The QEHKL Charity’s Dementia Care Appeal has smashed its £80,000 fundraising target thanks to the incredible generosity of local people, businesses and communities.
Just over £100,000 has been raised in the two-phase appeal which launched in January, with latest donations and a bequest meaning there is now funding in place to ensure that patients with dementia can benefit from exercise therapies while they are being cared for on wards at The QEH.
Each year the Trust cares for around 1,400 patients with this progressive condition.
The aim of the appeal was to improve the experience of patients living with dementia, while also reducing patient length of stays and preventing mental and physical deconditioning. All along the over-riding mission has been to make stays in hospital more comfortable and dignified.
Thanks to the incredible generosity from communities in and around King’s Lynn and West Norfolk the initial target was achieved earlier this year (March 2023), and then extended with a new target of £80,000.
Dr Katie Honney, Clinical Director for Integrated Care of the Older Person and Clinical Lead for the appeal, (pictured above right) said: “We are eternally grateful for the funds raised. The money has been utilised extensively across the Trust in the form of reminiscence devices, specialist calendar clocks and dementia-friendly activity resource packs, that encourage cognitive stimulation for our inpatients. This, in turn, has also helped improve physical health outcomes and has contributed to a more enjoyable patient experience.”
Rachel Burridge, Consultant Nurse for Frailty, (pictured above left) said: “Our patients have really benefitted from this appeal which has been incredibly well-supported by both local businesses and fundraisers. We are really pleased that the final donations made will allow us to move forward with a range of exercise therapies for the next year.
“This will see two therapists onsite twice a week carrying out a mix of one-to-one sessions, group seated exercises, and sports exercises such as bowling.”
Therapists from Exercising People In Communities (EPIC) Norfolk, a not for profit organisation dedicated to improving the lives of people through physical activity opportunities, will be deployed on wards twice a week.
How the funds came flooding in
Corporate Sponsor, Kenneth Bush Solicitors, partner of the appeal, Your Local Paper, and key supporter Radio West Norfolk, have all been instrumental in helping the Trust achieve both targets. Earlier this year Team QEH alongside Kenneth Bush fielded a team of 10 runners who completed the GEAR (Grand East Anglian Run) 10K raising just under £4,500 for the appeal.
The first phase of the appeal which concluded in March 2023, saw touch screen devices, technology that reduce confusion and mood-boosting activity packs purchased through donations of more than £40,000.
Extending the appeal into its second £40,000 phase in April allowed a focus on providing specialist therapies, including exercise and creative activities across the Trust.
Exercise therapy is proven to help patients regain balance and improve both physical and mental health while art therapies engage attention, provide pleasure and may improve symptoms such as anxiety.
Pippa Street, Chief Nurse at QEH, said: “We are extremely grateful to both Kenneth Bush Solicitors and Your Local Paper, and our local communities, for supporting this important appeal. This will enable us to make significant improvements at QEH and make further strides to improving the care and wellbeing of our patients living with dementia.”
Ends.
Notes to editors;
About dementia:
Dementia is a set of symptoms that over time can affect memory, problem-solving, language and behaviour. There a four main types with most common being Alzheimer’s and it is predicted that by 2025 there will be one million people in the UK with the condition. Today 52% of UK adults know someone with dementia.
The appeal has funded:
- Eight new and four upgrades of Reminiscence Interactive Therapy and Activities (RITA) devices. These enable staff and volunteers to engage patients in activities to make them feel more at ease during their hospital stay and improve their health and wellbeing. The large 24-inch touch screens allow patients to enjoy a range of activities including listening to music and poetry and interactive games which help to trigger conversations and memories
- 85 Dementia-friendly calendar clocks, which can help to reduce confusion and support patients living with dementia to easily access to the day, date and time
- Three complete collections of new hand-picked activity packs, including games, reminiscence cards and jigsaw puzzles, designed to entertain, boost independence and support changing abilities
- Exercise therapies provided by EPIC (Exercising People in Communities) which will continue for the next year include:
- Two therapists onsite twice a week
- A mix of one-to-one sessions, group seated exercises, and sports exercises such as bowling
For media enquires only, please contact Communications Team, media.enquiries@qehkl.nhs.uk or 01553 613216.
For all other enquiries, please contact QEH Switchboard on 01553 613613.
To download the press release and photos, click here.
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