2025 | December
New projector in the paediatric Mercury Ward
Thanks to our wonderful donors, the St Nicholas Fund are proud to have contributed £7,520 for the purchase of a new projector in the paediatric Mercury Ward at Chelsea and Westminster Hosiptal.
Mercury Ward is a ward in which the majority of patients are in single cubicles. There are often a number of patients who are inpatient on the ward for several weeks if not months and the need for stimulating and enjoyable spaces away from the bed space for those who are able to leave their rooms is great. In addition to this, it is important that patients have the opportunity and incentive to mobilise and exercise their hand-eye co-ordination and put into practice exercises that have been outlined by the physiotherapists.
The projector has provided something that is interesting for children of all ages. Unlike a movie playing on a TV, the projector invites interaction and movement from the user and provides opportunity for children and young people to engage with one another. It also provides more sensory activities for SEND children and babies and can help children to socialise together and enjoy group play activities and exercise times. This has a positive impact not only physically but also more holistically, benefiting the mental health of the patient too which in turn helps aide recovery.
2025 | December
Christmas gifts for young patients
On December 15th and 18th 2025, Chelsea and Westminster and West Middlesex Hospitals held Christmas parties for the young patients. Some of our committee members put together wonderful Christmas party bags, and even had Father Christmas hand them out!
Hazel Rand, Ward Nurse and Play & Youth Service Lead at Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, said, “Just looking at the pictures of the children, you could see how happy they were to receive the gifts.”
Some of our committee members also put together activity packs for the Paediatric A&E to be used over the Christmas and New Year period while young patients were waiting to be seen.
*Presents for the young patients
*Father Christmas handing out a Christmas party bag
*Christmas party bags that were handed out to the young patients
“I remember one little boy opened his in delight and fell in love with the pet inside its box. The choice of presents were well thought out and with plenty to keep them entertained. I did give to some of the patients within their cubicles who were infectious or too unwell to attend the party and they were so happy to have and play with the items.”
Hazel Rand, Ward Nurse and Play & Youth Service Lead at Chelsea & Westminster Hospital