Getting creative for dementia awareness

The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) is casting off a community art project to raise dementia awareness.

People are being encouraged to knit or crochet forget-me-not flowers, which will form a new piece of artwork that will go on display at the NNUH’s Dementia Information and Advice Fayre in May.

The annual event will take place between 10am and 4.30pm on Monday 13 May in the East Atrium of the hospital.

The programme of speakers for the day can be found here

The Dementia Information and Advice Fayre goes from strength to strength every year with a host of speakers, information stands and pop-up café. The event is traditionally held on the week before Dementia Action Week, which this year runs between 20 and 26 May.

The Trust is working with the Norfolk Knitters and Stitchers Club on this community project.

Liz Yaxley, Dementia Services Manager at NNUH, said: “We are really excited to be launching this project. The support of the county’s knitters and stitchers has been phenomenal in the past when we asked for donations of hand-crafted lap blankets and sensory bands. We are hoping that this year’s project will create a stunning piece of art with a flower to represent every single person in Norfolk who is living with dementia.”

The deadline for this project is April 16th and people can drop off their knitted or crochet flowers at reception desks at NNUH, Cromer Hospital, or NNUH offices at 20 Rouen Road, Norwich.

They can also be posted to the Communications department, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Colney Lane, Norwich, NR4 7UY.

A suggested pattern for the forget-me-not flowers can be found on the Norfolk Knitters and Stitchers website here

James Artherton-Howlett and Jenny Woolgrove from the NNUH Dementia Support Team with the knitted flowers