Historically, The Archie Foundation has been heavily focused on (and best known for) our support of bricks-and-mortar projects. We have completed a series of high-value fundraising appeals where we have supported structural and architectural input. Our aim now for the charity is to have at least one tangible project (e.g funding equipment or hospital environment enhancement) per region. We are guided by our NHS partners within each of the Health Boards we support, to ensure our aspirations fit with their priorities. We are supported in this regard by Clinical Advisory Committees who advise the Archie board of trustees in relation to applications from staff for specialist equipment, projects and/or training.
The Archie Foundation is proud to partner with NHS Grampian to help deliver the difference at the new Baird Family Hospital in Aberdeen. Works began on the build in January of 2021 with a target completion date of Spring 2024.
We aim to raise £2million to fund the vital finishing touches and additional specialist equipment that will transform this clinically state-of-the-art hospital into a world-class facility. Working in partnership with the NHS and our local community we can together deliver a state-of-the-art facility that will match the world-class Neonatal and Maternity treatment provided by the NHS.
The Baird Family Hospital site is located directly in front of Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital (RACH) and the building is rapidly taking shape.
We raised £2 million to support the build of a new children’s twin theatre operating suite in Tayside Children’s Hospital (Ninewells), which has transformed the experience children from Dundee, Perth, Fife and Angus will face when undergoing surgery.
Prior to the new facility opening on 9th May 2022, there was only one children’s operating theatre which meant that some children had to have their operations in adult theatres.
The new suite has doubled the current operating capacity, meaning that the majority of children can be treated in child-friendly, age-appropriate spaces.
The new Children’s Theatre Suite is bright and spacious and, as well as the twin operating theatres, it includes assessment and recovery spaces, a quiet room for parents, and indoor and outdoor play areas.
The expertise and care given to children by NHS Tayside staff is first-class, and this new suite provides the facilities to match. Take the virtual tour today!
Children requiring surgery at Raigmore make a short journey from HCU to theatre. It is just a short walk along the main corridor of Raigmore Hospital and one floor up in the lift, but even this shortest of walks can feel never-ending and scary for anxious young patients and their families.
Our aim is to improve the “journey to theatre” for Highland children, by adding simple, child-friendly artwork along the corridor and inside the lift. This will provide points of focus along the way which will help distract and comfort anxious youngsters (and their parents).
Archie recently undertook a project to upgrade the Play Zone located between Medical and Surgical wards within Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital. Works were completed in 2021 on the new Safari-Themed Play Zone and the brand new, neighbouring “Teen Den”, which provides an age-appropriate space and facilities for the older children we support. The Teen Den is fully kitted with gaming chairs, Xbox, PlayStation, basketball set and all-round provides a chilled space away from the busy ward. The Play Zone is a great space for activities with the Play Team and external entertainers and activity providers.
Having achieved our aim of creating a child-friendly interior at Highland Children’s Unit we turned our focus to the outdoors and began fundraising for the “Fresh Air Project”.
The aim of this project was to create appealing outside spaces for young patients to enjoy. Our supporters and the local community rallied behind the call and raised almost £140,000 to transform the area around HCU with landscaping and topiary animals – including a 30ft Nessie – to provide a warm welcome to children and their families.
The project, which is now well underway with the first of three gardens complete, will also mean children can play outside in all weathers, and have interesting and child-friendly views from the windows of the unit.
In 2019 The Archie Foundation installed a brand-new, inclusive playpark at Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital. This area is perfect for children and is well-used by young patients before or after their hospital appointments and also by the Archie Play Worker, who makes regular visits to the park with young patients.
The park equipment includes a wheelchair swing, ground-level trampoline, roundabout, lots of sensory equipment, and seating so parents and carers can keep a watchful eye while providing children with a perfect opportunity to let off steam. Being situated directly in front of the helipad means there is occasionally some added (noisy) excitement and entertainment too!
This park was made possible thanks to generous support from The Morrison’s Foundation and Brewdog Foundation and has made a significant difference to children and young people visiting RACH.
Archie’s support in the Highlands began in 2011 when we undertook the challenge to £2million to help fund the build of a dedicated Children’s Unit at Raigmore. H.C.U was carefully designed with cheerful and colourful decoration, structural improvement and its own designated entrance.
The Unit was officially opened on 12th February 2020 when a grand plaque was unveiled to commemorate the ongoing work between The Archie Foundation and NHS Highland and thousands of children have passed through the doors since.
The plaque was unveiled by Professor George Youngson and Inverness Provost Helen Carmichael.