After the success of our previous marketplaces, we’ve held another two, this time focusing on offering donated school uniform to staff who may be struggling to buy them as we approach the start of the new school year.

Karl Mercer from BBC London visited our marketplace at Queen’s Hospital to find out more about how we’re supporting our staff. You can watch the video below:

The marketplaces were held on Tuesday 15 August at King George Hospital, and on Tuesday 22 August at Queen’s Hospital. Over the two days, we saw over 140 staff members and their families visit and pick up school uniforms, bags, shoes, P.E kits, and even books for their children.

Members of staff who had spare or unwanted items donated to the events, which were also supported by local charity Smile London and Essex who offer donated and new uniforms.

Attending the marketplace at Queen’s, Joy Aiktanya, Clinical Fellow, said: “It’s a really nice thing for the Trust to offer, especially with the price of everything being so high. Offering something as simple as school uniform for our children has such an impact and makes a really big difference.”

Charleen Elton, Staff Experience Manager, said: “It’s great to be holding yet another set of marketplaces; it is clear to see how much of an impact this is having on our staff, especially as we start to work towards the new school year. We know how expensive this time can be for our staff and their families.

“One staff member told me that from our marketplace last year she saved over £300! When she heard that we were holding the events again this year, she headed straight down and was so thankful.

“It’s great to be able to help out and really make a difference to so many of our staff members.”

These events are a part of the wider cost of living initiatives we’ve introduced for our staff and their families, including offering a discount in our canteens, free period products, information on wellbeing support services and finances, and we’ve also become a foodbank referrer.