Northamptonshire Health Charity pays tribute to Captain Sir Tom Moore by sharing stories of how donations to NHS Charities Together have been supporting NHS patients, staff and volunteers in Northamptonshire.
At the beginning of February, the UK mourned the loss of Captain Sir Tom Moore, who raised £32.8m for NHS Charities Together by walking 100 laps of his garden before his 100th birthday – breaking the Guinness World Record for an individual’s charity walk and inspiring a nation.
In tribute to Captain Sir Tom Moore, and all those who donated or fundraised themselves as part of NHS Charities Together’s Covid Appeal, Northamptonshire Health Charity is sharing news of how funds have supported NHS patients, staff and volunteers in Northamptonshire.
Northamptonshire Health Charity received £412,600 in grant funding enabling the charity to support a wide range of initiatives and projects, both large and small, making a huge difference to local NHS staff wellbeing as well as enhancing patient care and experience throughout the pandemic.
[caption id="attachment_5404" align="alignright" width="500"] Tablets have enabled the volunteers team to keep patients in contact with their loved ones while visiting is not allowed.[/caption] From toiletries, nightwear and activities for patients, including portable DVD players and radios; to tablets which have helped the volunteers team facilitate virtual visiting calls; from rehab kits for ITU patients; to birthday packs for those spending their birthday in hospital while no visitors are allowed.
The charity has also funded sensory and gym equipment for mental health patients at both Berrywood and St Mary’s hospitals, as well as gardening and DIY resources for their occupational therapy projects.
[caption id="attachment_5406" align="alignleft" width="450"] The Critical Care team received cards and pin badges as they are our Critical Care Heroes[/caption] Weighted blankets and protac sensit chairs for children and adolescent mental health (CAMHS) inpatients are offering deep pressure touch stimulation which calms the central nervous system.
They literally give children a big warm hug, offering an enhanced level of care for them at this very difficult time.
Tablets, radios and care pamper packs together with a wide range of activity items have been funded for mental health patients under the NSTEP team who look after adults experiencing their first episode of psychosis.
The tablets have helped to facilitate group therapy sessions, particularly important for those living alone.
“You have made so much difference to our service users lives over the last year and have also supported us out in the field,” said Sue Jugon, NSTEP Operations Manager, “At times we have felt like we are sinking and you have enabled us to be creative and provide us with so many things that have lifted not only our spirits but improved the quality of lives of some of our most challenged families during the pandemic.” [caption id="attachment_5410" align="alignleft" width="320"] We've been able to keep funding toiletries for patients who need them.[/caption] A non-contact mindfulness programme for the most vulnerable mental health patients has also been funded to address the significant negative impact of COVID-19 measures such as increased anxiety, stress and depression.
This programme has received some fantastic feedback from those taking part.
To encourage patients to get outside, a large outdoor space off Hazelwood ward at Isebrook Hospital has been improved thanks to charity funding.
From plants in pots, planters and flower beds, to a shelter, shed, BBQ (for future use) and more.
This garden area offers a more therapeutic space for them during their stay with the added bonus of providing somewhere for staff to enjoy at break times.
[caption id="attachment_5407" align="alignright" width="350"] One of a number of staff initiatives, we can fund wellbeing and goody bags for staff debrief sessions and training.[/caption] Staff at Brookview ward, Berrywood Hospital have been able to design a garden space specifically for the therapeutic needs of their dementia patients.
The aim is to encourage use of all motor skills – walking, reaching, bending and planting seeds so using the space will help reduce stress levels and promote calm and relaxation for patients.
Staff wellbeing is also at the forefront of many initiatives with the charity able to fund much needed hand creams, lip balms, hydrating face masks and goody bags for a number of different teams across both NHS Trusts.
During the first lockdown, ‘kindness boxes’ were provided for teams at NGH with pop up stations serving ‘on the go’ snacks and drinks for the community NHS staff at a number of sites across the county.
Furnishings and practical supplies were funded for those frontline staff who were unable to return home due to working longer shifts or in COVID areas.
There were also two Trust-wide ‘Thank You’ initiatives where every member of staff received cards and gifts.
[caption id="attachment_5408" align="alignleft" width="400"] The original relaxation space - we are funding a new permanent space for all staff to use.[/caption] In addition to funding the staff relaxation space in the Blood Taking Unit at NGH and its subsequent relocation to the Board Room, Northamptonshire Health Charity is pleased to be able to fund the development of a new permanent facility within its own small building on the hospital site.
The new space should hopefully be opening by June this year.
Work is also almost complete on a Reflection Garden with appropriate planting and seating that will provide an oasis of peace, calm and reflection as well as enhanced facilities for both staff and patients to take some rest time and enjoy the open air and pleasant surroundings of the garden.
“All of this is still only a snapshot of everything the charity is able to fund thanks to the incredible legacy from Captain Sir Tom Moore and all those fundraising for NHS Charities Together,” said Rob Powell, Community Fundraiser, “Thank you seems too little to say for such an enormous contribution this true legend has made to us all.
Captain Sir Tom’s fundraising and having been captured in the hearts of the nation has helped to raise awareness about NHS charities and the many ways we support the NHS.
We really are so grateful for everything he did over the last year, following his remarkable life.” Ellie Orton, Chief Executive for NHS Charities Together, said: “Captain Sir Tom Moore was a complete inspiration to us all and his memory lives on through the incredible programmes NHS charities have been able to fund.
Thanks to his efforts, funds have reached the length and breadth of the UK through every one of our 241 member charities, and they have made a huge difference on the ground, both to address the immediate needs of patients and staff and to support the longer-term recovery of the NHS.
His legacy will live on through the work of the Captain Tom Foundation.” As a result of overwhelming support from the public, across the UK the charity has been able to provide much needed bereavement support for those who have tragically lost loved ones to Covid-19, through its member charities.
Other projects have helped isolated patients in hospital, using technology to enable them to stay connected to loved ones at one of their most difficult moments.
And thanks to the funds raised the charity has supported the emotional and practical needs of staff, including counselling programmes and helplines, so that they can focus on their life saving work at a time of immense pressure.
The support of NHS charities will be crucial in the years ahead as the health service recovers from the most challenging period in its history.
NHS Charities Together is continuing to work with member charities to ensure funds are used where they are most needed, now and in future.
NHS Charities Together is the national charity caring for the NHS.
It helps provide additional support to patients, NHS staff and volunteers, working through its 241 member charities based within hospitals, ambulance trusts, community health trusts, mental health trusts and health boards across the UK.
In total NHS Charities Together’s Covid-19 Appeal raised £150 million thanks to the support from Captain Sir Tom and others.
Over £118 million has already been made available to our 241 member charities to help patients, staff and volunteers on the ground.
For more information about NHS Charities Together visit nhscharitiestogether.co.uk.
For more information about The Captain Tom Foundation – an independent organisation that works with charity partners to support causes close to Captain Sir Tom and his family’s hearts - visit captaintom.org.