A family who cycled more than 100 miles from Torbay to Bristol last summer were among supporters who unveiled new colourful seaside wallcoverings to improve Torbay Hospital’s children’s ward.
Scott and Zoe Davies joined fundraisers and donors at Torbay Hospital to officially unveil the new look areas which their daredevil antics helped to fund.
The Louisa Cary ward, the paediatric high dependency unit and the older children’s area have all now been transformed into bright, welcoming spaces with new seaside-themed wallcoverings, marking the completion of the first phase of a project to update areas of the hospital supporting children and young adults.
Led by Torbay and South Devon NHS Charity, this major initiative aims to create a more comforting and child-friendly environment for young patients and their families who are being cared for in hospital. Funding of £10,000 from the charity helped to transform some of the hospital’s key areas supporting children and young adults. These areas providing acute care are now vibrant, cheerful, and welcoming, helping to ease children’s anxiety as they begin their hospital journey.
Scott and Zoe Davies, who live in Torquay, raised an incredible £5,000 with their epic fundraising challenge last July to say thank you to the staff at Torbay Hospital and Bristol Royal Hospital for Children for saving their son Dempsey’s life in 2023.
Zoe said: “After spending a long duration in hospital with our very poorly son, we know first-hand just how hard being in hospital is. Not only for the person who is ill, especially young children, but for those who are there with them too. Seeing such bright, vibrant, fun and interesting wall art helps lift spirits, in both staff and patients, and help to keep children occupied with the fantastic pictures. We are so pleased that the ward is now a bright and welcoming environment, in a place that can sometimes be so hard.”
Michelle Townsend, Louisa Cary’s Ward Manager said: “It’s not easy for children to be in hospital and it can be a stressful, anxious and worrying time. We are delighted with the new seaside themed wallcoverings and the positive impact they’ve had. The ward environment plays a big part in a patient’s care and having a bright and colourful environment undoubtedly makes a huge difference in how our patients feel.”
The final seaside design was created with children, families and staff all contributing ideas. The ward cares for children up to age 18, and the team was able to carry the seaside theme through to the older children’s area with more age-appropriate images of dolphins and turtles.
Michelle added: “The project was completely funded thanks to donations and funds raised and I can’t say thank you enough to everyone who supported us during the past 18 months, and especially to Scott and Zoe Davies who raised more than £5,000 towards the work.”
With thousands of children receiving care at Torbay Hospital each year, Torbay and South Devon NHS Charity aims to raise further funds to transform the short stay assessment unit and emergency department, ensuring that hospital spaces are not only functional but also positive, welcoming and engaging for young patients and their families.
Rachael Bryett, Fundraising Manager for Torbay and South Devon NHS Charity, said: “The hospital environment plays a crucial role in a child’s recovery, and we want to ensure that every child in hospital in Torbay receives care in a space that is as warm and welcoming as the incredible staff who look after them. We hope the Torbay and South Devon community will continue to support by donating or fundraising to help us reach the next milestone in transforming the children’s areas.”
The transformation of the children’s wards at Torbay Hospital, was made possible thanks to the generosity and support of the following donors and supporters Zoe and Scott Davies, Mia Vaughan-Evans, Katie Wreyford, Twenty1 Lounge, Spirent Communications, Natalie Green, Preston Rotary, Paignton Lions and Newton Lodge of Freemasons.
