Through the Covid-19 Charitable Funds Application process, Cardiff & Vale Health Charity has recently supported a bid for funds to help the Teddy Bear Nursery at University Hospital Llandough (UHL) with their garden project, linked with bringing the inside activities outside.
The nursery already had an elevated decking area at the back of the building, so to make this space suitable for all weathers, a bid was made for a bespoke outdoor pergola. This would provide a roof over the main decking area ensuring all weather access, ventilation and an extension of space for maintaining social distancing practices with the children, and enabling a safe continuation of the nursery service during the Covid-19 outbreak.
The nursery provided emergency childcare for dedicated Health Board staff during these unprecedented times and Cardiff & Vale Health Charity were delighted to be able to support this worthwhile project.
The nursery team said: “Children need outdoor exercise and sunlight for their health and wellbeing right now, just like everyone else – if not more so, as they are still growing and developing. As every parent knows, if children don’t get to ‘let off steam’ daily, they’re far harder to cope with indoors, especially in a small space within the maximum bubble. A report by Alison Stenning and Wendy Russell argues that children’s main way of getting exercise is through outdoor play and this is important through these unprecedented times that we utilised all our available space.”
Kelly Lovell, Nursery Manager of Teddy Bear Nursery at UHL shared these photos of the children having lots of fun under the new rainbow canopy – the smiles just say it all.
Kelly said: “The canopy will allow the children access to the outdoors in all weathers, it will enrich their learning experiences no-end and provide an extension of space which was desperately needed! We can’t thank the Health Charity enough!!”
To find out more about how the Health Charity can help make a difference in your area please visit: www.healthcharity.wales or email fundraising.cav@wales.nhs.uk
