NewStart Charity

31/03/2026

Happy 60th birthday to our lovely Transplant Nurse Chris!! 🥳 Many of you will know Chris from Transplant Outpatients but a lot of you will also know her from years on Jim Quick ward too! Thank you Chris for all your hard work for our Transplant community 🥰

30/03/2026

A HUGE thank you to The Access Group Foundation who have awarded New Start a generous grant to support this batch of LVAD vests ('wearables') for our amazing LVAD community! LVAD bags coming soon too for those who prefer a bag...watch this space! ❤️

Special thanks to Linda Brook who thoughtfully nominated New Start as her chosen charity 🥰

Well done and thank you to the incredible team of people behind this design and production 👏

Final thanks to our fab models below 🙂

30/03/2026

Thank you to everyone raising donations for New Start Transplant Charity with !

Not joined yet? Sign up to easyfundraising and when you shop online with your favourite brands, they’ll donate to us. It's free and your shopping won't cost you any extra - the brands you shop with will donate, not you!

Sign up today:

Help us when you shop with 7,000+ brands. Join now.

27/03/2026

Please see the below request from Patient Representatives requesting support from the government to increase vital funding and resources for our incredible UK Transplant Units:

“The BBC broadcasted a radio documentary on Tuesday 24 March at 8pm on Radio 4.

We recognise and appreciate the skills, hard work and dedication of the teams looking after us.

Despite this the UK‘s heart and lung transplant services fall behind those available in other countries. A number of the nationally appointed patient representatives are writing to Wes Streeting to seek action at a national level to improve services.

To be clear we are not criticising our teams but would like them to receive more funding, staff and facilities to deliver more transplants and better long term care.

We would value you supporting the letter, for the benefit of us as patients and the staff caring for us. To view the letter and sign up support, please click the link below: “

Letter to Secretary of State re: heart and lung transplant services in the UK

25/03/2026

23/03/2026

New Start is super proud to be supporting our Transplant Unit in this ground-breaking innovative pilot to improve the transplantation programme!

We've been announced as one of 15 pilot assessment and recovery centres (ARC), where selected donated organs will be preserved and assessed so more can be transplanted.

The pilot trials creating regional hubs specialising in organ perfusion, where oxygenated blood or nutrient-rich fluids are circulated through organs, preserving their function, which means that more organs are available for donation to people on the transplant waiting list.

We've been at the forefront of transplant work for over 40 years and we're delivering lots of transplants across our sites. At our heart and lung transplant centre at Wythenshawe Hospital, we've completed over 1,500 life-saving operations! 🫀🫁

18/03/2026

Transplant Active present a Pétanque Competition!!

Join us for a great weekend of pétanque with the Transplant Active community — whether you're experienced or new to the sport, everyone is welcome to come along, practice, and compete in a friendly environment!

🗓 Saturday, 25 April – Practice Day
🕙 10:00 – 16:30

🗓 Sunday, 26 April – Competition Day
🕙 10:00 – 16:30

📍 Venue: Bridlington Millau Pétanque Club

This event is a fantastic opportunity for transplant recipients to stay active, meet others in the community, and enjoy a relaxed but competitive day of pétanque.

📌 Registration is required to take part. Register here: https://app.oxfordabstracts.com/register/event/77383?preview=false

For more information: contact Daymon via message 07752 743166

We look forward to seeing you there for a fun and active weekend!

***Please note, New Start is not involved with this event - please contact Daymon/Transplant Active with any queries, thank you 👍

18/03/2026

Transplant Sport present a Transplant Football Open Training Day!!

🕘 Date: Sunday, 29 March 2026 Time: 09:00 – 13:00
📍 Location: Kettering Sports Park, Thurston Drive, Kettering, Northamptonshire, NN15 6GL

Join us for a fantastic Transplant Football Open Training Day — a great opportunity for transplant recipients to come together, play football, and connect outside of the British Transplant Games.

Who can join?
* Transplant recipients aged 16+
* Separate male and female sessions on the day
* We are actively building a women’s pathway, so we strongly encourage females to sign up!

