While the festive period might be exciting for some, it can be painful and overwhelming for others. Whether it’s money worries, the anticipation of spending time with family, or the stress of preparing for all the festivities, the holiday season can be hard on our mental health.

The NELFT NHS Charity is dedicated to enhancing the care and wellbeing of both service users and staff. Thanks to the support of the community, the charity is able to fund a variety of projects that are transforming care across the Trust. 

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)’s latest data shows that hospitalisations as a result of flu have more than doubled in the past week.

Vaccination offers the best defence against these diseases, and now is the time to get protected before Christmas, so it is vital that those eligible for their flu and COVID-19 vaccines who have still not been vaccinated come forward as soon as possible before the NHS booking system closes on 19 December. 

At 72 years old, Deidre Winnett has travelled the globe, having visited 37 countries and even climbing to base camp in the Himalayas. But when COVID-19 first struck her in 2021, her world drastically changed. Since then, she’s contracted the virus six times, leaving her with debilitating long COVID, with symptoms including breathlessness, extreme fatigue, and limb numbness. 

NELFT’s innovative international recruitment efforts have been recognised with a prestigious Nursing Times Award, celebrating our work in mental health nursing recruitment and pastoral care, delivered in partnership with NEU Professionals.  

A brand-new health and care centre has opened its doors in the heart of Ilford.

Ilford Exchange Health Centre has been designed as a 'one stop shop', offering easy access to a range of healthcare, social care and community services in a central location.

NELFT Havering Adult Speech and Language Team and the Havering Place based Partnership’s project ‘One Voice’ was highly commended last night for the Primary and Community Care Innovation of the Year award at the annual HSJ awards. 

NELFT is the first NHS trust to establish a Relational Care Faculty (RCF) to transform mental healthcare for patients and their families.

University of Creative Arts (UCA) students in Canterbury, collaborated with Kent and Medway CYPMHS to create poignant videos supporting young people accessing mental health services.

The Havering Emotional Support Team (HEST) showcased its impactful work in supporting children, students, parents, and educators with emotional wellbeing initiatives in a visit from the Department for Education (DfE) .

For the millions of people living with diabetes, everyday life can be a struggle. They must approach every part of the day – home, work, school – with constant caution and extra effort. 

Occupational therapy plays a vital role in health, social care and society. It enables people to have fulfilling lives at home, at work, at school – and everywhere else – through meaningful occupations.

We know change is needed. But we also know that many of the solutions we need are already here, working somewhere in the NHS today. Help build a health service fit for the future.

NELFT in collaboration with East London Foundation Trust (ELFT) and Oxleas held an event focus ed on the experience of Black men in mental healthcare .

The NELFT NHS Charity (previously known as The Health Way Foundation) funds projects that improve service user environments, support patient activities and enhance staff wellbeing.