‘I want to make people happy’ – 87-Year-Old Norma Knits for the Community

87-year-old Norma Cade from Ashworth Grange care home is showing her love to the Dewsbury community by sharing her hand-knitted dolls.

Norma was born in Batley and learnt to knit in school during World War II. She fell in love with arts and crafts, but knitting was her favourite pastime.

Through her career in retail at Wilsons in Batley, Norma never lost her love of knitting, which always took up her spare time.

Norma moved into Ashworth Grange in October 2022, where she quickly joined the other residents in the home’s Knit and Natter Club.

Putting her impressive skills to good use, Norma has now lovingly knitted nine dolls, which she’s named and gift-wrapped with the idea of hiding her dolls around Dewsbury Park for others to find.

Each doll has a tag attached, telling the finder the doll’s name, and instructions on what to do once they have found their doll. The tag reads,

‘I was knitted with love by Norma from Ashworth Grange care home. If you find me, please email/tag Ashworth Grange with a photo and state where you found me. We hope this random act of kindness has brought a smile to your face.’

Norma said,

‘I wanted to do something nice for the community, give something back and make the children happy. I hope my dolls put a smile on people’s faces, it’ll make me feel like I’ve made the world a better place.’ 

The Home Manager at Ashworth Grange, Sharon Troy, thought Norma’s idea was ‘kind and thoughtful’. She said,

‘We’re so proud to have such wonderful, kind gestured residents with us at Ashworth Grange. Norma’s idea to hide her knitted dolls is a lovely way to help the community and form lasting friendships, we can’t wait to see who finds them.’

For more information, please visit idealcarehomes.co.uk, email ashworth.grange@idealcarehomes.co.uk or call 01924 869970.

Ashworth Grange, operated by Ideal Carehomes, is a residential and dementia care home with attractive décor and landscaped gardens. All 64 bedrooms are en-suite, enabling staff to deliver person-centred care in a dignified manner, promoting independence as far as possible. Ashworth Grange is proud to be rated as ‘GOOD’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).