In December 2020, Cardiff & Vale Health Charity celebrated 10 years of making things better for patients, visitors, staff and the wider community.
The Health Charity had planned to hold a 10 year celebration event, looking back at the major projects it has funded and celebrating the contributions of their donors, fundraisers, volunteers and community partners during the past decade. Unfortunately, due to Coronavirus these plans were cancelled. Instead, the Health Charity will be taking a look back at how its fundraisers, donors, volunteers and community partners have helped to change things for the better over the past ten years.
In 2012, the Health Charity financially supported a number of initiatives within the Health Board. Here are just a few of those projects that received funding to help to make things better for patients and staff:
January 2012
The Health Charity approved a bid for two double beds on the Maternity Unit at UHW so that a partner or relative could stay overnight on the antenatal and postnatal wards.
The comfort provided by the beds will prove invaluable, Mary Coakley, Senior Midwife, explained: “This initiative has been developed to provide support to women during difficult and stressful times. The company of a family member can greatly enhance their experience. The double beds support the theme of dignity and respect. It also demonstrates that we have listened to women and respected the needs of the family.”
February 2012
The Health Charity helped fund the incredible independent living unit, ‘Ty Hybrid’. Ty Hybrid supported the rehabilitation of patients within the specialist Neurosciences Rehabilitation Unit and the Welsh Spinal Cord Injuries Unit. This facility was vital for the rehab of patients following traumatic injury or life changing events.
Angela Chaulk – Head of Occupational Therapy, confirms that the charity has been able to support patients in our communities. “The Unit provided patients who have acquired severe and complex needs with the opportunity to gain confidence in a normal environment. Here they could gain skills and new techniques to support their discharge and the transition from hospital to community”.
March 2012
The Health Charity funded the provision of toys and equipment for children and young people in the Occupational Therapy Unit at St David’s Hospital.
Aimed at pre-school children with complex physical disability and those on the autistic spectrum, the new equipment enabled interest and participation and enhanced enjoyment which clearly impacts on the wellbeing of the children, while allowing better engagement of each child.
Head Occupational Therapist Anne Moffat explained: “Expanding the limited range of toys we had within the OT service enables more timely engagement with the children and more fun which contributes to efficient intervention. This is particularly pertinent when treating a child with a time limited episode of care over a number of sessions when access to variety is crucial to sustain interest and in ensuring a positive experience.”
April 2012
iPads were provided to the Welsh Neuropsychiatry Service which was based at Whitchurch Hospital. Patients were mostly younger people with moderate to severe cognitive and mental health difficulties arising from Acquired Brain Injuries (ABI).
Karen Bonham, Adult Speech and Language Therapist: “The panel approved our requests for iPads and this will ensure that we have the resources to approach rehabilitation therapy in the most innovative and culturally acceptable manner for our younger and more difficult to engage service users”.
May 2012
The Health Charity supported an innovative treatment for patients on the Critical Care Unit at University Hospital Llandough. The availability of the Wii balance board and its attachments on Critical Care made a huge difference to patients. The Wii was left set up on the unit for patients to use independently, with their families or members of staff. It provided a level of distraction from the environment patients are in and their illness, whilst also providing a level of rehabilitation.
Alice Richards – Senior Physiotherapist explains: “Even though the Wii was marketed as an entertainment tool, when used correctly it can not only entertain our patients but also provide a level of rehab, speed up recovery, promote independence, dignity and self-respect.”
September 2012
Runners took on the Cardiff 10k to raise money for Cardiff & Vale Health Charity.
December 2012 Throughout 2012, the Health Charity ran a successful competition for staff and patients to draw a design for the Cardiff & Vale Health Charity Christmas cards. The competition was a great success and the cards sold out!
If you’d like to support Cardiff & Vale Health Charity, please visit www.healthcharity.wales/donate