Hello Everyone…..

My name is Gemma Lister

I work at the James Paget Hospital and in my role as a Safeguarding Practitioner I support and educate staff in providing care to our most vulnerable patients. This includes patients who may have a cognitive impairment due to a diagnosis of Dementia, Learning Disability, Mental Health, or any acute illness.

Myself and some of my lovely colleagues (RITA CHAMPION LEGENDS) from all over the Organisation, including other members of the safeguarding team, ward managers, research colleagues, quality lead, cancer lead nurse, Matrons and some of our kids are getting our ‘sweat bands’ out of storage to undertake a 10k inflatable obstacle course on Saturday 23rd September at Norwich Showground to raise money to buy our patients a RITA device.

We are also undertaking this in fancy dress which will be a surprise at a later date ….. and I am sure will make you chuckle.

Let me introduce you to RITA- Reminiscence/Rehabilitation and Interactive Therapy Activities

RITA is an all-in-one touch screen solution which offers digital reminiscence therapy and is a relatively new tool in the fields of nursing and healthcare.

RITA assists patients particularly those patients with cognitive impairment in recalling and sharing events from their past through listening to music, watching news reports of significant historical events, listening to war time speeches, playing games, karaoke and watching films.

This device can aid healthcare staff to provide meaningful engagement to patients in an acute setting where they may be scared and feel vulnerable. As an organisation we currently have two RITA packages but have recognised the benefits to patients and for staff trust wide and we as a group we really want to make a difference and try to raise enough Money to contribute to or buy another package.

Please please contribute to our good cause and if you're free and want a chuckle come on down to the Norwich Showground on Saturday 23rd September at 11.00 and cheer us on.