Nearly two thirds of patients admitted to hospital are older people, and 25% of these are over 85 years old. Many of our older patients have no family or carer to visit.

Our Silver Birch Fund raises funds for our older patients, buying equipment and furniture that increases comfort or safety for our frail patients, helps keep them entertained and engaged when on the wards and supports their journey from hospital to home or care home. Charitable funds have helped introduce RITAs - reminiscence software that helps recall music, images, film and games for the 1940s and 50s that are familiar and help comfort our older patients.  

Your kind donations also allow us to purchase those little extras that help older patients feel cared for and valued and make their stay in hospital more pleasant, particularly if they do not have any friends and family able to visit. These are items such as: 

• toiletries – aftershave, perfume, deodorant, make-up
• closed back slippers and dressing gowns 
• games, colouring books, jigsaw puzzles and activities
• large print books

If you would like to donate any of these items then please contact the Charity by email [email protected] or call 01322 428519.

You can help by:

• making a donation or setting up a regular gift
• organising your own fundraising event 
• purchasing an item from the Silver Birch wish list on Amazon
• liking and sharing our Facebook page
• Becoming a Dementia Buddy Volunteer