FOLLOWING a plea from Okehampton District Community Transport Group for knitters and wool, a batch of 'Twiddlemuffs' were presented to Okehampton Hospital recently.

Twiddlemuffs are a knitted muff with various items sewn onto them — strands of textured ribbons, beads and various fabrics attached inside and out — which are used to support patients with dementia by giving them something to keep their hands, which are often restless, occupied.

They provide a source of visual, tactile and sensory stimulation and at the same time keep hands snug and warm.

Sue Wonnacott, co-ordinator of the Okehampton and District Transport Group, said one of the charity's drivers had seen one of his clients from Exeter Hospital with a Twiddlemuff and thought it was a great idea.

She said: 'He and his wife enquired about them and the hospital gave them a sheet on how to make them. They thought it would be a nice thing to do so his wife set about making some and we put out to our drivers and clients to help us knit a load. We thought we should support our local hospital so gave them to Okehampton Hospital. It's an ongoing thing so we will be making more.'

Onward care facilitator at Okehampton Hospital Julie Knight said they hadn't seen or heard of the Twiddlemuffs before, but they were a hit among patients.

She said: 'This is the first time we've had them. They are for patients with cognitive issues and they just fiddle with them and they seem to really enjoy it. They also help to engage the patient in conversation as staff and family members can ask them about it and what they are feeling.

'The ward staff would like to thank Sue and the transport group for making them. They're really lovely and they seem to be going down very well with the patients.'

l Okehampton District Community Transport Group co-ordinator Sue Wonnacott is pictured handing over the Twiddlemuffs to Julie Knight at Okehampton Hospital.