Redbond Lodge Care Home’s Knitting Project Brings Joy to Ukrainian Orphanage

The residents of Redbond Lodge care home, part of the Runwood Homes group, have been making a heartwarming impact through their weekly Knitting Club. The club, primarily attended by the ladies of the home, has taken on a meaningful project with the support of the Lifestyle Coordinators.

Over the past weeks, they have been diligently knitting a variety of items—hats, matinee sets, blankets, comfort toys for babies, and little handbags for girls. These were all made to be donated to an orphanage in Ukraine that cares for disabled children and includes a maternity unit.

Their efforts recently culminated in a visit from June, a volunteer with the local charity UK-AID, who came to collect the lovingly crafted gifts. UK-AID will be transporting these donations in October as part of their ongoing support for the orphanage.

June expressed her deep appreciation for the residents’ contributions, commenting on the beauty and quality of the knitted items. To show her gratitude, June brought brochures and certificates for the ladies, highlighting the difference their work is making in the lives of the children in Ukraine. She also shared photos of the Ukraine Centre, allowing the knitters to see firsthand how their gifts are being used.

The experience has been profoundly moving for the residents, instilling a sense of pride and purpose.

Jean, a resident, reflected, “It’s all so worth doing, and seeing where our gifts are going has made it special. We will continue knitting for the next delivery. I hadn’t knitted for years until I came to live at Redbond Lodge. I didn’t know if I could even cast on.” Josie, another resident, added, “We feel so humble knowing that a little item can mean so much to someone.” Karen Briggs, the Lifestyle Coordinator at Redbond Lodge, shared her pride in the group, stating, “I’m very proud of our ladies, and we will certainly be carrying on with this wonderful project.”