CHoICE facilities team donate £500 prize to help patients with dementia
City Hospitals Sunderland Independent Commercial Enterprises (CHoICE) facilities team have donated their £500 cash prize from the Facilities Team of the Year award to Sunderland Royal Hospital’s Alexandra Centre.
The team were awarded the prize by the Health Estates and Facilities Management Association (HEFMA) on the 11th May but when their £500 prize arrived, they chose to celebrate their achievement by supporting a local cause.
Claire Dodds (Hotel Services Manager), Rachael Hutchinson (Hotel Services Manager) and Mark Turner (Head of Portering and Security) met the Dementia and Delirium Outreach Team (DDOT) who are based at the Alexandra Centre.
“Being awarded team of the year by HEFMA meant a lot to our amazing team, and we are so glad we can use that honour to help those actually benefiting from our work” they told a charity representative.
“Dementia affects so many of us, whether it is our family or friends, and of course many of our facilities team staff have relatives affected by dementia.
“Our team of the year award means that much more knowing that it is helping men and women suffering from the condition, as well as their carers.”
The teams kind donation will to City Hospitals Sunderland Charity’s special fund for the Alexandra Centre, where the team will be able to use it to enhance the care they provide their patients at the day centre, as well as in the community.
The DDOT regularly purchase therapy aides that make a huge difference for those suffering from dementia, as well as distraction items that can help relax patients when they find themselves in a situation they find stressful.
June Lawson, Matron for Rehabilitation and Elderly Medicine, was immensely grateful for the donation. “On behalf of the DDOT, I want to thank each member of staff at CHoICE facilities service. It means the world that you believe in what the team do, and it’s really going to make a difference for those living with dementia – thank you.”
