Teddies for Loving Care (TLC) is a nationwide initiative funded and administered by Freemasons. Derbyshire Freemasons have supported the scheme for over 20 years and have distributed in excess of 70,000 teddies. The primary function of the scheme is to provide teddies to clinicians, mainly in emergency departments of hospitals, to assist them in caring for children in distress.
In recent years the scheme has expanded into other areas where children may be experiencing traumatic situations either to themselves or their immediate family.
The TLC Scheme Manager in Derbyshire, Neil Tomlinson was introduced to the newly formed Hartington and District Community First Responders (HDCFR) group by a contact he had at Matlock CFR. He was only too delighted to supply them with the teddies to assist them with their important work in this rural community
TLC Teddies are used in paediatric cases to help comfort the child patient. Alternatively in cases where the adult is the patient and a child in the family is present, the comfort and interaction with the teddy whilst the adult is being treated can be a positive reinforcement for the child.
Its official ! We now have a newly formed committee and a constitution. We are preparing for our First Responder and Group Co-ordinator, Steve Trowbridge to go live with East Midlands Ambulance Service, in the very near future. This has been made possible with the help, support and generosity of the people in our rural communities, local organisations and charities. Also, with the support of our neighbouring Responder Services who have kindly shared their expertise and experience in setting up a group of this kind.
Recently we had a generous donation made by Hartington British Legion and Oddfellows to help us start, but the items and equipment required to run a group like this are expensive and we need to fundraise to buy more as well as uniforms uniforms.
If you feel you would like to help with our fundraising please get in touch via HartdistrictCFR@gmail.com or hartington alive@gmail.com