NEW VENTURE: Christine Emerson from Beaconsfield Court Care Home was presented with 30 hand-made fiddle mats for residents by members of Barnard Castle Dementia Friendly Group, from left, Mavis Willoughby, Lesley Taylor, Caroline White and Theresa Atkinso
NEW VENTURE: Christine Emerson from Beaconsfield Court Care Home was presented with 30 hand-made fiddle mats for residents by members of Barnard Castle Dementia Friendly Group, from left, Mavis Willoughby, Lesley Taylor, Caroline White and Theresa Atkinso

MEMBERS of Barnard Castle’s Dementia Friendly Group handed over some fiddle mats to Beaconsfield Court Care Home for residents living with dementia.

The mats, which are made using differing textiles to feel and things to open and close to keep hands busy, have been carefully crafted by dedicated volunteers including Mavis Willoughby, Theresa Atkinson and Caroline White.

They handed over 30 mats to the Beaconsfield’s wellbeing manager, Christine Emerson, on Friday, September 20.

The group, which meets up at Teesdale YMCA in Barnard Castle, has previously handed over 36 mats for residents at The Manor House.

The crafty bunch have already started on more mats, but are concentrating on another project at present, creating colourful and tactile Christmas tree decorations.

The decorations, made using buttons, beads and wires, come in all shapes and sizes including snowmen, angels and wreaths.

Ms Atkinson said: “They’re designed so they are good to feel and will feature on St Mary’s Parish Church tree this year - it will be a Dementia Friendly one.”