Material Memories – Meet the bear makers: Charlene

Material Memories is a special way to remember your loved one. Your loved one’s clothes are captured in a beautiful keepsake handmade bear to treasure every day & reminisce.

Each bear is handcrafted with care by one of our team of volunteer needle workers. Every design is unique to you, as your loved one’s clothes are used to create the bears.

One of these volunteers is Charlene, who has kindly taken the time to tell us about herself, and why making the bears for the hospice is so important to her.

❓ Where do you live?

💬 I live in Washbrook. I’ve lived in the Suffolk area since 2001, but I grew up in Basingstoke, Hampshire.

❓ Apart from sewing what other interests do you have?

💬 I crochet and embroider as well as sewing. I also love singing and I’m a member of two choirs, one of which is the Friends of the Hospice Choir.

❓ When did you start sewing?

💬 I started sewing as a little girl, taught by my nan and my mum. I do a lot of dressmaking, but I also do clothing and bridal alterations and make soft furnishings such as cushions and curtains.

❓ What inspired you to make bears for the hospice?

💬 I had previously made teddy bears and I wanted to give something back to the hospice as they have done so much for me.

❓ What is your hospice connection?

💬 I was under the care of the hospice myself, in 2018, when I was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer and given weeks to live. Subsequent immunotherapy treatment has shrunk my tumours and meant that I no longer need their care.

Then in July 2023, my husband was diagnosed with a grade 4 brain tumour. He was cared for by the hospice right up until he died in September 2024.

❓ Why do you enjoy making bears for the hospice?

💬 I love being able to make the memory bears; it’s my favourite thing to do. I feel privileged to be able to turn a loved one’s clothing into a keepsake that can bring people comfort.