Meet Our Crochet Queen!

We just wanted to introduce you to Dot Held, who lives at West Farm, and her amazing passion and talent for knitting!

Knitting has always featured prominently in Dot’s life and we didn’t want this to stop when she moved in with us.

Not only is knitting a great benefit in residential care because it lowers anxiety and stress, reduces blood pressure and greatly improves wellbeing, it is also important it helping to develop fine motor skills which are needed for doing up the buttons on a shirt for instance, therefore helping to maintain independence.

At the sprightly age of 85, Dot makes croquet squares which are then sewn together to make blankets. She used to make little hats for them too but can’t manage those anymore.

Over the years, Dot has made hundreds of croquet squares and often donated them to local hospitals, to give comfort to the patients who need a little touch of homemade love. This is something she still does now at West Farm which makes her feel incredibly happy and we are pleased to support this as it’s a very kind gesture for those in need too.

Speaking about her love of crochet, her daughters said: “My mam has knitted for as long as I remember. When not taking care of us/me when we were little, doing household chores or working, mam could never just sit still, she always needed to do something! Nothing has changed now that she is living at West Farm, she hates to just sit there so she’s often seen with her knitting needles out, busy making her next creation. It’s wonderful that West Farm completely embraces her passion and enables her to knit whenever and wherever she likes. She often sits in the lounge with other residents chatting and knitting and this makes her feel content and, most importantly for me at least, at home.”

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What people are saying

"I am very pleased with how my mother has settled in and generally how supportive and caring the staff are. This has given us peace of mind knowing that she is safe & well looked after. Thank you."
"Our mum has been a resident at Cramlington House for over a year and we have nothing but praise for the friendly, approachable staff and management. We always feel like part of an extended family and when we visit nothing is too much bother. We are completely happy with the standard of care, support and understanding we all receive as a family."
"From the first day, I knew it was the place for my mum. Clean, friendly staff, lovely environment! My mum would not get the opportunity to do the activities she is experiencing if she was not in Cramlington House. It is home from home and we can visit anytime. I can't say enough of how great Cramlington House is. "
"This is an absolutely superb care facility. The staff say that this is the home of the residents, in which they work - and they evidence that philosophy every day. In the last months of our mother's long life, we took comfort form the fact that she was safe and secure, being well-fed and looked after. The entire care team are brilliant. "
"All the staff at West Farm have provided such wonderful care, compassion and support to my auntie. We both feel incredibly lucky to have found West Farm, it’s been the perfect home for my auntie. I can honestly say, hand on heart, every aspect of the care provided by each member of staff at West Farm has been outstanding."