A care home in Kingston has donated a remarkable £3,000 in aid of a tranquility project run by the Kingston Hospital Charity.

The money donated by Signature at Coombe Hill Manor, an award-winning care home in Kingston, will be used to create a tranquil space in one of the side rooms on the hospital's orthopaedic ward, improving the quality of experience for some of the hospital's patients and their loved ones.

The aim of the tranquil spaces is to create a calming and more homely space for patients who benefit from being cared in one of the side rooms. These are often patients who have advanced dementia or who are dying. The senses of sight, smell and sound are used to help create a calming natural sanctuary, which feels far removed from the clinical hospital environment. 

Each of the tranquil spaces created incorporate softer lighting and a skylight above each bed, as well as artwork and a noticeboard for pictures and cards. They also incorporate comfortable furniture, aroma diffusers, and often Bluetooth speakers to add to the tranquil ambience. 

Signature at Coombe Hill Manor's involvement in the project arose through a meeting at the Kingston Chamber of Commerce, where they first heard of the hospital's partner charity's commitment to raise money to create tranquil spaces on each of the side rooms in its orthopaedic ward. 

Building on an established relationship with Kingston Hospital, Signature at Coombe Hill Manor were eager to contribute and following a visit to the hospital, decided to meet costs associated with creating a tranquil space. 

In honour of their support, the tranquil space when completed will include a plaque acknowledging the care home's contribution. It is hoped work will begin on the tranquil space during the spring of 2023.

Commenting on the new project, Tracey Shaw, Fundraising Manager at Kingston Hospital Charity, said: "We are thrilled to be working with important community partners such as Signature at Coombe Hill Manor. The 'Tranquil Spaces' project is important in improving the quality of experience for patients and their families who benefit from being cared for in one of these rooms.

"We rely on the support of our local community to help us deliver the best possible care through projects like this. This work simply couldn't happen with our NHS funding alone. 

"So, we are hugely grateful to Signature at Coombe Hill Manor care home for their support, and we look forward to working together and our relationship flourishing."

Speaking about the care home's contribution towards the tranquillity room project, Jane Knight, Client Liaison Manager at Signature at Coombe Hill Manor, added: "We're delighted to be supporting Kingston Hospital and its partner charity to create a tranquil space on its orthopaedic ward.

"As a fellow provider of elderly and dementia care support in the community, we know the incredible difference these innovative approaches can make in people's lives. 

"Supporting our local community is also a key mission of ours, and we are always looking for ways in which we can contribute to our wonderful area. Kingston Hospital is one of those crucial pillars to the community that helps so many people every single day. We're delighted to further build our relationship with the hospital and thoroughly enjoy their visits to Coombe Hill Manor."