27 May 2021
University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust has launched Compassionate Rugby, a community movement to help Rugby recover from Covid-19.
Many people live with feelings of loneliness and don’t feel they belong to a community but during the pandemic, there was a strong positive reaction from communities which has helped to bring people together with many reaching out to support each other, often connecting with their neighbours for the first time.
Compassionate Rugby appeals to this same spirit and hopes to build a movement of compassion to ensure that the Rugby community is able to continue supporting each other.
Head of Compassionate Communities, Simon Betteridge Chaplain at UHCW, explained what the initiative will mean to the Rugby community: “Compassionate Rugby is a movement through which it is hoped that people of different ages and backgrounds will join together, learning more about each other, and creating new ways to support one another and celebrate what it means to be part of the community in Rugby."
Rugby Councillor, Jerry Roodhouse, added his support to the important campaign: “I welcome the introduction of the compassionate community's approach in Rugby.
"The pandemic has highlighted and shone a light on how important developing this sort of approach will be enabling compassionate communities will bring support and help those in all our communities. I look forward to working with them and promoting the scheme in Rugby.”
Justine Richards, Chief Strategy Officer UHCW NHS Trust and Chair of Rugby Place Delivery Group added: “Compassionate Rugby is one way for all members of the communities that make up the community of Rugby to have their story heard and have their voice valued. Each person and community’s voice tells part of a wider story and what it means to be part of Rugby.”
The movement will start in June 2021 with Story Circles, where people are given a voice and an opportunity to share their experiences with others in their community. These Circles are a simple, powerful way to get to know each other better, and for everyone to be valued and heard. Open to everyone – individuals, businesses, community groups, young and old.
The Compassionate Rugby team are looking for volunteers to be community befrienders and help create circles of support around each other. The Circles help build a conversation about values, about solutions, that people take forward and act on together.
Book a place on a Story Circle or arrange to run one, by getting in touch with Compassionate Rugby at: www.compassionaterugby.co.uk
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Visit the UHCW CHarity Website
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON BLOOD TESTING DUE TO COVID-19
If you are experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, e.g. fever, loss of taste or continuous new cough, please DO NOT attend for a blood test.
Click on the map for information about phlebotomy clinics in Coventry. You can book an appointment online at the locations in red.
Please book an appointment before attending for a blood test. Click on the ‘Book Online’ button above. Booking an appointment helps patients, their carers and family members to plan their hospital visit better, helping to reduce clinic waiting times and enabling patients to be seen much more quickly.
Location: Outpatients Department, on the ground floor. Opening hours: 8am-4.45pm, Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays).
Children under 16 years old will need to book online here.
Please book an appointment before attending for a blood test, click on the ‘Book Online’ button above. Patients from Rugby and the surrounding areas are able to access the Friends Blood Taking Unit at the Hospital of St Cross.
Referrals for blood tests can be from GP's, practice nurses or from hospital consultants. Patients are also able to leave other samples, such as urine, which have been collected at home, at the hospital's Pathology Reception.
Location: Near Brookfield House, just off North Road - map here. Opening hours: The blood taking clinic sessions for adults and children are listed below:
Monday -Friday 7am-4:45pm Appointment only
Wednesday Evening 5pm-7pm Suspended due to COVID
Saturday Morning 7am-10pm Suspended due to COVID
April 2020 NEW - This Clinic is now by appointment. Please book an appointment before attending for a blood test. Click on the ‘Book Online’ button above.
Address: Stoney Stanton Road, Coventry CV1 4FS Location: Access is via the main doors, the Phlebotomy team are in Area A. Opening hours: Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays). 8am–4.45pm
Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT)
Specialist Tests - There are a small number of specialist tests where blood needs to be taken on a hospital site as the sample must be transferred to the laboratory rapidly for the test to be undertaken. Click here for a list of these specialist tests and to find out more.