The difference a donation can make
Hello, my name is Knut and I’m the Ward Manager for Whipps Cross’ Margaret Centre. The Margaret Centre is a Specialist Palliative and End of Life care unit where a significant amount of people spend their final days.
We receive lots of donations from community organisations and individual donors who have been grateful for our care and support for their loved ones who die in our inpatient unit. Our community, hospital, complementary therapies, and bereavement services are also much appreciated by the local community and generate a lot of grateful donations.
Transforming our service with Barts Charity
I first became aware of Barts Charity in 2015. We have been well supported by them in managing our donations and helping us to find purchases and works to improve patient experience. Everything from a bladder scanner, to recliner chairs, to staff training, to refurbishments, to flowers have all been purchased through Barts Charity.
There has been such an incredible amount of things we have been able to do for our staff and patients because of them. Without support from donors, our current service and what we do for staff and patients/families in the Margaret Centre would be unrecognisable.
A massive impact
People feel that a special effort is being made for them. Whether it is staff or patients or friends and relatives; we are able to provide little touches that make all the difference. We are currently improving some small garden areas around the ward that will become beautiful spaces for people to ‘have a moment’ in and will even be accessible for patients who are bed-bound. Barts Charity has made these improvements happen.
Getting involved
For the past 4 years, I have been encouraging staff, particularly managers, to understand how the Charity works and what it can do for their service. My experience means that I understand what Barts Charity can and cannot do for services but I emphasize the quick and useful improvements that can be made that make a service great. If you speak to me you will know how enthusiastic I am about making improvements!
An effective partnership with Barts Charity means we do not have to be restricted by the public purse strings of the NHS to make our services better. There is enough good will in your local community to support what you want to do to make your service improve and it comes down to engaging with your staff and service users, collaborating with Barts Charity and making it happen.
Knut Wilmott
Ward Manager, Margaret Centre, Whipps Cross