What inspired you to create the Blankets for
the Homeless Glasgow Pod?
I had to give up working as a researcher and
lecturer back in 2015, when I became too ill with
a neurological illness to keep it up. I started
knitting for myself and family as a way to feel
productive and creative, then I saw a post from
a group called Blankets For the Homeless HQ,
a Facebook page that encourages volunteers
to set up and run local ‘pods’ across the UK
to create and distribute blankets and other
woollen items to homeless organisations and
individuals in their locality. I was really surprised
that Glasgow didn’t have a pod – it’s Scotland’s
largest city, and I know from my academic work
that housing issues and homelessness are
real problems. It was very dif cult for me to
adapt from pursuing a busy career where I felt I
was making a difference through research and
teaching to being so ill and con ned to my home,
and even my bed, much of the time. A lightbulb
went on, and I felt this would be something I
could manage to do that would restore my sense
of purpose and help other people again. I’ve met
many talented, creative friends in chronic illness
communities who I hoped might be willing to knit
a few squares for me – luckily, they were! Around
20 friends and family joined my group, and within
a couple of months we made our rst donation.
Just after I handed in our second donation in
April 2019, I was diagnosed with breast cancer.
I needed a mastectomy and chemotherapy,
then ongoing immunotherapy. The women in
the group (we’re all female just now, but men are
most welcome to join!) were a fantastic support
to me during the tougher months. Production
slowed down a bit, as I was often too sore or
tired to sew squares together but, thanks to
the wonderful work of the members, I was able
to place a large donation of blankets, wraps,
We sat down with Ellie Conway, Knit Now Kni er of the Year and the inspiring creator
and co-ordinator behind the Blankets for the Homeless Glasgow Pod to fi nd out more
scarves and hats just before Christmas 2019
with a busy homeless hostel in the city centre.
I was so glad we were able to do that, to make
Christmas a bit warmer for people in need.
The pod has provided such encouragement,
motivation and support during a very tough year.
I’m much better now, recovering well, and able
to put together blankets more quickly. We’ve a
membership of over 70 knitters and crocheters
now purely through word of mouth, so there’s
always lots to do!Who does your pod create blankets for?
I interpret homelessness in its very broadest
sense, and include people who are in insecure
or sub-standard accommodation. Our donations
so far have gone to several organisations who
work with street-homeless people, which forms
the very basic concept of the group’s work, and
have been used both in hostels and handed out
from outreach vans. However, Glasgow was the
only Scottish city that received a large population
of refugees dispersed from South East England
20 years ago, and new asylum seekers arrive
every month. A group called Refuweegee did
great work to help welcome and settle refugees,
primarily by putting together welcome packs of
practical items, and the team was thrilled to
have lovely handmade blankets to include in
them – blankets are essential kit for a Glasgow
winter! Our next donation is hopefully going to
Women’s Aid, either for use in its shelters, or to
be given to women and children as gifts as they
move out of shelter and into their own homes.What are your plans for the future of the pod?
I want people who join in to enjoy their knitting
as much as possible, and a few people have
created items like hats and scarves that
they’ve handed in as an alternative to producing
squares. I’d also like to respond to local charity
requests for items that aren’t necessarily
blankets, like premature baby hats. I’m hoping
to continue to build up good relationships
with local organisations, so that if they have
a speci c need, we can respond – as well
as keeping up the blanket work of course.
People are starting to join from outside the
city too, and I would like to work with them to
donate our joint efforts to organisations in their
towns and communities too.
There are so many people who can bene t
from a hand-knitted item, in so many different
ways, not just the obvious warmth aspect, but
as a way of expressing welcome and showing
compassion for the many different people who
make up our vibrant city.ELLIE CONWAY
5 minutes with...
“I was so glad
we were able to
make Christmas
a bit warmer for
people in need”
Find out more...
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for the Homeless Glasgow
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