An initiative called the ‘Box of Tricks’ is bringing much needed joy, inspiration and increased mobility to patients across East Dorset and Purbeck thanks to local charity Lewis-Manning Hospice Care.
‘Box of Tricks’ is inspired by a previously successful patient support project, ‘Bags of Kindness’, which took place in the summer and was very well received by many hospice patients that were given a range of goodies and at home support items to help some of the most vulnerable people in our community through lockdown.
Funded through Sport England’s £210m support package to help physical activity levels under COVID-19. Sport England works with Active Dorset to focus on reaching inactive people and under-represented groups. The charity hospice is extremely grateful to receive these gifts and for the recognition of how helpful and supportive this project will be to local patients with life-limiting illness, especially those who have been isolating continually due to their illness and the current pandemic.
Trust Fundraiser Claire Warren said, “Because patients cannot come into our hospice to access our usual day care services, due to COVID-19, we know that some patients have really suffered with reduced mobility, loneliness and the motivation to carry on and achieve day-to-day activities.
“We are always looking for new ways to help our patients and the items included in our ‘Box of Tricks’ have been carefully thought through and designed by the clinical nursing team, with the overriding goal of improving our patients’ physical and mental agility.”
Area Fundraiser Ruth Wright added, “We have 65 Boxes of Tricks which will be delivered directly to our patients in their homes from a safe and social distance. Over the coming weeks they will receive a further 3 deliveries of special items to add to their boxes and help them in these difficult times.
“Items include an activity booklet created by Active Dorset, specifically aimed at patients with life-limiting illness, highlighting achievable exercises for them to take part in their homes to increase their movement. There is a stress ball to increase hand dexterity, an adult colouring book donated by The Works, felt tip pens, chocolates, Jimmy’s Iced Coffee, and cakes donated by Tesco, a hospice newsletter and a poem written by one of our wonderful volunteers. The eye-catching boxes have been printed and built for us by Nunet, a local Dorset based manufacturer of bespoke ring binders, folders, presentation boxes and ticket wallets.
“We are delighted by the generosity shown by local companies, especially during this difficult time. The interest and support that we have received for this project is quite amazing. Despite COVID-19, Lewis-Manning Hospice Care is still actively supporting and communicating with our patients every week and it is great to be able to think outside the box, find out specifically what challenges our patients are facing right now and create an inspiring and fun way to combat those challenges. The boxes will be delivered by our healthcare assistants and our volunteers, so that each patient receives a friendly and well-known face at their doors.”
If organisations, companies and individuals would like to support and help us with future boxes or initiatives we would love to hear from you. Making contact with us is easy, simply go to lewis-manning.org.uk/company-support or email fundraisingteam@lewis-manning.org.uk and someone will be able to discuss your ideas.
About Lewis-Manning Hospice Care
Lewis-Manning Hospice Care is a charity established 28 years ago, providing extraordinary care to patients and their families facing a life-limiting illness across Poole, Purbeck and East Dorset. We offer a range of free hospice care services aimed at helping people to live well through their illness, closer to home.These include:- Day hospices, virtual and in person- Creative arts & wellbeing support- Lymphoedema clinic for cancer patients- Better breathing clinic- Family bereavement & support
Every year we support nearly 500 local people and we develop new services, based on patient need and identified gaps in the area.To do this we need to raise over £1.6m every year. Without these funds we could not exist.Our important work increases people’s physical and social well-being, reduces isolation and loneliness, supports people to stay in their homes longer, and alleviates the huge pressures on family and carers.