The SHINE fund, part of Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust’s charity, is celebrating its 10th birthday this year!
SHINE stands for Support, Hope, Inspire, Nurture and Empower, and aims to improve the experience of patients receiving care in the Trust’s hospital and community services.
Patients are often going through the most difficult time in their lives; SHINE aims to make this time a bit more comfortable by providing therapeutic activities and items of comfort that can make a difference.
Since launching in 2014, SHINE has funded hundreds of projects, supporting patients with everything from improved indoor and outdoor spaces, exercise equipment and pet therapy to yoga classes, gardening tools, festive events and much more.
One of the largest funded projects over the years includes £24,685 from SHINE to develop a ‘dementia friendly outdoor space’ at Monkwearmouth Hospital in 2018. The concrete space was transformed into an innovative courtyard specifically designed to dementia-friendly principles to provide a safe, stimulating and enjoyable outdoor space.
More recently, SHINE provided £23,700 of funding for a Cycle Hub at St George’s Park in Morpeth, giving patients the opportunity to cycle as a form of sports therapy and take part in bike maintenance workshops.
Other key projects include an ‘Access to Skills’ programme for young people’s services, a new greenhouse where patients can learn gardening and woodwork skills, specialist seating in dementia services and Christmas presents and activities for all inpatients over the festive period each year.
Ailsa Miller, Patients Finance and Cashiers Manager, said: “The SHINE fund has and continues to develop to support our patients, carers and service users on the pathway to recovery. Kind donations and fundraising enables the Charity to provide equipment and services which enhance patient care and experience in our hospitals and community services.”
Join us in celebrating a decade of making a difference! Thanks to the incredible support from our community – staff, former service users, families, and the public – SHINE has been able to bring hope, smiles, and comfort to patients and their carers.
Generous contributions from local businesses like Barratt Homes, Bellway, and The Access Group have fuelled our mission, alongside the continued support from the amazing teams at our two Starbucks partner stores, who help make fundraisers extra special with exciting raffle prizes.
As a heartfelt “thank you” to the amazing staff who have championed SHINE for the past 10 years, the SHINE team will be throwing a celebration across CNTW’s hospital sites with party stalls full of cake and goodies.
To mark SHINE’s 10th birthday, CNTW is inviting everyone to get involved—host a birthday party, organise a bake sale, or lace up your shoes for a sponsored walk. However you choose to celebrate, your fundraising will keep SHINE’s mission alive, brightening the lives of those we serve for years to come.
Ready to join the party? Visit the SHINE birthday page for your birthday pack, fundraising ideas and more: Celebrate 10 years of SHINE – Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (cntw.nhs.uk)
You can also get involved by supporting CNTW Chief Executive James Duncan’s skydive earlier this month on his birthday, by sponsoring him here: James Duncan’s skydive for SHINE – JustGiving