Spotlighting Partnerships: ASDA Champions Provide Brilliant Boost
Today we’re shining a spotlight on how corporate partnerships can help us continue in our mission to support BCHC patients, service users and staff. Thanks to regular support from the ASDA Foundation and local ASDA Community Champions, BCHC Charity has been able to make a real difference across the city.
Hygiene Help for Community Unit Patients
BCHC Charity were able to purchase 76 toiletry sets for patients on ward CU27 at Good Hope Hospital during the COVID-19 lockdowns, thanks to an ASDA Foundation grant. Toiletry sets were provided by the Charity whilst visitors were not allowed on the wards due to the pandemic, and contained shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, toothpaste, a toothbrush and even an eye mask to promote good sleep and enhance wellbeing.
BCHC Charity Campaign Manager Angela Corry said, “I would like to say a personal thank you to Denise Alder, the Community Champion from ASDA Minworth. Denise is enthusiastic, approachable and supported our application to the ASDA Foundation to ensure we could provide these extras for our patients in their time of need''.
Senior Sister Karen Miller from CU27 expressed her gratitude; “It has been a very difficult year for patients, relatives and all NHS staff and your kindness is valued”.
Bringing Communities Back Together
In December 2021, support from the ASDA Foundation was used to treat the Learning Disabilities Service User Group and their carers to a festive party full of fun, food, and magic.
Dr Tamryn Renwick, who organised the party, was one of the staff who accompanied the group. “I’d like to say a huge thank you to the ASDA Foundation for their generous donation. The group has been separated by the pandemic and your support has allowed them to reconnect and celebrate.”
Lockdowns were particularly hard for this group of patients, and many struggled to keep in contact virtually as they find it difficult to use or access technology. The party enabled them to re-ignite friendships, interact with their peers, and help them regain their social skills.
Governance Administrator Hayley Jennison said: “The magician was great! The group loved him too.”
Cook and Play For The Family
90 children were supported to learn about nutrition to embed healthy eating habits in a fun way which could last them a lifetime as part of ASDA Foundation funded ‘Cook & Play’ sessions. During the ‘cook’ element of the programme, a demonstration focussed on teaching children about “eating the rainbow”, with an opportunity for them to prepare their own vegetables using child-friendly knives. Children also got the opportunity to taste fruits and vegetables that they may never have eaten before. The ‘play’ element helped children to play together and make new friendships through making a version of Play-Doh using flour, salt, oil and food colouring.
Emma Farren, a Community Engagement Worker at Doddington Green Children’s Centre, said: “The children are now able to make a simple meal for their family, so many people will benefit, including their siblings and wider family members.”
Giving the Gift of Time
Many of the local ASDA Community Champions and other store staff have given their time to help us with events and projects by volunteering with the charity . From making greetings cards and decorations to packing winter support bags for vulnerable patients, helping to keep our outdoor spaces clean and tidy to supporting at our Carers Event , ASDA volunteers have been invaluable to us in allowing us to run events smoothly, deliver projects in a timely and efficient manner, and keep our garden spaces tidy and peaceful. In-Store Appearances
ASDA Small Heath supported our ‘Walking Stick MOT’ project by allowing us to host an MOT event for the public in their store. The ‘Walking Stick MOTs’, run by Paul Mills as part of an early intervention falls prevention project, allow those with walking aids to have their ferrules (the rubber stoppers on the ‘feet’ of the sticks) checked to make sure that they still have good grip. Any which are worn away are replaced with new ones, to ensure that the aids are in the best condition to help prevent falls. This event, with ferrules and resources funded by the Yardley Neighbourhood Network Scheme, was part of our early intervention programme which aims to help people live well for longer by educating communities about healthy living and supporting them to live well at home.
Delicious Donations Lead to Fantastic Fundraising
Local ASDA stores kindly donated sweet treats to BCHC Charity for our NHS Birthday Bash celebrations in July 2024. The events were held to celebrate the anniversary of the creation of the NHS, as well as provide an opportunity for Team BCHC staff to access wellbeing support resources, mindful activities, refreshments and entertainment. The donated cakes and snacks were sold at events across the first week of July, helping us to raise over £440 for the charity.
As you can see, ASDA Foundation and our local ASDA stores have had a huge impact on the people of Birmingham thanks to their support to BCHC Charity. Sarah Binks, Charity Manager, thanks the company for their support; “We cannot thank the Foundation and the Community Champions enough for supporting us with monetary grants, item donations, and your time through volunteering; it really has made a tremendous difference.”
If you are a company that would like to discuss how you could support BCHC Charity, please do not hesitate to contact us at bchc.charity@nhs.net .