Inpatients at Fieldhead receive early Christmas delivery

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Front row - Danni Haigh from Asda and Lynda Hardwick with staff from the wards at Fieldhead
Front row – Danni Haigh from Asda and Lynda Hardwick with staff from the wards at Fieldhead

People who are inpatients on wards at Fieldhead in Wakefield have been presented with special Christmas gifts from a former service user.

The inpatient wards at Fieldhead care for people who are experiencing mental health difficulties and are provided by South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

Lynda Hardwick knows only too well the difficulties people with mental health problems face as she has been an inpatient three times before, one of these times over Christmas.

Having recently been diagnosed with leukaemia Lynda decided she wanted to give something back and set out to help current staff and service users on the wards where she once stayed by forming the action group Action4Change.

With the help of Asda on Dewsbury Road, Wakefield and the Outwood majorette group Rising Stars, Lynda raised £265 through bag packing to buy essential toiletries for people admitted to the ward.

While on the ward Lynda noticed there was a need for spare toiletries for when people were admitted in crisis. These packs which include toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, soap etc will be on hand for anyone who finds themselves without.

With the support of Asda and the Trust’s equality and inclusion development co-ordinator Lynn Fowley, Lynda has made up more than 100 bags which have been presented at a special event.

Speaking about the presentation Lynda said, “We’ve managed to get about 40 crisis bags together for each of the inpatient wards at Fieldhead for when people are admitted. I know what it’s like to be in hospital over Christmas and hopefully these will show them that people do care. I wanted to be able to give something back and with the help of everyone who has donated we have been able to show just how many caring people there are in Wakefield. This has really made my Christmas and I couldn’t have done it without the help of my ‘Asda angels’.”

Danni Haigh, who is an events and community worker at Asda in Wakefield, said, “We all really enjoyed helping Lynda with this project and think she’s done an amazing job. We were happy to help such a worthy cause!”

In addition a pair of socks for everyone on the ward were donated and wrapped so everyone has something to open on Christmas Day. Games were also presented so that the wards can have their own fun over the holiday.

Inpatients at Fieldhead receive early Christmas delivery

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