ROYAL Freemasons' Benevolent Institution (RFBI) has over 400 volunteers who are currently staying at home to help minimise the spread of coronavirus in its villages and to keep residents safe.
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Even though they are nestled in their own homes, volunteers are staying connected with residents, continuing to share their friendship.
Volunteers play an important role at RFBI Raleigh Urunga Masonic Village and before coronavirus, on any given day, you would find a number in the Village spending time with residents or just having a laugh.
Laurel and Ursula are two of their valued volunteers and they have been running a weekly knitting group for three years.
Due to social distancing protocols, Ursula and Laurel have not been able to come into the Village as they normally would for their knitting sessions, but this has not stopped the group from continuing with their goal to produce a very large patchwork blanket.
Each week, the knitting group gets together via Skype and as sections of the blanket are completed, these are mailed to Laurel and Ursula who add them to the blanket. Together, the knitting group has created a range of items including scarves, beanies and gloves which they sell at local markets.
"Knitting has always brought me so much joy. I do miss Laurel and Ursula visiting us, but I get to see them on Skype which is lovely," said Liz, a RFBI Raleigh Urunga Masonic Village resident.
"Our knitting group is very close and I am glad that even in isolation, we can continue to share our love of the craft."
To find out more about RFBI Raleigh Urunga Masonic Village, call 6692-4400 or visit rfbi.com.au.
