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UPDATE: Thank you SO much for your incredible generosity so far!!

We would love some uplifting powerful engaging stuff for all reading/English levels and all ages. Literally anything would be appreciated. That includes any mindfulness adult books, kids colouring in books or even just a box of Jaffa Cakes!!!!

The cover photo on this page you see at the top is of books donated to us already and one of the patients put them all out on display! It has brought SUCH joy and happiness to the ward already. Thank you.

JustGiving takes a percentage of each £ donation. And all the money is being used to buy items for the ward. You can take out the middle man and go directly to this Amazon wishlist below so that 100% of your generousity is given to the patients.

Please consider sending an item that will bring joy to a patient who may feel no one on the outside cares about them...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/1ZITOV9OMR80K?ref_=wl_share

Thank you again. So so much

Cat x

MY STORY & THE BIRTH OF THIS PROJECT:

I was sectioned on a ward in South West London in March 2019 and I have learnt a great deal from my time here. I have had the pleasure of meeting some incredible people and from hearing from other patients that have been here MUCH longer than me about their experiences in the ward and their greatest difficulies, as well as experiencing many of them myself, I have felt many of these people are forgotten about and trying to think about how we could make this horrible experience easier and more relaxed for those forced into this position.

I am in an incredibly priviledged position in that I have an incredibly supportive network of people around me - both physically visiting me and digitally getting in touch in droves to show love and support and offer help any way they can. This has been astondingly helpful in my recovery and could not be more apprecciative.

Many of the other women do not have visitors, many have no family or their homes are hundreds of miles away, therefore do not have the chance to get treats brought from outside or even a bit of social chat from someone else.

I wanted to think of PRACTICAL things I could do in the short term to make this dreadful experience just that little bit easier for these women on this ward.

One of the biggest problem here is the boredom and isolation. It can feel like a panthers locked in a zoo. There is VERY little to do here. And I mean, it is literally either watch the TV or go back to your room to sleep.

This boredom, mixed with all your independence and privacy being taken away can be a melting pot for increased agitation, frustration and low mood which can lead to negativity within the day room, leading to fights or even violence. This atmosphere causes many patients to retreat to their rooms, where there is nothing but a bed, increasing social isolation and can worsen people's condition.

Thankfully if patients have friends or family they can bring supplies, I am amazingly lucky in that my home in only 10 minutes from the hospital so I have been brought books, colouring in books, my laptop, my phone, clothes, snacks and a small radio to be able to listen to music in my room to calm me.

I am in a severe minority here. Many people live MILES away from this hospital and have nothing but what is offered in the ward - which is very very little. Some second hand novels are available but many patients do not have the concentration to read, cannot read English or due to medication cannot function at a normal level and the books are unsuitable, so things must be catered to all levels.

The ward is very restrictive in what it can offer obviously due to health and safety risks for patients but I have come up with a list of things that could be helpful to have on the ward (even if kept safe in the nurses station to be dispensed with supervision when needed) and although these things may seem small and silly, the difference it could make to people here who have not stepped outside in months could make such a huge difference.

Something as small as a cup of herbal tea and a biscuit, an escape into a funny book or a few minutes trying to find Wally could mean the world to someone in what can sometimes feel like a prison that we have been put in through no fault of our own.

I have created an Amazon wishlist with colouring books, safe games, crossword books, stress balls and things that would be allowed on the ward.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/1ZITOV9OMR80K?ref_=wl_share

Many of you incredible friends have asked how you can help. I ask if you can donate this money which will be directly used to help these women. I do not need anything, I have my boyfriend, my flatmate and incredible friends close by who have been visiting me daily bringing me food and treats (the hospital food here is dire) to make this experience ever so slightly easier.

If you do not wish to donate money or give your money to Amazon then feel free to create your own care package to send the ward!! This would be hugely appreciated! Think anything pampering, distracting, that can calm anxiety and keep one occupied or just soothe someone.

If you wish to select something yourself to send from online here is a list of banned items:

-Anything sharp,

-Anything that has wires or cord

-Anything with small parts that could be swallowed or used to harmed ones self or others.

-Anything with batteries

-Aerosols

-Plastic bags or cling film

-Mirrors or plastic that could be broken to create sharp edges.

-Also please be mindful of anything that could have content be in any way deemed as distressing or upsetting (such as a novel).

Thank you so much in advance.

Every single item is appreciated immensely and treasured.

Much love from the cuckoos nest and thank you all again for all your love and support <3