Tag Archives: grant

A Stroke of Genius at The Therapy Garden

2nd June 2017

A stroke of genius at Normandy Therapy Garden

A grant of £3,800 has supported The Therapy Garden in Normandy in offering a therapeutic horticulture course to 12 local stroke survivors. The group took part in a range of gardening activities such as growing, harvesting and maintaining the gardens. They enjoyed activities at their own pace, in a peaceful and supportive environment supported by volunteers and experienced horticulturists.

A Stroke of Genius

The Therapy Garden is a horticulture and education charity that uses gardening to generate positive change. The ‘Stroke of Genius’ project offers social and therapeutic horticulture to a group of stroke survivors and their carers. It provides stroke survivors with gentle exercise and physical activity whilst they learn about gardening. Stroke sufferers are prone to becoming isolated while they are recovering. This project offers an opportunity to socialise and connect with new people, whilst being inclusive of carers.

It had previously partnered with the Stroke Association to run a taster course for eight stroke survivors. When the pilot ended, the group expressed a desire to return. The grant enabled the course to run for a further six weeks and to expand the number of attendees. Volunteers enjoyed seeing the group return, building relationships with the group and seeing how they progressed during the course.

A Stroke Association support worker encouraged Nicholas* to attend Therapy Garden. Nicholas has always been a keen gardener and explained “It’s nice to get back into gardening and now I’m encouraged to do more in my own garden.”

Referrals to The Therapy Garden are made by local coordinators of national charities such as the Stroke Association. Alternatively a GP can refer you, or it is possible to self-refer. To find out more about The Therapy Garden, the services they offer and how to get involved, please see their website.

*Name changed

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Support for Woking & Sam Beare Hospices’ new site on Goldsworth Park

21st November 2016

WSB Hospices - Goldsworth Park

Woking & Sam Beare Hospices have been awarded a grant of £15,017 from the Community Foundation for Surrey. The funding will go towards the installation of Alenti lift Chairs and Miranti lift bath trolleys in the patient assisted bathrooms in the charity’s new hospice in Goldsworth Park.

The facility will include two large, assisted bathrooms for patients with limited mobility. These bathrooms will be fitted with necessary equipment to ensure that they are not only fully accessible for the patients and the nurses who care for them, but are comfortable and enjoyable to use. Lizzie Loveless, Senior Trusts Fundraiser explains the importance of the donation:

“For many of our patients, such as those with motor neurone disease, their visits to the hospice are the only time that they are able to have a bath and therefore to have these assisted bathrooms dramatically improves the care we are able to give them by providing the space, privacy and equipment which they don’t have at home. We are delighted to have been granted such a generous amount from the Community Foundation for Surrey towards the equipment which will allow every patient to safely enjoy a bath.”

Wendy Varcoe, Executive Director of the Community Foundation said of the donation:

“The Community Foundation is delighted to be able to support this fantastic project that will enable better care for more people in the local community. By working with our local donors, we are able to support organisations such as Woking & Sam Beare Hospices that have a lasting impact for the people of Surrey.”

To find out more about the new build on Goldsworth Park, visit www.wsbhospices.co.uk/NewBuild