Medequip’s services are all about people, so our commitment to community engagement is a vital part of the dynamics that hold our own community together. Over the years, we’ve been proud to sponsor and contribute to national and local schemes and initiatives, both large and small.
2024 was our most productive year to date, so we’d like to give an overview of some of our headline community engagement news, as well how our teams at Medequip around the country work to give back to their local areas in terms of time, practical support and experience.
The Royal Legion Poppy Appeal
This year, more Medequip depots than ever joined forces with the Royal British Legion to help with their annual Poppy Appeal. Medequip teams help with the logistics and distribution of poppies and poppy collection boxes using our vans and people, to locations as diverse as supermarkets, garages, sporting venues and schools. Medequip also donates volunteering hours to enable staff to spend time in local supermarkets manning card machines to raise money for the Appeal. In 2024,our people successfully contributed almost £35,000 to the fund.
Trek 26 for the Alzheimer’s Society
Medequip has been raising money for the Society since pre-pandemic years, stepping up in terms of time and commitment in 2022 when we first began to support the Trek26 initiative. Trek26 is one of Alzheimer’s Society’s most popular events, with people taking part in a series of 13 and 26-mile treks in breath-taking locations across the UK to raise money for the charity. In 2024, Medequip teams across the country helped at people supported at each and every one of the ten events nationwide, providing assistance out on the route, at water stops, split points and at the finish line.
Supporting Inclusive & Grassroots Sports
Our active community engagement programme supports a number of different leading organisations with both sponsorship and, where relevant, practical assistance in terms of people and vehicles. In 2024, we were proud to be part of a shirt sponsorship deal for the England Community Lions PDRL (Physical Disability Rugby League) as well as partnering with Disability Sport Yorkshire to support DSY initiatives including the inaugural Activ8 Inclusive Sports Festival project, dedicated to promoting inclusivity in sports and physical activities. We also support the Sheffield Steelkings Para Ice Hockey team, Britain’s biggest in the sport, committed to showcasing athletic excellence as well as promoting inclusivity, resilience, and the power of sport to unite communities.
Our commitment to community engagement also extends to supporting local youth and grassroots sports clubs within our contract areas. We proudly sponsor and assist teams such as Newport Dragons FC, Newton Aycliffe Girls Under 15s, Hemsby FC, Huddersfield Laund Hill RUFC, and Chantry Grasshoppers Under 12s. By providing funding, equipment, and practical support where possible, we help ensure that young athletes have the resources they need to thrive, develop their skills, and enjoy the benefits of team sports.
Supporting sport-related community initiatives
Sport is a great leveller, and Medequip is honoured to be involved with a number of organisations whose groundbreaking work is changing lives in communities around the country.
In 2024, we supported the Huddersfield Giants Community Trust (HGCT) with the successful launch of their new Sensory Zone at The Zone their multipurpose venue. This innovative facility has been designed to provide an inclusive and stimulating environment where individuals of all abilities can explore, engage, and thrive.
We partnered with Rotherham United Community Sports Trust (RUCST), the charitable arm of Rotherham United Football Club and responsible for initiatives focused around education, sports participation, health, wellbeing, and social inclusion, enriching the lives of Rotherham residents.
We also sponsored Wakefield Trinity Community Foundation, contributing to their extensive programme using the power of Rugby League and physical activity to inspire the community and create lasting legacies.
Last but certainly not least, we are proud to be a Gold Friend of the Ipswich Foundation, the charitable arm of Ipswich Town Football Club, which delivers a range of diverse and innovative programmes, engaging over 9,000 young people and vulnerable adults on a weekly basis. Activities include dementia cafes, providing children in receipt of free school meals with food and activities during half terms, interacting with local schools and providing activities and pathways for young teens to divert them away from drug and knife crime.
Equipment to Romania
We’ve been working with PhysioNet and Belief in Action for many years. The charity delivers resources and shares skills and knowledge to support sustainable community projects in Romania.
Across Medequip depots, our people work to identify equipment deemed to be at the end of its useful life in this country - donating it to the charity is an important part of our recycling and sustainability policy. We reduce waste to landfill, Belief in Action receive high quality equipment which can be refurbished and go on to play a crucial role in helping people with disabilities in Romania to lead more fulfilled lives.
This year, Belief in Action sent six 40ft articulated trucks filled with equipment – the most ever, with 80-85% coming from Medequip. These goods are hugely beneficial to the recipients, who are forever grateful. Going forward, Belief in Action needs more support to transport goods overseas as they are reliant on donations to pay for the lorries. If you can help in any way, visit www.beliefin-action.co.uk or contact info@beliefin-action.co.uk
Supporting our local Fire Services
Medequip depots continued to work closely with Fire Service prevention teams in 2024. Here, the objective is to provide technicians with the ability to recognise people who may be at risk and show how to refer them for a Home Fire Safety Visit. Alongside this is the drive to educate the Fire Service’s Community Safety Officers about some of the challenges technicians face when delivering and installing equipment.
Collaborating with FareShare for food deliveries
FareShare provides a vital lifeline for many families, and getting the food out into the community is one of the key operational challenges faced by the charity. In 2024, our Suffolk depot began work with FareShare, using Medequip transport to deliver dry, tinned, fresh and frozen food to pop-up food charities and kitchens around the region. We are now looking at how this could be expanded into neighbouring FareShare areas in Essex and Norfolk, where we also manage community equipment loan services.
The PURE Approach
Aligning with our own inclusive recruitment policy we continue to welcome PURE trainees. The PURE project (Placing vulnerable Urban Residents into Employment) brings together a range of coordinated interventions designed to assist the needs of the people with barriers into the employment market. Many of our PURE trainees have gone on to enjoy permanent employment with Medequip.
The Sloppy Slippers Story
We supported the ‘Sloppy Slippers’ campaign originally launched by NHS Somerset, in partnership with Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership (SASP). Some 24,000 over-65s in the UK suffer a fall annually due to ill-fitting slippers. Sloppy Slippers was a series of roadshows where local people could visit, be measured and assessed and provided free of charge with properly fitted slippers. We are delighted to have supported by sourcing and purchasing good quality slippers and attending the roadshows to provide advice and information.
So may others to mention…
There are so many valuable initiatives under way across the Medequip network where we provide everything from assistance with people and equipment through to fundraising and sponsorship.
Just few additional highlights:-
- Treecycling, where we collect Christmas trees for recycling, raising money for local hospices
- Alzheimer’s Memory Walks – helping with marshalling and participating
- Practical and financial help for local foodbanks and street charities including key sponsorship of the Giant Howarth Sleepout, aimed at raising awareness and funds to address homelessness within the community
- Sponsorship for many local children and young people’s sports teams
- Charity jumble sales and football matches
… and finally, so many individual fundraising initiatives organised by Medequip people supporting charities close to their hearts. We’re looking forward to continuing to support all our partners into 2025.