Covid-19 Care Packages

At the start of the pandemic, we sent out care packages to each of the 39 inpatient wards and units in the Trust. These contained refreshments and toiletries, aimed at providing support for those working on wards in lockdown and thanking them for their dedicated hard work. We were very lucky to have been donated most of these items from local retailers, but did use some NHS Charities Together money to supplement these care packages.

A second drop was made a couple of weeks later to include SPFT community teams as well as the 39 inpatient wards and units. These care packages included chocolate donated by Thorntons, as well as tea, coffee, squash, individual packets of crisps and individually wrapped biscuits for teams to share. A total of 103 care packages were sent to sites across Sussex and Hampshire in this second drop.

In every care package sent, we included some of the text messages sent by members of the public to SPFT staff when donating to the Clap for Carers text appeal. This was lovely to include and allowed staff to see how appreciated they are by the public.

The care packages were very well received. One member of staff said this of her team's delivery: "It was very thoughtful and much appreciated. You have made our day."

A manager in Brighton said "Donations & kind thoughts always make the staff smile during these difficult times and lets them know they are being thought of and all that they do. I know they are hugely appreciative."

A team leader of a community team who have been redeployed for the duration of the pandemic said she "saw the gifts that were left and the words that people have said written on paper and it made me smile and also feel a bit tearful at the recognition of the hard work of all the people in the community teams. I am a great believer in random acts of kindness and demonstrations of care and its positive impact, so thank you for your efforts, care and ongoing support to many."

You can visit our Twitter page to see read feedback on our care packages.