(Left to Right: Natasha Allan, Health Play Specialist on Ocean Ward, Rebecca Edwards, Marketing Executive from Barratt Homes and Mark Ind, CEO of Heartbeat)
Leading housebuilder, Barratt Homes’ Southampton division has been giving children in hospital a little bit of added ‘sparkle’ this Christmas, with a special festive donation.
The Hampshire developer, which is bringing new homes to the county, has supplied a stack of Yuletide decorations to spruce up the Ocean Ward at Southampton’s Children Hospital, after it heard that last year’s decorations had been unfortunately damaged.
It was Southampton-based cardiac charity, Heartbeat, that issued the plea for a brand-new Christmas tree, some festive lights, tinsel, and baubles, on behalf of the children’s ward at Southampton General Hospital, and Barratt Homes was only too happy to help.
The housebuilder supplied a 6 foot Christmas tree, 300 metres of twinkling lights, along with Grinch stickers, window decorations and much more. And the ward even came in as runner up in a festive ‘Best Dressed for Christmas’ competition, which is held across all the wards in the Southampton hospital.
Natasha Allan, Health Play Specialist on Ocean Ward, said: “We are so grateful to Barratt Homes for providing these Christmas decorations after ours were sadly damaged. It will give our patients a lift at this time of year and the lights are also a great sensory stimulation. It’s the busiest time of year for us, and anything that can make what is a difficult time for families just that little bit better, is hugely important. A big thank you from everyone here.”
Barratt Homes is committed to showing its support for people in the communities in which it is building. James Dunne, Barratt Homes Managing Director, said: “We want to help people who need it in the local community and when we saw Heartbeat’s plea for some new Christmas decorations for children in hospital this year, we didn’t hesitate. It’s been a real pleasure to help, and I hope it gives the patients here the sprinkling of Christmas joy they deserve.”
Heartbeat is the heart charity which is improving cardiac care for patients and their families in the region, and CEO Mark Ind, said: “At Heartbeat we try and help the children’s cardiac unit in whatever way we can. The ward’s staff do the most incredible job keeping everyone in good spirits at Christmas time. We’re delighted to see how fantastically festive it is now looking with these brand-new decorations, and we’re so glad that Barratt answered our plea.”
The Ocean Ward (E1) is the children’s cardiac ward at Southampton’s Children Hospital. It provides specialised family-centred care for newborn babies, children and teenagers and includes facilities for patients with physical disabilities.
Heartbeat supports the ward’s patients and their families while they are undergoing care.
Barratt Homes is committed to supporting organisations who need it in the communities in which it is building.
The developer is building new homes across the region. For more information on its new developments in Hampshire, visit: Harbour Place, Pebble Walk and Forest Walk.
