VILLAGERS living near a care home are being invited to join residents at weekly free ‘knit and natter’ sessions.
Down Hall residential home in Bradwell hosts weekly sessions on Thursdays at 2.30pm which are open to all.
People have a chance to have fun with knitting projects, meet other locals, and chat with the home’s residents.
Louise Simon, the activities coordinator at Down Hall, organises the free sessions.
She said: “Knitters bring their own wool and knitting needles, but we provide tea and cake and company.
“Everyone is welcome. We usually have a knitting circle of about ten people, a mix of residents and people from the village.
“Bradwell-on-Sea has quite a high population of older people. The knit and natter group gives them a purpose to venture out and enjoy some good company. We hope that it helps a few members of our community to feel less isolated.”
Bella Kemp, aged 94, has been a resident at Down Hall since July and is a keen knitter.
She said: “I do enjoy our Thursday afternoons. I like to knit, but it’s more than that.
"It’s lovely to be part of a group, all sitting together and chatting. It’s great to see some new faces from the village too”
“I liked the camaraderie,” said resident Dr Thrity Gazi who participated in the community event for the first time and was joined by her niece.
The 84-year-old made Down Hall her home in October.
“It's my first time but I did really enjoy it and will definitely join in again.”
Sheila Edwards, aged 86, lives in Bradwell and regularly joins the knitting circle, she likes to spend her afternoons knitting squares to be sewed into blankets. She said: “It's nice to meet up with others and socialise. It’s a friendly group and we all enjoy a natter and a laugh.”
Manager Karen Johnson encourages residents to engage in hobbies and interests while living at the care home.
She said: “We offer our residents a stimulating and enjoyable lifestyle.
“Knitting helps to keep their minds and hands active, and having a shared activity helps to encourage social interaction.
“We love welcoming our neighbours from the village. It boosts everyone’s mood and we all love seeing the progress of our knitters’ projects.”
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