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Black Country Brighter Lives, the charity of Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, is marking its 30th anniversary with a new public fundraising campaign: 30 ways to make a difference.
Black Country Brighter Lives charity is calling on staff, local people, community groups and businesses to donate, fundraise or take on a 30-themed challenge to support people using mental health, learning disability and autism services across the Black Country.
Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is the lead provider of mental health, learning disability and autism services across the Black Country, supporting people in Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton. The Trust provides care from its hospitals at Bushey Fields in Dudley, Edward Street and Hallam Street in Sandwell, Penn Hospital in Wolverhampton and Dorothy Pattison in Walsall, as well as from community sites across the region. Through its charity, local communities can help provide additional opportunities, activities and environments that enhance the support people receive.
To mark 30 years, the charity is asking the public to donate £30, raise £30 or take on a 30-themed challenge. Every £30 raised can help provide the thoughtful extras that make a real difference to care, wellbeing and recovery for people using mental health, learning disability and autism services across the Black Country.
For three decades, public generosity has enabled the charity to support projects and experiences that go beyond what the NHS can provide alone. These include welcoming gardens and green spaces, sensory equipment in hospitals, creative and therapeutic activities, days out for patients and carers, a dementia choir, staff wellbeing spaces and community projects that promote recovery, connection and hope.
There are simple ways for everyone to get involved:
-Walk 30 miles, swim 30 lengths or move for 30 minutes a day.
-Host a 30-minute quiz, coffee morning, sing-along or online fundraiser.
-Bake 30 treats, complete 30 acts of kindness or collect 30 items for a raffle.
-Invite 30 friends or colleagues to donate £3 or £30.
-Take on a team challenge to raise £300 or £3,000.
However you choose to take part, please start today. Set a £30 target, bring together friends, family or colleagues, and turn your idea into vital support for local people. No fundraiser is too small: every gift adds up, and the charity can help promote your activity and share your story to inspire others.
Manisha Patel, Charity Engagement Officer:
“Reaching our 30th anniversary is a proud moment for our charity and for everyone who has supported us. This campaign celebrates what local generosity has achieved and invites our community to shape what comes next. Whether you donate, take on a challenge or bring people together to fundraise, you will help create better experiences for patients, families, carers and the NHS staff who support them.”
Former patient and fundraiser Alyson Acorn was inspired to give back after receiving support from the Trust’s Perinatal Mental Health Team:
“Fundraising felt like my way of saying thank you. I truly wouldn’t be where I am today without the support I received, so being able to give something back meant a lot to me. It means so much to know that what I raised is helping someone else through their own struggles.”
Erica Little, Senior Occupational Therapist, who helps run the dementia choir funded by the charity:
“The choir brings joy, confidence, memories and connection. The charity makes these moments possible, and every donation helps us continue offering experiences that really matter to patients and families.”
Donate £30 or start your fundraiser today
Your support can create brighter moments for patients, families and carers across the Black Country. Donate £30, take on a 30-themed challenge or organise a fundraiser. Share your plans and photos with Manisha and Kate at Black Country Brighter Lives bchft.brighterlives@nhs.net so the charity can celebrate your support and inspire others to get involved.
Thank you.
Manisha and Kate