ICU workers supported with toiletry hampers

A community interest company has donated personal care items to ICU workers at hospitals in the West Midlands, after the healthcare professionals reached out for support.

Hampers for Heroes, based in Solihull, raised over £5,000 in just a week enabling them to deliver 15 hairdryers and hundreds of toiletry items for hospital staff washrooms.

The initial request for help was made to Hampers for Heroes by an ICU doctor, who stated that a wellbeing group was being set up to support struggling colleagues and asked if the organisation could help.

A team of Hampers for Heroes volunteers help collect donations, pack and deliver hampers across the Midlands. They have delivered thousands of hampers and reached over 30,000 key workers, including teachers and carers as well as NHS staff. Since the organisation was established, the combined value of the fundraising total, including physical donations and volunteer time, had now reached in excess of £250,000.

Victoria Hanson, who founded Hampers for Heroes at the start of the first lockdown, says:

"Many staff are suffering from burnout and mental health issues and they need more help and support.

“We had to help when we heard about this and we've been overwhelmed by the support shown so far. We need that support to continue so that we can continue to help these emergency workers in such difficult times.”

Victoria wants to help staff further by offering counselling, meditation and therapy services, dependent upon additional donations.