Where your money goes
Our purpose is to fund improvements for the care and treatment for NHS patients, above and beyond that which is provided by the NHS. We support over 70 NHS services in Norfolk, including community hospitals, health care centres and a range of community-based teams. Our goals are to enhance the patient experience and healthcare environment at NCH&C NHS Trust, and support the wellbeing and professional development of NCH&C NHS staff, enabling them to provide better care.
Some of the things we've funded over the last few years include:
- Specialist recliner chairs for patients
- Rehabilitation aids and equipment
- Waiting room furniture for children
- An OMI Vista projector
- Improvements to staff rooms and working areas
- Dementia conference tickets for staff
- Christmas trees and gifts for patients
A rest and rehabilitation garden for stroke patients
Patients at our Norwich Community Hospital stroke rehabilitation unit often face a long and challenging road to recovery. Some spend months in the care of our medical, nursing and therapy teams on Beech and Alder wards. The Mulberry Garden provides a relaxing and therapeutic area which is suitable for independent and assisted wheelchair use and features a winding pathway, wildflower areas, pergolas, bench seating and raised flower beds, which are tended to by volunteers.
Traffic cones for amputee patient rehabilitation
Pine Cottage at the Colman Hospital in Norwich provides care and rehabilitation for amputee patients. To help their patients learn how to manoeuvre a wheelchair — even through small gaps — we funded and delivered a batch of (very heavy) traffic cones along with other rehabilitation equipment to the Physiotherapy team. They used the cones to create a driving course for their patients.
Investment for NHS patients at the Priscilla Bacon Hospice
In September 2023, the NCH&C Priscilla Bacon Lodge team moved from Colman Hospital to the newly built Priscilla Bacon Hospice, funded by a capital appeal run by Priscilla Bacon Hospice Charity. We provided £186,000 to fund enhanced equipment, furniture and resources that would improve the comfort and quality of the environment for patients.
Miniature donkey visits to community hospitals
Animal therapy is widely recognised for its therapeutic benefits, including reducing stress, anxiety, and feelings of loneliness. The simple act of interacting with animals like miniature donkeys promote feelings of happiness and relaxation. With your generous donations we were able to fund three visits from Mini Donkeys for Wellbeing in 2024. Pippin and Bo-Peep brought smiles and joy to everyone they met, brightening the day for patients and their families.
A specialist Acheeva bed for young adults in respite care
Mill Lodge is a state-of-the-art respite unit that supports young adults with a learning disability and complex physical and health needs. With your support we funded a specialist Acheeva bed that enables patients to participate in rehabilitation and engagement activities in more comfortable positions other than a wheelchair or a bed.