Volunteer knitters in Budleigh Salterton have been keeping their needles busy to make comfort teddy bears for children and young people coming into contact with Devon & Cornwall Police.
Residents from The Firs retirement home have made and donated the comfort toys with local Neighbourhood Team Inspector Matt Helm meeting the residents to say thanks for their efforts and kindness.
Inspector Mat Helm, who covers the Exmouth, Budleigh Salterton and Ottery St Mary police sector, explained: “I recently accepted a kind invitation from The Firs residents to go along and meet them, as well as enjoy a cuppa with staff. It was great to hear their views. Some of them wanted to sit in the police car and try on my hat, I had a lovely time speaking to them.
During the original visit the home’s knitting club members promised to make some teddy bears for children and the Inspector has since returned to The Firs to collect the beautiful bears.
Inspector Helm added: “Devon & Cornwall Police comes into contact with a huge number of children who have experienced trauma; they may have been involved in a road traffic collision, a domestic incident or worse. Sometimes, these kids come out of a situation with nothing. The ‘comfort’ teds, which are thankfully not required too often, are something that officers have used for a while and the bears were very gratefully received by me.”
“The bears will be used by Devon & Cornwall Police to comfort distressed children.
The knitters are already looking at different patterns to make dolls so we are able to comfort more children in the future. We think The Firs residents have done a fantastic job.”
Other blue light emergency services also use comfort bears to help with situations involving children who may be upset.
Nikki Shayler, manager of The Firs, commented: “We were delighted to invite the police officers to come and collect the comfort bears that were knitted by the ladies during their regular knitting club. The bears were presented by resident Janet who told me that she hopes these bears give comfort for children in distress. Our residents at the Firs, plus the staff really enjoyed the police visit!”
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