Creating a Bright day for patients and staff

We celebrated the Brightest Day of the Year on Thursday 18 July 2024.

Patients and staff from Northumbria Healthcare took part in a day of celebration, helping to raise awareness of the work we do to enhance patient experience and staff wellbeing.

We manned stalls from North Tyneside up to Berwick and across to Hexham, covering as much of the trust’s large area as possible, giving away goodies and spreading smiles.

Bright provided patients with gifts to show appreciation to those in hospital and to add a bit of brightness to their day, including bespoke art packs, children’s blankets, stickers, and poem cards written by the staff in the Northumbria Creative Writing Group.

Bright’s head of charity, Rob Graham, said: “Brightest Day was a great opportunity to raise awareness of the work we do to enhance the patient and staff experience.

“We know being in hospital can be a difficult time, especially during the warmer months, but hope we brought a bit of extra brightness to their day.

“We’re really glad the day was a success and brought a smile to many faces and hope we can do it again next year.”

A special guest was in attendance, the charity’s brand-new mascot! The sunshine character aims to lift the spirits of everyone in hospital and plans to visit staff on ‘Mascot Mondays’ in an effort to spread joy and boost morale.

Two members of staff at Berwick Infirmary were surprised with a donation from the charity – an interactive Jolly Trolley used to provide music, reminiscence and fun to those in a hospital environment.

Marion Dickson, Executive director of nursing, midwifery and AHPs, said: “We were delighted to be there to give Hazel and Linda, our nutritional assistants on Ward 1, this fantastic Jolly Trolley.

“These two ladies go above and beyond, doing very special things on very special days, to ensure patients really take in the atmosphere.

“They are absolutely delighted, and we are so grateful for the Bright Charity.”