PROUD
NEWS
4 SEPTEMBER 2026
Our supporters take the plunge... Could you jump in the deep-end?
Hello from Barnsley Hospital Charity Welcome to the exciting edition of Charity Proud News. As we head into autumn, there is lots to look forward to at Barnsley Hospital Charity, with some exciting events and fundraising activities ahead.
Our Autumn Memory Walk will bring people together to remember loved ones while raising vital funds for end-oflife care. We're also preparing for our spectacular Strictly Glitterball, where volunteer dancers will take to the floor. Inside this edition of Proud News, discover the difference your support is making, including our successful NHS Charities Together grant supporting staff and their musculoskeletal (MSK) health and wellbeing. Thank you to everyone who supports Barnsley Hospital Charity. Your generosity makes a real difference to patients, families and colleagues.
Jane Mills Charity Development Manager
Ben’s reaching for the skies (again!) Ben Dockerill, Clinical Services Manager, Healthy Lives Team shared with us why he’s taking on a second skydive in 2026: “I have worked at Barnsley Hospital since 2012, initially joining as the Lead Nurse for the Neonatal Unit. Throughout my career, I have seen firsthand how important dedicated spaces such as the Rainbow Room are for families experiencing the devastating loss of a baby. Having cared for families following a neonatal death, I understand the value of providing a
Donate to Ben for his next jump
private, compassionate environment where parents, siblings, and wider family members can spend precious time together. “Having previously completed a skydive in support of the charity, I was keen to take on the challenge again. Supporting a cause that means so much to families at their most difficult times made the decision an easy one, and I am proud to be raising funds to help support this invaluable service.”
MSK support for colleagues We were delighted to be one of only 6 hospital charities across the country to receive a transformation grant from NHS Charities Together in the first round of the Workforce Wellbeing Local Grants Fund, which is being delivered in partnership with NHS England. Working together with Michael Shanaghey, Head of Occupational Health and Wellbeing, the charity team submitted an application for a transformational project to support staff across Barnsley
C h a r it y
Funde d
Hospital by providing the right targeted early intervention, prevention strategies, and holistic support for musculoskeletal (MSK) health. This includes access to specialist physiotherapy, ergonomics education, tailored exercise programs, and workplace assessments.
Got a project idea? Let’s turn it into something that makes a difference.
Meet Helen and Thomas
Helen Rymill, MSK Clinical Lead in Occupational Health and Thomas Mitchell, Specialist Occupational Health Physiotherapist Together, Helen and Thomas bring more than 60 years of combined clinical experience in musculoskeletal care, with extensive backgrounds in physiotherapy and a shared passion for supporting people to remain healthy and active in the workplace. The team has already begun engaging with staff to better understand the challenges they face. One of the first initiatives will be a pilot programme offering
faster and easier access to physiotherapy through workplace-based clinics in targeted areas of the Trust. These short appointments will provide rapid access to assessment, advice, screening, and support without the need to travel to a clinic. A series of physiotherapy dropin sessions is being planned for all staff. These informal sessions will allow colleagues to speak directly with a physiotherapist, seek advice, and discuss concerns without requiring a referral or appointment.
SUPPORT END-OF-LIFE CARE
Autumn Memory Walk
Join us for our Autumn Memory Walk on Sunday 18 October 2026 and help make a real difference to patients and families in the last days of their life. The ambition for this appeal is that all wards at Barnsley Hospital will have a last days of life care cubicle which will transform the space in the first cubicle on each ward and a relatives' end of life care room with a sofa bed/ refreshment facilities. Whether you walk in memory of someone special, to support a loved one, or simply want to come together with colleagues for a meaningful cause, every step will help us make a difficult time a little easier for patients and their families.
Email the charity team
Honey is ready for our Autumn Memory Walk... are you? Just look at that face! Honey can't wait to take on our Autumn Memory Walk and help raise funds supporting our end of life care at Barnsley Hospital. Bringing your dog along? Well-behaved dogs on leads are very welcome, so why not join Honey and enjoy a beautiful autumn stroll together?
Sign up to support
Thanks to our fantasic fundraisers!
Julia’s wingwalk
Louise’s wingwalk
Alcohol Care Team raffle
Ruth’s wingwalk
Summer raffle winners You helped us raise an amazing £3,000! A huge thank you to everyone who bought a ticket, sold tickets, shared our raffle and helped make our Summer Raffle such a brilliant success. Now for our winning numbers...
1.First prize - 2354 CLAIMED 2.Second prize - 2207 3.Third prize - 1363 CLAIMED
Congratulations to our lucky winners! Most importantly, your support has raised £3,000 to help support our patients at Barnsley Hospital. Every ticket really does make a difference. Thank you for helping us make a difference.
