Wool 4 health | Ewe Foundation

2024

The European Wool Exchange (EWE) in collaboration with IAIA Association
through the European WOOL4HEALTH Awards 2024

seeks to promote the therapeutic and well-being effects of fibre crafts
with natural fibres such as knitting, crocheting, weaving for a good cause.

Participating harnesses the therapeutic benefits of fibre crafts on a personal level, while creating useful items with natural fibres that serve a societal and charitable purpose. We also wish to give visibility the use of sensory tools and to create an abundance of goods that can be put in use across Europe that can improve the quality of life of many.

As part of the European WOOL4HEALTH Awards 2024 participants are invited to create the sensory tools, such as short and long sensory sleeves and sensory mats, as useful items for those in need. More information on sensory tools and their benefits can be found here.

The recipients of the garments will be people with dementia, children with autism, as well as interested organisations that would like to experience the therapeutic benefits of these sensory tools.

Will you join us to knit your sensory sleeve, elongated sensory sleeve or your sensory mat? 😊

Participation in the Awards is open to all interested individuals and organisations in Europe.

All sensory tools made during the contest will be donated to institutions caring for patients that can benefit from sensory tools.

No selling of the items is allowed.

Knit your sensory tool

Select your yarn, only natural fibres are allowed, and discover the possibility of fibre crafts for your well-being and for the well-being of the environment.

*Ideally, combine several types and colours of yarn, to give different textures and visual impact to your creation.

*Please do not include wood, ceramic, plastic or glass elements in the design. No beads of any kind, buttons, pompoms or any other small objects that can be torn off are permitted.

Finish your application

Complete and sign the application form.

Make one photo or sketch of your finished project (along with labels ensuring the use of natural fibres if you have them), and attach them to the completed form.

Fill the form online

or download the docs

Document

Send your sensory tool and the completed form

EWE Awards - W4HA 2024
C/ San Antonio, 15
28492 Mataelpino (El Boalo)
Madrid / SPAIN

Sensory tools must be shipped by 25th September 2024.

How to participate

If you are a handmade crafter……design your own sensory sleeve, elongated sleeve or sensory mat and …send it to us and we will donate it to institutions caring for patients in need of it!

Let's join us to help people in need!

Timeline

To participate in the Awards, these are the important dates that you have to keep in mind:

Start of the contest 9th April 2024
Deadline for posting your sensory tool
25th September 2024
Public votes from 30th September
to 5th October 2024
Awards Ceremony 10th October 2024

The Awards Ceremony will be awarded at Museo del Traje in Madrid, Spain, on 10th October, in commemoration of World Mental Health Day.

Prizes

According to the aim of the initiative, all winners will receive a certificate acknowledging their achievement, accompanied by in-kind prizes:

European wool balls.
A copy of the book “Knit Health & Wellness. How to knit a flexible mind & more” by Betsan Corkhill.

Score calculation

The winner will be chosen according to the following criteria:

Overall design
Originality of theme
Creativity of attachments
Use of colours

Extra scores can be gained for using reused fibre and/or leftover fibre, by writing a nice Note to the beneficiary of the sensory tool and by sharing your journey of participating.

For more information please refer to the Call of the Awards.

Becoming a recipient of the sensory tools

If you are an interested institution... contact us to see how we can collaborate!

And if you are a family member, friend, acquaintance of someone who has a neurodegenerative disorder, who we can help with this tool... contact us too!

> awards@ewe.network

Categories

In this contest, there are the following categories:

Best sensory tools made with 100% European Wool / The 3 best sensory tools made with 100% wool will be chosen.
Best sensory tools made with natural fibres, other than wool / The 3 best sensory tools will be chosen.
Special Award to best sensory tool crafted by men
Special Award to the most senior person participating

Special Award to the youngest person participating

Special Award to the most active country determined by pro rata of population

Public’s Choice Awards / The best sensory tools will be chosen, based on the technique:
- Crochet
- Knitting
- Weaving
- Felting
- Mixed techniques

* One sensory tool can win only one prize.

Submit your best work, and good luck!

How can I create my sensory tool?

Sensory tools are handmade garment of wool and/or other natural fibres made in the shape of:

a 30cm x 30cm square (sensory sleeve and sensory mat) or
a 30cm x 60cm rectangle (elongated sensory sleeve).

The square can be kept plain (sensory mat) or sew together on one of its sides, creating a cylinder for the sensory sleeve. For the elongated sleeve sew the longer sides together.

Ideally, combine several types and colours of thread, to give different textures and visual impact to your creation.

*Please do not include wood, ceramic, plastic or glass elements in the design. No beads of any kind, buttons, pompoms or any other small objects that can be torn off are permitted.

The design of each sensory sleeve, elongated sleeve or sensory mat will be unique and gives a lot of creative freedom so that the creator can explore different techniques and try mixtures of material.

Interesting facts about sensory tools

The sensory sleeve has been tested in the Community of Madrid through the Alzheimer Center of the Reina Sofía Foundation for older people with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (GDS 4-7), who do not have PICA (urge to eat things that are NOT considered food).

According to the study carried out with a sample of 20 people with Alzheimer's disease, users of the center (80% women, 20% men) and an average age of 75 years, the sensory sleeve is an effective distractor and a stimulating element for the person who uses it, as it especially facilitates conversation, upper limb mobility and sensory stimulation.

Contact information

European Wool for Health Awards

IAIA Association

C/ Real, 30

28400 Collado Villalba

Madrid / SPAIN

or email us at: awards@ewe.network

Please feel free to email us if you have any question!
We’d love to hear from you!

What are sensory tools?

Sensory sleeves are sensory therapy tools designed to provide stimulating and soothing effects.

The elongated sensory sleeves help to occupy dementia patients and stop them from pulling out their IV tubing as it covers up the entry point of the intravenous tube.

Sensory mats provide tactile stimulation and promote sensory exploration, helping to sooth the agitated fidgeting, often associated with dementia and autism. They are a very useful aid in the care of people with neurodegenerative disorders, both at home and in institutions under the supervision of a professional care giver.

The base for any of these sensory tools is a square or rectangle to which colourful items that stimulate the senses are added.

People affected by dementia, Alzheimer’s or stroke can benefit from them or anybody living with autism or ADHD.

What benefits do sensory tools have?

Among its benefits we can find they can:

provide visual, tactile and sensory stimulation, due to their bright colours and different textures.
keep hands warm and busy at the same time.
provide comfort and have a calming effect while keeping the mind engaged and decrease in the intensity of restlessness during use.
stimulate motor and cognitive skills.
and furthermore, they are a non-pharmacological tool, recognized in clinical practice as an effective complement to medication, without the risk of side effects.