Over the next week or so, our wards - like the Acute Medical Unit in the photo - will be receiving a supply of new cloth bags decorated with marigolds.

The aim is to give them to families who have experienced a  bereavement. They can be used to help take home a loved one's effects and show the person may need some extra support at a  very difficult time for them. Assistant Director of Nursing for Medicine, Maggie Metcalfe has been working together with our End of Life colleagues Gillian Sykes and Andrea Vickerman to develop the  bag.

The  Marigold logo is consistent with CHFT's use of the marigold for bereavement and end of life care – such as our Marigold bereavement café.

Maggie, said: "The bags will identify vulnerable relatives or friends at a time of distress to all colleagues, enabling additional support if necessary."

Training Lead for End of Life Care, Andrea Vickerman said "If colleagues recognise someone has had a bereavement and they need a 'little' bit more assistance, it will continue to show how CHFT staff constantly care for people all the time no matter what the situation. This is an initiative to show the extra mile colleagues at CHFT go to, to get it right."

Gillian Sykes and Andrea Vickerman have been at CRH distributing the bags this week (pictured is the Acute Medical Unit with their supply) and will be touring HRI next week (commencing 11th Nov).

Contact Andrea Vickerman via email or switchboard if you have any questions.

Pictured below left to right; Maggie Metcalfe, Andrea Vickerman, Gillian Sykes and Lisa Wilkinson with the new bags.