A self-funded knitting group from Swansea have been bringing joy to hundreds of sick children through their talent, ingenuity and dedication. Wendy Bartlett founded the Swansea Bay Community Whizzknits Volunteers, a group that donates thousands of knitted and crocheted items to the Swansea Bay University Health Board each year.
Wendy has her own business which she has run for more than 30 years as a services provider and agency for healthcare professionals across the country. She founded Whizzknits after some of her family members battled cancer and serious conditions, realising she could use her hobby to show her gratitude.
She said: “I love what I do and seeing the smiles it brings to people, all of us do. I started it as a thank you and thought this was a great way for other people to give back to the community. We then realised there was an actual need for the items we produce.”
The self-funded volunteer group donates thousands of knitted items every year -Credit:Swansea University Health Board
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Now, Wendy manages 612 volunteer knitters who create their own individual items for patients and other people in the community. For the latest Swansea news, sign up to our newsletter here. Wendy’s first big project was during the pandemic in 2020 when she was asked for 1,500 knitted hearts for patients in the Intensive Therapy Unit in Morriston Hospital. Just in 2024, Whizzknits made more than 7,000 items for donations.
Wendy explained that the initiative was not only helping those who received the items, but also the members of her own group. She said: “My invaluable and committed team of 14 dedicated volunteers work like Trojans to ensure requests are filled and delivered on time. It’s not just the knitting we do it for, our items have a value and producing them has created a warm, inviting space for people to come together.”
She added: “I found that some of our knitters hadn’t interacted with many people or found themselves isolated for some time due to bereavement or mobility issues. They have a huge amount to offer and together, they create a busy, active community with an abundance of knowledge, fun and enthusiasm.”
Not everyone is busy knitting all of the time though, as Wendy explained: “Some volunteers are knitting, others are inspecting items, gift wrapping, delivering and have created great friendships. They are very special, dedicated people. I sit back and see all the commitment and kindness from the people involved and think this is one of the proudest things I’ve ever done.”
Some of the products they have made -Credit:Swansea University Health Board
The Whizzknits produce and store their bespoke products in a rented space in Cockett, Swansea. This is where the group makes anywhere between 400-600 items monthly. These items are then used for rewards for the children on the paediatric wards and assessment units across the health board.
These unique products are detailed to make children feel better about their hospital visit. These include handmade plushies dressed in bandages to be beside children so they can relate to their toys. These plushies often become children’s friends and are often seen attending the hospital in all their visits.
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All the toys are created from UK-approved wool, undergoing inspections and destruction tests to ensure that they can last on the wards and are fully washable. For Whizzknits — presentation is everything. Before the toys reach their children’s hands, the toys are carefully wrapped in cellophane and are decorated with a big bow so the children can open them as presents in the hospital.
The group creates products as needed an requested by different communities. -Credit:Swansea University Health Board
The volunteer group’s products aren’t just limited to the toys as they create a wide variety of items that are made on demand for community and churches. The group also creates hundreds of twiddle maps which are used for mental health patients and dementia hubs.
Additionally, they make blankets to comfort those receiving end of life care, and cannula covers for babies in hospitals. Items that help children with life-limiting conditions and educational toys, games for local schools, and charities are also made for other community members.
“We do it for patients, their families and members of the local community,” Wendy said. “The dedicated team quietly work away weekly and are the backbone of support that make things happen and I have nothing but admiration for them.”