Local community helps makes over 100 Twiddlemuffs for dementia patients  

Picture courtesy of the Scarborough News

Scarborough residents have been busy. Over 100 knitted inventions called Twiddlemuffs have now been made by the local community and sent into Scarborough Hospital, to be used by patients with dementia.

Scarborough Hospital launched the project in May as part of Dementia Awareness Week. The knitted bands feature trimmings such as buttons, beads, ribbons and textured fabrics on both the inside and the outside. They are now being given to patients with dementia who find that twiddling with the materials and the soft fabric of the wool help provides distraction and stimulation for their hands. 

Often dementia patients can feel restless and agitated - Twiddlemuffs are designed to not only keep their hands busy but help stimulate their mind.

The Hospital has been overwhelmed with the support for this project, with local community groups, hospital volunteers and staff members sending in their knitted creations.

Helen Williams, Dementia Support Worker, said: “As well as being used by patients on our Care of the Elderly Wards at Scarborough, we have also taken some to Malton Hospital as well as local care homes."  

“We have been delighted with the support for this project and hope that it will become a permanent part of the wide range of work we are doing to support our patients with dementia.

Twiddlemuffs were first introduced at Warrington and Halton Trust and the idea has since been adopted by other hospital Trusts across the country.

To get involved in this project, you can download a copy of the Twiddlemuff pattern at www.york.nhs.uk/twiddlemuffs  

Please send your completed Twiddlemuffs to Emma Day, Assistant Director of Nursing, Woodlands House, Scarborough Hospital YO12 6QL.

30 July 2015