PATIENTS at Southmead Hospital have been getting creative as knitting sessions arrived on the wards.

Wool and knitting needles have been provided for inpatients as part of the programme that has proved therapeutic for those taking part.

Staff and visitors to the hospital have also been getting in on the act by taking part in drop-in sessions.

Knitting has been brought onto the wards by artist Ali Brown who is incorporating squares knitted by patients, staff, visitors and members of local community groups into an art installation that was unveiled during the Fresh Arts Festival held at the hospital last week.

Patient Gladys Ebert was an avid knitter but had not picked up needles in recent years, until Ali brought some wool into Elgar House at Southmead Hospital Bristol.

The 88-year-old set herself up in her room, knitting throughout the day with staff and other patients popping in to see her and benefiting from her knitting tips.

Gladys, of Yate, said: “When I was young I did lots of knitting and sewing, my grandmother taught me to knit when I was 11.

“When I got married I knitted for the whole family. I hadn’t been knitting recently but started again in here and now it has got me like a bad habit.

“I’ve enjoyed knitting in hospital, every bit of it. They have to tell me to go to bed because I can go on for hours. It has made me feel relaxed.”

Having picked up the knitting needles again, Gladys is now planning what she can start knitting when she returns home from hospital.

Director of nursing and quality, Sue Jones, said: “The knitting sessions are helping people to engage and connect with others.

“It is not just about the craft but is taking their minds off being in hospital and encouraging them to meet other people.

“For dementia patients and those with memory loss knitting really is therapeutic.

“It is a really positive thing that we are doing for our patients and we have had some great feedback.”

For those who can’t knit, Ali has encouraged them to make pom-poms that were used on the giant jumper displayed at the community arts festival.