Maple Fest returns to Nottinghamshire Hospital

This year, patients at the mental health hospital on Kneeton Road, East Bridgford, chose a cowgirl theme for the festival.

Local artists including Paul Warburton, an acoustic act that has toured Europe and the lead singer of Mercury Tribute Band, played at the festival.

The event was part of the service’s fundraising efforts to support 4Louis, their chosen charity of the year, taking the total raised to £1,683.

A 4Louis volunteer Sophie attended the event to promote the charity and also meet the team of staff and patients who have been fundraising all year for the charity which supports anyone affected by miscarriage, stillbirth and the death of a baby or child.

Maple Fest also featured a BBQ, rodeo bull, bouncy castle, raffle prizes, an awards ceremony, ‘Soak the Staff’ in stocks, its own merchandise and a mocktail bar.

Head of Care at the Cygnet Health Care service, Andrew Hemmington-Page, said: "The event was a huge success. Maple Fest is more than just an annual festival, it is an event promoting inclusion from service users, hospital staff, external professionals, family, friends and carers. We had really positive feedback.”

A previous service user returned following performing at Maple Fest 2024, she spoke to staff and said: “Cygnet Maple House’s unique approach has helped me massively, I have been on holidays abroad and am doing really well, I never thought it would have been a successful discharge and can’t believe how much Maple helped.”

One carer added: “The day was absolutely fabulous and the nicest place my daughter has ever been, this was the best day out she has had in a long time. I cannot believe how nice all the staff are and Maple Fest was amazing.”

That evening Cygnet Maple House hosted its first camp out on the grounds with an outdoor cinema. The classic film, The Goonies, won the vote and everyone relaxed watching the film armed with popcorn, hot chocolate and extremely large marshmallows before heading into tents to sleep.

One service user said: “I have never had a day like this, never been to a festival but I want to now so I went to the camp out the night of the festival and want to go on a camping holiday.”

Cygnet Maple House, part of the Cygnet Health Care division, is a 16 bed highly specialised service providing assessment, treatment and rehabilitation for women with personality disorder and complex needs.