Students from Fakenham Academy Sixth Form have visited the Jenny Lind Children’s Hospital to deliver care packages for teenage patients.
The visit was the culmination of a project which came about from the students’ weekly enrichment lessons designed to work in a group to build financial, communication and time management skills, while giving back to the community.
The initial idea for the care packs came from the hospital’s Apprentice Health Play Specialist Amy Moakes as part of her course and resulted in the partnership with the sixth form students and supported by the N&N Hospitals Charity.
The “Magic Moments” group of 10 students decided to make up some care packages for our patients. The packs included lip balm, hand cream, face and eye masks, fidget toys, journals, colouring books and pencils and fluffy socks.
To raise funds, the students held events including a bake sale, disco, penalty shoot-out and non-uniform day with money raised used to purchase the care pack items.
Rachel Savage, who led the enrichment lessons this year, was joined by pupils Kataleah, Scarlett, Chloe and Izzy to deliver the items to the Jenny Lind team.
Mrs Savage said: “The fact that the care packages would be given to teenage patients really resonated with our students. We hope they will bring a smile to someone going through a difficult time.”
Kirstin Skinner, Lead Nurse for Paediatric HDU and Play Team line manager, said: “The play team came up with the idea of care packages for our older children who are sometimes admitted with mental health concerns.
“These children can come in during a crisis and may not have support from their family. We are always looking for items such as these, which can really make a difference to these patients.
“We are so grateful to the students at Fakenham Academy Sixth Form for fundraising and delivering these lovely care packs.”
If you would like to support the Jenny Lind Children’s Hospital, or find out more about the work we do, please contact the N&N Hospitals Charity at charity@nnuh.nhs.uk