Westcliff-on-Sea Physical Rehabilitation Centre Blooms, All Thanks to Kind Donations from a Local Supermarket

An Essex-based physical and neurorehabilitation centre has recently received monthly floral donations from a local supermarket to encourage smiles and happiness within the centre.

Uplands Rehabilitation Centre (URC), based in Westcliff-on-Sea, is a state-of-the-art facility that provides short stay, therapy led rehabilitation and reablement services has been gifted several bunches of flowers from the local supermarket, Waitrose & Partners Southend.

Several studies show that being around fresh flowers and plants, provide physical and mental health benefits as well as emotional wellbeing. Simply having flowers around can improve individuals’ quality of life, increasing happiness while instilling a positive outlook on life.

Recognising the positive impact fresh flowers can have, Sharon Bales, Registered Manager at Uplands Rehabilitation Centre, said: “I asked around all of the local supermarkets to see if anyone would kindly donate any unused flowers to us here at Uplands. Flowers bring so much joy – they make everyone smile. They also brighten up the rooms and smell wonderful.”

“Waitrose kindly agreed that once a month I could go and collect their unsold flowers. It has been wonderful watching the reaction of our patients here when they see their rooms.”

One patient at the centre, Jo said: “The flowers are such a generous offer, it brightens up my room so much!”

Throughout the pandemic, life has carried on as normally as possible for staff and patients at Uplands. Arts and crafts are always hugely popular and sessions have continued to take place on a one-to-one basis, in the absence of any group activities.