Knitters needed to help comfort patients

Knitters are needed to create and donate teddies so they can be handed to patients and their families

Knitters are needed to help create comforting teddy bears for patients and their loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The teddies come as an identical pair, with one being given to the patient and the other to a loved one. The bears represent a connection and sensory comfort and are sometimes given to children who are going through bereavement.

The Swan Team (end of life care team) at the Northern Care Alliance NHS Group – which brings together Salford Royal, Royal Oldham Hospital, Fairfield General and Rochdale Infirmary - is appealing for knitters to create and donate teddies so they can be handed to patients and their families.

They are already handed over to patients and their loved ones across the organisation but it is thought during the current situation, when hospital visiting is restricted, the teddies will bring comfort to loved ones who are apart.

The Swan Team would now like to receive more donated knitted teddies and the pattern can be found below.

Lisa Jones, Swan Bereavement Nurse and Trainer for Children and Families at Salford Royal, said: “We have many wonderful knitters who regularly support us meaning we are able to offer this gesture to our patients and their loved ones. We feel that now, more than ever, it would be a huge source of comfort for many people who are having to spend time away from a relative who is poorly in hospital.

“We have been providing knitted teddies for our patients and their loved ones since 2015 and the idea just blossomed over the years. We discovered it was something that was helpful to many people who simply needed comforting.”

The teddies can be posted to: Pam Woods Suite, Salford Royal, Stott Lane, Salford, M6 8HD.

Please ensure the bears are clean and are supplied in a clear plastic bag, clearly labelled with the date they were posted.

• www.pat.nhs.uk/news/little-knitted-teddy_pattern.pdf