“NHS staff are the beating heart of our healthcare service. We must do more to look after them”

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25 November 2025

Harry standing between Ellie Orton OBE, CEO at NHS Charities Together, and Andrea Metcalf, Chief People Officer at Hampshire and Isle of Wight NHS Healthcare Foundation Trust

Legendary football player and manager Harry Redknapp paid a surprise visit to NHS staff from the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (HIOWH) today. He saw how NHS charity projects are providing crucial mental and physical wellbeing support to staff working in some of the most challenging conditions in NHS history.

The project in Southampton is one of 29 across the country that we are funding in partnership with NHS England as part of our ongoing work to transform the way NHS workers are supported to improve their wellbeing both inside and outside of the workplace. With nearly half (47%) of NHS staff reporting that their job is affecting their mental health, and 41% their physical health (1), the need for targeted, sustainable support has never been greater.

Designed with input from NHS staff to understand their needs, the projects funded range from innovative wellbeing solutions for night workers, to neurodiversity tools and improved trauma support. The grants form part of an £11 million Workforce Wellbeing Programme.

For Harry, who has previously helped raise thousands for the charity through participation in fundraising events, it was also a chance for him to say a personal thank you to hard working NHS staff who he has credited with providing exceptional care and kindness to his wife Sandra during her battle with sepsis.

Speaking from the event, Harry said:

“It’s been such a brilliant morning meeting all the staff and team here and seeing how NHS charities are making a positive impact. Caring for and saving lives is a responsible job - and I know first-hand from my family's experiences what a difference these incredible staff make every day - but the pressures facing staff take their toll. Everyone who works for the NHS is a person, first and foremost, and they should expect the same level of care that they provide to us.

“NHS staff are the beating heart of our healthcare service, and we must do more to look after them.”

Ellie Orton, CEO at NHS Charities Together, said:

“In the face of so many wider healthcare challenges it can be easy to forget about healthcare staff, but it goes without saying that we need a healthy workforce if we want a thriving NHS that can give patients the care they need. NHS Charities have a crucial role to play in making this a reality and helping to improve wellbeing for all staff within the NHS.

“Funding projects like this one run by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare Trust can help ensure NHS staff prioritise their own health and wellness with the same care they give to patients, and we are extremely thankful to Harry for his time today and for his continued support of NHS Charities Together.”

Harry handing portable drink cups to NHS staff members

During his visit, Harry tried his hand at becoming a barista, as he served free hot drinks to NHS staff at the Tatchbury Mount site. He then sat down with a small group of individuals set to benefit from the project run by HIOWH, which will focus on support for staff with disabilities, long term conditions (LTC) and neurodivergent profiles. The aim of the project will be to reduce inequalities by improving access to workplace adjustments, challenging stigma, and enhancing support for staff with these conditions.

Andrea Metcalf, Chief People Officer at Hampshire and Isle of Wight NHS Healthcare Foundation Trust, said:

“We know that for some staff with disabilities and long term health conditions they can experience stigma and face barriers to career progression – through this funding we want to help break down these barriers and enable all of our staff to flourish. We are incredibly grateful to Harry for taking time to visit us today and to NHS Charities Together and NHS England for providing funding to help us carry out this project.

“By investing in our staff, we are investing in the future of healthcare, creating a workplace where everyone can thrive, and where high-quality care is delivered by a supported and compassionate workforce.”

Lisa Richardson is a Senior Disability and Accessibility Advisor for NHS staff across the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and has dyslexia, dyspraxia, and dyscalculia.

She said:

“The assistive tools I have received at work such as screen readers, dictation software, coloured overlays and Grammarly—have been truly transformative. Alongside the guidance from EDNA (Employee Disability and Neurodivergent Advice Service), they have strengthened my confidence, boosted my productivity and improved my wellbeing, allowing me to work in a way that genuinely supports my neurodivergence.

"This new funding represents a powerful step forward, opening the door for more colleagues to access the support and adjustments they need to thrive, realise their potential and feel valued in their roles.”

With the current challenges facing the NHS as it embarks on its 10-Year Plan for England, NHS charities will play an increasingly important role working in partnership to help deliver the best possible care for patients and staff. These projects will help ensure that NHS staff have the support they need to continue to provide the best possible care for patients when it matters most.