As part of our ongoing work to support staff with the rising cost of living, we held two more marketplaces at our hospitals this week.

More than 200 colleagues took the opportunity to pick up items donated by our staff, businesses and local charity S.M.I.L.E London and Essex.

As well as the donated items, staff were invited to take part in a raffle. Items up for grabs in the raffle included gift vouchers, beauty products from Elemis, and treatment vouchers from Fami Hair and Beauty Institute.

Bereavement Officer Julie Atkins won a £100 voucher in the marketplace at King George Hospital.

Julie, pictured right, said: “I went in to look for toys for my granddaughter. I got there early and picked up a sensory book for her before having a go at the raffle, so I feel very lucky.

“I’m normally based at Queen’s and was only at King George as cover for someone else so it was definitely my lucky day! I’m planning to go shopping next week and will use the voucher to buy myself some new clothes.”

Charleen Elton, from our cost of living project team, said: “I’m really proud of what we’re achieving in supporting staff with these marketplaces. They take a lot of work to organise but it’s so rewarding when we see the smiles on colleagues’ faces.

“This is the third set of marketplaces we’ve done and we’re looking forward to continuing to support colleagues with our next ones in May.”

The marketplaces are just one of the initiatives we’ve launched to support staff.

We’ve also increased the staff discount in our canteens and the mileage allowance for those who use their car at work.

Other support includes confidential food bank referrals, free period products, financial wellbeing days, and giving staff access to a proportion of their salary in advance of payday.