Our NHS Heroes

Our staff go above and beyond every day for local people, both inside our hospitals and in our community services. They are dedicated to caring for our patients but the pandemic has taken a real physical and mental toll on their wellbeing.

As such, supporting the physical and mental wellbeing of our staff is one of the charity’s key priorities over the next two years. Here are just a few ways that donations make a difference to our 4,000 strong workforce.

• Transformation of rest areas: these spaces offer staff vital respite and a chance to reflect and recharge. Donations help to enhance existing spaces and create new ones, with facilities including a brand new rest area open to all staff by Oasis Restaurant, Croydon Hospital.
• Wellbeing events: we proudly fund wellbeing programmes such as our 2021 ‘Summer Sessions’ programme which featured yoga, massages and sport sessions to help staff relax, renew and reconnect
• Recognition initiatives:  these include our recent COVID-19 service badges which celebrated our colleagues’ exceptional service throughout the pandemic and our weekly ‘Thirst Responders’ refreshment trolley which treats staff to a personally prepared drink and snack in their workplace
• Direct professional support: Thanks to donations, our new Employee Assistance programme and confidential service has been introduced to help support staff. It provides telephone and online advice and support, free of charge, 24/7, 365 days of the year

Your donations will help to continue funding these vital initiatives to support our NHS Heroes.

We provide funding for training and education to help staff provide the best possible care. Donations support staff to gain new skills, confidence and expertise which help to enhance the care we give to patients.

Statutory funding often only covers mandatory training and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is vital for NHS staff. It improves quality of care by ensuring all staff have the most up to date knowledge and expertise they need to support patients. It also keeps staff up to date with their relevant regulatory body.

Recent charity beneficiaries include Melissa Barbour, a Vascular Sonographer, who attended the Society for Vascular Technology’s Annual Scientific Meeting, thanks to a grant from the charity’s Diagnostic Imaging Fund.

As a result of attending the event Melissa shared the latest scientific research and product updates with teams across the Trust.

Valued, trained staff have a positive impact on patient care e.g. by helping staff to access the latest clinical developments. Donations can also help with the retention of skilled staff by supporting their career development.

Your donations will help us to look after Team Croydon and continue to develop expert clinicians to care for Croydon’s patients.