CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR

CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR

 

I am not too sure where December went and now, we are in the middle of January already. I am attaching some updates that have occurred in recent months.

Hospital

Bev Palmer and I attended the Christmas afternoon tea at the hospital. It is for the patients in the main, but anyone can go and we take our second-hand books and handmade bookmarks which we take to events during the year.

We like to support the people who organise the afternoon and the proceeds go towards two charities.

It’s also a must to taste Sarah the chefs’ delicious cakes and sausage rolls etc. There is also a tombola.

 

Hospital Therapy

At the end of last year 2025 I had a conversation with Sugar about a list of items she was trying to get hold of. She came about a year ago as a therapist and her remit was to help improve patients’ wellbeing during their stay and give different forms of entertainment. There are televisions which the HCHLOF supply but its interaction outside their room that’s important.

Sugar has gradually built up a stock of items she can use jigsaws, crayons, paper and wool and many other usual items but there were many other items she needed which are not so run of the mill.

I took the list to The Trustees and they agreed we should fund the items and that included a white/magnetic board which will be used for example crossword puzzles for group participation and much more and we bought stress balls and tissues as prizes.

When I was there on Monday a jigsaw was about half complete and Sugar said a lady had done it that morning and she has trouble with her hands and picking up items, she went off more than satisfied with what she had done.

The community hospitals have an important role within the NHS and have changed from when they were cottage hospitals, the more we can do to keep these jewels going the better it is and we benefit locally with not only beds when available but the midwives section and outpatient appointments and employment opportunities.

 

Trustees

We have two new trustees which we are pleased to welcome, and their remit is to look at ways of helping children and young people. We are continually looking for different projects to follow through on.

 

The Green Shop

During Christmas the shop was looking very festive and inviting, and this is first year we have had our new front at Christmas.

They are now back to normal hours as below.

Why not come in and browse round or if you have a donation pop in the green trolley inside the shop. If you have four bags or more, please phone and book the items in.

 

INFORMATION RE OPENING HOURS

DONATIONS NOW BEING TAKEN

 

The opening times will be remaining the same when we reopen on 5th January 2026. These are: –

Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri, 9.30am – 4.30pm

Wed, Sat  9.30pm – 1pm

Jane Pyne

Trustee

Promoting the HCHLOF