An Hour That Matters: Grace Cares Calls for 50 Volunteers to Save 300 Pieces of Care Equipment

Grace Cares, the award-winning not-for-profit making care more sustainable, is calling on local people and businesses to take part in a unique volunteering challenge on Wednesday 1st October 2025 at their unit at Elmhurst Business Park, Lichfield.

The challenge

A donation of 300 hybrid airflow mattresses – all under three years old and NHS-approved for reuse – has the potential to transform lives. Instead of being sent to landfill, they’ll be redistributed to people and care providers who need them most.

But before that can happen, the mattresses must be tested, prepared, and covered. With just an hour of community support, they can be saved and put back into use.

One hour, big impact

Grace Cares is asking for 50 volunteers, each giving just one hour between 9:30am – 4:00pm. Together, they can ensure all 300 mattresses are rescued in a single day.

“What else would you be doing for an hour? Scrolling, Netflix, another meeting? This is an hour that truly changes lives,” said Grace Cares co-founder, Hannah Montgomery.

A day to remember

The volunteering day promises to be lively and welcoming, with pizzas, drinks, and tunes to keep spirits high. Businesses can use it as a meaningful CSR activity, while individuals can play their part in supporting dignity for older people and unpaid caregivers, while protecting the planet.

Grace Cares already delivers £4–£7 of social value for every £1 spent, and is on a mission to support 1 million people, with the next milestone being 10,000 by 2028.

👉 Sign up here: Grace Cares Volunteer Form
📞 Call 01543 730189
📧 Email hello@grace-cares.com

Be one of the 50 volunteers to give An Hour That Matters – and help save 300 mattresses in just one day.

New White Paper Exposes Hidden Crisis Facing Unpaid Caregivers in the UK

Grace Cares, in collaboration with Ontex Global, has released a powerful new white paper highlighting the urgent need to support the UK’s millions of Unpaid Caregivers. This group is too often overlooked in policy, services, and public understanding.

Titled “Caring by Love, not by Pay: Stories and Solutions from Unpaid Caregivers”, the report is based on a national survey and in-person consultations with over 75 Unpaid Caregivers. It brings their lived experiences into sharp focus, revealing a widespread lack of recognition, poor access to support, and serious impacts on emotional and mental wellbeing.

“Unpaid Caregivers are the hidden backbone of our health and care system. They save the government billions – yet many are exhausted, isolated, and invisible. This white paper is about listening and acting,” said Hannah Montgomery, Co-Founder of Grace Cares.

According to Carers UK, there are around 5.7 million Unpaid Caregivers in the UK, providing care worth an estimated £132 billion per year – equivalent to a second NHS. Yet the white paper reveals:

54% of respondents feel the Unpaid Caregiver role is under-recognised
Over 50% reported emotional and psychological distress from their caregiving role
76% are unsure how to access support that already exists
Many do not initially identify as an Unpaid Caregiver, meaning they miss vital help

In response, Grace Cares and Ontex Global are co-developing a programme of local and national resources, drop-in sessions, and peer support initiatives, built directly from what Unpaid Caregivers said they need.

“At Ontex, we are proud to sponsor and support this vital work. Unpaid Caregivers deserve practical solutions, better recognition, and real-world support – not more barriers,” said Emily Vernon, UK Country Manager, Ontex Global.

Recommendations in the report include:

Better national and local recognition of the Unpaid Caregiver role
Improved signposting and awareness of existing services
Access to emotional and psychological support, including counselling and peer networks
Funding for respite care and training for complex caregiving tasks
A unified terminology and clearer pathway to identify as an Unpaid Caregiver

What’s next?

Grace Cares is inviting local authorities, health and care leaders, and community partners to act on these findings. Together with Ontex, they aim to build a national movement that ensures every Unpaid Caregiver has access to the support they deserve.

Download the White Paper

Available now click here.

L-R Stefan, Emma, Karanjeet and Hannah, Ontex Global with a copy of the white paper.

Richard Winterton Auctioneers Partners with Grace Cares to Support Sustainable Care and Community Impact

Richard Winterton Auctioneers has announced a new partnership with Grace Cares, a not-for-profit organisation on a mission to make care more sustainable – not just for the environment, but for the people at the heart of it all.

The family firm carries out around a dozen house clearances each week across the area and holds weekly sales at The Lichfield Auction Centre, featuring hundreds of lots. Going forward, care equipment sourced through these clearances will be donated to Grace Cares, where it will be rescued, refurbished, and rehomed to help those who need it most, rather than ending up in landfill.

This partnership aligns both organisations around shared values of reuse, dignity, and community care. It’s a commitment to play it forward: giving care items a second life while creating real social impact for older people, unpaid caregivers, and care providers across the UK.

“The auction world revolves around recycling in one way or another,” said Tom Winterton, auctioneer and associate director at Richard Winterton Auctioneers. “Buying and selling under the hammer ultimately prevents a huge amount of potential waste through reuse, upcycling, and restoration. We regularly come across care equipment that could still make a real difference to someone’s life. This partnership ensures that nothing goes to waste, and everything goes to those who need it. There is tremendous synergy with Grace Cares and we couldn’t be happier with this partnership.”

