In 2002, TAF members took part in an intergenerational arts and crafts project with our local primary school which was funded by Meath County Council Arts Office. Both young and old worked to produce a giant collage entitled "reflections" - exploring attitudes and challenging perceptions of young and old. On completion the piece was exhibited in Trim Library.

In the course of this 5 month long project, participants chatted with each other and the TAF members discovered that local school children were no longer taught the art of knitting in school. There were some avid knitters among the TAF members and soon our members began a series of beginners knitting lessons with these children. The idea was born that TAF members could visit the school and teach the children how to knit and soon TAF members were asked to come into the school to teach classes on a regular basis.

Trauma Teddies

Initially the project focused on teaching the basic skills associated with knitting. Then, the children wanted to use their new skills to produce something tangible. initially they created scarves, blankets, cushions and eventually they became more adventerous and the Trauma Teddy was born. “Trauma Teddies” are hand knitted teddy bears in bright colours, with knitted jumpers and scarves, as a symbol of luck, and safety, for use in the Irish Ambulance Service. In June 2005 the first batch of these special toys was presented to the National Ambulance Service at a special handing over ceremony.

These special teddies are presented to child passengers who use the ambulance service to take with them to hospital. The Trauma Teddies act as a reassurance tool for the children. To date over 1000 of these hand knitted bears have been presented to the National Ambulance Service.

As with all project at TAF, the Knitting project recently developed further: the knitting group are now making hats, scarves and gloves for donation to a charity in Belarus, in addition to their famous Trauma Teddies.

How it started: Through casual conversation between TAF members and school children TAF members realised that basic knitting skills are no longer taught in school

Currently:  16 older people and over 100 children are involved in this project each week. This project runs from September to June each year. The children now knit Trauma Teddies and hats, scarves and gloves for a charity in Belarus.

Funding: Initially funded through the Equality for Women programme. Currently no specific funding.

Comment: "it's great to think that my teddy is going to help a child who is sick or afraid"