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Guides provide comfort bags to patients

7th Appleton (Hillcliffe) Girl Guides have overwhelmed the Trust with their generosity this week when they delivered 20 comfort bags for patients and their families.

The Comfort Bag Scheme is a heart-warming initiative to provide bags containing small toiletries and care items, to people in their times of need. The bags include items like soap, shampoo, face cloth/wipes, pencils and notepads, to name a few essential items. These are a lifeline for relatives or carers of patients who have to stay overnight, unexpectedly and/or staying with loved ones who are palliative. They can be extremely useful for patients who have no relatives or friends and are admitted suddenly to hospital, the list is endless.

Clare McCafferty, leader at 7th Appleton (Hillcliffe) Girl Guides said, “The Comfort Bag Scheme started at Girlguiding Stockport and when one of our parents mentioned that the hospitals could benefit from them, we didn’t think twice about getting involved. The girls really enjoyed putting them together and we hope that the bags bring a little comfort to the recipients in their time of need.”

Trish Richardson, Head of Patient Experience commented, “I attended a SWAN bereavement study day, where I was privileged to meet Pat Mayle, bereavement support volunteer and Girl Guide support leader for Greater Manchester West. Pat is passionate about the use of comfort bags. We are delighted that the Girl Guides in this area chose us as the recipients of their Comfort Bag Scheme, which will benefit our patients and their families, who have come into hospital with no time to prepare to bring anything with them. The girls have done a marvellous job and provided a lot of lovely toiletries that will provide comfort and we are very grateful to them. “

We would love for other units in the area to get involved to support the Comfort Bag Scheme, as these are essential items often overlooked in times of need. If other units would like to get involved they can contact WHH.Communications@nhs.net for more information.

What is a comfort bag?

A comfort bag can be a small toiletry bag or a handmade one made from plainish material size 12 x 8 inches. It should be a drawstring bag and include the following items below. They can be for a man or woman, but should be clearly labelled.

Small travel sized items please

  • Women Shampoo + Conditioner or a combined one
  • Toothbrush and paste
  • Hand soap
  • Shower gel/lotion
  • Deodorant Hand cream
  • Small packed tissues
  • Comb
  • Small notepad and pen/pencil

Men

As above excluding hand cream

Useful extras:

  • Small packets of hand/face wipes,
  • cotton buds,
  • nail files etc
  • Sanitising hand gel,
  • mouthwash
  • Eye masks,
  • ear plugs
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