After the success of two marketplaces we held over the summer, (pictured above) offering free school uniforms and office wear to our staff, we’re holding two more before Christmas.

These marketplaces will have much more available to help our staff with the rising cost-of-living, including toys, clothes, household items, and food.

Some of what’s on offer has been donated by our staff, while we’re again working with the charity S.M.I.L.E London & Essex to provide items.

The marketplaces will be held at Queen’s Hospital on Friday 18 November, and King George Hospital on Wednesday 23 November. We’re asking all attendees to give a £2 donation to S.M.I.L.E, if they can, which will help support their work across our communities.

More than 250 families were supported by our August marketplaces, and another 200 families benefitted from school uniform vouchers.

There are lots of other ways we’re supporting our staff during these difficult times, including continuing to offer free period products after a successful trial where we distributed almost 600 items across our hospitals. We also offer confidential food bank referrals.

Other support includes: a discount in our canteens; increased mileage allowance for those using their car at work; financial wellbeing days; and giving staff access to a proportion of their salary in advance of payday.

Matthew Trainer, our Chief Executive, said: “The hike in mortgage repayments has been added to the list of things colleagues are concerned about as they deal with the cost-of-living crisis.

“I’m pleased we have our Cost-of-Living team who are continually looking for sustainable ways we can support our staff. Having two further marketplaces in the run-up to Christmas will provide some help to those concerned about managing this festive season.”