Cold water plunge? For the past four years, our Cold Water Plunge has brought staff, volunteers and supporters together for a refreshing challenge, helping to boost wellbeing, build resilience and create a real sense of team spirit whilst also raising vital funds for teams across the Trust.
We’d love to hear what staff think would you like to see the Cold Water Plunge return this winter? Whether you’ve taken the plunge before and fancy doing it again or are thinking about giving it a go for the first time, we want to hear from you!
Email us to let us know you are in!
Barnsley Hospital Charity and Macmillan cake stall
WHERE: Outpatients Entrance, at the bottom of the escalator, Barnsley Hospital
DATE: Friday 25 September 2026 TIME: 10:00am to 12:00pm
Cakes, buns and sweet treats available to buy
HOW MACMILLAN HELPS Money raised helps provide essential support for people living with cancer, from diagnosis, through treatment and beyond.
END OF LIFE CARE APPEAL Every penny raised will support Barnsley Hospital Charity to create dedicated end-of-life rooms on every ward, helping provide compassionate care that goes beyond NHS funding.
Are you a star baker or buyer? Get in touch if you're able to support us with your delicious home bakes or bought treats
EVERY SLICE HELPS Everyone is welcome Organised by the Macmillan Information & Support POD | bdg-tr.macpod@nhs.net and Barnsley Hospital Charity barnsleyhospitalcharity@nhs.net
trictly poster
Barnsley Hospital Charity
Who will walk away with the Strictly Glitterball? We are delighted to share that our Strictly Glitterball dance competition is back for 2026. Tickets are on sale now for the show at The Civic. It’s an evening of excitement and celebration as non-dancers and their dancing partners take to the floor to perform a 90 second routine competing for our Glitterball trophy! Don’t delay in booking as 2025 was a sell out show.
Book your tickets
What we have funded - Ward 19 We were excited to catch up with Ian Summers, Project Manager, Barnsley Facilities Services, Paul Allison and Peter Dammeyer, Architect Directors, HPDA Architects where we had the opportunity to look at the designs and hear from the architects about their thoughtful use of colour and design to support wayfinding for patients living with dementia and older patients. It was fantastic to see how these principles will be incorporated into the transformation of Ward 19, which is being supported by the Charity’s Make a Memory Appeal.
C h a r it y
Funde d
For patients living with dementia and older patients, the hospital environment can sometimes feel confusing, unfamiliar and overwhelming. Thoughtful use of colour, contrast and design can help patients recognise where they are, find their way around more easily and feel safer and more independent. These small but important design choices can reduce anxiety, support orientation and create a calmer, more welcoming environment for patients, their families and carers.
What we have funded Over the last month, the charity has supported:
Equipment for the mortuary to maintain the dignity and respect for babies Television for surgery waiting rooms Last days of life cubicle for AMU Enhancements to the Birthing Suite Improvement works to the Vascular Access Service.
C h a r it y
Funde d
Thank you for your support Your support allows us to go above and beyond in enhancing the hospital experience. With your help, we provide state-of-the-art equipment and a comforting environment for patients and their families.
Together, we are making a real difference in their care, ensuring they receive not just medical attention but also the compassion and comfort they deserve. Thank you for being part of the journey.
Email: barnsleyhospitalcharity@nhs.net Telephone: 01226 431650 www.barnsleyhospitalcharity.co.uk Facebook @BHCharity X(Twitter) @BHNFTCharity Instagram @BHCharity
Did you know? If you work at Barnsley Hospital you can become a regular giver and support the charity each month Donate pennies Sign up to Microhive (formerly Pennies from Heaven) Round down your monthly salary to the nearest £1 with a donation of your pennies each month. The maximum amount you can give is 99p from every payslip and whilst a small ask of each of us, together we can make a big difference to our charity. Donate your pennies Sign up for Microhive
Donate a regular amount Sign up to a regular monthly deduction (min £1 donation) from your salary to support staff initiatives. Sign up help make a difference each month. Sign up for regular giving
Some of the initiatives your donations fund Complementary therapies for staff Dedicated support for hospital staff from Citizens Advice Barnsley Cavell Star Awards
PROUD
NEWS
Produced each week by the Barnsley Hospital Communications team. Proud News is all about you and what you’re doing, featuring stories about people who make a difference.
Got a story for us? Send it in! communications.barnsley@nhs.net Stories should be less than 100 words and include at least one photo.
Think before you print! We’re trying to reduce our carbon footprint as a Trust, so appreciate you only printing this document if absolutely necessary.
Tell us what you think Please take 4 minutes to to tell us what you think about Proud News