Calm for Christmas: Join Black Country Healthcare’s fundraising campaign to bring mental health sensory support to patients at Bushey Fields Hospital
This festive season, the Calm for Christmas campaign is aiming to raise £5,000 so that every ward at Bushey Fields Hospital in Dudley can benefit from its own dedicated sensory room, providing patients with calming spaces filled with soothing lights, weighted blankets, and tactile tools to ease anxiety, promote recovery, and support their sensory needs.
The campaign is being launched by the Trust’s Brighter Lives charity and Occupational Therapists at the hospital who have seen first-hand how sensory resources transform patient care. By creating calm and peaceful spaces, patients are better able to relax, recover, and feel supported.
Rachael Gardner, Senior Occupational Therapist and Allied Health Professionals Lead in Dudley, said: “Coming into hospital can be stressful for people and hospital environments can, at times, be busy and noisy. Patients will benefit from having a space they can retreat to, to manage their emotions.
“We previously raised money for a therapeutic garden at the hospital and have seen first-hand how this has benefited our patients by being outdoors in a soothing space and connecting with others.
“As a team we are passionate about doing what we can to build therapeutic resources for our patients, giving them a variety of spaces and tools that, alongside the medical care they receive, helps their mental health recovery.”
Nicola Tyler, a Senior Occupational Therapist at Bushey Fields Hospital agrees: "Having time away and sensory support is so important. If patients feel overwhelmed, being able to benefit from a calming sensory space and equipment is so important for their wellbeing and recovery.
“In sensory spaces we help patients develop techniques to help their recovery, that they take with them when they return home, helping to keep them well and reducing the risk of needing to return to hospital.
“If you are thinking about donating, please do. Whether you can donate £1 or £100, whether you are an individual or a business, every donation matters. If you want to do a fundraising challenge, we can help you and would love to hear your ideas.”
How you can help
Donate: Contributions can be made directly through the Calm for Christmas JustGiving page.
Fundraise: Become one of our Brighter Lives heroes! Whether it’s a cold-water swim, a cake bake competition, or even a marathon, every challenge helps raise vital funds. A fundraising toolkit is available to spark ideas and inspire colleagues, friends, and family to get involved.
Promote: Share our campaign on social media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn), display our poster, and spread the word to help us reach more supporters.
Business support: Local businesses are encouraged to make corporate donations or host fundraising challenges.
For fundraising ideas or to discuss how you can support, contact the Trust’s Charity Engagement Officer, Manisha Patel.
Together, we can make this festive season brighter, calmer, and more comforting for patients at Bushey Fields Hospital.
