Transforming
Care for Patients

Pet therapy

Thanks to generous funding from The POD Family through CNWL NHS Health Charity, pet therapy visits are expanding across CNWL services, giving more patients the opportunity to spend time with therapy animals.

Animal visits can bring a welcome change to a patient’s day, creating opportunities for conversation, shared experiences and moments of connection. For some, spending time with a therapy animal may bring back fond memories of pets at home; for others, it offers a chance to pause, enjoy some company and feel more at ease in their surroundings.

The pet therapy service reflects the importance of looking beyond clinical treatment to the wider experiences that shape a person’s time in care. By helping more CNWL services welcome registered therapy animals, the funding is making these opportunities available to a wider range of patients, with visits tailored to the needs of each setting.

A mural at Harrow CAMHS

Thanks to your support, a vibrant new mural was unveiled at CNWL’s Harrow Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) in September 2025 transforming the clinic into a warm, welcoming, and inspiring space for young people, families, and staff.

The mural was a true community effort, with both young people and staff working together to design and paint a piece that reflects creativity and resilience. The artwork captures themes of hope, growth and connection - symbolising the journey many young people take towards recovery and wellbeing.

Before the project began, many young people described the clinic environment as feeling “clinical and empty.” They hoped that a mural could make the space more “welcoming” and help “reduce anxieties about coming to appointments.”

Once completed, the transformation was immediately felt. When asked to describe how the mural made them feel in one word, young people responded with: relaxed, welcomed, tranquil, and peaceful.

St Charles mental health unit gyms

It’s been known that fitness can be beneficial for mental health and wellbeing. That’s why we helped to fund six fully equipped gyms across six mental health inpatient units at St Charles Hospital, creating new spaces where patients can move, recover, and thrive.

This exciting expansion builds on the success of a personalised physical health programme piloted on Nile Ward back in 2018. Working closely with a collaborative team, the pilot has seen incredible results:

• Contributed to 51% reduction in male psychiatric intensive care unit (PICU) over two years

• 1700 sessions delivered since 2023

• PICU gym was featured in the Lancet Psychiatry (2025) as a best practice case study

A garden transformation at Rosedale Court

We proudly funded the transformation of the neglected outdoor space at Rosedale Court, an inpatient rehabilitation unit supporting people on their journey to recovery and independence.

During the pandemic, it became clear just how vital outdoor space is for wellbeing. What was once an underused area has now blossomed into a vibrant, green sanctuary—designed to support physical health, mental wellbeing, skill-building, and relaxation.

Today, the garden is more than just a space to sit. It’s:

• A social hub for residents to connect

• A therapeutic environment for growing vegetables

• A calm corner for reflection and rest

Looking ahead, the team is preparing a volunteering role to help care for and sustain the garden making sure it continues to support residents for years to come.

Sensory Soothe bags for service users at Milton Keynes Perinatal Mental Health Service

CNWL NHS Health Charity funded sensory soothe bags for new and expecting mums at the Milton Keynes Perinatal Mental Health Service, which provides treatment and support for pregnant and post-natal women experiencing mental health difficulties.

During the pandemic, anxiety among women using the service rose significantly. In response, the team came up with the idea to provide soothing tools to help women manage difficult emotions and feel supported on their recovery journey.

Filled with comforting items like hot chocolate, bath salts, and other sensory treats, the bags were designed to help ease anxiety, stress, and depression.

More than just a gift, these bags became a trusted resource — something women could adapt and use throughout their recovery journey and again at times of possible relapse. Highlight cost impact (if known). E.g. Just £25 can fund a sensory soothe bag for a new mum struggling with postnatal mental health.