Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters

From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts. Become a member today

With Christmas approaching, more than 150 blankets have been donated to people in need thanks to the efforts of volunteers over the last year.

At a special ceremony at Caerphilly Miners’ Centre on Monday November 10, 151 blankets were handed over to a variety of local charities and organisations.

The annual project, which began in 2020, is run by Caerphilly Miners’ Centre – the community hub which opened in 2015 on the site of the former Caerphilly Miners’ Hospital.

The scheme was launched as a way to keep people connected during the Covid pandemic and has continued ever since, with the number of volunteer knitters growing year-on-year.

In previous years, Hefin David presented blankets to the organisations on behalf of the Miners’ Centre. However, following his passing earlier this year, that honour was given to Councillor Carol Andrews.

“I am honoured to follow in the footsteps of the late Hefin David, who has fulfilled this role for many years,” said Cllr Andrews, who is the council’s cabinet member for education and communities.

“I know Hefin valued this and the centre’s contribution to the community by making and donating the blankets.”

Cllr Andrews said a “huge thank you” to the “army of volunteers who give their time knitting and making these wonderful blankets” and continued: “I know these blankets will be used well by everyone who receives them.

“I really hope that this project continues to go from strength-to-strength.”

Each blanket is made from 25 crocheted squares – with each square taking around an hour to knit. It then takes a further five hours to crochet the squares together to make a blanket.

Volunteers then sort, label and pack the blankets before giving them out.

‘A great big help’

One of the organisations receiving blankets this year is Caerphilly Foodbank, run by Connect Life Church. Thanking volunteers for their donations, food bank manager Ryan Hyde told Caerphilly Observer: “It’s a big help to us. We serve a lot of elderly people in the food bank in particular, and sometimes it’s nice to be able to gift them something like these blankets.

“We have a lot of families as well, so it’s something that we can give to a family who might be struggling or going through something. We’ve had some families who have sadly lost their homes and they’re trying to rebuild from that, so giving them a gift like a blanket is a great big help and it just puts a smile on their face.”

Caerphilly Uniform Exchange was another organisation to benefit from blanket donations. Its founder, Lisa Watkins, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to the Caerphilly Miners’ Centre for their generosity. These blankets will make such a difference to the families and individuals we support, helping to bring a little extra warmth and comfort to those who need it most this winter.”

The Gilfach-based Parent Network, which helps parents across the borough take part in activities and gain skills and qualifications, was another blanket recipient. They said: “We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Caerphilly Miners’ volunteers for their generous donation of blankets.

“Your kindness will bring warmth and comfort to local families – not just for winter, but all year round.”

They continued: “Our free clothing hub runs throughout the year, supporting families whenever they need it. These beautiful blankets will be a much-appreciated addition, helping us continue to spread care and compassion within our community.”

Other organisations receiving blankets this year include Caerphilly County Borough Council, the Gwent Drug and Alcohol Service (GDAS), Cafe Tyfu, Create Caerphilly, National Youth Advocacy Service (NYAS), and The Parish Trust.

‘They feel proud’

More than 70 volunteers contributed to making this year’s blankets. They include people donating wool, the knitters and crocheters, as well as volunteers sorting donations and doing the admin side of the project.

Volunteer Pauline Elcock spoke to Caerphilly Observer about the positive impact the project has on those taking part: “Some people have learned to knit or crochet with us so that they can help with the project -so they’ve learned a new skill along the way.

“It’s a lovely thing for people to be able to do at home. I think they feel proud of being part of a project that helps vulnerable people.”

Ms Elcock continued: “It’s something they can do from home, because a lot of people who knit for us are in homes themselves and they can’t get out, they can’t do much – so it makes them feel useful and part of a bigger project.

“It’s a hobby many of them have had throughout their lives, because a lot of them are very, very good knitters. You can tell they’ve done hours and hours of knitting – their knitting is perfect.”

She added: “Feeling part of something and feeling that you’re contributing is important for people and their self-esteem. They like to think that they’re helping someone else, and knowing that they’re going to good causes like they have this year, also helps.”

Discussing how the project has grown, Ms Elcock said: “We had 151 blankets in total this year, so I imagine if it continues on that upward trajectory, it’ll probably be 170 or 180 next year, which is an awful load of blankets.

“But we are finding homes for them all, so whereas when I started with the project we had four or five recipient organisations, we’ve now got around 12 in total – and there are homes for all the blankets that we make, which is lovely. None of them are wasted.”