Environment
Ward 6 successfully received some funding to help develop our ward to make it more dementia friendly. Karen and I were able to work together to come up with ideas to transform three areas of the ward, the reminiscence room, the corridor room, and the fire corridor.
By having funding has increased people’s awareness of why it’s important to remain active and to have meaningful conversations. Having safe spaces can reduce patient and relatives anxiety and has been used with relatives who have end of life patients on the ward.
Clare Rhodes
Sister on Ward 6, Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital
Healing Arts
The Teddy Bear Cabinet features a collection of portraits of 12 handcrafted teddy bears, resembling 19th century cabinet cards; an early form of photography often displayed in glass cabinets.
After having her own baby at NSECH, Christina expressed her desire to give back to their maternity department: “My experience as a service user of the maternity department was one of being surrounded by highly specialist and empathetic staff and I strongly felt that I wanted to contribute to the department. The artworks convey the sense of security and connection that describes this experience, which has been engrained amongst my precious memories of early motherhood.”
Dr Christina Kolaiti, practising artist based in North Tyneside, opened her newest art exhibition, The Teddy Bear Cabinet, at the Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital (NSECH).
Volunteers
“I’ve been volunteering for just under two-and-a-half years now and I can honestly say it’s the best thing I’ve ever done. I thoroughly enjoy working here and the staff and colleagues I work with couldn’t be better, I wouldn’t be anywhere else.
“I started volunteering because I had recently retired and wasn’t enjoying it. A neighbour mentioned there were openings at the hospital to volunteer and I haven’t looked back. I have absolutely found that it has improved my health and wellbeing as it has given me a purpose and a focus. I’m not as lonely as I’m always meeting people and I love chatting to people. It’s also a really lovely environment to be in.”
Anita Arrowsmith