Since launching in October last year, Pioneering Care Partnership’s (PCP) Knitting Group has been weaving threads of warmth and kindness into the North East community. Founded by volunteer Sharon Rowley and Annette Allen, PCP Customer and Information Assistant, this talented group has combined their passion for craft with a heartfelt mission to support others and combat loneliness.
From blankets and dressing gowns to scarves and hats, the group initially was set up for people to come together and connect over a hobby of knitting and crotchet. However, the group has evolved to provide comfort and care to those who need it most during the colder months with a variety of knitted items.
To put the amount of work into scale, each dressing over 4,000 individual squares have been lovingly crafted in just one year to create over 40 dressing gowns, a true testament to the group’s dedication.
Over the past year, the group has created:
Blankets for the Moses Project in Stockton on Tees, with over 40 squares per blanket.
Over 50 hats and a variety of scarves.
Knitted hearts for the Joining the Dots service, spreading comfort and connection.
Twiddle blankets for Young At Heart ULO, a group for people living with dementia.
Little stockings for Together 21, bringing festive cheer to children with Down syndrome and their families.
Knitting wear for dolls for Christmas shoebox appeal at Children in Distress Shildon.
Georgina Beckensall, Pioneering Care Centre Lead said: “I’m so proud of the Knitting Group for their dedication to creating such meaningful items, each one is a gift of warmth and care for those in our community.
“Not only spreading joy through their craft but for embodying the spirit of kindness and connection that PCP stands for."
Annette Allen, PCP Customer and Information Assistant said: “To see the group go from a couple of members to 10 or more every week is fantastic to see.
“It brings a tear to my eye seeing the goals of the group become a reality when we get the pictures of people wearing the items we have created, it is creating a literal blanket of care covering the North East.
The Knitting Group has become a hub for creativity, companionship, and giving back to the community, reflecting the values of PCP. Every stitch tells a story of care, and their collective efforts have touched countless lives.
Nora Brewster, Operations Administrator/Receptionist has placed her heartfelt thanks to the Knitting Group, staff from PCP and The Village Pharmacy for providing knitted and other items for Children in Distress Shildon shoe box/bag 'Love in a box' appeal which helps to gift items such as toys, gloves, scarves, colouring books for children most in need. Nora was 'over the moon' and is thinking about all the happy faces Christmas morning opening up their boxes.
The group meets at the Pioneering Care Centre (PCC) in Newton Aycliffe every Thursday from 1.30pm to 3.30pm and welcomes new members, whether you’re an experienced knitter or just starting out.
Find out what else the PCC has to offer by clicking here.
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