From Charlie Chicks volunteer to Hospice ‘Frailty Service’ patient

It’s that time of year when Garden House Hospice Care’s Charlie Chicks spread joy across North Hertfordshire and surrounding villages. These cheerful chicks are knitted and crocheted by many keen volunteers, before being stuffed with Creme Eggs and sold in the hospice’s shops and beyond to raise vital funds.

Throughout the years, one of their most keen volunteer knitters has been Doris Jaszczak, who just so happens to have been admitted to the hospice recently, as a patient through their new Frailty Service. After being diagnosed with anaemia, Doris had a blood transfusion and has been experiencing health issues ever since. She is now receiving more personalised care, until she’s well enough to move into a care home.

Doris was happy to talk about her involvement with making Charlie Chicks:
“I’m trying to bring my memory back as to where it all started from, as it was quite some time ago. I remember when I started sewing – doing the eyes and beaks, and every chick having to be exactly right, otherwise it wouldn’t pass Doris’s inspection. So I would make alterations, making sure that the egg fitted – it was important that the egg didn’t fall out when in a bowl of fifty other chicks. It was a very important job, but I made it so.

“Then we upped our game a bit and got into making chicks with hats. My friend, Jo Wiffen, was the instigator of that, and she was great. Then I got my daughter-in-law involved as well as she’s very good at sewing, much better than me.

“Each year I had a bedroom full of them. There was so many I can’t remember the exact number – but there was hundreds and hundreds, and even more hundreds of them!”

“I would encourage anyone to get involved. You don’t have to make hundreds – just make half a dozen and that will help. I honestly enjoyed the chicks while I was doing them, and there’s also a good social element to it. I made a lot of friends.”

When asked about her experience with the hospice’s new Frailty Service, here’s what Doris said:
“It’s marvellous. I only have to call and say “please may I have…” and it appears – and I’m sure that’s the same for everyone, not just me. It certainly is a wonderful place. I never expected to be in here, partaking of it. Last Sunday when the lady came up to me in the hospital and asked me if I’d like to come to the Hospice, I said “yes please” and off I went that afternoon. I knew exactly what I would get from the Hospice was care and attention, and I have.”

Nikki Chapman is Group Shop Manager of Garden House Hospice Care’s charity shops in Baldock and Fairfield: “I think one of the reasons Charlie Chicks are so popular is that they embody the community aspect of the hospice. People start knitting now for next year. The knitters contribute then customers contribute by purchasing them. They are very popular with all ages, a great conversation starter with customers to learn more about the hospice, and a wonderful way to generate additional income in our shops.”

To find out more about Charlie Chicks, please visit www.ghhospicecare.org.uk/charlie-chicks.

To find your nearest Garden House Hospice Care shop, visit www.ghhospicecare.org.uk/our-shops.

04/03/2024 11:05