Residents at a care home in Ramsbottom have created and donated crochet hearts to end of life patients and their families at a hospital.

Following a January appeal from members of the End of Life and Bereavement Team, based at Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital, staff and residents at Lavender Hills Care Home spent the start of the year crocheting end of life hearts for patients and their families.

Since they began creating them, residents have donated 30 packs to East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust with each containing two crochet hearts and a poem from the home.

The idea behind the initiative is to give one heart to the patient while the other heart stays with a family member or loved one.

Liz Kyme, Activity Coordinator at Lavender Hills, part of the Millennium Care Group, said: “I do a lot of crocheting at home and was approached by my friend who works at the hospital.

“I thought it would be great to get our residents involved and they loved it.

“Not only has it kept us busy but it’s for a great cause, we hope these little acts of kindness can provide people with some comfort for years to come.

“I have a friend who lost her father and I know the impact these hearts can have.”

Jo Gaskell, End of Life and Bereavement Team Lead Nurse, said: “Families are really grateful for the hearts because they are a great comfort for them, so it’s really kind and thoughtful that other people think of these people.

“It’s so lovely to meet these lovely residents, it’s been the highlight of our day.”

Residents from the home were given an amazing reception as they visited the team to make the donation.

The End of Life and Bereavement Team cares for dying patients in hospital and supports the family too, during and after the death of their loved one.

For more information, please contact Aaron Greaves on 07938 489056 or e-mail aaron@millennium-care.co.uk