The Guernsey staff of a global insurance firm have raised more than £5,000 to fund the renovation of a rebah ward at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital.
The money raised by workers at Generali Worldwide will be used in Le Marchant Ward’s dining room through the Arts for Impact project.
It is hoped that the renewal of the area will help increase patients’ independence, which is crucial for their recovery as they work towards returning home.
It’s the latest in a series of fundraising efforts by staff in the island to support the ward and Arts for Impact.
Tony Mealing, Head of Customer Services at Generali Worldwide, said: “This fundraising is part of our initiative ‘by the staff, from the staff’, complementing the broader Corporate Social Responsibility activity of the company. We hope to raise further funds for Arts for Impact and still have a couple of fundraising activities to go before the year is out.”
Le Marchant is an assessment and rehabilitation ward providing 24-hour care to patients who have a variety of needs ranging from Parkinson’s disease and problems with balance, to post-orthopaedic and general surgery.
Hugh Rose from the Arts for Impact charity is redesigning the underused space, based on feedback from ward staff and patients on how they would like to see the area improved.
He said: “Arts for Impact collaborates with the health and social care organisations to engage with the community through creative activity. Studies have shown that a visually engaging space can improve a patient’s wellbeing and reduce stress. In the Le Marchant Ward, we will be looking into ways we can help boost patient’s independence and create some beautiful artwork for positive distraction.”
The ideas include a kitchen area for service users and clearer signage. Hospital staff hope that this will help users to adapt sufficiently to return home with confidence or to an appropriate placement in residential or nursing care.
Giorgio Daboni, Chief Executive Officer of Generali Worldwide, added: “I am very proud of the staff for their efforts and the time that they have put into the fundraising. As a company, we are delighted to be in a position to financially match their efforts to reach this total and are very pleased with the focus and discipline they have demonstrated during the fundraising campaign.”
