SHINE, the general fund for Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW), provides inpatient wards with funding for activities and presents for all inpatients in hospital every Christmas.
Last year, the charity gave funds of £8,800 to the Trust’s inpatient wards across the North East and North Cumbria to help patients feel more at home during their stay in hospital over Christmas.
The money was raised thanks to the generosity of supporters who fundraise and donate for the charity and its impact was seen across the Trust’s footprint.
Being in hospital during the festive season can be challenging; SHINE aims to make that time more comfortable and this year is no different.
Assistant practitioner Rebecca works on Harthope, a secure care ward in Morpeth. About last year’s donation, she said: “The patients were happy and grateful to have something to open on Christmas Day, especially those who did not receive gifts from others. Some patients do not have family that can bring them things from home or the money to purchase a lot of essential items, so this allowed them to have these things.”
Young patients at specialist adolescent mental health services at Ferndene in Prudhoe were given a range of gifts including footballs, toiletries, art supplies and sweets.
Specialist nurse Helen Benfield said: “The young people were thrilled with their gifts. Staff on the ward were able to use the money to purchase them, so the young people received presents that were individual to them from staff who know them.”
On Ruskin, a dementia assessment and treatment unit in Carlisle, patients received blankets, toiletries sets, socks, chocolate and festive snacks.
Patients also took part in Christmas-themed activities including decorating the ward, baking a Christmas cake, and making arts and crafts gifts for loved ones. Patients said the activities made them feel valued and appreciated.
Patients on Hadrian 2, a men’s psychiatric ward in Carlisle, thanked staff for their gifts. Janine Lucock, an activities facilitator on the ward, said: “We really value the SHINE Fund and what it brings for patients.”
And on Hadrian 1, a women’s psychiatric ward in Carlisle, patients took part in the prep and cooking for Christmas dinner. Peer supporter Jill Ramsay said: “They felt really pampered and were so happy to be involved in the process. We are so grateful we could use the money from SHINE to be able to do cooking activities.”
Terri Craven, an occupational therapist on Gibside ward, added: “Patients were very surprised and appreciative of the presents. Many were unable to see their relatives, so this made a real difference. It gave a sense of family within the ward at what can be a difficult time for some.”
SHINE helps support people accessing CNTW services by providing the extra things that can make a real difference. Funds have supported service users with everything from horse-riding trips to gardening tools.
Make a donation to our Christmas Appeal to brighten a patient’s Christmas this year. £10 pays for one patient’s present. Visit our Christmas appeal here: www.justgiving.com/campaign/shinechristmas2024