A bite of lunch to get rehabilitation garden in the ground
(National Stroke Week, 14-20 September 2009)
Tamworth’s Stroke Support Group is inviting Tamworth residents to enjoy a light lunch at the Tamworth Botanical Gardens this week to raise money for a rehabilitation garden to be built at Tamworth Hospital.
The day will also include talks from Tamworth stroke survivors and a performance by a Scottish piper.
Money raised by the public lunch will assist the Stroke Support Group establish and maintain a purpose-built rehabilitation garden near the Tamworth Hospital rehabilitation ward.
Stroke Care Coordinator Rachel Peake said the garden would include a number of different terrains and surfaces to allow patients to get used to normal, diverse environments such as gravel, grass and pavement.
“The garden will significantly improve patient care and recovery by providing a space for rehabilitation patients to sit and enjoy with family and friends, or work on their rehabilitation in a real-life environment,” Ms Peake said.
“The garden will be a great asset for stroke survivors, so I encourage everyone to come along and have a sandwich to support the cause.”
The rehabilitation garden will also compliment the work of the Acute Stroke Unit and its staff.
“Since it opened a year ago, the dedicated stroke unit has provided specialist care for an average of 15 people each month,” Ms Peake said.
“The unit has improved stroke assessment and provided co-ordinated care, which has resulted in a reduction of the average length of stay in the unit.
“Short term patients’ average stay in hospital has reduced in the past year, from an average stay of eight days in 2008, to an average stay of five days in 2009.
“The introduction of the garden will allow patients who have been cared for by our dedicated staff at the stroke unit, to continue their recovery in an environment designed to build their confidence, so they can go home feeling as well as possible.”
The lunch will be held on 16 September at 12pm at Tamworth Botanical Gardens, where a small donation would be greatly appreciated.
To RSVP for catering purposes please call Rachel Peake (02) 6767 8393.
Contact: Emma Gibbs
Phone: (02)6767 7137 or 0428 114 767