A group of elderly ladies and gentlemen have spent weeks knitting hats for the neonatal department at the Princess Anne Hospital in Southampton.

The neonatal intensive care unit at Princess Anne Hospital is one of the largest neonatal units in the country, providing specialist care to around 900 babies a year from across the south and the channel islands.

Every week, the group of care home residents meet for the Knitter Natter session at Woodlands House, Southampton, with their knitting needles, yarn and a determined purpose to work together on the project. It is also a great social interaction session, giving the residents a chance to have a good gossip and chat!

Over 150 hats have been creatively made with attention and care to be presented to the hospital ready for the small infants.
 
The multicoloured hats are lovingly hand-knitted to make sure they are the correct size for premature babies. Some of the knitted hats have a section or gap to ensure any tubes or equipment can still be used without the hat causing an obstruction.

It is clear to see that the residents have benefitted from this hobby – for some, it is the first time they have knitted whilst others are rediscovering an old interest.

Some experts have praised knitting for the rhythmic, repetitive motion and relaxation it brings to the mind and body. The simple sit-down task is also famous for stimulating the whole brain at once including the frontal, parietal, temporal and occipital lobe which handles sensory and visual information and stores memories.

Jane Edwards, a carer at Woodlands House who runs the knitting sessions, said:
“I find patterns that the residents will like, and I sit with them and we all knit together while having a chat and a giggle. Some of our residents struggle with their eyesight and movement in their hands so I made the knitting task very simple and achievable.

“Our residents love to participate because it gives them a goal to know they are making a difference to little ones who need a nice warm hat and that is an encouraging thought.”

http://www.hartfordcare.co.uk/woodlands-house