Spending time in hospital can be stressful enough, but for families visiting their sick children, the experience is often extremely taxing – both physically and emotionally.
However, thanks to The ARCHIE Foundation and a £25,000 donation from the Press and Journal, mums, dads and other family members visiting their little ones at the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital (RACH) now have access to a brand new lounge where they can relax, read the news, and enjoy some peace and quiet away from the wards.
Featuring computers, dining tables, a television, hot food facilities and a spectacular view over the Aberdeen skyline, the P&J Parents’ Media Lounge has been designed as a space where people can pause for reflection and enjoy some rest and respite.
It was officially opened yesterday by Finlay Thompson, a 9-year-old boy who has spent many months at RACH as an oncology patient, and Damian Bates, the editor in chief of the P&J.
Finlay’s mum, Tracy, was one of the dozens of families who helped in the process of raising the final £5,000 needed to complete the £30,000 refurbishment project.
She said that the new and improved lounge will make a world of difference to parents such as herself.
And she added: “When you’re stuck in a hospital room, day in day out, it can really get to you.
“But with this new P&J lounge, parents like me will now have a fantastic place to go and find some peace and quiet.
“It’s just somewhere to escape to, away from the hospital beds, somewhere to sit and watch normal life happening outside the windows.
“We’re absolutely ecstatic that it’s finally finished, and, of course, we’re extremely grateful to the P&J for the newspaper’s support in funding this facility.”
The creation of the new lounge will help ARCHIE towards one of the 10 goals in its High 10 anniversary appeal – improving the experience of parents.
Mr Bates added: “I can’t believe the difference in this room from when I first saw it to where it is now.
“We’re absolutely delighted to be involved in the High 10 campaign.
“The P&J has been behind ARCHIE since day one and, in fact, our paper has helped to create this very building, and we’ve been involved ever since.
“I am really proud of our association with ARCHIE, and I know that the whole DC Thomson family holds the charity in a very special place in our hearts.
“It’s wonderful to see Finlay here and see his name on a plaque, and I hope that families will get a use out of this new lounge for some respite and relaxation during their time at hospital.
“Well done to all those involved.”
The lounge was designed by Tinto Architects, and built by Burns Construction.
The two computers will feature free access to the P&J’s website, so parents can keep up to date with all the latest news in the north-east of Scotland, Highlands and islands.
Joe Mackie, the chairman of The ARCHIE Foundation said: “We haven’t got the money for initiatives like this without the hard work and kindness of organisations and people such as the Press and Journal, Tracy and Finlay, and many of the other families who have put their passion and hearts behind so many of the important facilities here.
“The fact that we have refurbished this facility as part of our High 10 appeal is wonderful.
“This is a facility that is required, and a facility that will be put to good use by the families visiting their children here at Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital.
“What we have here is an absolutely fantastic lounge, and we are extremely grateful to everybody involved who have been able to make this vision a reality.”
