Hundreds gather for Chapel Square Christmas Tree lights switch on
Members of the local community, service users, staff and residents gathered at Chapel Square, Springfield University Hospital, for the first Chapel Square Christmas Tree lights switch on.
Members of the local community, service users, staff and residents gathered at Chapel Square, Springfield University Hospital, for the first Chapel Square Christmas Tree lights switch on, with proceeds from the event going to the Trust Charity.
The event was opened by the Fircroft Primary School Choir who sang popular carols including ‘I wish it could be Christmas Everyday’ and ‘The Christmas Song.’
While attendees gathered and enjoyed a mince pie and hot drink, members of the Trust Board and Charitable Fund officially switched on the lights alongside Peer Support Worker, Lincoln Ramcharan.
Trust Chief Executive Officer, Vanessa Ford said:‘We have completely transformed our estate here at Springfield. Over the last year we have opened new hospitals, a community square and 16 acres of a park, with more to come including a gym, shops, cafes and more facilities. Of course I am proud of our new hospital facilities – but perhaps even more so that we have created Springfield Village – a community with mental health at its heart.’
Juliet Armstrong, Trust Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Trust Charitable Fund said:‘What a fantastic event – it is wonderful to see so many people here, and also to see our fabulous Trust Charity going from strength to strength. The charity exists to provide things like funding for special projects or community, patient and family support which the NHS would not usually fund– as well as events like this!’
The rest of the event saw a selection of carols performed by singers from St Mary Magdalene Church including ‘Jingle Bells’, ‘O Come All Ye Faithful’ and ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem.’
As well as bringing the community of Springfield Village together, the event provided an opportunity to promote and fundraise for the Trust Charity. The South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust Charitable Fund works in partnership with the Trust to invest in and promote projects that will make a tangible benefit to staff, service users and carers in south west London. We are Making Life Better Together by supporting initiatives, raising awareness, and breaking down barriers for our communities in South West London. To find out more or make a donation, please click here.
Chapel Square is central to a new Springfield Village – a stigma-breaking landscape which includes modern mental healthcare facilities, the creation of more than 800 new homes, shops and a 32-acre public park.
