Community Benefits
Ways in which the appeal benefits the community
The appeal benefits the community through the A & E departments that serve them. The use of the teddies within A & E units has been proved to have beneficial effects for the children admitted to A & E units
They help by relieving the distress that they face and alleviating the fear of the being treated by complete strangers, the teddies are used in various ways:
As something for the staff to befriend the child with, for the child to cuddle, as a reward for being brave, the staff can demonstrate what they are going to do.
These teddies allow staff to befriend the children and relieve their distress, the medical staff are able to administer medical treatment more easily and quickly.
A quote from one A & E Sister "I cannot remember how we used to cope with these children before the Teddies. I hope that you can continue to supply them for a long time". Click here to read more - Link
Teddies
for Loving Care
(Registered Charity No. 1087765)
TLC - Maelor - Teddies for Loving Care
Wrexham Maelor on Friday the 8 May 2009.
The North Wales NHS Trust has launched a scheme in partnership with North Wales Freemasons to provide teddy bears to children attending the Accident and Emergency department in the Wrexham Maelor Hospital. Nursing staff can now give a small, cuddly bear to children under the age of seven who are patients at the unit, when staff feel that a soft toy will help alleviate their distress. This simple act can significantly assist the staff undertake their urgent work. On leaving hospital the children take the teddies home with them and are encouraged to bring them to any further Out-patient visits.
The Teddies for Loving Care scheme is funded solely by the money donated by the Freemasons of North Wales. The scheme was launched on Friday by the Provincial Grand Master leuan Redvers Jones. Mr Redvers Jones said: "The scheme allows us to make a practical contribution to the community and provides an opportunity for us to put before the public one of our important principles in a discreet and meaningful way. I hope that in undertaking this scheme the level of public awareness of the contribution made to the community by freemasonry will be increased."
Julie Williams, lead nurse at the Maelor's Accident and Emergency department said: "The scheme will help make it easier for Staff to comfort and treat children while causing as little distress as possible. This small toy helps relieve the child's anxiety and rewards them while undergoing painful procedures."
Megan Robinson with the cuddly toys distributed
by Freemasons at the Maelor A & E department
If you require any further information or would like anyone from the TLC Team to come to your Lodge and give a presentation do not hesitate to contact:
W. Bro. David J. Gibbison on 01492
592559, e-mail dj.gibby@tiscali.co.uk
or
W. Bro. Bryan George 01492 870195, e-mail bryangeorge2005@yahoo.co.uk.
Origins of the TLC Appeal
The Origins of the Appeal and the Compulsive Idea
The Appeal originated after an allergic reaction suddenly caused the swelling and blocking of the windpipe of the wife of an Essex Freemason.
Her life was saved by the rapid action of the medical staff at an A & E unit, who were able to resuscitate and stabilise her.
They are both eternally grateful for the swift and caring attention that she received, but found the experience the most frightening of their lives and speculated on the distress that children must face when visiting A & E units.
He asked members of his Lodge and other Local Freemasons to help to do something useful as a thank you to the A & E unit and its staff.
From that point the compulsive idea of "Teddies for Loving Care" was born. Click here to read more - Link
