Supporting Patients Throughout the COVID-19 Crisis
In March 2020, BCHC Charity launched an emergency COVID-19 appeal to help raise funds to support patients, service users and BCHC colleagues across Birmingham. Thanks to an overwhelming show of support from donors, fundraisers, trusts & foundations, and both local and national businesses, BCHC Charity were able to aid throughout the COVID-19 crisis. 4 years on, we’re taking a look at the ways these amazing donations supported patients across Birmingham.
When BCHC Charity put the call out to staff to find out how they could support their patients and service users throughout the pandemic, clinicians were quick to request items to help combat the boredom and anxiety brought on by isolation and reduced visitation. Patients across Moseley Hall and West Heath hospitals, Perry Tree and Ann Marie Howes intermediate care centres, and CU27 at Good Hope have been treated to a range of ‘home comforts’, such as portable TVs for patient rooms, CD & radio players, CDs and DVDs, colouring books, board and card games and much more, to keep them entertained during the lockdown. Occupational Therapist Edwina Wass on Ward 9 Inpatient Neurological Rehabilitation Unit at Moseley Hall used one of the new radios in a 1:1 music session; “This session was really beneficial for the patient as he was able, with support, to indicate musical preferences, make choices and demonstrated an emotional response to the music.”
Ward staff also approached the Charity Team with requests for pyjamas, loungewear, and extra toiletries for their patients. As patient’s relatives were not able to visit, staff became aware that patients were unable to have a change of clothes, pyjamas or toiletries brought to them. BCHC Charity got to work provided over £21,000 worth of pyjamas, t-shirts, and comfy loungewear for patients in inpatient areas over the last 4 years. A patient at Moseley Hall Hospital Ward 5 was very pleased with his new pyjamas; “I really like them, and I feel very smart in them!”
Staff from the Learning Disabilities service approached BCHC Charity after concerns were raised that the sudden change in routine and lack of access to their usual community activities such as work, college or day centres caused by the national lockdowns may cause service users distress or behavioural difficulties. They wanted to create activity packs to help relieve boredom and promote positive behaviours during this challenging time. The Charity funded the contents to create packs of items that service users can use to entertain themselves whilst at home, such as gardening tools and seeds, arts and crafts supplies, board and card games, jigsaw puzzles, colouring books, and supplies, and much more. Simone Bettam, Therapy Practitioner for the LD Intensive Support Team said “These packs will be delivered to adults with learning disabilities who are struggling with the change to their day-to-day routine due to the current lockdown. The packs will make a huge difference and make lockdown life that bit easier.”
Garden and recreational areas across the Trust have been spruced up with flowers, plants and furniture to help provide peaceful and beautiful spaces for both patients and staff, thanks to donations to BCHC Charity. Over the last 24 months, BCHC Charity have recognised the importance of utilising outdoor areas as a means for patients and staff to relax, get fresh air, and take some time for themselves. Spending time in green spaces and getting some sunlight can improve mood, reduce anxiety, and encourage relaxation, which is more important than ever for healthcare staff and their patients and service users. Staff have also been working with patients to create beautiful hanging baskets, providing a calming activity which helps to improve patient morale.
Thanks to a very kind donation from the ASDA Foundation, BCHC Charity were able to provide much-needed emergency food parcels for families accessing the Birmingham Forward Steps service during the height of the pandemic. Many families from less privileged backgrounds found themselves in difficulty during the COVID-19 lockdowns, with issues like childcare, loss of employment or reduced hours, sickness, or a lack of access to support causing parents to struggle with providing for their family’s needs. The food parcels contained a range of non-perishable, essential items such as rice, pasta, soups, cereal and bases to make sauces such as tomatoes and tinned vegetables. Mr A received a parcel from the team and was both surprised and delighted to have access to such necessities at such a challenging time and expressed his “heartfelt thanks to the ASDA Foundation for supporting families such as mine.”
In February 2021, BCHC Charity created over 300 Winter Activity Packs which were delivered to our inpatient units. The packs were designed to be given to individual patients for them to keep, for them to return to as they like and take home with them as they are discharged. We included a winter themed colouring book and pencil pack as colouring is a relaxing pastime that can help to reduce stress and anxiety, a puzzle book to keep minds active, a pack of playing cards for entertainment, a notepad and pen to encourage creativity, and more. The Charity also funded deliveries of newspapers, as simple comforts such as this can help patients feel more at home by providing a sense of their usual daily routine and a connection to the outside world. Patients on the Community Unit at Good Hope Hospital reported that they were very grateful to receive the packs to “help pass the time by, especially as we are not able to have visitors during this difficult time”.
Although the emergency appeal is now closed, BCHC Charity are committed to continuing to support our patients and service users.