Get snapping in hospital photo contest

SNAPPERS are being invited to take part in a photography competition being organised by Yeovil District Hospital where the winning entries will help to brighten up the place.

The hospital is running the contest and the chosen photos will be displayed on one of its wards which is currently being redesigned to make it dementia-friendly.

There is an entry fee of £1.50 per photograph and all proceeds will go towards making the hospital’s environment more dementia-friendly. The winning photographs will be displayed in the newly designed ward and the winners will be invited to a reception at the hospital once the new ward is open.

The hospital's Trust received a large grant from the Department of Health to redesign the trauma and orthopaedic ward to make it more dementia-friendly.

As part of the ward design, Janine Valentine, nurse consultant for dementia and elderly care, has decided to use photographs of the local area to help dementia patients with recollection.

Janine said: “Having photographs of places that patients recognise and also photographs from the past is a fantastic way to engage with people with dementia.

"We want to make their stay in the hospital as positive as possible and a selection of local photographs that trigger memories and prompt conversation will really help to bring the hospital environment alive.”

There are four categories in the competition:

Somerset Countryside – Looking for the best photos of landscapes, wildlife, local beauty spots.

Somerset at work – Looking for images of people being active (these have a really positive effect on dementia patients).

Somerset in the past – Looking for photos of days gone by, even if they were not taken by you.

Somerset in pictures – Looking for any photos that are relevant to the area.

The hospital also serves much of Dorset so photos of Dorset will also be accepted.

To enter, simply send a copy of your photograph, along with a cheque made payable to Yeovil District Hospital to: Janine Valentine, YeovilHospital, Higher Kingston, Yeovil District Hospital, BA21 4AT.

Entries are to be received by Friday 29 November.

Tags:
News.