The midwife who’s back to caring for patients after a long illness.
The healthcare support worker who’s become an expert in dementia care.
The nurse who improved everyday life for people in care homes around the UK.
These are just a few examples of how our support for the nursing team has a direct, positive impact on patient care and public health and wellbeing.
Our impact on individuals in 2022
In 2022, we directly supported 873 nurses, midwives, and healthcare support workers as well as many hundreds of others impacted through the projects we funded.
Hardship grants
- We awarded £280,000 in hardship grants to 618 members of the nursing and midwifery workforce facing hardship.
- 14% of all benevolent grants awarded in 2022, compared to 3% in 2021, were to those experiencing domestic violence.
- In total, we identified over £1 million per year in unclaimed benefits - the average financial gain for an individual who was signposted through our service was £535 per month.
- 92% said the grant and any signposting received helped them to feel more in control of their situation.
"I have worked for the NHS for 11 years and due to unforeseen circumstances I found myself and my children suddenly living in a refuge which meant I had to take a long period of time off work. I suffer with different mental health disorders and that, along with lack of finances, made dealing with my disorders very much impossible. When I received my grant from the RCN Foundation it gave me support, it helped financially and improved my mood for myself and my children. Due to feeling mentally much more positive I have had the drive to get up and do more."
Laura, a healthcare support worker
Education grants
- We supported the professional development and training of 255 individuals through education grants that totalled £348,000.
- Courses undertaken ranged from a Masters of Public Health, Diploma in Women’s Health, to a PG Cert in Learning Disability and/or Autism.
- 95% reported that the grant had enhanced holistic, evidence based, patient-centred care.
- 95% stated that they had increased competence.
“The Into Nursing grant has been vital to me and my family in making this career change possible and in getting me to a place where I can join the NHS workforce as a qualified nurse. I am forever grateful for your support.”
Alana was awarded £5,000 through our Into Nursing grant towards an MSc Nursing with Registration as a Children’s Nurse at Kings College. She now works on a neo natal unit but hopes to one day become a humanitarian aid nurse.
Our impact on patient care
In 2022, we funded a number of nursing and midwifery led research projects.
In May, we launched the Here for Life campaign which aimed to raise awareness of the breadth, depth and diversity of the nursing and midwifery professions. Over a four day period, social media assets for Here for Life reached more than 3.3 million individuals and the estimated cost of gaining this reach through paid placement is around £8.7 million.
Here are some of our other highlights:
- The development of a web-based application tool by the University of Huddersfield to be used by non-specialist nurses to support them assess the mental health and emotional wellbeing of children and young people.
- The publication of a paper and a video presenting what Healthful Leadership in Nursing looks like, a study undertaken by Queen Margaret University.
- The launch of The Amin Abdullah RCN Foundation Grant which is a fund created in memory of nurse Amin Abdullah and aims to support nurse-led projects that focus on nurses’ wellbeing.
Why we measure impact
Evaluating our impact shows not only the effectiveness of our work but also the need for our services amongst the nursing and midwifery professions. By evidencing our impact, we can showcase our work to our partners and donors. We can also review what has worked well and areas we may need to target or develop to ensure that we continuously improve our services.
For a more in-depth review of our impact, take a look at our RCN Foundation Impact Report 2022.