enabling patients receiving the items to have something personal that not only can help them physically but also raises a smile in often difficult times.’
‘I am so appreciative of the work Andrew has put into this, and it has been an absolute pleasure to work with both the groups in Prescot and Halewood.’
In addition to this, Julie introduced us to Ian Turnbull who is Head of Volunteering at Willowbrook hospice in Prescot. He told us about a scheme whereby patients and family members are each given palm-sized crochet hearts with the intention of providing an emotional link between patient and significant others.
Ian added ‘I was introduced to Andrew and the sewing and textile group by Julie Taylor (who the hospice has worked with for many years) from Making for Charity, I met with Andrew and the brilliant group and they have made 150 crocheted white hearts which we give to our patients and their families to not only help them through their time at the hospice and but also afterwards.’
‘We are very grateful to Andrew and the group and look forward to more hearts arriving.’
Knowsley FACE tutor Andrew Crouch who delivered on the project added, so far, we have created:
150 crochet hearts which have been donated to Willowbrook hospice, with another 50 ready to go.
50 Heart shaped cushions which were donated to Breast Mate. This is a Cancer Support group, based in Prescot, who were introduced to us by Julie. The Chair of Trustees, Tracey Carmichael, popped into Prescot Hub to collect the cushions and to thank some of the learners personally. We currently have another 50 cushions ready to go.
40 Syringe driver bags and 20 personal effects bags which Julie will pass on to NHS Cancer services in Liverpool. We also have another 20 in production.
‘The heart shaped cushions sit under the arm and support the shoulder during recovery, as well as providing psychological comfort. We also created a couple of different bag designs, one for syringe driver pumps and/or drip stand bags, and another to be used within hospices to return patient possessions to families. These are more personalised than standard NHS issue plastic bags.’
Strategic Health & Education Manager for Knowsley Family And Community Education service Alex Horrocks also stated ‘We are extremely proud of the work achieved through this partnership and will most certainly look to continue and develop this in the future. If we can deliver classes that teach people new skills, improve their mental health & reduce social isolation, whilst helping charitable organisations in Knowsley, we are more than happy to support. Some of the learners on this project are also completing level 2 accredited qualifications in sewing so it is an all-round success!’.
If you are interested in gaining yourself new skills or qualifications, then please visit the Knowsley FACE website at Knowsley FACE – Family & Community Education or
If you would like to get involved with either of these charities, please find their details below –
website www.makingforcharity.co.uk
Facebook www.facebook.com/makingforcharity
Instagram @makingforcharity
