After a tip-to-toe refurbishment, the League of Friends for St Helier Hospital have opened their new shop and tea bar.

It re-opened on February 5, in Ferguson House on the ground floor, providing patients, staff and visitors 'an oasis of calm' in the busy hospital.

The shop and tea bar are combined for the first time – serving a range of drinks and snacks, as well as handy essentials for patients and visitors, such as toiletries and puzzle books.

Chief Nurse Charlotte Hall said: “It is absolutely fantastic to see the League of Friends in their brand new environment and to have their smiling cheery faces back again. It’s a lovely space, and has everything you could need. From healthy snacks to freshly made sandwiches – the League of Friends have got it covered.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all of the volunteers from The Friends – they power the shop and tea bar, and raise funds for vital pieces of equipment for us as they do so. They are an absolute asset to our hospitals and we are incredibly grateful to them for their hard work.”

Val Brundle, Chairman of The League of Friends for St Helier, said: “I am delighted that our new tea bar and shop is up and running, and we are able to offer all of our customers the same League of Friends service in a brand new centralised location! I would like to personally thank everyone involved for all the hard work they put in to getting our new location open for business.

“I would also like to thank everyone who has supported us over the years, it is with your continued support that we are able to operate, and provide donations to the hospital. Therefore I would like to encourage all members of staff, our patients and visitors to come to our shop and support us with your custom.”

The League of Friends shop is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 4.30pm and the tea bar is open Monday to Friday 9am to 3pm.

If you would like to volunteer with the League of Friends, or support them in another way, visit www.epsom-sthelier.nhs.uk/get-involved.