NORTH SOMERSET COMMUNITY HOSPITAL FRIENDS
We’re a small, local registered charity which aims to help patients and staff of North Somerset Community Hospital (formerly known as Clevedon Community Hospital or the “Cottage Hospital”). We’ve been fortunate to have a hospital in Clevedon since 1875 thanks to Sir Arthur Hallam Elton. We’ve not been around quite as long as that but our earliest records d
ate the League of Friends to 1954. Our aims remain the same today - to help patients and staff of the hospital by providing comfort, support and funding new or replacement equipment to help extend the facilities and procedures available. We currently have a small Committee of 14 volunteers (a mixture of medical professionals and interested individuals) who meet 4 times a year plus our AGM. With the generosity and support of donations made to us, we are able to work with the local NHS community health services provider (Sirona Care & Health) to help provide appropriately for the hospital’s needs. The hospital currently has a small Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit, a Minor Injury Unit (open 365 days a year), an X-ray department and runs a wide variety of Outpatient Clinics. As well as receiving donations from individuals, clubs, companies and organisations, our small Committee works hard to organise fundraising events which in the past have included our sell-out Fashion Show, and our very popular bi-annual Charity Golf Tournament. The donations and money we have received means we have been able to purchase specialist medical equipment for the hospital such as Ultrasound machines, Endoscopy equipment, and scanners which may not have been available through NHS budgets. We have also been able to assist with more everyday essential items like waiting room chairs, patient trolleys and bedside lockers. During 2021/22 we have helped fund the total re-build of "The Little Teapot" cafe which you will see if you have need to visit the hospital. The old conservatory which housed the first Teapot was kindly donated to us many years ago, and in 2014 we re-vamped it to provide a sociable and friendly area where patients, staff and hospital visitors could pop in for a quick cuppa. It’s proved especially popular for patients whilst waiting for their appointments but it was in desperate need of some TLC! So during 2021/22, we funded (along with numerous local businesses & organisations that generously gave their goods/services, time & money) the building of a bigger and better version! It re-opened in September 2022 and continues to be run by a merry team of volunteers and the proceeds raised through The Little Teapot are put to good use in the hospital. Thank you for reading our story and we hope it explains who we are and what we do. If you would like any further information, wish to become more involved, or would like to make a donation then please don’t hesitate to e-mail us at [email protected] or to send us a message and we shall get back to you as soon as we can.
