Do you knit? Have you heard of Twiddlemuffs? 

Twiddlemuffs are a knitted muff with items attached which a patient with dementia can twiddle in their hands. People with dementia often have restless hands and like to have something to keep their hands occupied. Twiddlemuffs provide a wonderful source of visual, tactile and sensory stimulation and at the same time keep hands snug and warm.

Madeleine Farrow, speech and language therapist, is co-ordinating a staff knitting group and is looking for members to help knit the simple Twiddlemuff patterns. These muffs will then be used on our elderly care wards. If you would like to join the knitting group or have any spare wool or sensory items like buttons, zips and beads to donate please contact: madeleine.farrow@nhs.net. 

Twiddlemuffs are part of the dementia awareness work going on throughout the trust. For more information contact Danielle Wilde: daniellewilde@nhs.net.

Notes to editors

Image: David Sloman, CEO (top). Staff knit Twiddlemuffs (bottom)

Media contacts: rf.mediaenquiries@nhs.net or call 020 7317 7740

About the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

The Royal Free began as a pioneering organisation and continues to play a leading role in the care of patients. Our mission is to provide world class expertise and local care. In the 21st century, the Royal Free London continues to lead improvements in healthcare.

The Royal Free London attracts patients from across the country and beyond to its specialist services in liver and kidney transplantation, haemophilia, renal care, HIV, infectious diseases, plastic surgery, immunology, Parkinson's disease, vascular surgery, cardiology, amyloidosis and scleroderma and we are a member of the academic health science partnership UCLPartners.

In July 2014 Barnet Hospital and Chase Farm Hospital became part of the Royal Free London. Read 'A bigger trust, a better future'.