Posted on 11 December 2024
Spinal injury patients from The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital (RJAH) have spent their summer sailing along the Shropshire canals thanks to the League of Friends.
The hospital Friends have funded six canal boat trips in conjunction with Lyneal Trust, which took place across the summer months.
This marks the fourth consecutive year the charity has provided RJAH’s Midland Centre for Spinal Injuries (MCSI) patients with excursions beyond the ward.
Patients are given the chance to spend time away from the bustling ward environment and enjoy a day of relaxation, exploring the Shropshire canals with their family members.
For some patients it’s the first time they have left the ward since being admitted with life changing injuries.
The charity also supplies tea, coffee, and cake for the trip – along with funding for a lunch stop along the way.
Victoria Sugden, Charity Director, said: “We are so pleased to offer our continued support to MCSI patients and staff – it’s so rewarding to see the difference these trips make.
“These outings offer a valuable break from the ward and play an important role in supporting their emotional and physical wellbeing.”
Patients have shared how much they value these trips, describing the experience as peaceful, tranquil, magical, and beneficial for their physical and mental wellbeing.
Kate Betts, Therapy Associate Practitioner, said: “We can’t thank the League of Friends enough for supporting these trips, they bring so much joy to our patients and they have such a positive effect on our team.
“Please don’t underestimate how challenging it is for our patients to feel at ease. With a recent injury, every aspect of their lives has been affected – for them to feel relaxed after a day of exploring is truly remarkable.
“These days provide our staff with an invaluable chance to observe our patients in real-world settings. This insight positively impacts planned rehabilitation treatments, as staff can see how patients adapt or face challenges outside the clinical environment, allowing them to target those specific areas in care.”
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