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News & Media

Media Release

Date: 28 July 2014

Friends of the RUH Coffee Shop in final fundraising push

The Friends of the RUH are seeking donations to help add the finishing touches to their brand new coffee shop at the Royal United Hospital.

For nearly sixty years, the Friends Coffee Shop has provided an important social hub in which patients, visitors and staff could meet to enjoy that all-important cup of tea or coffee, away from the hustle and bustle of the wards. But the coffee shop is now undergoing a radical facelift.

Until recently, the Friends Coffee Shop was housed in a conservatory-style extension, which began leaking and had to close. The coffee shop is currently operating from its temporary home in the north of the hospital site but thanks to the generosity of public donations the Friends of the RUH now have the opportunity to build a brand new coffee shop – right at the heart of the hospital.

Barbara Webber, Chairman of the Friends of the RUH said: "This is an investment in many ways. Our 300 volunteers serve the RUH in numerous roles, and our Coffee Shop, which has been described as a 'haven' and a 'refuge', has a reputation for a friendly atmosphere and good quality food.

"The added bonus is that patients in Combe, Midford and Pulteney Wards will have a lovely courtyard building and garden to look out on and use as part of this redevelopment. All profits generated by the volunteer-run Coffee Shop (as well as those from our wonderful Atrium Shop) are used to fund Equipment, furnishings and fittings that to improve the experience of patients in the hospital. We hope the new Coffee Shop will attract even more people and help us to maximise our fundraising to help provide the wards and other areas of the hospital the luxuries that would not otherwise be possible."

The new building is due for completion at the end of September, but there's still much to do in order to create a truly modern and attractive space which can be enjoyed by patients, staff and visitors long into the future. The Friends of the RUH are hoping to raise as much as possible towards the cost of the project and are actively seeking donations.

If you have used the Friends Coffee Shop in the past, or would like to support the project, please send a cheque, made out to 'The Friends of the RUH', to The Volunteers Office, The Royal United Hospital, Combe Park, Bath, BA1 3NG. For more information about the Friends of the RUH and opportunities for volunteering call 01225 824046 or email ruh-tr.volunteers@nhs.net

ENDS

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