Friends of Westminster Memorial Hospital and Save our Beds

17/06/2025

***** THANK YOU TO THE 7 VOLUNTEERS *****

Thank you to Neighbourly for arranging the 7 tireless volunteers from Johnson Service Group to help improve the hospital garden.

An enormous thank you to the magnificent 7…

Cameron V
Cassie P
Clare S
Kelly R
Madli I
Sally P
Sam W

…who spent their day toiling under a hot sun to improve the look and prospects of our new Yew hedge. The result is a fine looking hedge in the making and an improved vista along Park Walk.

We must not forget Terry and Julie who gave us a day of help as well!

15/06/2025

An enormous thank you to all the wonderful staff at WMH for being there when it counts!

A visitor to Shaftesbury was left with a broken elbow, a long wait for help – and a deep appreciation for the kindness of local people.

Marilyn Bailey contacted Alfred to share the story of her friend from Yorkshire, who was visiting the town for the first time. While walking along Shaftesbury Street, the woman tripped and fell, sustaining an obvious elbow fracture.

LISTEN: https://soundcloud.com/thisisalfred/shaftesbury-visitor-moved-by-acts-of-kindness-after-six-hour-ambulance-wait-warning

“I rang 999 and unfortunately an ambulance was going to take six to seven hours,” Marilyn said.

Despite the delay, the pair were quickly surrounded by locals offering assistance. Two young women stopped to help, and a nearby resident—thought to live at Chase Lodge—brought out a drink and biscuits when she learned the injured woman was diabetic.

“Numerous cars stopped. A lovely man in a van who used to be a lifeguard in Cornwall got out and tried to keep her calm,” Marilyn added. “Then an off-duty doctor pulled over. He gave advice on her diabetes, checked her over and offered real reassurance.”

The former lifeguard even drove Marilyn home so she could collect her car. They were advised to go directly to Shaftesbury’s Memorial Hospital, where Marilyn said they received “superb service” from staff who administered painkillers and advised a trip to Salisbury A&E.

Although her friend eventually had to return to Yorkshire for surgery closer to home, Marilyn says the experience—while distressing—left them both touched by the kindness they encountered.

“It was devastating and ruined our weekend, but she saw the very best of humanity,” Marilyn said. “That came out in Shaftesbury.”

21/05/2025

********** Free Mindfulness and relaxation session **********

Tilly says come and join Hannah, any Sunday evening from 5-6pm, for an adult Mindfulness and relaxation session.

20/04/2025

********** HAPPY EASTER ********

An enormous thank you to Myles for organising, and Tesco for donating, Easter eggs for all the staff at WMH as well as 1 and 2 Abbey Walk.

Kind gestures such as these Easter eggs are a little reminder of how much we value all of the kind and dedicated teams who look after both our physical and mental wellbeing in and around Shaftesbury.

The Friends wish you all a very Happy Easter.

19/03/2025

******** Grub-hub day 2 - first phase ********

Thank you to our garden volunteers for planting the first 60 yews, at the end of February, in a project that will, in time, provide a formal Park Walk vista along the Hospital garden.

By removing the dead privet hedge and replacing it with the yew, there will be a hedge more in keeping with the neighbouring Abbey and one that could still be there in hundreds of years.

19/03/2025

March hares are this month's craft session with patients at Shaftesbury Hospital, thanks to the continued funding from Friends of Westminster Memorial Hospital, we offer weekly arts, crafts, storytelling and music on the wards.

01/02/2025

******** Grub-hub day - first phase ********

Friday saw the beginning of a plan to remove the dead privet hedge along Park Walk and replace it with more traditional yew hedging.

The dead hedge was removed and chipped, the roots dug-up and cleared of weeds, compost dug-in, all in preparation for the planting of the yews in the coming weeks.

www.grassandgrounds.co.uk kindly sent 2 contractors to cut and chip the hedge, and Neighbourly organised 4 energetic volunteers from Johnson Service Group, assisted by our 6 valiant garden volunteers and 3 game trustees, to grub-up 20 metres of dead privet hedge. The Hospital kitchen generously provided a hot and well deserved fish'n chips lunch.

An enormous thank you to all those involved for making such a fun day a great success and leaving Park Walk swept and tidy:

Johnson Service Group - Keely, Kelly, Malcolm & Sarah
Grass & Grounds Ltd. - Alex & Ben
Garden volunteers - , Chris, David, Julie, Liz, Richard & Terry
Trustees - Nigel, Julian & Justine
WMH staff from the reception, kitchen and facilities.

18/01/2025

Thank you from all staff for the donations of tea, coffee and biscuits!! They were greatly received by all departments!!

13/01/2025

*** THANK YOU FOR LOOKING AFTER US ***

A New Year surprise from the Friends to await staff tomorrow morning as a little thank you for always being there for our community.

30/09/2024

The Royal Family had a lovely time visiting Shaftesbury hospital on Wednesday evening ❤️

22/07/2024

******* The Adult Community Mental Health Hub *******

1 Abbey Walk today saw the completion of the internal refurbishment, leaving just finishing touches to the outside.

Within the next few weeks we very much hope that the service will be operating from their extremely smart and spacious new home.

Thank you Capital team and all those at Dorset HealthCare for their dedication in bringing our final project to fruition.

We very much look forward to opening ceremony of the new premises in the not-too-distant future.

23/06/2024

***** OPEN GARDEN THANK YOU *****

An enormous thank you to John and Marigold for opening their spectacularly beautiful garden to the public today, all in support of our wonderful Hospital.

Their generosity and openness has resulted in donations of just over £200 towards Matron’s Shopping Trolley.

We are extremely grateful for this kind supportive venture and thank you both very much! Thanks also to your friends who helped out.