This July, Powys Teaching Health Board Charity is inviting communities across Powys to join the biggest NHS tea party yet by hosting their own NHS Big Tea on the health service’s 74th birthday.
Led by NHS Charities Together, the NHS Big Tea brings the nation together to celebrate the birthday of the NHS, giving thanks to the workforce, whilst raising funds to provide the extra support needed for staff, patients, and volunteers. Communities can celebrate by making time for tea – another national treasure!
This year the Big Tea will be bigger than ever with an entire month dedicated to celebrating all things NHS. Kicking off on the 5th July, Powys’ local NHS Charity is inviting community members and staff to get together to help raise money for the NHS.
Powys Teaching Health Board Charity is asking the Powys community, both public and NHS members to come together to host (or attend) a Big Tea in their area. It can be as simple as having a cuppa with your colleagues or a bake sale at your local school or community centre.
Speaking on the plans for the event, Powys Teaching Health Board Charity Manager, Abe Sampson, said:
“The Big Tea is a chance for us to reflect and show our thanks to our NHS colleagues that have been at the heart of the nation’s response to the pandemic. We are proud of the way our NHS staff and volunteers have risen to the occasion in the most challenging of circumstances.
“These events are an excellent opportunity for communities to come together and pay tribute to brilliant staff and volunteers, who have gone above and beyond during the pandemic to keep us and our loved ones safe.
“The effects of the pandemic are still being felt even as the NHS and the country now looks to recover and rebuild, so the continued support of local communities is hugely appreciated.”
“If you have the opportunity to take part this July it will mean the world to the incredible NHS staff and volunteers we support every day. All of the donations in Powys will be distributed through our Charity and as a small organisation, every single contribution makes a huge difference.”
Last year more than 4,800 hosts signed up across the UK, collectively raising over £500,000. In addition to individuals, schools, community groups and organisations, more than 150 NHS charities were involved, including Powys Teaching Health Board Charity.
This year, NHS Charities Together hopes to make the event the biggest NHS Big Tea to date, with a collective fundraising target of over £775,000. This will include donations from corporate sponsors including the headline sponsor Morrisons, who supported the campaign by raising £250,000 last year and will be urging their customers and staff to take part once again.
Powys has benefitted from over £285,000 in funding from NHS Charities Together to date. This has come from campaigns such as the Big Tea and led to extra NHS support through a variety of projects nominated by health board staff.
Powys Teaching Health Board Charity has sought the input of NHS and frontline staff across Powys on how the funds could be best used which has led to over 50 different projects being implemented to date. These range from new staff wellbeing facilities, patient gardens at each of Powys’ community hospital sites, to extra equipment allowing patients to connect with their families, and an online support programme for frontline staff.
Ellie Orton OBE, Chief Executive at NHS Charities Together, said: “The NHS can’t face every challenge alone, and the network of NHS charities is proud to have funded hundreds of incredible projects supporting staff, patients and communities. By hosting tea parties and inviting your friends, colleagues or classmates, the NHS Big Tea allows us to come together and say an enormous thank you to our incredible NHS – especially after all they’ve been through these last two years, and the ongoing challenges they continue to face.
“So, whether at home, in the office or in school, we’re asking the nation to pop the kettle on, grab the biscuits, and raise vital funds to help the NHS go further this July.”
