In 2022-23 financial year, the charity received £146,000 in grants and donations. Here are just a few ways your support made a difference in 2022-23:
Group yoga sessions for patients following breast cancer treatment
Thanks to charitable funds, Torbay Hospital’s Breast Care team has been able to offer free of charge weekly yoga sessions to patients following breast cancer treatment, led by an experienced yoga teacher, Theresa. These sessions make a significant difference to both the physical health and mental well-being of the ladies who attend, one of the ladies benefiting from the yoga said:
“Theresa’s yoga group and her knowledge and care, and the support of other group members has carried me through – not only cancer, but other medical and life events too. It has been one of the most important factors in my recovery, mind, body and spirit.”
Supporting parents suffering the loss of a baby
At Torbay Hospital, a bereavement suite is available for parents who have suffered any kind of baby loss such as miscarriage or stillborn birth. The suite provides bereaved parents with a little oasis of peace and calm at a very difficult time in their lives. In addition to items in the suite, the Charity funds small items including keepsake hearts in two parts for families facing the loss of their baby. One heart can be placed in the baby’s hand or blanket when saying goodbye and the other is for the parent to keep. It is a small gesture that means a great deal to the parents supported by the team at Torbay.
A new twin cot for Torbay Hospital’s Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU)
The SCBU team, caring for new born babies requiring special care, was delighted to purchase their first ever twin cot for new-born twins needing special care thanks to the charity’s support. Babies Henry and Ronnie were the first set of twins to try out the new twin cot.
“The SCBU team care for sets of twins on a regular basis and up until now, the babies would have to be in separate cots. Now, thanks to the funds that have been raised, twins can be cared for together, providing them with the comfort of knowing their sibling is close by and helping their parents keep their new family together.”
SCBU matron, Carol
Outings and activities for young adult carers in Torbay
Young adult carers are young people aged 16–25 who care, unpaid, for a family member or friend with an illness or disability, mental health condition or an addiction. The Torbay Young Adult Carers (TYAC) team provide much needed help, advice and support to around 241 young carers locally.
Although the Torbay Young Adult Carers (TYAC) service is funded by the NHS, the team offers a range of events, outings and meet-ups for young carers, funded by charitable donations. In 2022/23, the TYAC team was able to offer regular drop in sessions, sailing, a Christmas meal and trips to Plymouth Aquarium and Bristol. These activities were so important to the young carers, building resilience and mental well-being and offering them a chance to pause responsibilities and enjoy being a teenager or young adult for a few hours.
One of the young adult carers supported by the service says,
“The events have given me time to myself which I find hard to do between caring and working. It has also taught me valuable skills to take away and use, skills like organising, trust, improving my social skills and confidence. I am part of the operational group as well which allows me to voice opinions and take part in fundraising events and this helps build my confidence and experience. I mostly use the drop-in service to have two hours to relax, play games and make friends.”
A new sleeper chair for Louisa Cary ward (the children’s ward at Torbay Hospital)
Parents of children cared for on Louisa Cary ward often need to stay by their child’s bedside overnight, sometimes for days at a time. Getting a good night’s sleep is essential for coping with what is likely to be a stressful and challenging time in their and their child’s life. New sleeper chairs by the child’s bedside, replacing old style camp beds, have helped to provide greater comfort for parents and have been a big success.
“We are really pleased with the new sleeper chairs, they are easy to clean, easy to set up and more comfortable for our parents.”
Tine Roberts, staff nurse on the ward
Torbay and South Devon NHS Charity is the NHS charity making things better for our local hospitals and for our community. Funding the big and little things that make a difference to our patients, their families and the staff that treat them.