Hundreds of residents from Bupa care homes have knitted almost 54,000 premature baby bonding squares as part of a nationwide donation drive for neonatal units.
The 10cm x 10cm squares are widely used by hospitals to help mothers and premature babies bond while the babies are in hospital. The squares are kept with mother and baby and then swapped, allowing the baby to be comforted by their mother’s scent, while helping the mother maintain her milk supply and emotional bond.
The donations are part of celebrations for Bupa Care Services’ 40th anniversary, with residents wanting to give back to their community in a special and unique way.
Neonatal units rely heavily on donations of the bonding squares, which are small but vital items that can be costly to source from independent sellers.
The initial goal was to collect 25,000 handmade squares, but thanks to the efforts of residents, that milestone was reached by August this year, with the target then raised to 40,000 to mark 40 years of Bupa Care Services. By November, the total had surpassed all expectations at an incredible 53,884 squares.
Bupa colleagues, local communities and families also helped boost the total, with every square individually hand-counted.
Believed to be the largest organisation-wide collection of its kind, Bupa has now approached the Guinness World Records team to verify whether the achievement could set a new record.
Betty, 85, resident at Sunnyview House Bupa Care Home, West Yorkshire, said: “After losing my husband earlier this year, helping the premature babies gave me something to focus on. I love knitting and knitting the squares gave me a purpose.”
Harriet, resident at Elm View Bupa Care Home, Somerset, said: “When I worked I was in nursing, and my daughter went into nursing looking after premature babies. So I know how much these bonding squares would have been appreciated by mum and baby. It brings me joy to know I can still help those in need.”
Tom Hoosen-Webber, General Manager for Bupa Care Services, said: “I’m incredibly proud but not surprised by the amazing generosity of our Bupa care home residents. Their time, skill and kindness have created thousands of invaluable gifts for new mothers and their babies.
“This project has been a powerful reminder of the compassion, creativity, and community spirit that define our Bupa care homes and Richmond Villages. It’s been a joy to see everyone come together to make a difference – one square at a time.”
Residents will continue their knitting next year, under a new initiative ‘Need for Knitting’. Bupa homes and Richmond villages will choose their own charities to knit for, with residents continuing to hand-knit donations for the likes of homeless shelters, animal rescue centres, children’s hospital charities and more.
