Charity supporting Northampton General Hospital during pandemic receives huge grant from bank

A charity that has been supporting staff, patients and volunteers at Northampton General Hospital during the pandemic has received a huge grant from a bank.

Northamptonshire Health Charity, which also supports Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust, has been awarded funding by Barclays, as part of its Covid-19 Community Aid Package.

The funding totalling £250,000 will help meet the urgent needs of those affected by the pandemic in some way and has even enabled the charity to complete refurbishment works at the hospital.

Rob Powell, community fundraiser for the charity, said: “We’re delighted that Barclays has awarded us funding which is helping in so many different ways to support the hospital and staff across the community and mental health hospitals, to deliver enhanced care and experiences for patients throughout Northamptonshire.

“So far, money from the grant has been allocated to a wide range of projects that are having a huge positive impact for so many people.”

The domestic and porter changing facilities at Northampton General Hospital have been refurbished thanks to the grant, as well the activities volunteers complete with patients recovering in hospital.

Volunteers were without a base, but the grant has also enabled the team to be provided with their own small building.

For staff and patients at Berrywood mental health hospital, Northamptonshire Health Charity is funding a sensory room on one of the wards.

Staff on Brookview at Berrywood are now also able to design a space specifically for the therapeutic needs of their dementia patients.

Nigel Higgins, Barclays Chairman, said: “Covid19 has created an unprecedented social and economic impact in the UK, with many experiencing greater hardship due to the crisis.

“Incredible charities, such as Northamptonshire Health Charity, the independent charity supporting Northampton General Hospital and Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust have been playing a vital role in the UK’s response to the pandemic, ensuring urgent help reaches those most in need of support.

“As a bank we have been doing all we can for our customers, clients and colleagues, and we hope that by partnering with this charity and many other charities across the UK, collectively we can ensure that as many people as possible in the communities in which we live and work are supported through this crisis.”

Northamptonshire Health Charity has said it is grateful to receive the local support from Barclays especially as it is already having a big impact on people in the local community.

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