NEWS
PENTLAND HOMES DONATES WAREHOUSE OF FURNITURE TO PILGRIMS HOSPICES
Kent-based residential developer Pentland Homes has further extended its ongoing support of Pilgrims Hospices , East Kent ’ s largest hospice charity , with a donation of show home furniture as well as a cash donation following extensive fundraising by its team .
The developer has donated multiple lorry loads of show home furniture to the hospice , with most items sold to generate financial support that will fund volunteer support , investment in medical and IT equipment , and cover day-to-day costs to support patients and families ; some furniture was kept for the use of the residents at the hospice ’ s three premises . This gesture was also accompanied with a generous cash donation of £ 4,050 .
Paul Rosbrook , finance director at Pentland Homes , said : “ As a local developer , we understand the importance of giving back to the communities in which we operate and we ’ re always looking for initiatives to help support charitable interests in a way that provides long term meaningful benefits . We ’ re incredibly proud to continue our support of Pilgrims . There truly
couldn ’ t be a more deserving destination for our show home furniture , and it ’ s been a real pleasure to see the Pentland team raising financial donations for such a worthy cause .”
Tim Stewart , retail manager for Pilgrims Hospices , added : “ We were delighted to have been approached by Pentland Homes who were clearing out their warehouse stocks that had been previously used in their showhomes . The quality and variety of the goods on offer was amazing and ranged from furniture to small ornaments , all of which we were delighted to accept . Each year Pilgrims Hospices need to raise over £ 15m so that we can continue to provide our services to patients and their families which is why the support from local businesses such as Pentland Homes is vital .”
OFFICIAL OPENING FOR REVAMPED BROMLEY OLD TOWN HALL
The highly anticipated Bromley Old Town Hall officially launched in Septmeber , with a ribbon cutting ceremony from Bromley Mayor Mike Botting and a DJ set from Woody Cook , son of Bromley legend Fatboy Slim .
The iconic Grade II listing has been brought back to life and is now a multi-use destination for Bromley residents , visitors and city goers , and home to Bromley ’ s first and only boutique hotel , an allday dining restaurant and a flexible office space .
The heritage building is now home to Clockwise , a high-quality flexible workspace operation of over 800 private desks with a new club space , reception area and artisan café operated by Two Hands ; Brama , a boutique , four-star hotel with 22 rooms in a newly constructed section of the building ; and Dorothy & Marshall , a modern British restaurant with 60 covers located in the historic former courthouse , which has been carefully restored to its former glory .
SHIRLEY ’ S SCHEME TO RECYCLE CRUTCHES WINS NATIONAL ACCLAIM
An innovative recycling scheme where patients receive elbow crutches quicker , has resulted in occupational therapist Shirley Rashid being shortlisted for a national award .
Shirley , from Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust ( KCHFT ), is one of just four finalists in the Greener Allied Health Professions Award 2023 , which recognises a team or individual who has improved a service , while at the same time reducing healthcare ’ s environmental impact .
Last year , Shirley was successful in a bid for funding from the Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board ( ICB ) to buy a stock of 50 pairs of elbow crutches , to make them readily available to people in the community . Previously getting the crutches had meant ordering a pair each time they were needed with increased patient wait times .
Shirley ’ s Scheme now means that the bulk-ordered supply of crutches can now be returned to the KCHFT hospital or clinic they were given out from with additional recycling points to follow .
Commenting on her environmentally and patient friendly innovation , Shirley said : “ As well as improving the environmental impact , I ’ m so pleased we can now help people quicker . Patients have commented that crutches increase their independence , help them get out of the house , feel more confident and empowered , like they are making progress and that they have also helped with both physical and mental health and wellbeing .
“ We ’ ve had good results so far . Patients get the crutches quicker and feel better that they can return them to the NHS . We aim to increase the return rate of equipment prescribed by KCHFT , which will increase its responsible recycling and re-use policy .”
The winner of the awards will be announced in mid-October .
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