The League of Friends of the Bexhill Hospital CIO

16/09/2025

We will be at the Bexhill Street Market this weekend!! Pop down and see us, and find out more about the work of the League and how you can support your local hospital.

Don't forget our next event! Please come and support us and your local community! Buy your Bexhill Calendar in aid of Brain Tumour Research from our stall and try your luck on our tombola!

15/09/2025

The League of Friends of the Bexhill Hospital have funded the £5,000 cost of purchasing heart defibrillators and backpacks. Working in association with Cooden Probus Club, which administers the scheme, the defibrillators are available for local organisations to borrow free of charge to provide safety cover at events. The devices "talk" to the user, explaining how to revive a casualty in the event of heart failure.

14/09/2025

The Bexhillian who creates King Charles’ military uniforms offered his tailor’s shears to the League Chairman so Nigel Ray could cut a ceremonial ribbon and so re-open a long-missed amenity.

For many years, the League operated coffee shops in both the hospital outpatients’ department and the Irvine Unit foyer. Sadly, five years ago and with COVID raging, the health trust needed the space in the Irvine Unit for storage and the shop had to close.

Now the Irvine Unit coffee shop is open once more, offering a range of sandwiches, sweets and beverages for the benefit of patients, staff and visitors.

Just how much the facility has been missed was demonstrated on Monday, September 8th when the ribbon-cutting ceremony was witnessed by a large number of staff – who immediately formed a queue to stock up on its wares.

Balloons and coloured streamers framed the Coffee Shop opening as the Chairman welcomed everyone and introduced Malcolm Plews.

In addition to providing a much-valued service for patients, staff and visitors alike, the two Coffee Shops generate income which aids the League’s work of providing the latest hi-tech medical equipment for Bexhill patients.

12/09/2025

Thinking of becoming a member, or simply renewing your membership?

Becoming a member is easier than ever before. Join for just £20 per year, and keep up to date with all League news.

The link below takes you to our membership form, however if you would like a paper form, please don’t hesitate to contact us directly.

https://form.jotform.com/Bexhill/bexhill-lof-membership

07/09/2025

Did you know that The League of Friends of The Bexhill Hospital have a lottery program?

For just £1 per week, you could be in for a chance of winning up to £25,000.

JOIN NOW: https://www.unitylottery.co.uk/causes/the-league-of-friends-of-the-bexhill-hospital/

22/08/2025

Tickets are now on sale for our Charity Evening in October. The evening will include music from the popular Sussex based 5 piece party band ‘The Chandeliers Uk’, a buffet and a raffle.

Get the date added to your diaries and your tickets booked using the link below, or by contacting the mobile number attached to our poster.

https://form.jotform.com/Bexhill/league-of-friends-of-bexhill-hospit

18/08/2025

* Photo Shared With Permission *

Happy users take advantage of The League of Friends free offer - a day in the beach hut. The beach hut is reserved for local carers and those for whom they care.

17/08/2025

🌟 Bexhill Day 2025 - Celebrating The Best Of Our Town 🌟

Yesterday, we attended Bexhill Day, held on East Parade, run by Bexhill-on-Sea Town Council.

It was wonderful to see so many local charities and organisations there - a true example of Community Spirit.

Town Mayor Cllr Paul Wilson paid a visit to our stand to thank our trustees (as pictured below).

Molly Dowling, Vice-Chairman: “I was really pleased to see so many members of the public engaging with us and keen to learn more about the work of the League.”

13/08/2025

We look forward to seeing you all on Saturday!!

🤩 We're so excited for on Saturday!

3️⃣ Here's our third and final post highlighting the brilliant work done by the organisations, charities and groups joining us on the day.

⬇️ In no particular order...

🤲 Maitreya Kadampa Buddhist Centre, who will be on hand with information about their meditation classes and courses.

🫡 RAF Association supporting those who are serving or who have served in the RAF, their loved ones and the extended RAF family. (Ask them about the Wings Walk on September 21st!)

🖍 Creation Station Bexhill and Little Common, running an art stall with an activity for children to take home.

🚑 The League of Friends of the Bexhill Hospital CIO, raising awareness of the League's activities and encouraging more potential members to sign up.

✝️ Jesus Loves Bexhill will be showcasing photographs of their work and providing a Bexhill information map with local discounts!

🌿 Bexhill Natural Health will be providing free introductory consultations on how to improve your health and wellness naturally. Their 'Make and Mingle' stall will be promoting this newly-formed crafting group!

🚲 Bexhill Wheelers will have a display of the history of cycling in Bexhill, information on the local cycling networks, as well as bicycle safety checks and maintenance advice.

🍌 Bexhill Fairtrade Town Group will be promoting the uptake of Fair Trade products with awareness-raising posters and information.

🦊 Wildlife Matters Rescue will be providing information about their registered wildlife charity, who assist injured animals across the area.

🚒 East Sussex Fire and Rescue will be on hand with their fire engine, promoting the work of the station ahead of their own Open Day at the end of August.

🏆 Bexhill Bowls Club will be providing demonstrations and instructions for beginners, as well as information on how to join and their Club Days.

🐶 Project Wolfheart offers assisted animal therapy, nature therapy and wellbeing events alongside Watermill Wolves animal acting team. They will be providing information, and may even bring a canine companion!

29/07/2025

22/05/2025

Unit’s “thank you” surprise

GRATEFUL Irvine Unit staff have sprung a lovely “thank you” surprise for visiting League of Friends officers.
Service Manager, Intermediate Care, Julie-Anne Nuess had requested specialised patient transport equipment costing £14,700 and Team Lead Physiotherapy Specialist Rehabilitation Emma Quigley a £7,747 telerehabilitation system.
The League’s General Committee agreed without hesitation to fund both. Tuesday, May 20th was agreed as the date for a photo-call to acknowledge the gift of the equipment.
When newly-elected League Chairman Nigel Ray, accompanied by President and Secretary John Dowling and General Committee member Malcolm Tysoe, were ushered into the unit’s sunny conservatory the surprise was sprung.
They were greeted by an appreciative assembly of staff. Not only was the new equipment proudly on display but a on large noticeboard proclaiming: “Thank you to the League of Friends of Bexhill Hospital” were notes of gratitude from a host of staff explaining how the equipment was enhancing the treatment of their patients.
Voicing the thanks of her colleagues, Julie-Anne explained how the transfer devices were enabling patients – many with severe difficulties – to be moved with ease and for others to be wheeled out into the sunshine.
The devices include a bariatric wheelchair for larger patients and a device known as an encore stand which helps even the most challenged folk to get to their feet.
Central to the scene was the huge screen which is at the heart of the telerehabilitation system. This system facilitates conferences with similar groups anywhere in the world. The system provides essential guidance and help in rehabilitation not only to patients in the Unit but, when linked to IT devices in the home, it extends this aid into the community. It is reportedly much-appreciated by patients in both situations.
The welcome given to the League’s representatives even included tea or coffee and delicious scones with jam and cream.
In response, the League’s representatives urged those present to restore the flow of requests for equipment – something which slowed during the COVID-19 emergency and has not fully recovered since.