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National Tea Party Day Fundraiser Launch

A UK social care charity has partnered with British manufacturer Arthur Price to launch a National Tea Party Day fundraising campaign on 21 April. The campaign supports older people and unpaid caregivers who are at risk of loneliness and isolation.

Grace Cares, a not-for-profit organisation, delivers preventative community support. In addition, it promotes circular economy initiatives in health and social care. As part of the campaign, the charity is raffling an Arthur Price Everyday Classic 42-piece boxed cutlery set worth £279.

Tickets cost £10 each. Importantly, the funds will help expand community tea parties and Care Club sessions. These initiatives provide connection, trusted advice, and practical support before challenges become crises.

The organisation will draw the winning ticket on National Tea Party Day. This timing highlights how simple community activities can improve wellbeing and reduce pressure on public services.

Supporting Prevention Across the Care Pathway

Loneliness is now widely recognised as a major public health issue. It affects both older people and unpaid caregivers across the UK.

According to Age UK, around 1.4 million older people often feel lonely. Furthermore, data from the Office for National Statistics shows that persistent loneliness links to poorer physical health. It can also reduce independence and increase the need for support services.

However, community-based initiatives can help. For example, tea parties encourage connection and conversation. As a result, they support the wellbeing principles of the Care Act 2014. They also help people stay independent for longer and avoid crisis-level support.

Hannah Montgomery, co-founder of Grace Cares, said:
“Small moments of connection can make a significant difference. A cup of tea and conversation may seem simple, but they help people feel seen, supported and less alone. Prevention starts in communities, and National Tea Party Day is a powerful way to bring people together while supporting those who need it most.”

Supporting Unpaid Caregivers and Building Resilience

Across the UK, millions of unpaid caregivers provide essential support. They play a vital role in sustaining the health and social care system. However, many experience isolation, stress, and limited access to support.

Therefore, the raffle aims to make a difference. Funds will support hardship grants and community programmes run by Grace Cares. These programmes help both caregivers and older people. In turn, they strengthen resilience and reduce pressure on the wider care system.

Simon Price, chairman of Arthur Price, said:
“The statistics around loneliness are deeply concerning, and we are proud to support Grace Cares in their work bringing people together. We hope this campaign encourages more communities and organisations to take part and help create meaningful connections.”

Invitation to Communities and Care Organisations

Grace Cares is encouraging care providers, community groups, volunteers, and local organisations to get involved. Specifically, they can host their own tea parties as part of the campaign.

These events are simple and low-cost. Nevertheless, they can have a big impact. They support wellbeing, strengthen relationships, and improve quality of life for older people and unpaid caregivers.

Hannah added:
“We would love to see care organisations and communities across the country getting involved. Something as simple as tea and cake can create moments that genuinely change how people feel.”

How to Get Involved ☕

There are several easy ways to support the campaign:

Purchase a £10 raffle ticket to win the Arthur Price Everyday Classic 42-piece cutlery set
Host a tea party for older people or unpaid caregivers in your community
Share the campaign with colleagues, residents, families, and volunteers

Tickets are available at:
https://grace-cares.com/donations/arthur-price-raffle/

Find out more:
www.grace-cares.com
01543 730189
hello@grace-cares.com

Grace Cares scoops £20,000 award from Aviva Broker Community Fund

Grace Cares, a Lichfield-based non-profit that supports older people and care workers, received a welcome funding boost this week. The organisation received an award worth £20,000 from the Aviva Broker Community Fund, thanks to a nomination from Tamworth-based Prizm Solutions.

Grace Cares is a not-for-profit organisation that supports older people, their families and care workers across the UK. They collect, donate, and sell pre-loved care equipment to enhance people’s quality of life and keep it from going to landfill. All profits go back into supporting care workers and older people in need, in the form of one-off grants.

Prizm Solutions is a local business with a commitment to doing business ethically and giving something back to the community. Matthew Small, Director at Prizm Solutions, volunteers with Grace Cares and nominated them for the Aviva Broker Community Fund.

Hannah Montgomery, Co-founder of Grace Cares said, “We’re overwhelmed to receive the top award. We believe that good social care is fundamental for our country, and we’re super proud of the positive impact we are having already for older people, care workers AND the planet. This money will make a huge difference to what we can achieve as a small non-profit. Thank you to Prizm Solutions for the nomination, and to the Aviva Broker Community Fund for choosing Grace Cares from the many good causes who applied. We’re beyond delighted.”

Aviva Broker Community Fund supports causes that actively make a difference at a local level. This year’s judging panel were particularly looking for nominations in two key areas:

Environment Action – helping communities to become more environmentally friendly and sustainable.
Financial Wellbeing – helping communities to cope in the face of financial difficulty.

The work of Grace Cares was recognised for its impact in both Environmental Action and Financial Wellbeing. They were selected as one of only five good causes to win the Top Award worth £20,000.

The award comes just days after Grace Cares picked up three more accolades:

Best Sustainable Business – Lichfield District Council Beacon Awards
Community Hero – Lichfield District Council Beacon Awards
Suppliers of Products and Services – Care Talk Magazine Social Care Premier Supplier Awards

Aviva Broker UK shared a total prize pot of £300,000 across 65 non-profits. Awards started from £500, and they received over 160 applications for funding.

Photo caption:

Founders of Grace Cares Hannah Montgomery and Emma Smith accepting their £20,000 award at the Aviva Broker Community Fund ceremony on Tuesday, 17 October 2023 at the Honourable Artillery Company, London. They were joined at the event by Matthew Small from Prizm Solutions, who nominated them for the award, Will Greenwood MBE and David Martin, Managing Director of Aviva.

VERY kindly written for us by the lovely Denise Atkins who is a content designer & copywriter for charities and non-profits. You should Link In with her, click here.

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• You get care equipment at 50-75% off the RRP.
• You stop the care items becoming needless landfill waste.
• You stop the carbon expenditure of the manufacturing process.
• Your donation for the care equipment is used for grants to support care workers and older people.
• Your donation for the care equipment is also used towards running local community projects.

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