Looking back on an action-packed year for Mersey Cares
As we approach the end of another year, we want to take a moment to thank all of our supporters, fundraisers, donors and suppliers from the bottom of our hearts for your continued support. Your generosity has made all the difference in helping us make positive changes in the lives of service users, patients, volunteers, carers and staff and we couldn't have done it without you.
This year, with your help, we've accomplished some truly remarkable things. It's incredible to think that our charity team was only put in place last December.
Thanks to your support, we've been able to launch new wellbeing programmes that have had a significant impact. Wellbeing Through Wildlife and Wellbeing on Wheels have provided wellbeing support for NHS staff and volunteers, helping them to take a pause from the challenges of their demanding roles.
We've also been able to support the Zero Suicide Alliance by funding its newly updated suicide awareness training thanks to the support of NHS Charities Together. Our ongoing support for the ZSA seeks to ensure that its potentially life-saving suicide awareness training is accessible to as many people as possible -- and we look forward to funding more essential training in 2025.
Over the past year, our incredible supporters have taken on a range of daring challenges to raise funds and awareness for our cause. From the Mersey Tunnel 10k to the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge, Snowdon Challenge and Skydives for Mental Health Awareness Week, your efforts have been inspirational. We’ve even seen courageous fundraisers abseiling down two of Liverpool’s most iconic landmarks – Anfield Stadium and Liverpool Cathedral – all in the name of our growing charity.
And let's not forget the spirit of community that shone brightly through the NHS Big Tea Party events held across the region. Whether baking cakes or raising vital funds through raffles and games, these events helped us raise much-needed funds for projects that directly impact service users, patients, staff, and volunteers.
This year also saw us launch our charity's first impact report, which highlights all of the amazing projects brought to life thanks to the support of our communities, from sensory rooms to support escalation, worry bears for children in care and books for teens experiencing strong emotions to support groups and door wraps for people living with dementia to help identify their bedrooms. We've also been able to transform outdoor spaces to areas of calm and serenity for patients and staff.
Towards the end of the year we were delighted to have been able to fund the Trust's award-nominated 'Pause for Thought' menopause campaign. The campaign was shortlisted in three categories at the Menopause Friendly Employer Awards 2024: ‘Most Open Culture,’ ‘Best Engagement Approach,’ and ‘Best Trained Workforce.’ It was a privilege to join the Occupational Health and Wellbeing Service at the awards ceremony in September, where we proudly stood alongside other organisations demonstrating excellence in menopause support.
Another well-deserved award nomination rolled in for our charity lead, Joanne Watson, which was the icing on the cake to a fantastic 2024. Joanne was nominated in the category of 'Valued Partner' at the Trust's annual Star Awards, which celebrates excellence across the Trust and gives recognition to those who have gone above and beyond to support Trust services.
November saw our first corporate volunteering day led by GRAHAM and a team of 40 contractors Mersey Care staff and volunteers. Together the team effort saw the transformation of the garden at Peasley Cross Hospital, a special place for the service uses, patients and staff who use it and the volunteers who regularly tend to it. The day was a huge success and a significant milestone for the charity.
Looking ahead to an equally positive 2025
We are incredibly proud of all we’ve achieved this year, and none of it would have been possible without your unwavering support. As we look forward to 2025, we are excited to continue our mission to support those who need it most across our Mersey Care footprint and we can’t wait to share even more successes with you in the months ahead.
From all of us at Mersey Cares, we wish you a wonderful festive season. Here’s to a new year filled with hope and more opportunities to make a difference together.
To see more of what we've been up to throughout 2024 take a look at Mersey Cares News