AVoptics proud to support Yeovil Hospital Charity
Helping make a difference for patients and their families
AVoptics is proud to support Yeovil Hospital Charity, the official charity for Yeovil Hospital, which works to improve the experience of patients and their families through fundraising and projects that go above and beyond what the NHS can provide.
Established in 1994, the charity has raised millions of pounds over the years, funding projects and services that make a difference to people at what can often be a difficult time in their lives.
We recently spoke to Lauren Hunter, Patient Engagement and Involvement Manager, to learn more about the importance of listening to patients, involving them in their care and understanding what matters most to them.
Patient engagement is an important part of understanding how people experience hospital services. By listening to patients and their families, and giving them opportunities to share their views, the hospital can better understand what is working well and where things could be improved.
“We really tried to see what we could do for our patients out in the community.”
Lauren Hunter, Patient Engagement and Involvement Manager
Lauren explained that the Health and Wellbeing Hub opened around six years ago to support people living with long-term health conditions, including cancer, mental health conditions, ME, fibromyalgia and arthritis. When the hub began, it was still developing its services. Lauren and the team looked at practical ways to help patients beyond the hospital, particularly by rebuilding physical strength and confidence in the community.
“We would like to help them build their strength up and their muscles and get them back out how they would like to be.”
Working with Westlands Sports & Fitness Centre and Goldenstones Leisure Centre, the team established two community support programmes offering eligible patients ten weeks of gym sessions or swimming free of charge. These are designed for people managing long-term conditions, including those undergoing or recovering from cancer treatment. The gym sessions at Westlands take place once a week over the ten-week programme. Swimming was originally offered at Goldenstones but has since moved to Nuffield Health Yeovil Fitness & Wellbeing Gym.
Patients can find out about the groups through the Health and Wellbeing Hub, where information posters are also displayed. The hub team helps coordinate access to the programmes and manages demand for places. Lauren previously ran the hub before moving into her current role. Carlisle and Debbie now support its day-to-day work as the hub assistant and coordinator.
Places are limited, particularly for swimming, where the programme has access to only one lane. Lauren said demand has grown so much that the swimming waiting list now extends into 2028. After completing their ten weeks, some patients may be able to return for a further programme if they are undergoing additional treatment, although this depends on availability. Westlands also offers a reduced gym price to patients who wish to continue independently.
“We have a very long waiting list for them,” Lauren explained, adding that the team can only accommodate a certain number of patients in each group.
Patient feedback remains central to how the programmes operate. The team collects feedback forms each week, allowing participants to explain what has helped and what could be improved. The move to a different swimming venue is one example of that feedback leading to a practical change.
Carlisle also described benefits that go well beyond exercise. Participants have formed close friendships and continue to support one another outside the sessions. She shared an example of two couples who met through swimming and now meet for dinner each week, while the men also attend the Men’s Shed together.
“They get such close bonds,” Carlisle said. “They’re helping each other, morale-wise, and just supporting each other through their journeys.”
Lauren added that some patients have said they could not have managed without the group. “We do a feedback form every week with the patients,” she explained, describing how participants share the benefits they have experienced.
The feedback collected from patients also highlights the practical difference the gym and swimming sessions make. Carlisle shared comments from participants describing improvements in mobility, fitness, confidence and their ability to manage their health:
“Very helpful, improved my mobility”
“Gave me a break away from caring duties and focus on my own health and wellbeing”
“Made me more confident in managing my health and wellbeing needs”
“Found every gym session very beneficial”
“Better level of fitness and regulation of blood pressure”
“Instructors are always thoughtful and always encouraging”
Together, these comments show how the sessions provide not only opportunities for physical activity, but also encouragement, respite and support for patients living with long-term conditions.
The combination of accessible activity, encouragement and companionship helps patients feel more confident in managing their conditions and reconnecting with everyday life.
The work supported by Yeovil Hospital Charity helps provide additional projects and services for patients and those close to them. These initiatives are made possible through the generosity of fundraisers, donors, local businesses and people across the community.
Donna Evans explained how the charity was established and the role it plays in supporting the hospital and its patients:
“Yeovil Hospital Charity is the official charity for Yeovil Hospital. It was first set up back in 1994 and has since raised millions of pounds to fund projects and services that benefit patients and their families, at what is often a difficult time. We run a variety of fundraising activities, including our own big events, along with supporting those out in the local community with their own individual events. The hospital is an organisation which people care about, as we have all had or will have some sort of connection with the hospital at some point in our lives, either for ourselves, a friend, a family member, a neighbour even. Our aim is to go over and above what the NHS can afford to help make a difference for our patients.”
Donna Evans, Community and Events Fundraiser
From the charity’s own fundraising events, such as its annual Golf Day, iconic Abseil Challenge, and exhilarating Firewalk Challenge, to activities organised by individuals and groups locally, there are many ways for people to get involved. That support reflects the connection so many people have with Yeovil Hospital, whether through their own experiences or those of friends, family members and neighbours.
Every contribution helps the charity continue its work and support improvements that can make a real difference for patients and their families.
AVoptics is delighted to support Yeovil Hospital Charity and the important work it does for the local community. Supporting organisations like this is a meaningful way to help the people and services that many of us may rely on at some point in our lives.
We are pleased to help the charity continue its work and thank everyone involved, from the charity’s fundraising team and hospital staff to the fundraisers, donors, and volunteers whose efforts make its work possible.
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Category: Charity Committee
Published On 12th Nov 2026
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