Specialist chairs donated in memory of beloved volunteer brighten patient recovery

Patients at Broomfield Hospital are benefiting from two new tilt-therapy chairs that help their transition from bed care to sitting or standing positions.

Used by the therapy services team alongside other mobility devices, the specialist chairs reduce pressure sores and can be adjusted to the shape of individual patients making their recovery faster and more comfortable.

The two pink chairs were donated to the hospital by Friends at Broomfield following the sudden passing of their longest serving volunteer Barbara Coupe, who always appreciated the positive impact these chairs can have during a patient’s rehabilitation journey.

Alison Douglas, Chairman of Friends at Broomfield said: “Barbara was a much-loved member of the Friends and is greatly missed by us all.

“She was such a fan of the chairs which we’ve previously funded. That’s why we made the decision to honour Barbara’s legacy with a special delivery of bespoke chairs in Barbara’s favourite colour. To us these will always be Barbara’s chairs.”

Lucy Thomas-Clayton, Director of Charities and Voluntary Services at the Trust, said: “It was with such sadness that our team and hospital staff received the news of Barbara’s passing.

“The pink chair donation made in memory of Barbara serves as such a beautiful tribute for the lengthy contribution she has made over the years to Broomfield Hospital. We thank the Friends for their donation which will benefit our patients enormously in their rehabilitation journeys.”

With two volunteer-run shops at the hospital and numerous donations, the group have supported the Trust for over 70 years.