DEMENTIA patients at the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust will benefit from knitted hand warmers thanks to kind-hearted volunteers.

Patients at the Alexandra Hospital and Worcestershire Royal Hospital living with the advanced stages of dementia will be given the mittens to soothe them in times of agitation.

Twiddle Mitts, which are colourful knitted or crocheted bands with beads, buttons, bells, provide sensory stimulation and help to keep restless hands busy and soothe those who are anxious.

They were made by adult learners across Worcestershire who learned how to make them by taking part in the ‘Knitting for Charity’ course.

Hannah Sargison, senior chartered physiotherapist at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust said: “It was a real pleasure to receive such carefully crafted mittens. It was clear to see the work that had gone into them from the adult learners and the range of colours to suit both our male and female patients was just fantastic.

"Our patients really benefit from using these mitts, they put a lot of smiles on faces and they are highly sought after, so it is always great to receive more.”