Twiddle Muffs Wanted!

What is a Twiddle Muff?

A Twiddle Muff is a knitted or crocheted band that items such as beads, bells, buttons and ribbons are attached to.

A Twiddle Muff?

Patients with Dementia and Alzheimer's can twiddle their hands and keep themselves occupied on the wards in hospitals and care homes. 

What's so Special?

Twiddle Muffs are an alternative, sensory therapy for Alzheimer's patients that don't involve drugs or medication or any invasive procedures. 

How?

When the elderly lose their eyesight, they can often no longer be as creative and productive with their hands as they may once have been - Twiddle Muffs help to keep patients hands both warm and busy. 

Engaging with a Twiddle Muff helps to minimize agitation and anxiety in patients and therefore allows doctors to reduce medication.

Giving a Dementia patient a gift like this also promotes circulation in their hands; meaning they're kept working by increasing brain simulation and flexibility. 

Who Makes Twiddle Muffs?

You make Twiddle Muffs! Twiddle Muffs are donated by kind knitters and crocheters who volunteer in their spare time to make and donate these muffs to hospital wards and Dementia charities. These places need more kind, talented people to make more of these magical Twiddle Muffs to help their patients deal with the confusing illnesses they have. Twiddle Muffs are great gifts for family members suffering with Dementia and Alzheimer's and they are proven to help reduce distress. 

How do you make one?

You can either knit or crochet. I will attach some links below that you can open up with various patterns. 

Knit

NHS Knitted Twiddle Muff Pattern

Knitted Twiddle Muff Instructions

Crochet

Ravelry Crochet Twiddle Muff Pattern

Crochet Twiddle Muff Youtube Tutorial

I can't Knit but I want to help!

If you can't knit or crochet don't panic! Many people donate Twiddle Muffs without any 'buts and bobs' attached. Hospitals are looking for donations of things like zips, clean/new wool, buttons, ribbons, beads etc. Some places would even like volunteers to help attach these bits and bobs onto un-decorated muffs to help save staff time. If you would like to volunteer, contact your local hospitals and dementia charities to offer your time.


Where do I send Donations?


I am sure that if you contact local organisations, you will find lots of people in need of donations.

If you live in Cheshire, I have had a personal request for donations for Ward 21b in Leighton Hospital which is  rehabilitation ward and many of the patients are recovering from falls and strokes. A lot of these patients suffer from Dementia and Alzheimer's so donations would be very grateful.

The address for donations is:-
Twiddle Muffs
Flicity Nixon
Ward 21b
Leighton Hospital
Middlewich Road
Crewe
CW1 49J

Dementia Friends at Warington and Halton Hospitals are also in need of donations. You can contact them at forgetmenot@whh@nhs,uk or send donations to the address below:-
Twiddlemuffs
C/O/Corporate Nursing Department
Kendrick Wing
Warrington Hospital
Lovely Lane
Warrington
WA5 1QG

Heart of England at Solihull Hospital would like donations sent to the address below or contact them at angela.barton@heartofengland.nhs.uk
Twiddlemuffs
C/O Angela Barton
DADOT Office (Ward 10 Corridor)
Solihull Hospital
Lode Lane
Solihull
B91 2JL

Finally, the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital would like donations to be sent to the following address:-
Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital
Twiddlemuffs
C/o Patient advice and Liason Service
Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust
Barrack Road,
Exeter
EX25DW

Thank You!

I hope this post inspires you to get knitting or crocheting for a good cause. Let me know what you though of this post and if you find any other organisation in need of donations. 

Love Charlie, Xx