Halloween Party Unites Ages At Babington Hospital

Baron Ward at Babington Hospital opened its doors to mini spooks and witches for a special trick and treat party to bridge the generation gap.

The pre-school youngsters in their fancy dress were all relatives and friends of NHS staff working in and around Belper who were invited to join the elderly patients for their party on the ward. The patients were thrilled to join in the spirit – woo – of the occasion and dressed up themselves.

The idea was conjured up by the ward’s occupational therapy assistant Dot Poyser as one of a number of fun activities she has organised this year to help motivate elderly patients during their rehabilitation. And it was a huge success.

Patient Glenys Thompson, aged 87 from South Wingfield, said: “This is better for me than any bottle of medicine!” She is pictured with 14 month old Mary Roberts.

Organiser Dot Poyser said: “This was very much a team effort with all the staff on the ward joining in the fun and with organising the party. It was lovely to see the young children and our older patients spending time together and enjoying each other’s company.”

Other events lined up for the ward include a celebration for the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh’s 70^th wedding anniversary in November and a visit by local primary school children to make Christmas decorations with the patients in December.

Dot Poyser is always looking for new activities to stimulate and interest patients to aid them in their recovery. Liaising with carers and families to involve them too, she finds ways to make therapy fun. Dot has worked on Baron Ward at Babington Hospital for more than 12 years and received an Extra Mile Award this year for her tireless work for patients behind the scenes.

The award was given by Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust which runs services at Babington Hospital and across many other places in Derbyshire.