Shaftesbury’s Hoist Appeal

At Shaftesbury, we are dedicated to ensuring the people we support live with dignity, independence, and joy. Hoists are vital tools in achieving this, providing safe and secure mobility for individuals with disabilities. By supporting our Hoist Appeal, you’ll be helping to transform lives.

Why hoists matter

Becki’s Story

Graduate Becki’s life changed course abruptly when she suffered a massive brain bleed. At just 28 years old, Becki found herself unable to do anything for herself and reliant on a wheelchair. She reflects:

“I’d just graduated university, I was feeling perfectly healthy but one day I started speaking really funny, and then I remember waking up in Colchester hospital. I couldn’t remember anything about what had happened. I tried to move but I felt stuck. I wasn’t able to do anything for myself and I needed a wheelchair.

I was there [in hospital] for 11 months and progress was small. I had moments when I felt really down and low but my family helped by giving me some encouragement and talking to me. It helped me to work just a little bit harder.

I would like to think I’m positive in the way I see and do things. The way I see life is me slowly progressing to being able to work in an environment with other people. I’d like to see progress in all my body and be able to walk again. At the moment, my walking is not great but I’m making small steps and I have regular physio at Treetops, as well as speech and language [therapy] which helps me to read and spell.

At Treetops, I’ve focused very much on who I am as a person now. Staff help me to look forward and I definitely notice improvement in how I can do a lot of things.”

Shaftesbury New Court place need hoists

At New Court Place we aim to install 21 additional ceiling hoists to support the 24 residents. With more hoists, residents will experience reduced wait times and increased freedom to participate in activities like arts and crafts, karaoke, and sensory sessions.