Care Home Professional have recognised Hannah as an Innovator In Care in this years Power List.
Hannah Montgomery is founder of Grace Cares, a not-for-profit organisation which launched this past Valentine’s Day.
It collects, donates and sells pre-loved care equipment to enhance people’s quality of life, support care workers and older people in need with grants and community groups, and leave a better planet for future generations.
The charitable organisation’s formation came from a lightbulb moment of Hannah’s: she asked a colleague in the sector about where she could acquire a stairlift, and he mentioned that a lot of care equipment goes to landfill. There had to be a way to repurpose this care equipment for those who needed it, Hannah decided.
Grace Cares has already had donations from the Birmingham Commonwealth Games and has secured formal partnerships with Birmingham and Midlands NHS Trusts and Barchester, while Hannah Montgomery is the driving force that has made the organisation a reality.
Find out more
Read about the other individuals featured in the Innovators in Care category here.
Care Home Professional – The Power List 2023: Read more click here.
Grace Cares have not only been nominated but also in the final 3 for not just one but THREE awards at the Lichfield District Council Beacon Awards 2023.
OH MY GOSH!
So what are they?
“The Beacon Awards will bring together the brightest and most talented individuals from businesses of all sizes from across the district and recognise their hard work, dedication, and contributions to their industries. From entertainment and sports to business and technology, The Beacon Awards will honour the best of the best.”
Council Leader Doug Pullen says:
“I am thrilled that the council has been approached to establish a new award to recognise the fantastic work and achievements that take place across the district. The community and business awards will shine a spotlight on people who might not otherwise be celebrated and on businesses that are at the heart of our economy.”
Grace Cares are in the final 3 for the below categories:
💚 BEST SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS
💙 COMMUNITY HERO
💚 CHARITY OR SOCIAL ENTERPRISE OF THE YEAR
A massive thank you to John Moore for nominating and believing in us.
If we are honest we know of far more deserving community heroes such as Elaine Hutchings, Wai-Lee Ho and Jonathan ‘Jono’ Oates to name just a few. So here’s a shout out to you and all you do for our local community.
Whatever the outcome CONGRATULATIONS to all of the other nominees, especially our friends at JCFX Media James Cooper, THE LISTENING CENTRE (EAP) LTD Sharon McCormick, Lichfield PAT Testing Graham Shipton, The Hub at St Mary’s Sarah Clark, FRIARY SHOES LIMITED, Lichfield Garrick Theatre, Duke of York, Chase Terrace Academy Julie Poppleton.
We are very excited to attend the presentation evening on Thursday 12 October at the National Memorial Arboretum with our supporters and health and social care colleagues. Wish us luck 🤞
Get your tickets and find out more click here.
The provision of high-quality health and social care is vital to the well-being of individuals and society as a whole. To achieve this, health and social care workers and those receiving care need access to the best tools and equipment available. However, purchasing new equipment can be costly, and not always the most sustainable option. Pre-loved care equipment is an excellent alternative, and we need to think about its benefits.
Pre-loved care equipment refers to previously owned medical and social care equipment that has been professionally refurbished to be reused. These pieces of equipment can range from mobility aids such as wheelchairs and walking frames, to more complex medical equipment like profiling beds and rise and recliner chairs. They can also be issued with an infection control certification.
There are several benefits to using pre-loved care equipment in the health and social care sector.
Firstly, pre-loved care equipment is cost-effective. The cost of new care equipment can be very high, making it difficult for many people and now care providers to afford. Pre-loved equipment, on the other hand, is much more affordable, allowing people to save money without sacrificing quality or safety. By investing in pre-loved equipment, care companies can reallocate their financial resources towards other important aspects of care provision, such as staff training, building upgrades, or community outreach programs.
Secondly, pre-loved care equipment is environmentally friendly. In today’s world, where environmental sustainability is more important than ever before, it is essential that the health and social care sector does its part. The purchase of new equipment is contributing to the growing problem of waste and pollution. By choosing pre-loved equipment, we are reducing carbon footprint, minimising waste, and preserving the planet’s resources.
Thirdly, pre-loved care equipment is readily available. Pre-loved equipment can be delivered quickly, ensuring that care providers can meet the needs of their patients and clients promptly as they aren’t waiting for the item to be made to order.
Fourthly, pre-loved care equipment is safe and reliable. Pre-loved equipment is professionally refurbished and tested to ensure that it meets safety standards and is fit for use. Care Providers can be confident that the equipment they purchase is of high quality, and that it will perform as expected.
In conclusion, pre-loved care equipment is an excellent alternative to new equipment, and health and social care workers need to think about its benefits. Pre-loved equipment is cost-effective, environmentally friendly, readily available, safe and reliable, and flexible. By investing in pre-loved equipment, care providers can save money, reduce waste, provide care to those who need it most, and improve the quality of care they provide. As the health and social care sector faces increasing pressure to do more with less, pre-loved equipment is an essential tool for ensuring that everyone receives the care they need and deserve.
Things are starting to feel real… how very exciting!
We now have our first Grace Cares depot in Lichfield which has been generously offered to us by a very kind Lichfield business women. She has previously supported children with special needs in the Lichfield community and is an all around lovely human. She’ll kill us for putting this, as she is not one for the limelight… hence not naming names, but it only feels right to publicly thank her.
This means care equipment donations can be dropped off with ease, we even have a roller door so you can back in right to the entrance of the depot.
People are also able to come and see our care equipment before choosing which item best fits their needs.
Currently you need to pre-book an appointment to donate or to have a look and pick up a care item so we can ensure a member of the team is there to meet you. Especially if you are donating bulky items as we will need to ensure our manual lifting trained staff are there to ensure everyone’s safety.
As we grow we will be looking to get this manned at regular hours. We would welcome if anyone would like to volunteer to support.
You may or may not see Adam, Emma and Hannah in wheelchair races around the estate… BUT there will always be time for a cuppa and a natter (might even stretch to biscuits if we have raised enough money!).
Please note: Unfortunately for health and safety reasons we can only take working equipment and any furniture donations need to have the fire label and not be over a certain age due to the use of persistent organic pollutants (POPs).
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