Help for Helen: The impact of NHS charities

An NHS charity-funded wellbeing initiative was the helping hand NHS colleague Helen Merrick (pictured) needed when she experienced challenges with her mental health.

Helen’s story is highlighted as part of a celebrity-backed campaign, which shines a spotlight on the real-life impact of NHS charities, including wellbeing support for colleagues at Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust.

Led by NHS Charities Together and marking the NHS’ 77th birthday, the campaign is backed by new research that shows rapidly increasing demand from NHS trusts for the extra support that NHS charities can provide.

The research shows the biggest increases in demand are for extra wellbeing support for the hard-working health workforce (87 per cent) and to improve outdated healthcare environments, whether through gardens, capital builds or family rooms (77 per cent).

Funding from NHS Charities Together has enabled KCHFT and its charity i care to deliver a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to colleagues, providing wellbeing support and training, with a specific emphasis on trauma support. People managers can also access manager coaching, educational resources and occupational health to support staff with long-term conditions and improve their working experience.

Helen Merrick, Health Inequalities and Partnerships Manager at KCHFT, said: “I accessed support through the employee assistance programme, HELP, earlier this year. Life had taken its toll on my mental health and I felt it was time to get some professional support.

“With HELP, I liked that I was able to self-refer, which meant I didn’t need to make an appointment through my GP and wait for an assessment, which can be quite anxiety inducing. I also appreciated being able to access support over the phone, meaning I could take calls from a location to suit me.

“I liked the first session, which was like a screening conversation to see where my headspace was at and to find the priority areas to work on. I agreed this with my counsellor and this helped to shape the discussions over the following sessions.

“Although the support is coming to an end, we’ve talked about what options are available afterwards, so it doesn’t feel like an abrupt end.”

NHS Charities Together works together with a network of more than 230 local and specialist NHS charities across the UK, supporting hospitals, ambulance trusts, mental health trusts and community health services. However, 96 per cent of NHS charities feel the public is unaware of how they help the NHS – including by supporting staff, improving buildings and facilities, funding life-saving first responder volunteers, and so much more.

Celebrities including Star Wars actor Daisy Ridley, Stephen Fry and Steven Frayne (formerly known as Dynamo) are championing the powerful new campaign to mark the NHS’ 77th birthday.

Actor Daisy Ridley said:

“Last year my mum sustained a traumatic brain injury. It was a really difficult time for our family, and the care, support and dedication that we had from NHS staff was outstanding. Giving to NHS charities is a way to say thank you to the staff who care for us.”

Actor, presenter and writer Stephen Fry said: 

“It’s thanks to the work of NHS charities that there is continued added support in communities all over the UK to help those who have experienced a mental health crisis – it’s a pleasure to support NHS Charities Together’s birthday campaign which I hope will help in continuing to raise awareness of this vital work.”

TV personality and campaigner Tasha Ghouri said:

“Growing up I had frequent trips to hospitals and doctors supporting me. Making wards and equipment more kid friendly and providing specialist audiology services are just a few of the services NHS charities fund, helping the next generation have a positive healthcare experience.”

Magician Steven Frayne (formerly known as Dynamo) said:

“The support I’ve had from the NHS through my treatment for Crohn’s disease is the difference in allowing me to do what I love. We are so lucky that we have the NHS, and the added funding from NHS Charities Together means more people in the most deprived communities have the chance to live healthier, brighter lives.”

 Celebrity Doctor Emily MacDonagh said:

“The care that NHS charities provide to my colleagues across the NHS makes a big difference. Our jobs are incredibly challenging, and we need somewhere to turn when burnout takes over. Counselling, wellbeing spaces and mental health support funded by NHS charities help NHS staff keep going when it feels impossible.”

Read more about the campaign on the NHS Charities website.

Find out more about KCHFT’s charity i care and how you can donate.