Colleagues at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals (DBTH) are set to benefit from enhanced wellbeing support as DBTH Charity has secured over £200,000 in funding from NHS Charities Together and NHS England.
The funding will help the charity deliver targeted support to improve the health and wellbeing of local colleagues, both now and in the future.
The grant forms part of a nationwide £11 million programme, including a £5 million contribution from NHS England, supporting 61 projects across the country since 2024.
The funding will enable the charity to deliver The PERIOD Project (Prevalence, Equity, Resources, Impact, Outcomes, Dignity), a pioneering initiative tackling period poverty and menstrual health inequalities among NHS employees.
Period poverty is the lack of access to affordable menstrual products, appropriate facilities, and information, often compounded by stigma, which can affect a person’s health, dignity, and ability to fully participate in daily life.
With around 80% of the Trust’s workforce made up of women, the project addresses an issue that can have a significant impact on many across Bassetlaw Hospital, Doncaster Royal Infirmary and Montagu Hospital.
The initiative will explore the scale of the issue within the organisation, co-design practical solutions with colleagues, and develop a toolkit to help NHS organisations across England better support their teams.
By improving awareness, reducing stigma and introducing targeted interventions, the project aims to create a more inclusive workplace culture and ensure individuals feel supported to thrive at work.
Dr Kelly Mackenzie, Consultant in Public Health at DBTH and Lead for the PERIOD Project, said: “We are incredibly grateful to NHS Charities Together and NHS England for this funding. This project will shine a light on an often overlooked issue affecting our colleagues and help us better understand the impact of period poverty and menstrual health inequalities.
“This is an important step in ensuring we are meeting the needs of our people. By working closely with teams, we will develop practical solutions and resources that make a real difference, helping to create a more supportive, inclusive environment where everyone can perform at their best.”
Insights from the project will be shared nationally, helping to shape future funding and ensure lasting improvements to NHS workforce wellbeing across the country.
Ellie Orton, CEO of NHS Charities Together, said: “The busy winter flu season has come to a close, but with huge pressure on health services continuing to impact those who care for us, it’s vital that NHS staff receive the tools and support needed to look after their own health and wellbeing.
“We’re proud to be supporting NHS charities like DBTH Charity with funding that has the potential to make a positive difference to our hardworking NHS staff and reduce the mental and physical toll of working in such a challenging environment.”
