‘Dragonfliers’ skydive to raise money for young people’s mental health inpatient unit
A group of eight mental health staff members, plus two husbands, are taking a leap of faith to create a brighter future for their young service users.
Nurses Hannah Goode, James Gordon, Karla Stewart, Ria Arrowsmith, Emily Bishop and Rose Far, assistant practitioner Stella Bartholomew, occupational therapy technical instructor Gwen Goode and husbands of two other staff members, Tom Copper and Guy Winram, are planning a charity skydive to raise money for the Dragonfly centre, Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust’s young people’s inpatient unit at Carlton Colville.
Hannah said: “One of the courtyards at Dragonfly has been out of action due to work needed to make it safe. The team and young people have asked about when we would get the funding to have the work done and so we thought we would kick start the project to raise some money for this.”
Hannah said they had paid for their own skydives so all the money raised will go towards the project. “We don’t have a target but would like to raise several thousand pounds if we can. The courtyard does need a lot of work.”
The Dragonfly unit is an inpatient ward for young people who need support for their mental health. “We are passionate about enhancing the experience for these young individuals and the dedicated staff who care for them,” said Hannah.
She added: “I’m excited about doing the skydive. This will be my second for charity. Last time I was excited about it but then on the day reality hit and the nerves came out. Some of the people participating are really facing their fears but are committed to the cause.
Modern matron Karen Newberry said: “We do have outside space, but this courtyard has direct access to our gym and having this space open would support all our young people to have more open-air activities.
“The young people were keen to have either a football pitch or netball area marked out, which would be used as part of the education curriculum. We are also introducing a yoga program and again in good weather this space would provide a real calming area to participate.”
She said having access to outside space was beneficial for mental and physical health and general wellbeing. “Having two open courtyards for a variety of activities would be such a benefit for all our young people to support positive healthier outcomes,” said Karen. “It would also support families to come and spend quality time out in the fresh air with their children. Families could bring pets which we have found this to be very therapeutic.”
Chief nurse Anthony Deery said: “A huge thank you to the team for organising this for Dragonfly and funding their places themselves so that all money raised can go to this fabulous project to make the courtyard safer and better for the young service users.”
They would love people to support them through donations or going along to Beccles Airfield (NR34 7XD) from 12.30pm on September 6. There’s a page on Just Giving. Hannah Goode is fundraising for NORFOLK AND SUFFOLK NHS FOUNDATION TRUST CHARITABLE FUND (justgiving.com)