Companions group throws party for super knitter Nancy

Nancy Smith, of Eastgate, Sleaford is a founder member of the St Barnabas Hospice Companions Group back in 2011 and members arranged a party in her honour last week at the Marquis of Granby on Northgate.

St Barnabas have a weekly bereavement support group for those in early stages of grief, and is available for 12 sessions.

You are then invited to attend the Friendship Groups after six sessions in the support group. These are usually held fortnightly and are more social and less structured. This group is available for two years.

You may then decide to join the Companions Group, which is a self run independent group for those who wish to continue meeting on a social basis. You are invited to join this group after six months in the Friendship Group. This fortnightly group is available indefinitely. The Sleaford Companions Group is about 25-strong having started with only six.

Mrs Smith was one of the first members after she lost husband Ken in June 2010 and she joked she keeps the others in order. “I never miss a meeting,” she said. I get a lot of help and companionship. It has helped me a lot as we are all in the same boat.

Nancy also is a very keen knitter and has knitted around 3,000 knitted rabbits and chicks that wrap around creme eggs and are sold to raise funds in St Barnabas Hospice shops. She has raised a lot of money for the hopsice since getting involved five years ago.

“I also go for walks and outings with the group,” she said. “We meet twice a month.”

For more information call 01522 511566.