As 2021 drew to a close, the NHS Together charitable federation highlighted how its fundraising efforts have helped one person among many to access mental health support services.
The national organisation that supports the work of over 230 charitable bodies working to help the health service and its staff also recognised the efforts of Liverpool FC captain Jordan Henderson in his lead role heading the Players Together initiative.
Players Together and Jordan Henderson
Players Together is a collective of footballers contributing to NHS Together and was launched in April 2020, at the height of the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, with Henderson heading it up.
Born and raised in Sunderland, Henderson played for his hometown club before making the move to Liverpool in 2011. Since then, the 31-year-old has represented England at two World Cups and three European Championships.
Henderson was awarded the MBE last summer for his services to football and to charity and has been particularly active in supporting the work of Sunderland Royal Hospital, where his father was provided with care during a 2014 battle with cancer.
NHS Together and mental health
In an Instagram post on December 30th, NHS Together highlighted the story of Jenny, a Radiology Nurse at Liverpool Hospitals Foundation Trust. During the stresses and pressures of the pandemic, Jenny was able to access mental health assistance thanks to funds provided by the charity.
NHS Together’s Covid-19 appeal has so far raised more than £150 million to support the wellbeing of staff, patients and volunteers in the health service. Over £40 million was donated from the efforts of Captain Sir Tom Moore, who captured the attention and hearts of the world during 2020. Donations to the Covid-19 fundraiser can still be made here.
The power of sport for mental health
Any form of exercise has been shown by multiple studies to benefit mental wellbeing. Sport does just that, as well as reducing stress, helping with low mood, and being beneficial for a range of mental health conditions. Sports brings people together who may otherwise find themselves socially isolated, which brings its own mental health challenges.
If you are planning to get a little more active this year or taking up a sport, be sure to see if you can save some money by bagging discount codes for new sports gear and joining fees for clubs and gyms.
