KNITTERS across the Forest made more than 1,000 'twiddlemuffs' as part of Dementia Awareness Week.

A series of events are planned, until this Saturday (May 23), to help people obtain information and support on the condition. The twiddlemuffs will be available for people to collect and give to someone with dementia.

The community engagement team at the Forest of Dean District Council are working with the integrated care team at Dean House in Cinderford, Crossroads Care, Newent Association for the Disabled and the Alzheimer's Society to arrange a number of informal drop-in events.

Anyone who would like information and advice can pop in and have a chat over a cup of tea and a piece of cake.

Twiddlemuffs are a knitted hand muff with interesting bits and bobs like beads, zips and ribbons attached inside and outside. They have been designed and developed to provide simple stimulation for active hands, while promoting increased flexibility and brain stimulation.

The district council's community dementia link, Lena Maller said: "There has been a fantastic response from the community and hundreds of twiddlemuffs have already been created. Anyone who knows someone in the district living with dementia can pop along to one of these sessions and collect one for their friend, family member or neighbour." 

Events arranged include Sheppard Euroclydon in Drybrook (tomorrow) at 2pm-5pm and Goode Court in Lydney at 10am-12pm and St Annals House, Belle Vue Centre, Cinderford 9am-12pm on Friday.