The Cloth of Kindness’
healing touch
Eleanor Langan, Chaplain at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital,
has been part of the creation of a “Cloth of Kindness” which
celebrates compassion. She tells the story behind its creation.
W
e believe that
kindness transforms
people’s lives,
especially in difficult
times. The Cloth is a work of beauty
but not perfection because experts
and amateurs, children and older
people, the sick and those who are
well, have all helped to make it.
Our Cloth of Kindness was inspired
by one made by Sally-Anne Lomas
which was first displayed at the
Burning Bush Barn. We offered
anyone within the hospital a pack
containing material and sewing
thread. Over 70 pieces were completed by
staff, patients, friends and families. There
was an opportunity to sew with others
for an hour on four Friday afternoons, the
final being on Good Friday.
A number of people wrote what they
understood by kindness: “We help each
other.” Some quoted Scripture including a
piece from Qur’an. Many gave examples
of kindness they had been shown by
others. Some were short: “A volunteer
showed me the way.” Others were longer:
“After a bad news day at the hospital,
There were some
common themes of
being given time and
not being judged. There
were some touching
experiences such as
“They invited us in to
see the baby” and from
a homeless man: “She
sewed up my trousers.” All
the pieces were heart-felt.
which went on for a long time, a stranger
gave me a £1 coin I was short of for the
car park. My Samaritan.”
A patient who had a life-threatening
condition came to the chapel and sewed.
After she finished she told us that it was
the first time she had not felt like an ill
person. Most of the stitches are straight
lines, but one is chain stitch. A carer had
given this to a patient suffering with
dementia. She had forgotten so much, but
could still remember how to sew.
For staff it was an
opportunity to be part of a project which
united the whole hospital. People from
many departments with different roles
and specialisms were involved. There was
a square completed in America, another
written in French. Some people had not
done any sewing for years and yet were
delighted to be a part of this project and
proud of what they achieved. The cloth
affirms that, whatever our faith, culture
or background, we remember acts of
kindness, especially if they take place
when we are sad.
This is why I think it is so important that
the hospital community made the “Cloth
of Kindness”. We are in the process of
putting the pieces together to create the
cloth which will be displayed here at the
Hospital where people will be able to
touch it if they wish and everyone who
took part will be able to identify their
contribution. It is soft and warm, it is
colourful and the words are illuminating.
From the shaky stitches of a poorly
patient to the exquisite sewing from the
expert, this cloth is a testament to the
value of kindness.
Each piece is precious, each piece tells
a story.
30