EQUIPMENT to help people with dementia has been donated to 2gether by Stroud Hospital’s League of Friends.

Amplifiers to help people who are hard of hearing and light boxes to help with mood disorders were handed over to the Trust by the League at Weaver’s Croft, in Field Road, Stroud, where the equipment will be in use.

2gether’s Clinical Director for Older People’s Mental Health Services, Dr Martin Ansell, requested the equipment.

He said: “We are extremely grateful to the League of Friends for their continued support, and this equipment will be put to very good use with the people we work with.

“The amplifiers will help when we are carrying out assessments with people who are hard of hearing, or who perhaps don’t have a hearing aid or have mislaid it.

“The light boxes have a dual purpose. They can be used to alleviate depression where it may be linked to conditions such as Seasonal Affective Disorder. They are also increasingly used to help alleviate behavioural issues and sleep disorders in dementia patients, and we are looking forward to being able to assess the impact of this treatment with the people we work with.”

President of Stroud Hospitals League of Friends Dr Roy Lamb said: “The League of Friends are always pleased to enhance all the medical services and treatments at Stroud’s hospitals.

“It is with great pleasure that we are able to make a contribution to assist the treatment of patients at the Mental Health Services, Weavers Croft with the light therapy boxes and communicator amplifiers.”

The League of Friends has provided other support to Weaver’s Croft in recent months, including donations of pictures to decorate the clinical areas. The League has also funded improvements to the reception area, and work will begin on those improvements in November.