Grab your knitting needles for innocent Big Knit and help older people across the country

The Big Knit campaign has been in full swing this year, with thousands of woolly warriors across the country knitting little hats to support older people most in need. The deadline for hats is now fast approaching, and innocent and Age UK are putting out a final call for knitters to get stitching and craft as many little hats as possible by 1 July 2025.

Each little hat will be matched with an innocent smoothie bottle, which will go on sale from October 2025 in selected UK retailers. For every be-hatted smoothie sold, Age UK will receive 30p, helping to make a huge difference to the lives of older people.

The Big Knit campaign, which has been delivered by innocent and Age UK since 2003, raises money to help Age UK provide older people with vital information, support, and friendship.

Jean, 87, who has been taking part in the Big Knit for the first time this year, has already knitted over 600 hats so far and she plans to keep going.

Jean said, “I love knitting because I’ve always found it relaxing and it’s one of the few things I can do now that I’m not so mobile. I was inspired to get involved with the Big Knit because I loved the idea of having a little project that would keep me busy, while raising money for a worthwhile cause at the same time.”

She added, “I love knitting the hats and it kept me going through the winter. It has given me a purpose, and I will miss it if I stop.”

Jean receives Help at Home from Age UK West Sussex, Brighton & Hove. Nichola, her home helper, assists with household tasks and brightens her week with a friendly chat. Jean said, “She does so much for me and I really enjoy her company. I don’t know what I’d do without her. She makes a big difference without making me feel dependent.”

Pippa Lock, Head of Corporate Partnerships and Philanthropy at Age UK, said: “We are so grateful to Jean and to everybody who has been knitting for the Big Knit so far this year. These little hats really do make a big difference, the money raised helps Age UK be there for older people nationally and locally, like the support Jean receives from Age UK West Sussex, Brighton & Hove. So please do get crafting and help us to knit as many hats as possible before 1 July 2025.”

Charlotte Wright, Senior Brand Manager at innocent drinks, said: “A huge thank you to everyone who has knitted or crocheted a hat to date for this year’s Big Knit. We are so appreciative of your support & the impact this has in helping Age UK make a positive difference. Whether you are a knitting pro or a novice, it’s still not too late to get involved. We can’t wait to see your woolly masterpieces on our smoothies bottles later in the year.”

There are exciting hat designs, including a cheeky monkey, fox cub, sheepish sheep and a unicorn, available to download now.

To find out more visit: www.ageuk.org.uk/bigknit or www.thebigknit.co.uk

Please send completed hats to Fruit Towers, 342 Ladbroke Grove, London, W10 5BU by 1 July 2025, or contact your local Age UK to find out whether you can drop them at their offices.

-ENDS-

REF: STLSSKPL

About innocent drinks

 Launched in 1999, innocent is Europe’s leading healthy drinks brand. Our purpose is to make it easier for people to live well through the deliciousness of fruit and veg – that's why we have an ambition of getting a billion more portions of fruit and veg into people’s diets by 2030. We now sell natural, healthy drinks in over 18 countries around the world – smoothies, super smoothies, not-from-concentrate juices, a kid’s range, coconut water, innocent plus, and bubbles: our lightly sparkling fruit juices. 

We’ve always been rooted in doing business the right way. We became a B Corp back in 2018 (recertified with a score of 105.2 in 2021) and consider people and the planet in everything we do. It’s the reason we started the innocent foundation and why we’re working to halve our carbon footprint per bottle by 2030. We built the blender (our all-electric, little drinks factory), enhanced our Farmer Innovation Fund for regenerative agriculture projects, and we will never stop looking for ways to make our packaging more recyclable.  

To follow us on our journey to being good all round, head over to https://www.innocentdrinks.co.uk/ or follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn. 

About Age UK

 Age UK believes every older person should be valued and included. We’re working locally, nationally and internationally to change the way we age.

Together with our partners, we’re changing the day-to-day experience of getting older through essential services and local support – like help at home, exercise classes and digital inclusion. Local Age UKs deliver these services, using their expert knowledge of their area to transform older people’s health, wellbeing and finances.

Our specialist, impartial advice is changing how older people feel when they face a challenging issue – whether it’s care, money, health or housing. A call to our free advice line, a visit to our website, or a face-to-face appointment at a local Age UK can help change older people’s worries into answers.

Our friendship services are changing the issue of loneliness among older generations. From weekly chats on the phone and local in-person befriending to round the clock support from our Silver Line Helpline, we’re changing loneliness and isolation into comfort and connection.

We’re an expert voice on ageing, changing the way older people are treated and represented in society through research and campaigning. We work with local, national and international policymakers to challenge inequalities and push for the changes that’ll improve older people’s lives.

Through Age International we are changing the lives of older people facing emergencies and long-term challenges in low and middle-income countries.

Your support makes our work possible. By donating, campaigning and volunteering, you’ll help change older people’s lives – now and in the future. 

Age UK is a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in England (registered charity number 1128267 and registered company number 6825798). Charitable services are provided through Age UK and commercial products are offered by the Charity’s Community Interest Company (CiC) (registered company number 1102972) which donates its net profits to Age UK (the Charity).