LFC Captain Jordan Henderson

Liverpool FC Captain Jordan Henderson

visited our hospitals to see what a vital difference the money raised by his initiative, #PlayersTogether, has made for our staff.

After being really inspired by the job that NHS workers were doing throughout the pandemic, he started #PlayersTogether, inviting professional footballers to support the NHS by donating part of their wage to the NHS Charities Together COVID-19 Urgent Appeal. Jordan spent an afternoon meeting staff from different parts of the Trust, listening to how the £520,000 in grants is being used to benefit the health and wellbeing of our colleagues. These funds have provided additional support for staff, including 40 new volunteers trained in Psychological First Aid. Speaking about the visit, Jordan said: “It’s been an absolute privilege to meet the staff who cared for Liverpool throughout the pandemic. I know how tough it has been for the NHS and the reality is things haven’t eased up. I have family in the NHS and they are all working so hard, it’s relentless. Many staff are still struggling as a result and mental health in particular has taken a hammering. “It’s reassuring to see the workforce getting proper support, but we can’t get complacent – and must continue to care for them like they care for us, not just for now but for years down the line.” Liverpool was one of the cities hit hardest by COVID-19, and to date LUHFT has cared for over 7,800 COVID-19 patients, with many sadly passing away. These challenging circumstances meant staff have had to cope with significant pressures both in work and at home – some have experienced stress, anxiety and difficulty sleeping, as well as depression. Throughout the pandemic 25-year-old, Kate Lynes, Critical Care Nurse, (pictured on the front cover) worked in both the Ventilation Inpatient Centre and Critical Care, caring for COVID-19 patients. Kate is one of the staff members who benefitted from the staff psychology service. Upon meeting Jordan, Kate said: “It’s been a really challenging and often upsetting time for staff. In this job you’re always caring for other people, but I think it’s really important that you take time to care for yourself. “The support that we’ve had from NHS Charities has meant that I can carry on being a functional human. I’m not just nurse Kate who gets completely exhausted at work, I’ve got the tools to live a functional life and be happy in my life. I can’t thank Jordan and the #PlayersTogether campaign enough. If you need support, I’d encourage you to take that step and ask for it.” Since the start of the pandemic, we established a range of services to provide essential wellbeing support to staff. This includes new wellbeing hubs, improvements to rest areas, and care packages. Sue Musson, Chair, said: “I am incredibly proud of every colleague at the Trust. Despite the profound challenges presented by COVID-19, our staff have worked and continue to work tirelessly to treat and care for our patients safely. “It was a real pleasure to welcome Jordan Henderson as he made his first visit as an NHS Charities Together Charity Champion to Liverpool University Hospitals. The generous donations we have received from members of the public and NHS Charities Together has made such a difference in helping to support the wellbeing of our staff. We will continue to provide investment in staff wellbeing, and recognise the importance of supporting staff into the future, beyond the pandemic.”