Charity Christmas Gift Appeal bringing festive joy to our patients

As the holiday season approaches, Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust’s charity Health Stars is launching our annual Gift Appeal for patients receiving mental health treatment and support in hospital this Christmas.

This year many patients in the local community will spend Christmas in hospital, away from the comfort of family and friends. A simple gift can make a world of difference, offering comfort, joy, and a reminder that they are not alone.

Our Trust runs mental health inpatient hospital wards for adults in Hull and East Yorkshire. Their Childrens and Young Peoples mental health inpatient unit, Inspire, also supports young people from 12 – 17 from across the region.

In collaboration with patients and service users, the Trust’s nurses and hospital staff have pulled together a ‘wish list’ of items that anyone can add to their Christmas shopping including fluffy socks, face masks, hot chocolate, colouring pens and puzzle books.

Anita Green, Charity Manager at Health Stars said, "Christmas is a time for giving, and we want to spread a little cheer to those who are spending Christmas in an inpatient setting. These small gestures can make a huge difference to a patient’s wellbeing as well as providing comfort and letting patients know they are not alone during what can be a challenging time.”

The Trust is inviting local people to make a real difference to these people struggling with their mental health during the Christmas period. Unwrapped gifts can be dropped off at collection points across Hull and East Yorkshire. There is also the alternative to purchase directly from the appeal’s Amazon Wishlist or to make a cash donation to the appeal which will be used to purchase additional gifts.

There are lots of ways to get involved:

Donate a Small Gift: From toiletries and cozy socks to books, puzzles, and other thoughtful items, all donations will be warmly received. Visit https://healthstars.org.uk/events/christmas-star-appeal for our shopping list.

Drop-Off a gift: Gifts can be dropped off at the following locations between 18 November and 8 December 2024:

·       Health Stars, Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust, Willerby Hill, HU10 6ED (only open Monday – Friday)

·       Whitby Hospital Reception, Whitby, YO21 1DP

·       Malton Hospital Reception, Middlecave Road, Malton,YO17 7NG

·       East Riding Community Hospital Reception, Swinemoor Lane, Beverley, HU17 0FA

·       Inspire, Walker Street, Hull, HU3 2HE

Monetary Donations: Those who prefer to donate financially can do so at https://justgiving.com/campaign/humberchristmasgifts