Friends of Lewisham Healthcare
The Friends have been based in Lewisham hospitals for the past 54 years.
They support the hospital in a vast variety of ways, notably through funding equipment, furnishings and toiletries. Most recently the Friends refurbised 5 rooms where parents of sick children can stay in their own private room free of charge.
They have also funded 2 birthing chairs, for rooms that would not have been opened without the input of the Friends, the refurbishment of rocking horses on the children’s ward and a cough assist machine.
The focal point of their income comes from their shop. Located at the main entrance on Lewisham High Street, the shop not only attracts customers from within the hospital, but also customers from the local community.
Three Friends were recently awarded an Opportunities for Volunteering grant which they used set up a new hospital shop that sells upmarket and designer clothes. Many people do not even think that it is a charity shop. A donor provided the Friends with a lot of designer clothing at the time of the shop's first opening. The shop manager, a lady with a particular in interest in clothes and an eye for displays, has done her best to maintain the presentation of the shop and the quality of the clothes that it sells by sorting out what is not up to standard and selling only the quality products.
The Friends have been members of Attend since the 1950’s. The shop has recruited volunteers and been able to provide them with training and support with the help of the Opportunities for Volunteering grant from Attend. The Friends get their courtesy packs through Attend, which they give out along with clothes to travel home in, to people who may not have been anticipating a hospital stay.
Created 23rd February 2012
The Friends of Lewisham Healthcare benefits from Attend membership, which includes comprehensive charity insurance cover. For more information, or to join, please click here.
