The first NHS Charities Together Covid-19 Urgent Appeal grants have been issued to NHS charities and are already making a difference to frontline staff, volunteers and patients.
The funding is possible thanks to generous donations to the NHS Charities Together Covid-19 Appeal which aims to raise a total of £100million to support the health and emotional wellbeing of NHS staff, volunteers and carers caring for Covid-19 patients.
Among the first charities to benefit is County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust Charity which has already paid for wellbeing packs of food and toiletries to help staff access essentials. Additionally, iPads with covers and stands have also been bought with the grant to help bring isolated patients and staff closer to friends and family.
“The iPads and covers were requested by staff for patients as the staff were becoming concerned that Covid patients had no means to communicate with their loved ones, particularly during palliative care. This investment means both patients and staff can communicate with their families, as some staff have isolated themselves away from their families.”
Pat Chambers, Charity Manager
Post-Covid, the iPads could be used in wider palliative care and continue to be used in the long-term so people can communicate with loved ones who live away.
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.
