The Clinton Centre in the heart of Enniskillen played host to a special event last Sunday as ‘The Blanket of Hope, Compassion and Joy’ was unveiled as part of the NI Mental Health Arts Festival.

The Save Our Acute Services (SOAS) project saw a vast blanket crocheted and knitted as a response to the problems faced as emergency surgery is removed locally, with the blanket a community-wide way to express solidarity and thanks for frontline services and healthcare workers.

The vast blanket – comprising many individual pieces painstakingly made by people from all walks of life, then brought together to create a single piece as beautiful and thoughtful as its many parts – was unveiled to great acclaim, with Caritas choir also on hand to provide some wonderful live music.

Noelle Mc Alinden, Chair of the NI Mental Health Arts Festival, was delighted to celebrate the blanket’s unveiling, and the important message it sent.

She said: “We are very proud that we have been able to support the profile and regional celebration of The Blanket of Hope, Compassion and Joy, and feature it as part of this year’s NI Mental Health Arts Festival.

“We are delighted to have secured access to [a] very unique space at Higher Bridges space in Enniskillen, to celebrate and exhibit this unique masterpiece in all its glory.

“Heartfelt congratulations to Caritas and SOAS for all their ongoing dedication and compassion for their community, and their ongoing advocacy promoting wellbeing for all the citizens and to secure much-needed services at the South West Acute Hospital.”

She added: “This monumental masterpiece was crafted with compassion by an amazing group of women from across Fermanagh and further afield.

“It is like a metaphor for life and community, diverse, powerful in its radiance and colour, providing comfort and compassion as well as empathy.

“Our gratitude to Ken Ramsey and John Knox for installing this huge piece, and to Keith McNair, UISCE, for hosting it, and to Enniskillen BID for their support.

“This installation is a strong reminder for the need to have access to spaces where we can exhibit, celebrate and champion life and the importance of our mental, physical and emotional wellbeing.”