Mental health trust and nursing homes overwhelmed by donations from the local community

Kimberley Haigh, Deputy Manager of Highfield Manor Care Home receives a donation of face visors from Councillor Faisal Rana

Two residential homes for the elderly and the Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, which provides mental health and learning disability services across Rochdale, have been overwhelmed by gifts, kind-hearted donations and support over the past few weeks.

Local communities and businesses have supplied handmade scrubs, chocolates, cakes, toiletries, takeaway meals, comfort packs, fresh fruit, technology and much more to the grateful NHS heroes, whilst local councillor Faisal Rana donated personal protection equipment (PPE) to Ashbourne Nursing Home in Norden, and Highfield Manor Care Home in Heywood.

Councillor Rana says he is “grateful for the outstanding care provided by homes across the borough.” 

Councillor Rana added: “Our care workers are unsung heroes of this crisis. I have seen first-hand the dedication of the hardworking staff when caring for residents. The quality of care they provide is outstanding. 

“All care staff are putting their lives on the line every day, looking after our loved ones during this awful pandemic. My donation of safety visors is my way of saying a big thank you. Their safety is a concern to us all.”

Hard working NHS staff have continued to treat and care for thousands of vulnerable patients on both Birch Hill Hospital mental health wards and in the community throughout the pandemic.

At Birch Hill Hospital, mental health teams have been delighted to receive personal protective equipment from Wardle Academy, visors made by Hollingworth Academy, car seat protectors from Williams BMW on Gorrels Way, and 6,000 aprons from local businessman Ferguson Cowan.

Clare Molloy, chief executive of Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust said, “The outpouring of kindness and generosity from the Rochdale community has been overwhelming and so heart-warming. As well as helping in many practical ways, it’s really lifted the spirits.

“Our staff are doing a fantastic job, in exceptionally difficult circumstances, and I am incredibly proud of the way they have stepped up to meet the demands of running our services during the pandemic. The donations, gifts, messages and support mean so much at a time like this, so we’d like to say a huge thank you.”