Trust thanks Pied Piper Appeal for interactive screens for children’s waiting areas

 

Children and young people visiting two of ²gether NHS Foundation Trust’s sites will now have access to new interactive games, thanks to a generous donation from the Pied Piper Appeal.

 

The charity, which helps sick and disadvantaged children, has donated the interactive screens, complete with a built-in seat, to the Trust’s waiting rooms in Gloucester and Cheltenham. Visitors to the Children and Young Person Service (CYPS) at Acorn House, Gloucester, and Evergreen House, Cheltenham, have been putting the screens to good use while waiting for appointments.

 

One parent, who took her son to Evergreen House, said: “The computer game station was ace. It gave him age-appropriate games, rather than him draining my phone! He played it alongside another child who came in later. Thank you so much; I was even joining in with some of the games.”

 

Nick Broady, Chairman of the Pied Piper Appeal, explained why the donation had been made: “We are delighted to be working with ²gether to tackle the stigma around mental health, particularly for children and young people.

 

“We hope that the donation of these screens will help make the experience of visiting mental health services easier for children and young people, as well as their families and carers.

 

“The screens have been really well-received and we’re looking forward to working with the Trust more in the future.  We’re already planning donations for future projects.”

 

Ruth FitzJohn, Chair of ²gether NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are extremely grateful that the Pied Piper Appeal has embraced the needs of children and young people with mental illness, not only through this fantastic donation but also through continued engagement with us as a trust.

 

“It is so important that a local charity is standing up and contributing to children and young people’s mental health services, but also being proud to say they are doing so, which helps immensely in raising awareness and reducing stigma.

 

“We know these screens will be well-used and they are already proving a brilliant addition to our waiting rooms.”

 

The Pied Piper is pleased to announce a new partnership with ²gether NHS Foundation Trust to help children and young people with mental health and emotional wellbeing needs. The first phase involves the improvement of waiting and therapy rooms with new features at both Acorn and Evergreen House.

Gloucester News Centre – http://gloucesternewscentre.co.uk