FACE: Summer Update

A blog from the FACE Volunteers

As we look back on a warm summer and head into autumn, we hope this update finds you well.

For all of us at FACE it is busy time as we do all we can now to make a difference for cancer patients, while preparing for our Winter Fair and the Lapland Trip in December.

We’re excited to share updates on initiatives that have been funded through the FACE cancer fund, which are making a difference in and around the Edinburgh Cancer Centre. While we also take this opportunity to mention an organisation and an individual who have both been brilliant in supporting FACE, just two examples of the kindness we so appreciate and who make all of what we do possible.

And best wishes to everyone taking part in the Edinburgh Kiltwalk on Sunday September 13th to raise money for NHS Lothian Charity, and the FACE fund specifically. If you’re passing the route, look out for the t-shirts and please cheer them all on, as they take part in the Big Stroll, the Mighty Stride or Wee Wander.

Thank You Dentons

A big thank you to our friends at Dentons Edinburgh for their unwavering commitment and support during our two-year partnership, supporting people with cancer and their families. We have seen them walk, run, quiz, paint, volunteer and much more!

Well done to their team who raised an incredible £24,358.96 for the FACE fund.

Laura Morrison, Managing Practice Development Lawyer, said:

Over the past two years it has been a privilege to support FACE and the invaluable work they do for cancer patients and their families across the city. Our team has been proud to contribute to their fundraising efforts, and we were especially pleased to send a team of volunteers to volunteer for a day in the FACE garden at the Western General Hospital, seeing first-hand the care and dedication that goes into creating a welcoming space for patients, families and staff.”

Thank you everyone.

Connecting With Nature

Imagine the benefits of stepping outside of a busy hospital and taking a deep breath and a walk in the grounds.

Unfortunately this is not always possible for people receiving treatment. NHS Lothian Charity’s RSPB Nature Connections Officer, Beth, consulted with the Senior Charge Nurses at the Edinburgh Cancer Centre and together came up with an idea to help encourage nature connection from the bedside:

Bird Watching Bundles

These consist of binoculars, a bird book and easy ID guides. With the help of FACE, these have been distributed to Cancer Wards 2, 3, 7 and 8. Ward 6 have also received 4 bundles, one for each of their patient balconies, with additional outdoor blankets and cushions to encourage people to access the balconies.

We can’t wait to see what they spot!

1000 Bulbs

Nature is strong and so are we!

Our volunteers have been working with Beth to explore how patients and visitors can connect with nature while they’re in the Edinburgh Cancer Centre. Fresh air and connection with nature have long been appreciated in healthcare settings, and there is an ever-increasing body of evidence showing the positive impact that connection with nature can have on physical and mental health.

Together, with the help of RSPB Scotland volunteers, we have supported the planting of over 1,000 bulbs in the beautiful Amanda’s Garden – a peaceful, contemplative greenspace designed for patients, visitors and staff to relax and connect with nature. The newly planted bulbs will add colour and nectar for hungry early pollinators.

Special Moments

Even during the toughest of times, there are special celebrations taking place in our hospitals. While hugely emotional occasions, hospital weddings can bring joy, love and happiness to both patients and their loved ones, as well as to the staff who are caring for them.

FACE helps fund Wedding Boxes. These boxes include decorations to help create a celebratory atmosphere, including banners, table decorations and tealights as well as small mementoes for loved ones to keep and remember the special day. This means that when a patient receiving care wants to get married in hospital and time is of the essence, a ceremony can quickly be organised helping to make a special event for the couple. Staff can also decorate the room of patients who are preparing for their wedding if they are able to leave the hospital to get married, or if they have a loved one getting married who then comes to visit so it feels like they have been present. Watch our Facebook video to see how these wedding boxes help transform a hospital space into a warm and welcoming space for these special moments.

Thank You Ross

We know of so many kind people who have run, walked, danced, sang, taken part in physical challenges to raise money for FACE. In most cases they have lost someone close to them.

Ross recently ran the London Marathon to raise funds for FACE, in memory of his mum. It was his first ever full marathon.

Having lost my mum to cancer 20 years ago, I know how tough it is for cancer patients and their families,” Ross shares. “I’m proud to run for to give back to our NHS and in particular their cancer services.”

All of us at FACE are so proud of him reaching the finishing line and raising so much money to support cancer patients and their families.

Thank you Ross and to all those who raised money for FACE and NHS Lothian Charity at the London Marathon.

Supporting Comfort and Wellbeing At Home

FACE is supporting this wonderful initiative, with the help of a donation made by the Lodge of Journeymen Masons Lodge No 8. When a patient wants to be at home for the end of their life, their discharge from hospital can be at very short notice. We know through experience there are items which will really help them. Items such as a non-spill cup, wide grip cutlery, over bed table, foam wedge and plastic urinals. The FACE fund has supported a small stock of these items to be there for patients when they are discharged. We hope being able to access these items when they are most needed provides comfort, eases daily challenges and supports the wellbeing of patients and their families at home.

‘Meaningful Activities’

There is a Meaningful Activities team at the Western General Hospital, who work with dementia patients across all the wards. This includes oncology wards. The team run a mobile service which visits wards and provides activities to help patients who are experiencing some form of distress. FACE has supported the purchase of 3 portable CD players and 3 portable DVD players, which the team will use to help support the patients.

The Little Things – Ice Lollies/Blue Towels/Fans

Through the recent warm weather ice lollies provided by FACE have been available for patients and were distributed across the wards to help them cool down. We have also ordered a new supply of fans to help patients cool down. FACE has also arranged for a further supply of blue towels to be available to staff in the event they need to help a patient, where there is excessive bleeding. We know through the feedback we receive these little things have been so appreciated by patients, their loved ones and nursing staff.

Save the Date

It may feel far away, but planning has already begun for one of our biggest community moments of the year: Please pencil in Saturday 28 November for the 2026 FACE Winter Fair, returning to the Royston Wardieburn Community Centre. We look forward to seeing you there.

Best wishes from all of us at FACE, and thank you for everything you do to help us support the Edinburgh Cancer Centre community.

FACE is a cancer fund, part of NHS Lothian Charity. FACE was established in the 1990s and is based at the Edinburgh Cancer Centre, Western General Hospital (WGH), Edinburgh.