What to expect:
* Friendly football with mixed teams to include everyone
* No formal competition and no medals — just a fun day of football
* Established transplant football teams are welcome to attend

Facilities:
* Changing facilities available
* No catering, so please bring plenty of drinks
* Members of the England Transplant Team management will be present on the day.


📌 Registration is required, so make sure to sign up in advance. Register here: https://app.oxfordabstracts.com/register/event/77354?preview=false

Come along, enjoy the game, meet others from the transplant community, and have a great day at this fantastic facility! ⚽

Please note that New Start is not involved in this event - please e-mail Transplant Sport directly if you have any queries: office@transplantsport.org.uk 🙂

09/03/2026

Online event tomorrow…

Confidence after transplant does not happen overnight.

For many people, the body may be healing well, but mentally there can still be hesitation, fear, or uncertainty about pushing forward.

The good news is that confidence can be rebuilt — step by step — through understanding, patience, and the right support.

Join us as we explore the mental and physical side of recovery after transplant.

🧠 Building Mental & Physical Strength After Transplant (Part 2)
📅 Happening tomorrow

🔗 Register here:
https://bit.ly/4l7j11H

🤝 Supported by the Community Fund

09/03/2026

Kendal Organ Donor Town is delighted to be hosting the Transplant Active – Home of the British Transplant Games Kids & Teens Weekend once again!

Kendal Organ Donor Town is looking forward to welcoming participants to Kendal for the Kids & Teens Activity Weekend on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 April 2026. The activities for the children and teens are free of charge. The weekend is open to transplant recipients, as well as siblings or children of transplantees.

Saturday 25 April – Ski Day
📍 Kendal Ski Club, Canal Head North, Kendal, Cumbria LA9 7BY
Arrival: 10:15–10:30
Skiing: 11:00–12:30
Lunch: 13:00–14:00
Tubing: 14:00–15:30

Lunch (sandwiches, crisps and drinks) will be provided. Vegetarian options are available; however, families with specific dietary requirements or severe allergies should bring their own food.

Sunday 26 April – Climbing
📍 Lakeland Climbing Centre (Kendal Wall), Unit 27, Lake District Business Park, Kendal, LA9 6NH
Arrival: around 09:45
Activity: 10:00–12:00 (CrazyClimb and Bouldering)

Please note that children must be aged 5 or over to take part in the climbing activities. Comfortable clothing and trainers are recommended. Lunch will be provided after the activity.

More information: https://lakelandclimbingcentres.co.uk/kids-climbing-north/

If any families are interested in attending, please send an email to the Transplant Sport Office: Office@transplantsport.org.uk

Although accommodation cannot be organised, if information is required they will be happy to provide guidance.

09/03/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us on this week!

Not joined yet? Sign up to easyfundraising and when you shop online with your favourite brands, they’ll donate to us. It's free and your shopping won't cost you any extra - the brands you shop with will donate, not you!

Sign up today:

Help us when you shop with 7,000+ brands. Join now.

04/03/2026

⏳ 1 WEEK TO GO – Secure Your Spot!

Don’t miss Part 2 of our Combined Women’s & Men’s Wellness Webinar, focusing on resilience, psychological adjustment, and returning to physical activity after transplant.

This expert-led session continues the conversation on navigating the mental and emotional aspects of recovery and rebuilding confidence in movement after transplantation.

🧠 Resilience in the Transplant Journey:
Psychological Adjustment, Uncertainty & Return to Physical Activity (Part 2)

📅 Date: Tuesday, 10 March 2026
⏰ Time: 18h00 UK / 18h00 UTC / 19h00 CET / 13h00 EST

🎤 Speakers: Urja Mehta & Divya Durne

This session will explore how transplant recipients can rebuild trust in their bodies, manage uncertainty, and approach physical activity with confidence and resilience.

🤝 Supported by the Community Fund

🔗 Register here:
https://bit.ly/4l7j11H