Special delivery of handmade “quilted hugs” for Orkney’s young care leavers

A very special delivery of handmade “quilted hugs” was made to Orkney Health and Care (OHAC) this week to pass on to young people who are leaving the care system.

Quilts for Care Leavers (Q4CL) is a UK wide project with a simple purpose of providing a quilt which has been made for young people aged between 16 and 25 who are moving on from local authority care. Those behind the project like to call these quilts a ‘hug’ – which can be wrapped around the young person with love.

Quilters are based all over the country and each quilt carries a label with a positive message such as ‘remember you are amazing’ or ‘remember you are strong’.

Kendra Mons-Verley, OHAC social worker for 16-26 year old care experienced young people, received six beautiful handmade quilts, which were kindly delivered by Sandra Porteous on behalf of the Q4CL Scotland group.

Linda Sanders, Q4CL Scotland, explained that these particular quilts were made thanks to a Scotland-wide effort.

“A member in Fife completed some of the tops and then sent them off to one of our members down south to put on the backing and quilt, others were made by groups of ladies in various quilting groups in Ayrshire, Perth, Edinburgh etc. They made the blocks and then other members in Perth put on the back and quilted them.  All fabric for these quilts was donated by members or supporters of the group.”

Linda explained that the quilted hugs can have a significant impact on care experienced young people.

“From the feedback received over the last few years gifting our quilted ‘hugs’ appears to be bringing young people comfort at a time of transition.  Young people can often feel isolated when moving to their own tenancy and the aim of our quilted ‘hug’ is for the young person to be able to wrap themselves up and know that people across Scotland care for them and are sending their love.” 

Some comments from young people include: 

1. ‘Is this really for me, can I keep it forever?’, ‘Did someone make this just for me?’
2. Young people commented ‘Thank you so much, I love my hug, it’s so cosy’.   ‘Thank you for making this, it’s a lovely thing for you all to do’.
3. A worker reported that a very traumatised young person immediately wrapped their hug around himself and smiled! This was the first smile the worker had actually seen from him.
4. A manager said, ‘It’s unbelievable all the effort to do something so kind for our young people, to support them to feel loved and cared for.’

Kendra Mons-Verley said: “The quilted hugs are simply beautiful and each one unique. We hope that when the time comes each young person leaving care will choose a quilted hug to take with them and remember that this was made with love and care just for them. We are very grateful to the project for making this possible.”

OHAC Chief Officer, Stephen Brown, paid tribute to the project, adding: “Our heartfelt thanks go to those behind Q4CL Scotland for their efforts for care experienced young people all over, including here in Orkney.

“We hope that this simple, but powerful act of kindness, will help support our young people at the stage of leaving care and that they will move on knowing that there are people out there who really do care.”