Christmas at Clayponds Hospital this year was made extra special thanks to the arrival of a VIP guest baring gifts for patients. The jovial visitor who needs no introduction was given a warm welcome by staff at the rehabilitation hospital, who thanks to a successful bid through the West London NHS Charity, were able to secure funding to get Xmas presents for patients being cared for over the festive period.
Since 2017, the team at Clayponds have made it a priority to ensure patients are given presents during the festive period however this year was the first time that staff secured funding through the trust’s charity. In total, staff were awarded just over £1000 (£1050) to provide Christmas cheer to the patients as many would be spending the holidays away from family and friends.
Christine Wendam, service manager at Clayponds Hospital who led on making the bid to the trust’s charity said:
“We found out about charitable funds (West London NHS Charity) when they gave us funding for our patients to have their garden activities this year which was also featured in Ealing times. It was quite successful and one of the team members suggested to try to get the funding this year through charity funding.”
West London NHS charity enables the trust to go a little further in supporting patients, staff and carers. Open to all staff, funding from the trust’s charity has helped to support a variety of projects across WLT, from improving patient environments through gardening projects to providing additional resources for better patient care and recovery. The work of the charity highlights how the trust supports staff to provide high quality care to patients, one of the core tenants of our strategy with the team at Clayponds demonstrating first hand the culture of passion and dedication at West London NHS Trust.
Speaking on the inspiration behind bidding for funding, Christine said:
“Many of our patients will be spending the holidays in the hospital, away from their families and the comforts of home. We believe that a small, thoughtful gift can make a significant difference in lifting their spirits and reminding them that they are not alone during this special time of year. We hope it brings comfort, joy, and a sense of being remembered. Providing small, thoughtful Christmas gifts to inpatients serves several important purposes: Emotional uplift, mental health support, equity and inclusion and therapeutic benefit.”
Santa (who also happens to be Christine’s nephew) wasn’t the only star of the day, hospital staff were out in full festive force, helping to hand out gifts and showing off their impressive wrap skills as they were drafted in to wrap dozens of presents.
Whether it’s a bake sale, a sponsored run, a festive jumper day, or something completely out of the box, your creativity can help make a real difference to patients and staff across our hospitals. Get in touch by emailing: wlt.WL.charity@nhs.net.