Worthing primary school twins with hospital children’s ward

Worthing Hospital’s Bluefin children’s ward is the latest to form a twinning partnership with the community.
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The initiative is a legacy of the love shown in the first national lockdown, linking schools and community groups with hospital wards for lasting support.

Durrington Infant and Junior Federated Schools has twinned with Bluefin and to mark the partnership, pupils in years three, four and five have created a picture showing the school, hospital and people from both places linked together.

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Christie Taylor, senior health play specialist on Bluefin, said: “We absolutely love the poster and the idea behind it. We are proudly displaying it at the entrance of the ward.

Christie Taylor, senior health play specialist on Bluefin ward, with the winning posterChristie Taylor, senior health play specialist on Bluefin ward, with the winning poster
Christie Taylor, senior health play specialist on Bluefin ward, with the winning poster

“A huge thank you to everyone at the school. We’re really excited by the future opportunities of this wonderful initiative.”

The twinning scheme for Worthing Hospital, and St Richard’s Hospital in Chichester, was launched to follow up on the rainbow pictures and messages of support sent to patients who could not receive visitors due to Covid-19 restrictions.

David Clayton-Evans, interim head of Love Your Hospital, said: “During the height of the pandemic, the charity saw an incredible outpouring of support from the local community for our hospitals.

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“The many colourful pictures and positive messages received from our local schools formed part of this and made a world of difference to staff and patients alike.

Durrington Infant and Junior Federated Schools' head girls with the school’s twinning ward posterDurrington Infant and Junior Federated Schools' head girls with the school’s twinning ward poster
Durrington Infant and Junior Federated Schools' head girls with the school’s twinning ward poster

“The schools twinning initiative offers a way for this wonderful support to continue now and well beyond Covid-19.”

Durrington High School twinned with Durrington ward in the summer, when more than 50 talented students entered a competition to design a twinning logo.

Chris Woodcock, head teacher, said: “Kindness is one of our core values at Durrington High School and we encourage students to give back to the community.

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“Our students have really enjoyed getting creative and sharing messages to patients and staff on Durrington Ward. We’re excited to see how this partnership flourishes.”

Love Your Hospital will use the two winning Durrington High School designs to create the final twinning posterLove Your Hospital will use the two winning Durrington High School designs to create the final twinning poster
Love Your Hospital will use the two winning Durrington High School designs to create the final twinning poster

Love Your Hospital will use the winning designs to create the final twinning poster, which will greet patients, staff and visitors to the ward.

Pauline Cheeseman, Durrington ward matron, said: “We’re delighted to be twinned with Durrington High School and look forward to seeing how this partnership develops in the future. We love the idea of engaging local students and building a sense of community.”

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Love Your Hospital will use the two winning Durrington High School designs to create the final twinning posterLove Your Hospital will use the two winning Durrington High School designs to create the final twinning poster
Love Your Hospital will use the two winning Durrington High School designs to create the final twinning poster
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