Mansfield Building Society Community Support Scheme has donated £470 to Doe Lea Resource Centre’s Craft and Chat Group to buy a sewing machine and fabric.

The group, which organises craft workshops, runs a programme that brings together volunteers to work with Alzheimer’s and dementia patients or those who have suffered a stroke.

Members create sensory quilts, known as Fidget Quilts, which are designed to stimulate and soothe users through the use of fabric, colours, textures and accessories, such as pockets, buttons and ribbons, to calm restless hands.

The quilts are designed for patients suffering from the dementia conditions.

Gwenda Culkin, organiser of the group, said: “While there is a substantial amount of hand sewing involved in the decoration of the quilts, the new sewing machine will enable the construction of the quilts to be technically stronger than if they were hand-stitched and allow for longer use and industrial washing.

“Through The Mansfield’s funding we will be able to offer more volunteers the chance to learn how to use a sewing machine and get involved in our programme.”

Tom Molloy, assistant branch manager at the Chesterfield branch of the building society, who presented the cheque, said: “When visiting the centre, it was great to see people offering their time for such a wonderful cause.

“All the quilts are donated via community care homes to people suffering from Alzheimer’s, dementia or those who have suffered a stroke, with several members of the group creating the quilts also suffering from these conditions.”

Pictured are members of the Doe Lea Craft and Chat Group receiving their donation