From entertainers on hospital wards, to a bake sale, a singing Mayor, tea parties and a glitz and glamour ball – 75th birthday celebrations for the NHS promise to be fun-filled and fabulous in Walsall and Wolverhampton next week.
Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust and The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust (RWT) are both pulling out all the stops for staff, patients and visitors on Wednesday 5 July. And the Trusts have purchased special George Cross and NHS 75 badges for all staff as a keepsake.
At Walsall Manor Hospital Ruby Doo entertainers will be giving out a dose of sunshine by singing and dancing across the wards ending the day with a special NHS Birthday tea party on the Children’s Ward.
At 12noon the Mayor of Walsall, Councillor Chris Towe, will cut a special NHS 75 birthday cake in the main atrium of the hospital where refreshments are being served outside the Fundraising Hub, including samosas from Walsall Women’s Muslim Association, and birthday biscuits made by Emily Designs. He will be a busy First Citizen as he will also be starting the morning off with songs from his Sounds Familiar duo, which will be followed by local singer Richard Austin and young performers from Walsall Academy.
A very special guest on Wednesday will be a distant relative of nursing heroine Sister Dora, Suzanne Stirke, who is writing a book about Walsall’s very own Florence Nightingale as she is fondly known. Suzanne’s husband’s great, great, great uncle was married to one of Sister Dora’s sisters. And Suzanne, who lives just a few miles from her birthplace, has been thrilled to see Sister Dora’s memory is being kept alive in Walsall. She will also visit wards to talk to patients and will give a talk at 1pm that day.
Community staff will also be treated thanks to the following cafes:
Tasty Bites, 12 Samuel Street, Bloxwich, WS3 2EU
Penguin café, 511 Bloxwich Road, Leamore, WS3 2XA
The New Teapot Café, Birchills Factory Estate, 152 Green Lane, WS2 8LE
The Table, 33 Lower Hall Lane, Walsall, WS1 1RR
The Scabby Oss Café, 39a King Street, Darlaston, WS10 8DE
Tea Pot Café, Lindon Road, Brownhills, WS8 7BW
All have agreed that community staff can have a free cuppa if they pop in next Wednesday and show their ID badge that confirms they are a member of a community team.
Meanwhile, patients at Goscote Hospice will enjoy a special NHS 75 cupcake, courtesy of Walsall Healthcare’s Well Wishers charity which has arranged the day’s celebrations.
Maternity Services are also on board, holding a showcase event outside the Antenatal Clinic on Route 122 between 11.30am and 2pm on the day.
Georgie Westley, Fundraising Manager, said: “We can’t wait to mark this very special birthday for our NHS which means so much to our staff, patients, their families and our communities. We have a busy day planned and look forward to doing the NHS proud with the help of our fabulous volunteers and supporters. ”
Laura Parsons Community, Midwifery-Led Unit and Outpatients Matron, added: “The #RealMidwivesofWalsall have been caring for and supporting families for 75 years and we are joining in with the birthday celebrations next week with pride. Come along and meet our teams along with our wonderful Maternity Voices Partnership group and let’s all raise a glass – or at least a cuppa – to a fantastic, much-loved institution.”
At Wolverhampton’s New Cross Hospital, the RWT Charity is hosting an NHS75 birthday fun day in the Emergency Department marquee, from 11am-4pm, with a bake sale, games, and a range of new and exciting craft stalls.
Visitors can have a go on a 12ft inflatable dart board with prizes to be won and Porter Steve Baxter will entertain with his unrideable bike.
And for those who really want to party, both Trust charities have arranged a charity ball to celebrate 75 years of the NHS.
The event is the perfect opportunity to get together with colleagues, friends and family and is taking place on Friday 21 July 2023 to raise funds for both charities which buy items above and beyond what the NHS can provide to enhance patients’ experience.
Tickets are £45 per person to include:
- A welcome drink
- A four course Indian banquet meal
- Live music from iParty Band
- A fun casino – blackjack and roulette
- Fundraising activities and entertainment
- Photographer
Tickets can be bought via Eventbrite – Glitz and Glam NHS 75 Charity Ball by 5 July.
Those booking for a group or business (tables of 10) are asked to email rwh-tr.fundraisingteam@nhs.net to confirm party details. This will ensure they are seated together.
And please advise of any dietary requirements before Sunday 9 July. The dress code for the event will be black tie, therefore no jeans or trainers are allowed.