A reminiscent corridor designed to provide a calm and comforting space for patients with dementia at West Suffolk Hospital has been officially opened.
The Forget-Me-Not Walk was made possible thanks to the generous local community who have supported a campaign run by My WiSH Charity for the last two years.
The Walk was officially opened on Friday by dementia campaigner and Suffolk-based author Nicci Gerrard and Joyce Dainty, the very first donor to the Forget-Me-Not Dementia Campaign.
Containing iconic local, national and international images alongside everyday household reminiscence, the 100-metre walk, designed and printed by Risby-based G Signs & Design Ltd, is believed to be the longest hospital memory walk in the country.
Julie Fountain, dementia lead, said: “We are delighted to officially open the Forget-Me-Not Walk and we would like to thank every single person who has supported this project.
“It has been a real labour of love but it is a great example of hospital departments working together with our generous community to create something that is going to make such a difference to our patients, their family members and carers.
“The Forget-Me-Not Walk will be used by our staff to walk with patients around the area and talk with them about what memories the images and reminiscent material evokes.
“It will also be a wonderful environment for all patients, staff and visitors.”
The Forget-Me-Not Dementia Campaign was launched in March 2014 as both a fundraising appeal and a chance to raise awareness and challenge and change perceptions of dementia.
The local community across West Suffolk quickly took the campaign to its heart with the initial £25,000 target raised within nine months.
It currently stands at more than £95,000 allowing the hospital to make even more improvements to further enhance the care and support it can offer to patients with dementia.
Sue Smith, fundraising manager of the My WiSH Charity, said: “We were quickly blown away by the generosity towards such an important appeal.
“From sky dives to London Marathons, fun days to playing in the Ipswich Town Legends match, our wonderful fundraisers once again went the extra mile.
“Plus it also highlighted the love our community have for their local hospital.
“Our plan is to always have the Forget-Me-Not Dementia Campaign, as part of the many funds operated and run by My WiSH Charity.”
You can make a donation via the Just Giving page www.justgiving.com/forgetmenotcampaign or to find out more about supporting the appeal contact the My WiSH Charity fundraising team on 01284 712952.
