Wife and mother of former patient donate over £1500

The Wife and Mother of a former patient donated over £1500 to Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust’s charity, brighterway, allowing the Heart Failure Team at Waterlooville Health Centre to purchase a new ECG machine.

Alan Stephenson had a diagnosis of heart failure and was a patient to the team for several years. Sadly, Alan passed away aged 61. Anne, his wife and Joyce, his mother, wanted to give back to the team after they had looked after Alan and supported them as a family. Anne said “I have known the Heart Failure Team for around 10 years so we decided to raise money for an ECG machine as we wanted to give something back. The care Alan received definitely prolonged his life.”

Trish Phillips, Heart Failure Nurse Specialist, said: “Alan was a patient of ours for several years and we were very close to him and his family. When Anne informed us that they were going to request people made a donation at his funeral so that we could order a much needed additional ECG machine, we felt enormous gratitude. We were honoured to know they felt so highly of the service. This ECG machine will make a huge difference to patient care. We cannot thank Anne and Joyce enough.”

Anne continues: “Alan and I were looked after so well by the team.Trish and Lisa (Heart Failure Nurses) have been such a support to me and Alan’s family. This donation is something positive come out of a very sad time for us. Knowing that we can help the Heart Failure Team and other patients is something we are very proud of.”

Anne and Joyce attended the annual Christmas Party for the Heart Failure Team where they were able to thank them for their kindness.

“Ten of us were struggling to manage with having only five ECG machines to share between us so this new addition will make a massive difference to the patient care we provide.” Trish continues.

Ian Hynd, Head of brighterway charity, said: “Brighterway are here to help the people cared for by Southern Health lead a brighter life, above and beyond NHS funding. We were delighted to receive the kind donation from the family and it has enabled us to provide the additional machine which will greatly benefit our patients. Without the continued support of people like Anne and Joyce, we wouldn’t be able to continue to grant-make and provide fundraising support.”

One Man, One Month, Two Marathons

In October, Clayton has set himself a new challenge by running in not just one, but two full marathons.

They will be taking place in London and Manchester and all funds raised will be going directly to Brighterway.

London marathon will be taking place on the 4^th with Manchester marathon following a week later on the 11^th.

Clayton has chosen Brighterway as his charity because he has previously seen the positive impact the funds have on people using our services.

He says: ‘Having worked in Forensic Services for the past 20 years, and having used charitable funds to improve the lives of those patients, I have decided to raise funds for this worthy cause.’

Brighterway is the charity for Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, your local community and mental health provider.

Our aim is to improve or enhance the care received by those using our services through the use of fundraising and grant making for projects that go above and beyond NHS funding. Helping them to lead a brighterlife, improving their wellbeing and independence.

You can donate to Clayton’s JustGiving page here – https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/clayton-bowen5

ABP Southampton Marathon

Are you wanting to set yourself a new challenge for 2021? We are looking for people to take part in the ABP Southampton Marathon by running either a 10k, half-marathon or full marathon.

We will pay for your entry fee, however a minimum fundraising target must be reached which will go directly to brighterway.

10k – minimum sponsorship £100.

Half marathon – minimum sponsorship £150.

Full marathon – minimum sponsorship £200.

You will be helping brighterway to support projects across Southern Health. Our aim is to support recovery and enable people to lead a brighterlife, helping their overall quality of life, wellbeing and independence.

The marathon is taking place on the Sunday 5 September 2021, please get in touch asap to confirm your place.

To reserve your place, email your name and the race you wish to take part in to daren.evans@southernhealth.nhs.uk.

If you don’t want to take part but still wish to donate, you can find our JustGiving page here – https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/BrighterwayABP

We look forward to cheering you on!

Emily’s Bath Half Marathon Challenge 2020

“Hi my name Emily and here is my story…

It is safe to say that 2019 has been a cruel year having experienced two traumatic life events; the sudden death of my father aged just 63 and the breakdown of my marriage shortly after. The struggle of bearing two heartbreaking losses in a short space of time took a significant toll on my mental health and I fell into a deep depression. On July 29th I submitted myself into A&E as I had reached crisis point. In that moment, I just wanted my life to end and for the pain to stop. I knew I needed help.

I was informally admitted into the care of the Acute Mental Health Team at Melbury Lodge, which provides recovery focused care and treatment for those experiencing mental health difficulties in the West Area of Hampshire. I was referred to the crisis resolution and home treatment service, a 24 hour service which involves home visits and supports patients to develop a care plan to help prevent relapse. As part of my care plan, I was introduced to a number of resilience techniques, including mindfulness and guided meditation. I was also encouraged to maintain regular exercise and develop a routine through activities I enjoy.

I have always enjoyed being active (Sporty Spice was my hero as a child) and in 2018 I started running to complete the Eastleigh 10k in aid of Hampshire Search and Rescue together with colleagues. During my time in care I had a particularly bad week where I was feeling suicidal every day and nothing would help stop it. For no particular reason one afternoon I decided I was going to run as far as I could, no matter where I ended up. I ran just shy of 10 miles and the negativity that had consumed me all week had lifted. I decided from then on every time I felt low, I would go for a run. Running became my way to escape and let go of built up negativity. I stuck with that plan and now I run regularly because I enjoy it. So much so I have decided to enter the Bath Half Marathon 2020 event!

I am raising money for Brighterway, the charity for the Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, as a way of saying thank you to the Acute Mental Health team.

Our NHS is simply extraordinary and this challenge is my own way of giving back to the extraordinary care I received. To the A&E and hospital staff, to the specialists and therapists who helped me through this difficult time – thank you”

If you would like to donate please visit Emily’s Just Giving page

Wound clinic patients benefit from Trust’s charity donation

Avalon House’s wound clinic has received a donation of £6500 that has enabled the purchase of new equipment.

The team purchased a specialised chair for patients to sit in at
a comfortable level whilst having their bandages changed or removed. The chair will also ensure ensure that staff can be more comfortable at work preventing them from experiencing back pain.

Rosie Blake, Community Team Lead for the wound clinic in Avalon house said “The chair has been a great help in the very busy wound clinic. Patients say it so much more comfortable and easier to get on and off…. We have been able to purchase buckets on wheels and a stool, all designed to improve staffs well-being in the clinic, and it has certainly achieved that. We can’t imagine how we managed without them. We are exceptionally grateful for the generous donation form Brighterway that made this possible.”

New sensory garden project grows

Brighterway is funding a project that will see a new sensory garden at Parklands Mental Health Unit in Basingstoke.

The project has been set up in partnership with Sparsholt College (Horticultural) and military veterans through Help for Heroes as the hospital houses an MoD specific unit alongside general adult mental health services.

One garden will be sensory based and used for quiet contemplation and relaxation in conjunction with being a suitable space for privacy, much needed . It will play an important role for all patients through providing a suitable space for group therapy and mindfulness sessions.

The second garden has been designed for both social interaction and exercise. With ample tranquil seating it aims to incorporate adult exercise equipment and space for occupational therapy sessions such as art therapy, gardening club and yoga.

The project is being undertaken by volunteers and relies on fundraising, so if you would like to support the project, please donate via the Brighterway Just Giving page.