During the early days of the pandemic we secured 90,000 items of PPE for care homes across the UK. The care homes were nominated by employees, with each package sent going towards protecting frontline workers and vulnerable elderly people from the virus.
What did we do?
In the UK over 400,000 people live in care homes – people who were particularly vulnerable at the start of the pandemic and reliant on the support and care from keyworkers. At the same time, many of us have loved ones either living or working in these homes – and we were very aware of the issues both sourcing and receiving PPE.
Employees were asked to nominate a care home of their choice – that they or their team felt was making a difference and could benefit from receiving some additional PPE including face masks or disposal aprons. Within the first 24 hours of the campaign launch over 130 employees had nominated a care home.
This was our way of giving back, giving our employees the opportunity to recognise and thank the work of fellow keyworkers in the communities that we live in and serve.
The donation packs were curated by EthStat - a social enterprise - and included a letter from our CEO thanking care home staff for their efforts and actions. In working with EthStat we were able to support 9 people on their journeys into employment. For further information please visit https://beam.org/fundraisers/amey
What was the impact?
In total over 200 care homes received a package from Amey. Several care homes have been quick to respond with photos and messages of thanks.
“It made us feel very humble to be nominated and then to be successful and receive the masks. Kind gestures like this mean so much to us, and we have been so touched by peoples’ thoughtfulness. It sounds like Amey are going above beyond in these difficult times.” Overley Hall in Telford, Shropshire
“It was a surprise to receive this donation but a real boost to know that big companies like Amey are thinking about the impact of the current situation on vulnerable individuals. It is also reassuring for our hardworking teams across all Barchester Healthcare homes to know that we have supplies of personal protective equipment. Thank you for thinking of us Amey.” Barchester Brampton View Care Home, Northampton
“I was delighted to hear that my nomination was successful and that my Grandma’s dementia care home, Branch Court Care Home in Blackburn, received a pack of 250 face masks. As a small home having to struggle to buy PPE for themselves, this has made a huge difference to the staff, and therefore the work they can do with those they care for.” Matthew Kershaw, Amey