Woodley Hill House sewing students create handmade tote bags for bereavement service at Royal Berkshire Hospital

The Thursday morning Open Access Sewing Group at Woodley Hill House, which is one of Activate Learning’s Adult Education venues, meets on a regular basis.

Thanks to generous donations of beautiful fabric from local churches, and the hard work of a volunteer who cut out the outer pieces, linings, and handles for 50 bags, the group has already sewn more than 20 bags and counting!

These handmade tote bags will be given to families who have lost loved ones, providing a thoughtful and dignified way to take home personal belongings. It’s a meaningful alternative to plastic bags and a heartfelt gesture during a difficult time.

This project has combined creativity with compassion, and every stitch is made with care and love.

Lisa Preston, a Sewing: Open Access for All student at Woodley Hill House, said: “We have enjoyed making these tote bags as a group for such a worthy cause.

“They are very much appreciated by the relatives or friends of deceased patients to take home their personal belongings in, instead of an impersonal carrier bag.”

Jane Amin, Learning for Leisure Tutor at Activate Learning said: “As a group it is very satisfying to see everyone working towards one outcome, showing that they care and have empathy for the relatives and the deceased.

“Making tote bags for people they don’t know but knowing that the small act will hopefully bring comfort to the relatives is very selfless.

“It shows that these sewing sessions are so much more than just sewing, they are a way for people to get together and foster a sense of belonging and community.”

Lisa Richardson, Bereavement Service Manager at Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust said, “Thank you to the sewing students for the beautiful tote bags they have created for the Bereavement Office.

“The care that has been put into these is clear to see, and they mean we can offer bereaved families a dignified, respectful and caring way to collect and take home their loved one’s property.

“We always tell relatives that the tote bags are handmade by the students and donated to us, and I know that it’s something they truly appreciate.”

Activate Learning teaches a variety of sewing courses for adults who would like to learn and expand on their sewing skills at Woodley Hill House. Find out more via Activate Learning’s adult education website or contact 0800 612 6008.