Parents Room – Riverbank Ward

This appeal is much needed and here is why!

In conversation with many parents, it was increasingly obvious we needed to do something to support them. We have parents who sadly spend a lot of time with a child on the Riverbank Children’s Ward, but equally we have parents who only visit once. For some parents, being able to leave their child and go get a drink is difficult. One conversation with a parent, who wishes to remain anonymous, was very open about their stay and use of the room.

Parent X was on the ward with their youngest child. They came in as an emergency on the Monday night and were still on the ward on Wednesday, not looking to go home anytime soon. The parent arrived with just their phone and what they were wearing. On being admitted to the ward they found their phone was about to lose charge! This wasn’t great as their child was watching videos to keep them amused. With no charger and no way of contacting their partner, they were stuck! Their partner works during the day and in the evening will take care of the child’s sibling, making it really difficult to swap over staying at the hospital, but also making it difficult to bring items in. What this family needed was a charger they could borrow, a toothbrush, toothpaste, shower gel and shampoo, just to support those first few hours on the ward.

The parents need somewhere to go which can provide a decent drink, some real food, maybe a few toiletries, perhaps a book or a magazine and even a phone charger.

The current facilities provide somewhere to make a drink and have a seat, but it is not cosy and there is no food to purchase. We want to give parents this space!

We want to replace the kitchen completely, offer new cupboards, a new fridge/freezer, kettle, coffee machine, microwave, and a vending machine. We also want to give them comfy armchairs, not patient waiting chairs, a TV, books or magazines to read, and wireless chargers. These are not anything out of the ordinary, but real items that real parents need!

Can you help by fundraising for us, donating to us or purchasing an item for us? It will all make a difference to a parent today.

To support this appeal and help us raise the £20,000 we need, you can:

• Fundraise for us: Please email fundraising@bedsft.nhs.uk for a fundraising pack
• Make a donation via our JustGiving page
• Send a cheque made payable to Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Charity to the Charity Team, Voluntary Service Office, Bedford Hospital, Kempston Road, Bedford, MK42 9DJ. Please place Parents Room on the back of the cheque
• Make a payment over the phone. Call 01582 718 289 and speak to a member of the team
• Make a BACS payment. Please email fundraising@bedfsft.nhs.uk for bank details.

Thank you for choosing to support this appeal.