F.H.C.S.G. was formed in October, 1994 by ex-cardiac patients of Frenchay Hospital who felt that, following the exceptional medical care received, both the patient and family would benefit from further support during rehabilitation.

Due to the exceptional response and the rapid growth in Membership we became a Registered Charity about a year after the Group was formed and in addition to our Support activities we also began raising funds to assist the Cardiac Department and the Rehabilitation Unit at Frenchay Hospital, mainly because we felt that it was a good idea to “put something back” after the Treatment and Care received.

At a recent A.G.M. it was decided to extend our assistance to any medical unit in the Bristol and South Glos. area which puts in a written request for items of equipment which will help Cardiac Patients.

Our intentions are basically to make life a little less stressful, and a lot more enjoyable, throughout this difficult time and beyond, by simply “being there” for all Patients and their Families or Carers. To have a chat with someone who has been through the same illness can be a tremendous help. We’re also well aware that getting back into the “social whirl” can be difficult sometimes, so we have a range of social activities which will hopefully overcome this problem.

Our Charity Shop in Lodge Causeway, Fishponds, opened in the autumn of 1996, is Managed and Staffed by volunteers who do a wonderful unpaid job.

Group Holiday Weekends are arranged for the enjoyment of members. Also we have a Skittles Team, a Bowls Section, Golf Section and other pursuits which are all co-ordinated by our Members and thoroughly enjoyed by all concerned. We have arranged concessionary rates for these activities.

The Magazine is published and circulated to every Member free of charge during the first week of each month. Including a group diary, interesting articles, fun pages for all ages and reports on current Group events, The Magazine keeps everyone up to date, and obviously gives our Members the opportunity to let us all share their own “News and Views”.

Socials are held on the second Tuesday in each month at Warmley Community Association, and all Members and their Guests are welcome to meet up and enjoy an informal evening or afternoon among friends. Very often a guest Speaker will be invited to talk to us on all manner of things.

Fund Raising is always difficult due to competition from other Charities. We are all trying to tempt everyone to let us have “the same pound”! However we are still able to do a reasonable fund raising job! Medical Equipment is very expensive but we are able to make a contribution to various items needed by Cardiac Departments such as Monitoring Equipment in the Ward and numerous items of exercise equipment for the rehabilitation Unit and much more besides.

For more information, or to join, please ring 0117 907 8895.