Caring for patients affected by coronavirus is stressful for NHS staff and volunteers. That’s why the NHS Charities Together Covid-19 Urgent Appeal is focussed on the emotional and mental wellbeing of those at the NHS frontline, as part of the immediate relief effort.
To care for the carers, many of our member NHS charities are spending the Covid-19 Grants they receive on kitting out Wobble Rooms. These are dedicated areas of hospitals where staff can go for rest and relaxation.
University Hospitals Birmingham Charity is using the grant to pay for items staff need in the rooms as part of its commitment to wellbeing.
Mike Hammond, Chief Executive of University Hospitals Birmingham Charity, said: “We have funded Wobble Rooms across our hospitals that provide our staff with a space away from the wards where they can relax and relieve some of their stress. We’ve stocked our rooms with lots of tasty food and drink, as well as providing activity packs and mindfulness activities for our staff.
“Donations allow us to keep our staff Wobble Rooms and Welfare Hubs stocked with a range of items that our staff have requested, as well as allowing everyone a space to relax away from the ward. The Wobble Rooms are a way for staff members to deal with the stressful scenarios that they are working in. Staff welfare is so vital, and at this difficult time we’re committed to doing what we can for our NHS superheroes.”
The hospital charity has also bought tablet computers so patients can speak to their friends and family via video chat along with radios to keep them occupied.
Urgent Appeal Grants
Grants given to NHS charities are used to meet the immediate and urgent needs of patients, staff and volunteers. Funding is also going towards helping partnerships outside hospitals, such as hospices, community healthcare and social care, making sure patients leaving hospital have access to the care they need to recover. In the longer term it will also fund programmes to help staff and volunteers recover fully once the crisis has abated, reducing the long-term impact on them and the people they care about.
About the Urgent Appeal
The NHS Charities Together Urgent Appeal acknowledges and supports NHS staff and volunteers caring for COVID-19 patients. It has been put together in liaison with NHS England and national bodies, our member NHS charities and national giving platforms. Click here to donate.
