KNITTING PROJECT

Shirley Stark, half hidden behind a pile of knitting ready to be distributed.

A large group of RSVP West volunteers knit a great variety of items for babies and children. A number of RSVP West local organisers, led by Shirley Stark, help volunteers by providing materials, collecting completed items and helping to distribute them.

Several knitters specialise in what are known as “trauma teddies” — teddy bears given to children who have suffered some calamity, such as a house fire or a road accident. Some are provided to local fire and ambulance brigades to comfort young children who have been caught up in serious incidents.

Margaret Walters

Shirley Stark is certain that knitting is a vital activity for many older volunteers, providing them with social contact and confirming that they can still be very useful. “I was collecting knitting from one old lady who told me, ‘Don’t ever stop asking me to do this. Don’t take my knitting away from me.’” As another example, Margaret Walters of Weston-super-Mare knits woollen squares that are assembled into blankets. She’s delighted to be able to help. “I’ve plenty of spare time and I’m glad to be doing something helpful.”

A child in Bulgaria receives an RSVP West blanket via the Trussell Trust.

The main emphasis at the moment is supplying hats, gloves, scarves, school jumpers, blankets and other items to various charities for distribution in disaster areas. Among the groups are the Trussell Trust (a Christian Charity which supports orphanages in Bulgaria), Feed The Children (which helps children in need in countries such as Nigeria and Pakistan), and the Eleanor Children’s Charitable Trust (which sends shoeboxes of items to some of the poorer children in Romania).

Blankets and baby clothes are also distributed to families in need through local agencies such as the Southside Project in Bath. This group provides specialist help to local families with seriously disorganised relationships or to individuals who are affected by the “ghosts” of their childhood, to strengthen their self-worth and independence.

We’re always looking for more knitters to meet the ever-growing demand, so please contact us if you would like to help.

© 2003–12 RSVP West. Page last updated on 8 February 2010.