To celebrate 75 years since the NHS was established, Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust is encouraging staff, patients and the public to take part in the NHS Big Tea.
The NHS Big Tea is an annual event, bringing the nation together to fundraise for NHS charities.
For CNTW, a provider of mental health and disability services across the North East and North Cumbria, the Big Tea is a great opportunity to raise money for the Trust’s official charity – the SHINE Fund.
Money from the SHINE Fund is used to provide ‘little extras’ that make a big difference to patients’ recovery and mental wellbeing. Since being established in 2014 the SHINE fund has supported service users with everything from horse-riding outings to gardening tools, summer activities for young people, and even Christmas decorations for our wards.
There are plenty of ways that the public can get involved in the Big Tea and raise money for SHINE, such as hosting a fundraising tea party or entering one of the Trust’s Big Tea competitions.
Every penny raised will help SHINE continue providing therapeutic activities or items of comfort to assist with people’s care, treatment or rehabilitation.
Michael Robson, an assistant practitioner in nursing within CNTW’s secure care services, runs an allotment in Newcastle for patients in forensic services which has benefitted from the SHINE Fund.
Money from the SHINE Fund is vital to keep our Allotment Group going. This year, we’ve used funds from SHINE to buy new gardening tools, paint outbuildings and cover the allotment site fees, allowing the Allotment Group to continue running for the next year.
Michael RobsonAssistant practitioner, CNTW
Michael says: “The allotment provides an opportunity for them to spend time socialising, learning new skills and being part of a wider community.
“Our patients contribute to ideas for developing the allotment and can take the lead in implementing these ideas. These experiences at the allotment are so important to improving patients’ confidence as well as their mental and physical wellbeing.
“Money from the SHINE Fund is vital to keep our Allotment Group going. This year, we’ve used funds from SHINE to buy new gardening tools, paint outbuildings and cover the allotment site fees, allowing the Allotment Group to continue running for the next year.”
To sign up to host your own NHS Big Tea event and receive a fundraising support pack, please visit www.nhsbigtea.co.uk
To find out more about CNTW’s NHS75 celebrations, please visit our dedicated NHS75 page.
You can donate to SHINE via the charity’s JustGiving page.