Quilters wrap up project for babies at New Horizons

Babies at Bristol mother and baby unit, New Horizons, now have beautiful handmade quilts for their cots thanks to quilters from Portishead.

The Portishead Quilters have spent a busy summer sewing 25 beautiful quilts for the unit run by Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust (AWP).

The quilters took on the challenge as their summer project following a visit by Occupational Therapist Joanne Lawson to an event where the quilters were showcasing their work.

Joanne said “I was so impressed by the quilts on display and thought they would look lovely on the cots at New Horizons.

“I approached the quilters to see if the group could make eight cot quilts for the unit. When I was presented with 25 beautiful quilts I was overwhelmed.

“The mothers and babies all really enjoy them. The nursery and bedrooms look much more welcoming with them on the cots.”

New Horizons is a purpose built unit at Southmead Hospital for mothers experiencing mental health problems such as severe post-natal depression. Staff thanked the Portishead Quilters by inviting them for tea and cake at the unit where they could see their quilts in use.

Portishead Quilter Jackie Troop said, “It is wonderful to know everyone in the unit is getting so much pleasure from the quilts.

 “We are never afraid of a challenge, this has been a delightful project to work on which is why eight quilts quickly turned into 25.”

Portishead Quilters meet on the first and third Tuesday of the month at Redcliffe Bay Hall, Portishead from 7.30pm until 9.30pm. For more information please telephone Elizabeth Williams on 01275 818415.