‘Worry worms’ donation brightens children’s lives

A batch of ‘worry worms’, created to give comfort to children who have experienced serious trauma, have been delivered to a healthcare centre in Northampton.
Tina Jones, from Irthlingborough, has hand crafted nearly 200 crochet ‘worry worms’ and delivered them to the Serenity Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) which helps children and adults in Northamptonshire who have suffered abuse.
When a member of the Serenity team, Millie Perkins, spotted the ‘worms’ on Facebook, she contacted Tina to ask about them. Tina was keen to help out but, without a budget, she decided to put a post on social media asking for help with costs, and was blown away when family and friends helped raise £200 for materials.
Tina, who has been knitting and crocheting since she was a child and has previously crafted blankets for charity, set to work creating the tactile comfort toys before donating them to the centre, run by Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT).
The handmade worms, which also have a discreet keyring attached so they can be carried around, come with a special message which reads: “I am a little worry worm, hold me tight and near, I have incredible powers to take away your fear. So when you’re feeling anxious and in need of support, tell me your worries, and let me be your comfort.”
Tina, who works at Barclays Wealth Management, said: “I am in awe of the work that Serenity does, and just wanted to help in any way I could. If my ‘worry worms’ help just one child, then it is worth it.”
The Serenity Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) offers practical help and emotional support, to victims of rape or sexual assault, and their families. In 2022, nearly half of people who accessed the service were under 18 years of age.
Fay Wickett, from Serenity, said: “We see adults and children at an incredibly difficult and traumatic time in their lives. The ‘worry worm’ pocket pals are perfect for encouraging young people and children to talk about their worries, however big or small, as well as being a source of comfort in a new or unfamiliar environment. It was such a lovely gesture by Tina to craft these, and everyone at Serenity and NHFT would like to thank her and those who raised money for the materials.”
Tina, who has also donated ‘worry worms’ to a special educational needs school, is now planning to create similar comfort aids for adults.
Tina added: “I’ve tried to carry on making things that are small and discreet, including some little hearts and ‘dreamcatchers’, which people can pop into their pocket to provide a little comfort or stress relief at a difficult time.”
Find out more about the service at www.nhft.nhs.uk/serenitysarc
Pictured: Millie Perkins (left) from Serenity, and Tina Jones (right) who has donated 'worry worms' for children who need support