GRAND NEWS Spring 2021
PUT A SMILE ON A SICK CHILD’S FACE TODAY
DREN’S HOS HIL PI T LC
Supporting
ARITY CH AL
THE BR IST O
Lowenna
and St Michael’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
WELCOME ANNA SHEPHERD
Deputy Director The Grand Appeal and Cots for Tots
As we look forward to the return of the warmer months, sadly for some the change in weather does not bring a brighter time. Children and families from across the South West and South Wales will find themselves facing the most challenging time of their lives, dependent on the facilities, services and care of Bristol Children’s Hospital and St Michael’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Over the last year, despite all that has been thrown at us, our supporters have inspired us more than ever before – still determined to raise money and change the lives of children forever. While we pause to celebrate those achievements, we must also look forward and recognise our work is never done, as our mission to help every sick child continues. To do this, we need your help. With an exciting calendar of fundraising events coming up this year, you can help us continue to provide the vital services that offer parents the comfort of a place to stay, make a hospital stay less scary and fund the incredible staff, research and equipment that will help transform lives. This is your chance to give sick children, and their families a reason to smile.
Thank you
SPECIAL REPORT
UNPRECEDENTED TIMES While coronavirus predominately affects adults, hundreds of thousands of children across Bristol and the South West still find themselves in urgent need of care, support, and treatment by Bristol Children’s Hospital and its NICU at St Michael’s Hospital. Everyday, parents find themselves facing the toughest challenges of their lives and during the pandemic, this has intensified immeasurably. Restrictions have meant only one parent or carer can be by a child’s side in hospital. That parent must stay strong for their child on their own, reassuring them at a time when they are not only sick, but are surrounded by people in masks and protective clothing. They are away from home, away from the rest of their family, and trying to navigate travel and accommodation arrangements while complying with lockdown rules and regulations. They face an almost impossible situation.
Thanks to your support, you have helped us continue to support patients, families, and our colleagues on the frontline during this incredibly stressful time by:
•
Providing accommodation for over 25 families at any one time, so they can be close to their sick children while adhering to isolation guidance and visiting restrictions.
the play team’s services to bring some light to patients who are facing • Adapting periods of extreme isolation.
• • •
Ensuring our family support workers could still safely be in the hospital, guiding families through this unprecedented situation. Funding time-critical research into the natural history of coronavirus to inform possible treatments and a vaccine. Adapting the contents and frequency of our hospital staff wellbeing packages to ensure those working on the frontline, under the most duress were well supported and felt appreciated and cared for.
The last year has been the greatest challenge of our 26-year history and none of this would have been possible without our incredible supporters. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for all that you have done and all that you will do to give seriously ill children and their families the bright future they so deserve. Please continue to support our vital work for Bristol Children’s Hospital and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit by making a donation today.
grandappeal.org.uk/donate
A SAFE PLACE TO CALL HOME
Cots for Tots House Our 12-bedroom accommodation house is just minutes from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. It has remained open 365 days a year during the pandemic, providing free accommodation to parents who need to stay close to their sick baby.
Paul’s House Since opening our second home-from-home, complete with eight en-suite rooms, we have welcomed 200 families from across the South West and South Wales. This vital building offers accommodation to families of patients undergoing major or prolonged treatment at Bristol Children’s Hospital.
Grand Appeal House At the beginning of 2020, we opened our third family accommodation building, just a stone’s throw from the hospital. With nine en-suite rooms and break out space, we can now provide accommodation for 29 families across three houses. Throughout the pandemic, Grand Appeal House has provided a lifeline to families from across Bristol and the South West.
KEEP YOUR LITTLE ONES COSY AT NIGHT IN OUR SNUGGLY PYJAMAS All profits support Bristol Children’s Hospital
Shop now at gromitunleashedshop.org.uk
SUPPORT WHEN IT IS NEEDED MOST 24 hours a day, 365 days a year Family Support Programme Our specialist social workers make sure no parent or carer is left feeling alone whilst their child is undergoing specialist treatment and care and help them navigate the problems that come with having a child in hospital. Whether their concerns are psychological, financial or they just need a shoulder to cry on, our programme reaches around 50 families every month.
VCreate for NICU families There are times when parents of the tiniest patients need to go home and leave their baby’s bedside. This is incredibly stressful and can cause extreme separation anxiety. With your support, nurses can use our secure video messaging service to send parents video updates of their tiny babies.
Bobby Owen
Grand Appeal Family Support Practitioner
Afternoon of Remembrance
You Got This
Every year we fund a special afternoon of remembrance for children who have sadly passed away in Bristol Children’s Hospital. The service is a time for sharing memories, sadness, and hope for the future – offering support and care to many families. During the pandemic, the service was virtual, but we hope that restrictions will allow us to deliver a physical event moving forward.
Emergency medicine is incredibly emotional and demanding, not least during a global pandemic. To support the doctors, nurses, and support staff on the frontline we have continued to fund a wellness programme to remind the team just how appreciated they are.
There will be more challenges ahead, but the staff in this hospital will meet them so we can continue to provide world-class care for children and families. With your help, we can do that together. Dan Magnus Clinical Lead, Emergency Department at Bristol Children’s Hospital
TRANSFORMING LIVES AND FORMING SMILES
3D Cardiac Bioprinting Service Our pioneering Grand Appeal 3D cardiac bioprinting unit has transformed how surgeons plan and prepare for major heart surgery, and the way they communicate complex conditions to families.
Pioneering Neurosurgery Equipment By funding the Gosman G4 General and Switching Box you have helped revolutionise epilepsy treatment. Children whose epilepsy was previously thought inoperable may now be suitable for surgery.
ECG Monitor Thanks to your donations, we have funded an ECG Monitor, which is used by consultants to help diagnose and monitor patients with heart issues.
Sleep Studies Equipment & Research Sleep is important for a child’s development as it helps with mental health, stress and problem solving. Thanks to your donations, we fund an extensive sleep studies programme to allow in-patients and home patients to be monitored for respiratory conditions and ongoing research.
Music Therapists Music is a vital outlet for children, and whether they are banging a drum, strumming the guitar, or playing the flute, our fantastic Music Therapists bring smiles to over 30 children each week. Sensory Play Delivered by our practitioner, Marius, sensory play is an essential part of child development and particularly effective as an outlet for children who are in pain, distressed or anxious.
Arts Unleashed Our arts programme, Arts Unleashed was introduced to centralise the creative activities we provide to the hospital. In just six months, we reached 2,992 patients through 166 sessions.
Oncology Play Assistant Our Oncology Play Assistant Sian helps courageous young cancer patients express themselves creatively through imaginative play sessions.
100% of profits
support sick children & their families
Shop our exclusive gift range at
www.gromitunleashed.org.uk Visit our shop at The Mall this spring/summer and see the latest Gromit Unleashed sculptures from The Grand Adventure. The Grand Appeal®. Registered charity 1043603. ©&™ Aardman Animations Ltd 2021. All rights reserved.