FACE: Spring Update

A blog from the FACE Volunteers

As winter loosens its grip and the first signs of spring begin to appear, we hope this update finds you well. For all of us at FACE, these early months of the year are a time to pause, recharge, reflect on what has passed, and look with renewed energy toward what lies ahead.

We’re excited to share updates on several projects that are taking place, particularly in the outdoor spaces around the Edinburgh Cancer Centre, helping to make them more welcoming, peaceful, and restorative.

Growing into Spring: Green Space Transformations

FACE Garden

The NHS Lothian Charity: Green Health team has been preparing the groundwork for a full redesign of the FACE Garden. The funding for this transformation will come through the FACE fund, creating a beautiful space for patients, visitors, and staff. In the meantime, huge thanks go to the Western General Hospital Grounds and Garden team and volunteer groups who continue to care for the garden.

Gravel Garden and HEBA Centre

Plans to revitalise the garden space outside the HEBA Centre (originally planned for 2024) are now moving forward again. We’re delighted to be supporting this project as well as a commissioned Tree of Life sculpture to transform both the gravel garden and the HEBA area into uplifting outdoor spaces.

Ward 6 Balcony

The transformation is nearing completion, and we hope to share photos and updates with you very soon.

Bringing nature indoors

The FACE fund has also been used to bring nature indoors! Funding has supported the transformation of five patient bedrooms, spaces that often witness some of the most challenging and meaningful moments in a patient’s journey. Through gentle redecoration and calming vinyl artworks on both walls and windows, these rooms, once clinical and bare, now offer a more comforting and dignified environment for patients and their families. By introducing uplifting colours and thoughtful designs, we have created surroundings that reflect the care and sensitivity these moments deserve.

Looking Ahead: 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 can’t wait to share more as the planning unfolds.

Looking Back: Just a reminder of what you’ve helped make possible:

Throughout 2025, the FACE team has continued doing everything we can to support cancer patients, their loved ones, and the incredible nursing staff who care for them. None of this would be possible without you: your donations, fundraising events, volunteered time, and constant encouragement.

Here’s just a reminder of some of the things your support has enabled:

Riser recliner chairs
Heat pads
Refurbishment of patient rooms
Fall alarms (pager systems)
Foldable wheelchairs
Handheld fans
Ice lollies
Special reclining shower chairs
Air glove machines & cannulation sleeves
Disposable blue towels
Eye masks
Complementary therapy sessions
Garden benches
Books & bunnies
Hovermatt air transfer mattress & hoverjack
Wedding boxes
The Lapland trip,
And much more!

Stay up to date!

We’re currently exploring how best to bring you more regular updates – so watch this space!

In the meantime, stay connected through:

FACE on Facebook
The FACE website
NHS Lothian Charity’s social media (links in the page footer)

You’ll also find information on upcoming events like the Edinburgh Marathon and the Kiltwalk if you’re feeling inspired to take part and help us make a difference to others.

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.