CHAMBER CHARITY OF THE YEAR
COVID-19: The Challenges and the Learning for Anna’s Hope COVID-19 impacted every aspect of life for us all, and our thoughts and hearts go out to those who have experienced loss at this time. The nationwide lock down meant that the routine support Anna’s Hope provides through the Brainbow Service had to stop with little warning. In May 2020 a new system was implemented called Attend Anywhere, which allowed the Anna’s Hope Therapists to conduct appointments online. This required creative approaches to providing the rehabilitation therapy children with a brain tumour require but the use of online appointments had many benefits including less travelling time, a more relaxed environment at home and increased flexibility with appointment times and length. In addition members of the Anna’s Hope Therapy team often travels many miles a week across a huge geography in the East of England which means they cannot see as many children at home they would like to see. As a result of online appointments they are travelling less and can see more children more frequently. Initial feedback from parents indicates that they appreciate the benefit of not having to travel which can often be stressful. Instead of the long journey the child and parents can relax at home in preparation for their therapy session. There are vast amounts of learnings from last 12 months that the Brainbow Service will be taking forward to become part of the normal working patterns and whilst the team are looking forward to seeing the children back in the outpatient spaces resuming activities that had to be put on hold, we will be seeking feedback from the children and their families on new ways of working. 18 connected
