|
|
The league's history on these pages is by no means complete. Lots of events and deeds have been lost because records of them have not been kept. The following pages containing newsletters issued and memorabilia gives us a glimpse of times gone by. We take our hat's of to all those volunteers who laid the foundation for today's League of Friends.We shouldn't forget the success of the league of friends is also due in part to the contribution made by all Heatherwood staff who make patients welcome and the care afforded them reflects in the donations received by the league.The league of friends was a society created by members of the Ascot rotary club. It's founding members launched the new society in 1958.The first meeting of the league took place on 26th February 1958 at the old court house Ascot. At the end of the first year of the league two TV sets were purchased at a cost of £157.10.0. The league today is very much different from those early days. The league's aims have not changed but our society has changed and the work of the league reflects that change in society. The early years of the society was geared to raising as much funds as possible and to encourage membership through annual subscription. Two shillings a year was the cost and local collectors for the area ensured these subs were collected. The membership at one point rose to 1000. No records exist of who those members were. With the passing of time the membership has now fallen to around 50. The collection of subs by area collectors ceased in the early 1970's. The league was indebted to those unsung heroes as they ensured a regular income. 1960'sThe 1960's were dominated by the fund-raising for the chapel ( £7500 ). Although this was a major project for the league, money was still being used for other small items. As the sixties came to a close the membership dwindled from it's high. Hospital fete's Bazaar's and dinner dances held twice a year were major fund raisers for the league. 1970'sThe 1970's where the league concentrated their income towards the staff swimming pool and re-decoration of nurses rooms. Fund raising was continued through the annual fete's celebrities attending during the seventies included Bruce Forsythe, Ian Mc Cullough and Howard Lang. High street raffles for cuddly toys also generated sums for the league. The league invested large sums to upgrade the radio receiving equipment on the wards and to support the radio request service which had been started by the then works foreman ( Bill Berry ). Bill had been operating a service in the early 1970's. After appeals to the league for help. Radio Heatherwood was re-launched on the 10th June 1976 with new studio's and equipment. The latter half of the seventies the league produced a booklet in association with it's radio service. Over the next few years 10 editions were produced and carried adverts from local businesses. The editorial of the booklet detailed all of the league's services on the hospital. The booklet was given to visitors and patients until the last edition in 1988. In 1979 a cheese & Wine party was held in the social hall to celebrate twenty one years of the league. Members were invited along and a raffle raised £200 for the refurbishment of nurses rooms. 1980'sIn the 1980's the annual fete's continued as fund raiser's with celebrity guests still being enticed to attend. Tom O'Connor, Rex Hunt,( Governor Falkland islands ) Nanette Newman and Kenneth Kendall and Iris Williams all appeared at Heatherwood.
In 1982 the hospital celebrated it's diamond jubilee. The fete this year was opened by Tom O'Connor.
As the 80's continued the league was fundraising for Kings fund beds which were being introduced. These offered greater assistance to nursing staff with all the new adjustments and manoeuvrability. The old heavy cast iron beds were being phased out. The league's radio service in 1987 through to 1988 was engaged in raising over £14,000 for a new radio transmission system and the replacement of old studio equipment( Inductive Loop AM Service for Wards ). In November 1988 when the Princess Royal opened the new EMI Unit, members of the league were presented to her highness along with members of the WRVS and hospital staff. With the opening of the new Emi unit it was hoped the league could obtain a shop for the sale of goods. Despite numerous discussions it never materialised and too this day the league still does not have a permanent focal selling point within the hospital. As the eighties drew to a close large bequeaths to the league ensured deposit accounts could be set up to bring in an annual income to the league from investments. The end of the eighties brought with it the introduction of computers to the leagues radio service and this also helped the main league in carrying out advertising and assist the secretarial functions of the league. 1990's1990 was the year the league received it's registration as a charity( 900282 ) after operating as a charitable concern, the league formalised arrangements. The 1990's through to the present day are the most successful in monetary terms for the league but the membership has fallen to low levels. The monetary assistance offered to the hospital is the largest since the inception of the league. Every two years the league hands over to the hospital gifts of £10,000. This has meant over £67,000 during the 90's. The league severed it's links with the National Association after changes in subscriptions, was based on league income. The league felt it inappropriate to base subs on the amount of money it receives. The league operates as an independent but has association with Bracknell Council for Voluntary Services. The fundraising through the event of the fete's was ceased due to a lack of help and support from volunteers. The last fete organised by the league was in 1990. A couple of car boots were organised but lack of help and support sealed the demise of this type of fundraiser. Today's income for the league comes from donations, capital investments, washing machine usage and the trolley shop volunteers who provide another source of income for the league. 2000'sAs the new millennium got under way the league launched it's web site using memorabilia entrusted to the league from a former employee of the hospital ( Ruby Brook ). The changing accommodation requirements of the hospital, forced the league into committing funds for the move of the radio station to new premises on the hospital site. £7100 was allocated to the project, and the volunteers provided an enormous amount of man-hours to complete the project( Radio Heatherwood ), 2000 also saw the launch of the league's first web sites one for the league and one for the radio. These are maintained by the league secretary and have proved useful in recruitment and fundraising for the league. In 2001 the league along with it's radio service volunteers celebrated 25 years of the hospital radio. It was also the official opening of the new studio complex. In 2006 the league made the most substantial gift in it's history with £48,000 pledged for a new discharge lounge and cardiac monitoring unit. In 2007 the leagues old laundry is closed, as Heatherwood hse is redeveloped. A new purpose built laundry equipped and funded by the league will provide laundry services for many years to come. 2008 and the league in it's fiftieth year, is launching a new way to raise funds for the hospital. The development of the internet has provided the opportunity for visitors to make donations to the league while they shop at the league's web shop. Over 150 retailers are accessible and will make a donation to the league if visitors purchase from their web shops. www.buy.at/FriendsHeatherwood In 2009 the league is under a great deal of pressure to fund requests from wards and departments. The hospital trust radically changes the shape and function of the hospital in an effort to offset major financial errors. Large scale closures of wards and departments means the hospital is a shell of it's former self. SummaryIn the early days fundraising through local events in the locale were in abundance, but 50 years on, this is no longer possible. The league are still assisting wards and depts with funding and so far, the first nine years of the new millennium has produced gifts to the hospital of £145,639.45 The league has funded in excess of 380 projects totalling over £275,627 in it's history so far. The league has an aging volunteer base, so is limited to the kind of events it can become involved with. Although it has become difficult to attract volunteers to it's daily activities the league takes great pride in knowing that wise monetary management is allowing the league to continue to support many projects on the hospital which benefit patients and staff. The leagues aims are as clear today as they have always been. We must ensure the efforts of those who have passed through our doors have not been in vain. Many volunteers have passed through the doors of the league. In the early days long service to the league and hospital would have gone un-noticed. In the last decade this has changed and long service certificates are regularly given to those members with hearts of gold who give up their spare time to make the League of Friends, an essential friend for all at Heatherwood Hospital. The league continues to work with the current management of the hospital to ensure a better patient experience for all.
Heatherwood Hospital has a League which is dedicated to the
well being of the hospital and it's staff.
|
Take A Tour of The League
of Friends: Just Click Next:>.
|
|
