In her youth, Mercy Place Nixon resident Irene Ulrich loved to knit her own clothing, but knitting is a hobby she had not pursued for decades. It took just a simple question from Mercy Place Nixon Lifestyle Coordinator Vinodini ‘Vino’ de Silva to realise that a pair of knitting needles and a ball of wool was just the thing to give Irene a renewed purpose in life.
For Vino, whose job it is to coordinate activities for residents at Mercy Place Nixon, talking to them and finding out what stimulates them is her reason for being.
“Irene is pretty quiet and likes to spend time in her room,” Vino says. “I was chatting to her one day, encouraging her to try out some of the activities and that is when Irene mentioned knitting.”
Vino rounded up some balls of wool and knitting needles, and gave them to a delighted Irene. The 82-year-old has not looked back since.
Mercy Place Nixon resident Irene Ulrich and Lifestyle Coordinator Vino de Silva.
“My sister taught me how to knit when I was 10 years old,” Irene says. “The first thing I knitted back then was a dark brown knitted square that my mother would use to hold hot pots on the stove. I really enjoyed it and when I was really good and knitting a lot, I’d make jumpers and cardigans to wear with my skirts.
“When Vino gave me the wool and knitting needles, I was very happy and the first thing I made again was a small square.”
Every morning and afternoon, Irene can now be found knitting away. She is so productive that Vino finds it hard to keep up the supply of wool. Families of fellow residents now also bring in yarn for the ‘knitting lady’, so Irene can continue with her favourite past time. Since taking up her knitting needles again, Irene has knitted more than 60 beautiful scarves, for which she has grand plans.
Mercy Place Nixon resident Irene Ulrich has loved to knit since she was young.
“I find it very relaxing to knit,” Irene says. “But I also want it to be something worthwhile, so I am donating the scarves to help the needy. Knowing that they will help to keep people warm at night makes me very happy.”
Vino has organised for Irene’s scarves to be donated to volunteer organisation Avalon Centre, which assists people who are homeless, people with mental health and physical problems and disabilities, the elderly, refugees and others who are in need.
Without doubt, there has been a change in Irene’s outlook since she took up knitting again, Vino says.
“She seems to have a greater purpose,” Vino says. “I love seeing her face when she finishes another scarf.”
All it took was a little conversation to find out what moved Irene.
“Sometimes, I wonder why it is that we stop doing things that we enjoy doing,” Vino says. “The best part of my job is finding out what those things are, and helping our residents to rediscover those things that they once loved doing.”
Last reviewed April 24, 2020.