Epsom and St Helier hospitals are asking for people to donate puzzles, board games and activities they may have to keep patients occupied.

The donations would help to those in hospital avoid a ‘boring and isolating’ time while they wait, and even those who are quite a way away from home.

Ideas can also include playing cards, board games, colouring or reading books and more.

Charlotte Hall, chief nurse and director of infection prevention and control, said: “We are proud to be able to offer the level of care that we do, but as anyone who has spent any length of time in hospital can probably vouch for, we know it can be a boring and isolating time, and many people find being away from home quite difficult.

“We have launched the activities appeal to help ensure our patients have options to stave off boredom, including puzzles to test the grey matter and board games to encourage social interaction between patients.

Although we already have a number of activities on our wards (such as social meal times where patients can eat together should they chose to, or the entertainment stations at each bedside which patients can use to watch TV or listen to our hospital radio stations), we would like to be able to offer more games, puzzles and activities for people.”

Epsom and St Helier hospitals say they cannot accept second-hand items due to infection control as well as health and safety guidelines.

Donations can be dropped at one of two Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) offices at either:

- St Helier Hospital (ground floor, B block)

- Epsom Hospital (ground floor, A block)

The drop-in times are between 10am and 4pm, Monday to Friday.

For more information, you can call 01372 735243.