The freemasons of south Wales have donated 100 tablet computers to local hospitals to ensure patients can keep in touch with their families.
At this time, families of hospital patients are unable to visit their loved ones because of lockdown regulations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. With personal contact not currently possible, patients and families must resort to digital means to stay in touch, and for some they simply do not have this the facility. The provision of tablet computers to hospitals throughout south Wales will help keep families connected and help keep patients entertained during their stay in hospital.
Philip Bevan, who co-ordinated this donation in south Wales, said: “A stay in hospital can be distressing for both patients and their families at the best of times. But currently this must be even more so because patients can’t have visitors. Hopefully, these tablets can connect families at their time of need and relieve some of those feelings of distress.”
Tablets donated by the South Wales Freemasons to local hospitals
Mr Bevan delivered the tablets to three health boards – Swansea Bay, Cwm Taf Morgannwg and Cardiff & Vale – for hospitals within their areas.
Deborah Longman of Swansea Bay University Health Board said: “Thank you so much for the tablet computers. These are really making a difference to our patients who are unable to have visitors at this time. It allows them to have valuable contact with their loved ones.”
Glenda Phillips of Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board said: “Your contribution means so much to patients and families to ‘virtually visit’ during the COVID-19 outbreak. The tablets also relieve boredom, aid stimulation, reminiscence, and support well-being. We are very grateful.”
Mark Calahane of Cardiff and Vale University Health Board said: “Thank you for your organisation’s generosity and thoughtfulness at this challenging and too often very upsetting time”.
The donation of tablets computers to hospitals, hospices and care homes is part of a national initiative by the freemasons during this health pandemic. It has been co-ordinated through a new COVID-19 Response Group, which was formed by the freemason’s governing body in the UK, the United Grand Lodge of England, as an emergency structure in response to COVID-19. Its purpose is to work together to deliver life-changing initiatives – on a national scale – to those in need. To date over 1000 tablets have been donated nationally as part of this project. All the donated devices will continue to be used by the hospitals after the coronavirus crisis is over.
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About the South Wales Freemasons
- South Wales Freemasons, or more formally the Provincial Grand Lodge (PGL) of South Wales, was founded in the 1720s.
- Today, the PGL of South Wales has almost 6000 members, based in over 160 lodges within the old counties of Glamorgan, Brecknockshire and Radnorshire.
- PGL of South Wales has 23 masonic centres, where Lodge meetings take place, in the cities of Swansea and Cardiff and also in smaller towns from Barry in the south to Llandridnod Wells in the north.
- PGL of South Wales is one of 47 Provincial Grand Lodges in England and Wales, which are governed by the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE).
About Freemasonry
- Freemasons use four important guiding principles to help define their path through life: integrity, friendship, respect and charity.
- One of the oldest social and charitable organisations in the world, Freemasonry’s roots lie in the traditions of the medieval stonemasons who built our cathedrals and castles.
- Membership is open to people from all backgrounds and the organisation’s aim is to empower members to be the best they can be – it’s about building character, supporting members as individuals and helping them make a positive contribution to society.
- Freemasonry is one of the largest charitable givers in the country, contributing more than £48m to deserving causes in 2018 alone. Freemasons do not only donate money – more than 18.5 million hours of volunteer work was undertaken by Freemasons in 2018.
Further information
For further information on the Provincial Grand Lodge of South Wales:
https://www.southwalesmason.com/
For further information on the Grand Lodge of England:
https://www.ugle.org.uk/about-freemasonry/video-library
For more information on the COVID-19 Response Group and the national initiative for tablet donations:
Photograph:
Pictured L to R: Robert Payne (Provincial Grand Charity Steward), Dan (IT support at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board), Philip Bevan (Provincial Grand Almoner).