So Much More than Stitching! Local MP Maria Miller catches up with Oakley Stitchers to find out what drives the charity.
Maria said, “I met Caroline Worley, one of the driving forces behind local charity Oakley Stitchers, at a recent community Christmas event. Volunteers with Oakley Stitchers use their hobbies and skills to come together to help others by knitting a range of different things that provide practical help and support to people managing a wide range of health conditions, this includes ‘Knitted knockers’ and ‘aqua knockers’ for women who have had mastectomies.
The not-for-profit charity can provide materials, knitting, sewing and crochet patterns to craft groups, workshops, and community groups. This allows people to use their hobbies for a purpose by producing items that are then sent to hospital units and organisations around the UK.”
Caroline said, “The items we provide are often a lifeline for people who are going through a tough patch. We support areas such as: breast cancer with our knitted knockers and aqua knockers, surgical wards with drain bags and pressure relief pillows, and Zip2PICC hoodies for chemotherapy/dialysis patients”.
Maria went in ti say, “I was intrigued to learn about the ‘aqua knockers’ made with the netting from wedding dresses, that can be used whilst swimming, and also the PICC line protectors protect PICC lines from catching when getting dressed or moving around.
Local charities like Oakley stitchers fulfil an important role ensuring that cancer patients can continue their lives with confidence whilst volunteers are able to put their skills to good use.”
To find out more about Oakley Stitchers and how to get involved go to: www.oakleystitchers.org.uk
