In April 2021 the charities team, with support from charity regulator, OSCR advised on the creation of a new charitable body providing much-needed support to hospital patients suffering from the restrictions imposed due to Covid-19.
The Rainbow Boxes Foundation provided essential items for patients admitted to hospital, often at short notice, who were unable to have visitors owing to restrictions caused by the virus, meaning that they were unable to get toiletries, clothing and other essentials that would make a stay in hospital more comfortable.
The initiative was established after NHS research nurse, Alison Williams who witnessed the distressing effects of isolation from family members following hospital admission. Alison began a social campaign asking for donations of essential items such as pyjamas and toiletries and was overwhelmed by the response, including support offered by RBS and Semi-Chem. The boxes provided practical items for patients but importantly, a degree of comfort to patients and their families.
The charity was formed with a 24 hour turnaround allowing for this urgent charity to be established smoothly and extremely quickly, allowing those involved to meet a dire need.
Lianne Lodge, partner and head of charities, said: “We were delighted that, alongside OSCR, we were able to establish The Rainbow Boxes Foundation as a charity so quickly. In these troubling times, it’s great to see such a great idea come to fruition.”
Ollie Todd a Trustee of Rainbow Boxes Foundation SCIO commented: “Lianne was instrumental in the success of our charity, Rainbow Boxes. We were formed in response to the Covid-19 crisis to provide essential items to patients in hospital as relatives could not under lockdown. With Lianne’s help we managed to gain charitable status within a matter of days which allowed us to get the necessary permissions to deliver urgent services to all wards in Lothian and some beyond as well as helping our fundraising of course. Lianne and her colleagues were also key in ensuring that patients had the right information before using a key part of our service, providing iPads for isolated patients to communicate with their families. I cannot thank Lianne enough for her excellent help and advice, given clearly and quickly during such unprecedented times.”