Cops are on the case to support hospitals
Officers deliver goodie bags
A Paisley charity that tackles disability hate crime is helping isolated hospital patients stay connected with loved ones thanks to generous goodie bag donations - which include a tablet.
I Am Me Scotland was founded by Carol Burt in 2013 and works in partnership with Police Scotland to raise awareness with young people and disability groups through the power of drama and film.
Police officers from Renfrewshire delivered ten tablets to the Intensive Care Unit at Paisley’s Royal Alexandra Hospital and another five to the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow.
The organisation launched an online funding drive to raise money in order to put together the bags, which also contain other everyday essentials for someone staying in hospital alone.
Carol said: “We have been working with some of our Keep Safe partners to make bags for people who are in hospital and unable to receive visitors due to the restrictions.
“Each bag has puzzles and magazines, everyday essentials and a seven- inch tablet for helping to keep in touch with loved ones.
“We have made ten bags for the ICU patients at the RAH and a further five bags for children at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. One bag is a toddler bag, with no tablet but lots of toddler essentials and activities.”
The Keep Safe campaign works with businesses and public services to create ‘Keep Safe’ places in the community for disabled, vulnerable, elderly or anyone feeling lost, confused, scared, in danger, or have been the victim of a crime.
The next bags will be for the head and neck cancer ward at Monklands Hospital in Airdrie.
Carol has thanked partner organisations for getting on board with their kind donations.
She added: “We would like to thank our Keep Safe partners, Tesco in Paisley, Bridgewater Housing, May’s Coffee Shop in Bishopton, Wild Things Linwood, Morrisons in Falside and You First Advocacy for their fantastic donations towards the Keep Safe bags.
“We also thank Police Scotland for everything they are doing ing to keep everyone safe during g this time and for spreading some ome cheer by delivering the bags to the hospitals.”
The charity has also lso been working with ROAR: AR: Connections For Life to encourage children and nd young people to write ite poems and stories or draw aw pictures for older people le who are shielding from m Covid-19 in Renfrewshire. e.
Carol said: “Many y people are not able to see e family and friends and can n feel lonely and isolated. The e children’s pictures are ea all ll being made into little cards rds s– – thanks to Jasmine Holdings, gs, in Aberdeen, who are printing ng these free of charge.
“The cards will be included ded in the ROAR shopping bags s to help spread some cheer - or in the words of Arkleston primary, ary, sprinkle love like confetti!”
Inspector Tracy Harkins, from Paisley’s community policing cing team, said: “We were delighted ghted to be able to deliver these goodie oodie bags to the RAH and the Royal Hospital for Children on behalf half of our Keep Safe partners I Am m Me.”
Express readers can donate onate online at https://bit.ly/3b4lt3p 4lt3p