Publish date: 30 May 2025
Well done to service users and staff on Astley, one of Rowan View's male learning disability wards, for supporting ‘Walk for Autism’.
This national fundraising challenge was to walk 10,000 steps a day for eight days. And so, last month everyone on the medium secure ward got involved as well as staff who were working shifts on those days - including OT assistants and the ward manager. Nursing Assistant Megan Walsh counted up the daily steps and displayed the 'running' total on the ward each evening.
Head of Operations Sarah Pilling tells us: "Everyone involved worked hard to achieve their fundraising challenge of walking an amazing 10,000 steps a day. Can I thank all patients and staff on Astley Well for raising donations and awareness for a wonderful charity."
The team made it fun by having music; everyone sang and danced around, using the garden area and sports pitch. Everyone who could take part, did take part. Service users each had a personalised ‘Walk for Autism’ t-shirt which made them really feel they were part of this event. Each had a different individual quote on the front of their t.shirt - now they request them for their birthdays!
Astley Ward raised £351 and this week the ward received its certificate from the charity.
The next event is going to be Physical Health Promotion Day. Staff discussed with patients what they would like to learn about, and they have suggested some ideas. It will be based on Diabetes and Testicular Cancer checks working with the Speech and Language Therapist. Rowan View is preparing for a sports day for the two male learning disability wards. The nursing team is currently asking patients if they’d like to take part and what activities they would like to do. This will be held on the sports pitch (MUGA pitch) at the end of June. Great to hear all these positive activites at the MSU!
