Mental health staff in Northumberland have donned their walking boots for a good cause.
11 members of staff from Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW)’s older people’s services took part in a hike to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society.
The group did the John Martin Heritage Trail in Northumberland, passing through a number of National Trust beauty spots and have raised surpassed their fundraising target by raising £730.
Occupational therapist Julie Allan said: “We were already a strong team but the hike was a real morale boost. Because of the pandemic, many of us weren’t working from the office and we felt like we hadn’t seen each other.
“When restrictions eased, we knew we wanted to get together again and thought why not do something for a good cause. It’s so important to come together as a team and have a goal to work towards.”
The Older Adult Teams provide a wide range of support for people, usually over the age of 65, seeking specialist advice for a mental health difficulty. They work with people who need more specialist assessment or treatment. A lot of people they work with have some form of Alzheimer’s.
Julie added: “Charities have really suffered during the pandemic. Sponsored events couldn’t go ahead and a lot of charity shops have had to close. The Alzheimer’s Society doesn’t just raise money for people with the disease but everyone around them who look after them as well. They’re going through their own trauma which can be heart-breaking so it’s really important to be able to help in some way.”
The group, made up of the Community Treatment Team and the Northumberland Memory Service, are planning on more fundraising with plans for a coffee morning and more walks.