Crafty effort to help Heron Lodge residents

The idiom like mother, like daughter certainly rings true at Heron Lodge in Wroxham.  The nursing home’s wellbeing coordinator Karen Spinks is renowned for keeping residents happily occupied with creative craft activities.  Now her daughter Lily-Mai, 15, has followed in her footsteps by making personalised, embroidered handkerchiefs for everyone at the Kingsley Healthcare-run home in Norwich Road. 

The idea was inspired by the Aylsham High School year 10 student wanting to do something creative and meaningful to pass the time during the Coronavirus lockdown.  Her mother said: “We ordered some blank handkerchiefs and I gave Lily-Mai some meaningful ideas to personalise them for each resident.  “Pam worked for years in a sweet shop, so a sweet on hers, Doreen loved her schnauzer so an outline of one on hers, Margaret has a deep love of birds so had a robin, Peggy was a Girl Guide for many years so had the logo, Mavis worked with politicians, so there was a Big Ben, Farideh loves cakes, Lily quite obviously had a lily.” 

Mrs. Spinks, of Hevingham, said she was proud of her daughter’s creative efforts, adding that the residents had been “bowled over by the kindness, thought and craft that has gone into making them”.  Lily-Mai, a young leader with 1st Buxton Lamas Sea Scouts, said: “Because the residents were not getting visitors and as many gifts from home, I wanted to do something special for them.  “After embroidering all of my plain T-shirts I needed a new project. I asked Mum for an idea and she mentioned some of the ladies at Heron Lodge use hankies. We decided to stitch names on them so they can be returned after they are washed but I also wanted to add a more personal touch and Mum suggested ideas for pictures from knowing her residents so well.” 

Her mother said: “Seeing the joy she has given the residents at this difficult time with such a sweet personal gift is amazing.  “We have always been creative at home, Lily-Mai has always had an eye for detail and loved all things craft from a very early age.”