Grace Cares’ Vision: A world where…

Older people live with dignity, independence, and access to the tools they need
Unpaid caregivers feel empowered, supported, and never alone
Care is kinder to the planet through reuse and a circular care economy
Communities come together to build a more inclusive, sustainable future

This partnership supports Grace Cares’ bold long-term ambition: to help 1 million people through sustainable care equipment and social support.

“Richard Winterton Auctioneers joining our network is a brilliant example of local businesses stepping up to create real change,” said Hannah Montgomery, Founder of Grace Cares. “Together, we’re proving that care can be circular, community-driven, and full of compassion.”

How Grace Cares Makes a Difference

Pre-loved care equipment – Rescuing, refurbishing, and reselling essential items affordably, keeping them out of landfill
Support for older people – Helping people live with dignity and independence by improving access to the tools and equipment they need
Caregiver support programmes – Practical resources, advice, and a growing network of support for unpaid caregivers, delivered through dedicated specialists
Support for care providers – Providing affordable equipment and ESG guidance to help services reduce waste and demonstrate environmental leadership
Community action – Powered by volunteers, local partnerships, and people who care about making a difference
Proven social impact – For every £1 invested, Grace Cares creates £4–7 in social, economic, and environmental value

At a time when the UK’s 5.7 million unpaid carers are saving the economy £162 billion each year – often without adequate support – this partnership helps ensure that vital equipment reaches those who truly need it.

L-R Richard Winterton, Adam Harrison and Lawerence Smith, Grace Cares, Tom Winterton

Grace Cares and Browne Jacobson Unite to Drive Sustainability in Social Care

Midlands-based not-for-profit Grace Cares has secured new support from UK and Ireland law firm Browne Jacobson to help expand its innovative Circular Care Crew project. This sustainability-led initiative rescues, refurbishes and redistributes pre-loved care equipment to those who need it most.

The partnership will allow Grace Cares to significantly increase its reach across Staffordshire and the West Midlands, areas served by both organisations. The funding comes at a crucial time as demand for the service continues to grow, driven by rising costs of care equipment and a growing awareness of environmental responsibility within the health and social care sectors.

Founded in 2023, Grace Cares has already diverted more than 2,500 pieces of care equipment from landfill, supported over 3,500 individuals and care providers, and formed partnerships with five NHS Trusts, local authorities, and community groups. Its van, introduced in 2024 with support from the Aviva Environmental Impact Award, now travels the region collecting and delivering items that would otherwise go to waste.

The van was recently given a new look as part of the organisation’s 2025 Intergenerational Campaign, featuring student-designed artwork on themes of kindness, sustainability, and care. It was unveiled at the historic Lichfield Bower procession and now serves as a mobile symbol of climate and community action.

Grace Cares Co-founder Hannah Montgomery said the new partnership with Browne Jacobson marks a significant milestone for the organisation.

“Browne Jacobson’s support will help us take the next step in scaling our impact. This project is not just about equipment. It’s about independence, dignity and supporting health and care systems in a more sustainable way.”

The Circular Care Crew offers an environmentally and socially conscious alternative to landfill, supplying mobility aids and care equipment at significantly reduced prices (often less than half the retail cost) while also creating job opportunities and reducing barriers for housebound individuals.

Browne Jacobson made the donation of £2,980 via the Browne Jacobson Charitable Trust (BJCT), which has donated more than £170,000 to 129 charities since 2018.

The BJCT is funded by a contribution from the Browne Jacobson partnership to provide small donations to local charities in the local communities near to its offices. It prioritises supporting causes that are important to Browne Jacobson employees, who must be involved with or have a strong connection to the charity.

Browne Jacobson associate Kyleigh Bland, who supported the bid, said: “The Browne Jacobson Charitable Trust reflects our firm’s commitment to supporting our communities and tackling some of society’s biggest issues, a core value of our firm.

“With its genuine community impact and commitment to environmental responsibility, Grace Cares is exactly the type of initiative we are passionate about supporting.

“The fact that it specifically targets the health and care sector is also important to us as this aligns with one of our specialist areas. We look forward to seeing how this partnership helps the charity to scale its impact.”

In recognition of the partnership, Grace Cares has also invited the legal firm’s staff to get involved through volunteering and outreach.

Since its launch, Grace Cares has won multiple national awards for its sustainability and innovation, including recognition from Aviva, the Social Care Leadership Awards and Lichfield District Council.

With the Circular Care Crew poised to double its throughput over the next year, this new chapter is set to bring lasting benefits to individuals, communities, and the planet alike.

L-R – Lawrence Smith, Adam Harrison, Emma Smith from Grace Cares

For further information, interviews or images, contact: Hannah Montgomery Co-founder, Grace Cares CIC 📧 hello@grace-cares.com 🌐 www.grace-cares.com