About the Noah’s Ark Charity
The Noah’s Ark Charity was first established in the year 2000 with the aim of raising funds for the construction of a children’s hospital in Wales. Now in its 21st year and with the hospital fully built and providing care for around 73,000 children each year, the charity continues to work hand in hand with NHS colleagues to provide the best treatment and outcome possible for the babies, children and young people cared for there. As a charity that relies entirely on gifts and donation this is all made possible thanks to people like you.
Medical equipment and direct patient care
Thanks to fundraising and public donations, the charity has been able to equip the children’s hospital with state of the art theatre suites, a radiology department, an ophthalmology department and its very own hydrotherapy pool. A specialised MRI scanner, installed with multimedia facilities, has significantly reduced the need for sedation and admission for some of the hospital’s youngest patients. During Covid-19 the charity was able to provide the paediatric intensive care unit with new non-invasive ventilators which are right now helping to support the life-saving care of more than 500 seriously ill children a year.
Capital development
Our initial capital appeal launched by the charity at the turn of the millennium raised £20 million, transforming a children’s hospital for Wales from a concept to a reality. A further £1 million raised and donated by supporters funded specialist clinical equipment for the new 50 cot neonatal intensive care unit. The unit now has a state-of-the-art cardiology scanner and a specialist eye camera which prevents blindness in premature babies. Each tiny baby on the unit is cared for in the most modern incubators or cribs, enabling the highest quality of nursing care. The Noah’s Ark Charity is currently running a new appeal to transform one of the hospital’s medical wards. You can find out more about the Jungle Ward Appeal here.
Child and family support services
The Noah’s Ark Charity play specialist team use play at the bedside, in the dedicated playrooms and in the Noah’s Ark garden to relieve anxiety and help children develop, recover and relax within the hospital environment. An emotional support service on the neonatal intensive care unit helps new parents to cope during unbelievably difficult times and emergency packs provide practical comfort for parents and children admitted with little or no advanced warning. Knowing what a difference the small things can make, the charity also organise activities, visits and treats to brighten up long hospital days.
The future for the Noah’s Ark Charity
With rapid advancements in technology and an increased emphasis on patient-centred care and wellbeing, the landscape of medicine is continually evolving. The Noah’s Ark Charity wants to ensure that our nation’s children’s hospital is able to keep up with the pace of that change, so that the young patients in its care have the very best opportunity to live full and happy lives.
Whatever the future holds, and with the support of inspiring people like you, the charity plans to be there – as they have been from the very beginning.
