Celebrate the NHS’ 72nd birthday on 5 July 2020 and show your support for staff with these three exciting initiatives
2020 has been an incredibly challenging year in NHS history. This year, the birthday is an opportunity to recognise, reflect and remember. To help show your support for the staff who’ve worked tirelessly around the clock to tackle coronavirus, here’s three initiatives to get involved with this weekend.
1 Order a Sir Quentin Blake x NHS-OS charity mug
World-renowned British artist and illustrator of Roald Dahl’s infamous books, Sir Quentin Blake (88), has teamed up with north London charity, NHS-OS to design a new range of mugs to raise money for NHS Charities Together.
Having been inspired by the legendary efforts of Captain Sir Tom Moore, Sir Quentin wanted to do something to help the charity reach their new £100 million fundraising target. After being contacted about the idea by NHS-OS, a charity initiative set up by a North London couple, he created the three striking rainbow designs.
The rainbow has become a symbol of solidarity throughout the pandemic and is featured on each mug. Available in three beautiful designs painted by Sir Quentin during lockdown, the NHS rainbow mugs feature his unique style in the form of an NHS-inspired illustration. Supporters can choose from the Rainbow Hat, Dog Kennel, or Children on Plates designs.
With 100% of all profits going to NHS Charities Together, this project allows the nation to show their support for the NHS and its incredible staff, as well as helping fund pioneering research and the purchase of medical equipment and helping patients to access the best possible care when they need it most.
£20, purchase via skinnydiplondon.com/nhs.
2 Enjoy Mayfair & Belgravia’s celebration flags
Following the reopening of Mayfair & Belgravia last month, Grosvenor Britain & Ireland have launched striking flags with messages of hope and thanks across the neighbourhoods to say thank you to NHS and key workers for their support during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The vibrant flags across the two destinations have each been designed by celebrated artists as the district welcomes back visitors.
The aerial flags across Mayfair have been designed by award winning Alex Fowkes, and are displayed on Mount Street, North Audley, Duke Street and South Molton. Belgravia’s flags have been designed by renowned New London Fabulous artist Adam Nathaniel Furman and adorn the streets of Belgravia including Elizabeth Street, Motcomb Street, Pimlico Road and Eccleston Street. The flags will remain across the iconic streets for 2 months.
Rooted in vivacious colour and themes of hope and cheerful celebration, the flags aim to uplift, inspire and welcome those visiting the pretty streets of Mayfair and Belgravia to shop, relax and dine – pay a visit if you’re city-based and enjoy the vibrant delights in person.
3 Donate to Duty to Care’s wellbeing services
Duty to Care provides online therapy and wellbeing sessions for NHS healthcare professionals. Via the website, frontline staff can access free sessions with a range of practitioners, from CBT therapists to meditation experts, nutritional therapists and more.
Our NHS workers face an enormous amount of pressure at work every day and this has a direct impact on their mental health. Launched in March 2020, Duty to Care is fundraising to cover the costs of leading wellbeing practitioners who have offered their services to NHS workers at much-reduced charity rates. Every £10,000 raised by Duty to Care can offer help to 250 NHS workers.
Through Duty to Care, NHS workers can access; CBT therapists, psychotherapists, mindfulness teachers, meditation experts, breath-work experts, nutritional therapists, personal trainers, yoga teachers and life coaches. They can book one-on-one online sessions and find advice from experts on how to manage their mental health independently on a day to day level.
400 NHS workers from all over the UK signed-up to Duty to Care in the first six weeks, and £50,000 has been raised towards the cause to date. Trustees and volunteers are now working on longer-term fundraising and growth strategies, receiving regular feedback from NHS workers who are using and benefiting from the service.
Duty to Care are committed to offering this much-needed service and supporting those who care for us when they need it the most – by making a donation, you can celebrate the NHS’ 72nd birthday and make a difference at the same time.
Visit dutytocare.info to make a donation.
