Launched on 5 July 1948 in Manchester, the NHS has transformed the health and well-being of a nation – young and old – becoming the envy of the world.

With pioneering medical advances and improving the health outcomes for millions of people, FTCT is very proud to work with CLIC Sargent social workers at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) to support some of the NHS’s youngest patients.

Working together to support families

FTCT provide grants to children of parents working in the UK fashion and textile industry and with the help of the
specialist family liaison workers, together we identify families who could be eligible to receive a grant. To mark our special relationship with the NHS’s seven decade celebration, we’ve caught up with Maria Pope, one of the CLIC Sargent social workers at GOSH.

Maria tells us about her role at GOSH: “I meet families whose children have just been diagnosed with a condition that is likely to mean they will be spending an increasing amount of time at the hospital. I’m here to support the families with whatever they need, whether that’s emotional or practical support, building relationships and giving advice to help ease their everyday lives while the children are GOSH patients.”

Maria and her team have recently helped a parent, who works in a retail clothes store. The family received a grant to purchase essential items for their daughter, GOSH patient, and her siblings: new bedroom furniture, sensory toys and other items that simply eased the financial pressure when work hours and monthly incomes were reduced. Maria feeds back that, ‘the family were delighted; every bit helps’.

We hope our relationship with GOSH can continue for another 70 years like the NHS! Working with the team means we can really help support more and more families when they need it most.

If you are looking to celebrate this iconic and special birthday, why not organise a few friends to pop along to your local hospital to see how they are celebrating the NHS Big7Tea party. Or get together with family and friends for a cuppa and a catch up. Take a photo and share on social media! Don’t forget to use #NHSat70 and us on @FTCT on social media.