2gether celebrates Make a Difference Day at Charlton Lane

2gether celebrates Make a Difference Day at Charlton Lane

29 October 2011 is Make a Difference Day, the UK’s largest single day of volunteering.

A team of volunteers known as ‘Health Champions’ from across the county will be joining forces with staff at ²gether’s Charlton Lane Hospital to take part in activities with a floral theme to hospital residents.

Patients will be invited to participate in activities including bulb planting, flower arranging, the art of decorating flower pots and singing songs with a floral theme. Cream teas will also be on offer.

Hazel May, Occupational Therapy Manager at Charlton Lane Hospital said: “Severe mental health issues can disrupt every aspect of our own and our family’s lives. Being in hospital can also feel lonely so engaging in normal and enjoyable human activities is one way we seek to make our patients feel more comfortable and is an extremely important way to sustain a sense of hope and self worth.

“Make a Difference Day will provide a comfortable and safe opportunity for patients, staff, volunteers and relatives to spend enjoyable time together doing things that we all like to do, getting to know each other and having some fun.”

Make a Difference Day is organised by Community Service Volunteers (CSV), the UK’s leading volunteering and training charity.  Event organiser, Camilla Bassett-Smith said: “We are thrilled to be working with staff and patients at Charlton Lane Hospital and are very much looking forward to the afternoon.

“We are also very grateful to Blooms Cheltenham Garden Centre who has supplied bulbs and compost for the event.”