The charity we’re supporting throughout February will be BUGS, a support group for patients treated for burns injuries through the Salisbury District Hospital, Odstock Centre for Burns, Plastic & Maxillofacial Surgery.
BUGS was established in May 2000 to fulfil the need for post hospital support for burns patients and deliver this by providing essential emergency items, information, practical & professional help and advice.
Other support BUGS offers include:
- Emotional Wellbeing via the Engage Project
- Discretional grants to individuals
- Patient advocacy
- Aromatherapy on Odstock Ward
- Unit Quiet Room and Artwork on Odstock Ward
- Funding for families to attend day trips
- Funding young adults to attend activity and retreat weekends
Another of the ways BUGS supports patients is through Burn Camps. Burns camps are run for children aged 8 to 17 years, and its aim is total inclusivity. A Young Adults camp is also run for ages 18 to 23 years.
Everyone attending the Burn Camp has burn scars of some sort and many of the children will have been going to the camps for years, allowing them to have built up friendships and a support network, keeping in contact when not at camp.
Some of the feedback BUGS receive about their Burns Camps:
“It helped me to gain more confidence”
“The camp had a wonderful vibe, one of the best weekends we have done”
“Camp helps as I can talk to people who are the same”
“I have made more friends”
BUGS also works to promote burn prevention.
You can find out more about BUGS at their website, as well as their social media pages. We’re looking forward to supporting them this month and helping them towards their goal of raising £7000 this year! We’ll be doing some inhouse fundraising and donating £5 for every sale in February!
