NHS Charities Together unveils plans to build on £150m Covid Appeal success

NHS charities has set out its plans for the future as it looks to build on its success in attracting £150m in donations during the Covid-19 pandemic.

It plans to use its status to raise the profile of the charity sector in supporting the NHS, tackle long term conditions and bolster support for health workers.

The priorities have been announced in the umbrella body for NHS charities’ annual report for 2020, which shows its Covid-19 Urgent Appeal raised a record breaking £150m amid the pandemic.

This is the most successful fundraising appeal on record and was helped by national publicity through campaigning from the late Sir Tom Moore as well as fitness celebrity Joe Wicks and a raft of Premier League footballers.

Eleanor has raised a fantastic £362 for @NHSCharities! In honour of Captain Sir Tom Moore’s 100th birthday, she decided to write 100-word blog posts, for 100 consecutive days, about 100 of her heroes. 💙 🌈

Read about the impact of donations 👉 https://t.co/UdGxq6ddpM pic.twitter.com/Lyd2qHtMCY
— NHS Charities Together (@NHSCharities) August 30, 2021

This year “will be one of collation, reflection and transition” as it looks to develop its future strategy says the charity in the report, “as we listen and learn from our member charities and partners about how we can have the most impact for the nation’s health”.

This includes being “a convener and bridge” between the NHS and voluntary sector, says NHS Charities Together, which is the umbrella organisation for 241 NHS charities.

“A key part of our strategy will be to amplify the impact of the charitable health sector, enabling the NHS to go further for patients,” it says.

Tackling long-term conditions

In addition, it will invest in “great ideas that will help prevent illness and long-term conditions”.

Clinics are currently busier than ever, and there is a significant backlog of those people needing treatment, due to the impact of
Covid-19.

“Enabling and scaling up great ideas that will help prevent illness and long-term conditions will form a large part of our work with member charities, as we help the NHS recover from the most challenging time in its history and enable people throughout the UK to thrive.”

NHS Workforce

NHS Charities Together also plans to provide extra support for the NHS workforce.

“The NHS workforce has experienced a physical and emotional health toll from caring for high numbers of very sick patients during the pandemic, states its annual report.

“Working with member charities we will use our funds and maximise our partnerships to give extra support for a healthy and well NHS workforce.”

Ellie Orton OBE, CEO of NHS Charities Together, said: “Back in March 2020, as the pandemic began to escalate, there was a phenomenal outpouring of support from the UK public for the NHS, and we still feel completely blown away by their generosity.

“Despite how heart-breaking this time was for all of us, people wanted to show their gratitude and show how much the sacrifices of NHS staff meant.

“We feel so fortunate to have been able to support NHS staff, patients and volunteers at this difficult time and make such a difference across the whole UK.

“But we are now facing a long period of recovery, with a significant toll on exhausted workers, a backlog of patients, and clinics that are busier than ever. NHS staff are continuing to be there for us despite the ongoing challenges, but we must continue to be there for them in the long term.”