Hospital and Community Friends groups, generally known as League of Friends , help hospital patients across Kent and nationally. Friends groups are independent local charities whose members help out at hospitals by:
- running hospital shops, coffee bars and flower stalls
- hairdressing
- visiting patients
- running the hospital radio
- maintaining gardens
And outside hospitals through:
- carer support groups
- transport services
- befriending and drop in centres
Friends groups are famous for their fundraising work. They can supply things which fall outside NHS and other healthcare bodies' funding priorities, like items to brighten patients' environments, or fund special projects like art workshops and aromatherapy.
They can also pay for equipment or buildings which can, for instance, enable patients to receive a particular treatment close to home rather than travelling to another centre. Most local groups are part of the National Association of Hospital and Community Friends .
Local group links
