A group of talented and hard working young people have been busy learning a new skill for their Duke of Edinburgh award – knitting!
The group was organised by newly appointed Mayor of Wigan Debbie Parkinson, who has volunteered as a bereavement counsellor for 13 years. The group have been busy knitting some fantastic blankets ready for donation to The Brick, an anti-poverty charity who also support people experiencing homelessness.
The knitters have been supported by members of the congregation at the Church of Saint Wilfrid in Standish, who generously donated some knitting needles and wool. The groups local library also kindly allowed them to run their group meetings in one of their spaces.
Tilly, a member of the knitting group said,
“It has been an honour being part of this group. I started my knitting journey at the end of last year as my ‘learning new skills’ section of my Bronze DofE award. When I joined Debbie’s band of young knitters, I didn’t know anything about knitting and I thought I would never learn. It was initially a challenging journey but now I can create squares in different colours and enjoy how nice they look when made into a blanket. I was thrilled that our blankets will be used by the Hospice and hope they help to bring some warmth and comfort to people in their time of need.”
Holly, another member of the knitting group said,
“I have had the best time making this blanket. I thank Debbie Parkinson for bringing the group together, the staff at the library for giving us the space and the people here at church who gave us the needles and wool. Like most people my age I spent time in my bedroom scrolling up devices but now I spend time crocheting, knitting and talking with my Mum. It was also nice to see my Nan donate her knitting too. This group has provided me with new skills and friendships. I hope the person who receives this gift will also receive the warmth and joy of our group.”
The blankets were donated by members of the Wigan & Leigh Hospice Practice Development Team on Monday 22nd July, to The Brick shop in Leigh, on behalf of the knitting group.
A staff member from The Brick said,
“We would like to pass on our thanks to the knitters, it is a great effort from the young people who have made them! The blankets are going to be taken to the ‘A bed every night’ (ABEN) accommodation centre to be used in the communal room, in front of the TV. They are a nice bit of luxury for people to use and share. Thank you.”
A staff member from the Practice Development Team based at Wigan & Leigh Hospice who is currently supporting clients and staff in many hostels and other homeless shelters through the Wigan Borough Homeless Project said,
“We know that there are many rough sleepers and homeless people in the Wigan Borough and felt that the blankets would bring some warmth and comfort to these people in need.”
The work done by the Mayor and the knitting group will help to ensure that people within the Wigan and Leigh community can experience a bit of warmth and comfort that they may not have had in some time.