Older people’s charity gets a warm glow from the kindness of crafters

21st December 2022

Sheffield’s leading older people’s charity, Sheffield Churches Council for Community Care (SCCCC) has been overwhelmed by the kindness of strangers. They received over 150 hand-knitted and crocheted blankets after they launched a winter blanket campaign.

Sheffield’s leading older people’s charity, Sheffield Churches Council for Community Care (SCCCC) has been overwhelmed by the kindness of strangers. They received over 150 hand-knitted and crocheted blankets after they launched a winter blanket campaign encouraging people to create and donate hand-crafted blankets to help keep vulnerable older people warm this winter.  

Many isolated older people, whose only company is the TV are exposed to constant warnings from the media regarding the major increases in energy bills this winter. Consequently, many will become fearful of even switching their heating on at all. Combined with the arctic conditions Sheffield has faced over the last week, this is a dangerous combination. 

SCCCC set out to help older people stay warm, healthy, and comfortable this December, recognising that older people suffer some of the harsher impacts of the colder weather. This can include an increased risk of respiratory issues which can lead to illness, hospitalisation or even death. 

Good Neighbour Scheme, team leader, Tammy Wilson said: ‘We started the campaign in the midst of the heatwave back in July and we have been inundated with handmade blankets, hats, scarves and gloves from across the country including Jersey and Leicestershire.  Many of our service users are isolated and live alone, by giving these donated blankets as Christmas gifts we know they will not only make them smile but keep them warm too.’

Beatrice Shields (96), a service user on the Good Neighbour, the friendly visiting scheme was delighted with her blanket; She said ‘How wonderful that a stranger would spend the time to hand make something so beautiful for me.’

The charity advises that it is important to focus on warming up yourself, rather than the house. To take the extra measure of keeping warm, using blankets and extra clothing as the first line of defence against the cold.

SCCCC are always looking to recruit volunteers who can spare an hour a week to visit an isolated, vulnerable, older person in Sheffield. If can help please email: volunteers@scccc.co.uk 

To find out more about the valuable work they do at SCCCC please head to their website www.scccc.co.uk