STAFF from HMP Inverness, and their families, have been knitting handmade hats, scarves, and cardigans for newborn babies to spread a little warmth this winter.
Prison staff and their families initially came together to donate knitted items for newborn babies at Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin, after seeing an online appeal.
First Line Manager, Natalie Campbell, and Head of Operations, Gary Goddard, enlisted a team of crafty prison staff and their families to get knitting for babies in the neonatal ward.
Over 30 knitted items were donated on 10 October to the hospital, including cardigans, hats and shawls.
The knitting group’s work even caught the attention of the individuals in custody at the prison.
They heard about the initiative and asked how they could get involved in helping their local community.
A new knitting club has since been set up for the men in custody, to encourage them to develop a new skill, and to join in with the prison’s community focus.
It comes as the prison’s children’s clothing bank goes from strength to strength, offering items without stigma to families in need.
Recognising the importance of the clothing bank, the men expressed their gratitude to prison staff for helping their families that visit the prison, and wanted to get involved somehow.
It is hoped that they will be able to add their own offering of hand-crafted hats and scarves to the clothing bank over the coming months, as they improve their knitting skills.
Natalie Campbell, First Line Manager at HMP Inverness, said: “The staff at HMP Inverness love that they can support local people, and we are so grateful to our families who were key to us producing these baby items.
“It’s fantastic that this act of goodwill has also inspired the men in our care to pick up their knitting needles, and craft essential items for our children’s clothing bank.”
