Slough care home residents knit more than 100 blankets for good causes

Residents at a care home in Slough have knitted more than 100 blankets to help babies, animals and homeless people stay warm.

Putting their knitting needles together for those in need, residents in the knitting club at Care UK’s Oak House, on Wexham Road, have lovingly stitched blankets for various good causes this year – including Battersea Dog Rescue, Wexham Park Hospital, The Beeches Veterinary Hospital, Red Cross and homeless people around Slough.

Made up of residents, relatives and team members, Oak House’s knitting club meets every Wednesday morning to gather up its knitted produce and discuss donations. 

Knitting club member Ann Sadler-Smith, 84, said: “It keeps my fingers going so they don’t stiffen up. It also makes me feel good and it’s so lovely to make things to give to people.”

The Oak House knitting club is constantly busy creating cosy new patchworks, with many more donations planned this year. 

The club recently gifted dozens of colourful baby blankets for new arrivals at Wexham Park Hospital’s neonatal unit, which were hand-delivered to nurses at the hospital to bring warmth, comfort and an extra touch of love to newborn babies and their families.

Agnieszka Klimkowicz-Buda, Home Manager at Oak House, added: “It was a pleasure to donate some of the finished products to the neonatal unit this month. The entire team were very grateful for everyone’s efforts.

“We’re incredibly proud of our residents for all their hard work for such great causes – they’ve had a very busy year. 

“Crafts and other creative activities can promote positive wellbeing for older people in a variety of therapeutic ways, including improving mental wellbeing and encouraging a sense of purpose. The ladies’ work for people in need is invaluable, and we hope their knitted creations will be well-loved by all.”

Oak House provides residential, nursing and short-term respite care, as well as specialist dementia care. The home enables residents to live active and fulfilled lives while also promoting independence.