In June 2025, we provided over £21,000 in small grants to help patients and loved ones during their hospital stay and beyond. Our grants don't just ease the financial burden for people after major trauma - they can also provide autonomy, dignity and emotional safety. Our caseworker, Marianne, shares how much of a difference a small grant can make 🧡 "Recently, I went to buy some clothing and pumps for a patient using a Day One grant. The patient had come into the Major Trauma Centre following a mental health crisis, and had since been sectioned under the Mental Health Act. In a situation where so much had been taken out of his control, this became a chance to offer him some choice and dignity. I could've just grabbed the basics, but instead, I asked him to make a list of things he'd like to take with him to his next inpatient setting. I chose different colours to give him a sense of daily choice, checked his preferred style of underwear and pumps, giving him some say in what he'd be wearing and making sure the items were purposeful and personal. I also picked up a simple rucksack and took care to fold each item neatly before presenting it to him. It was a small gesture but with meaning: your things matter, because you matter." (fb)

I cried non-stop after my injury. I couldn’t control my emotions. I was so angry. I thought I was going to lose my friends, the sport that I loved, uni and everything else that mattered to me. I wanted to talk to someone who knew what I was going through. My mum found Day One when she was looking for trauma therapy online. They arranged for me to have a series of calls with two peer support volunteers, Catherine and Narin. The first phone call with Catherine was just getting to know each other. We bonded a lot. We had stories to share and she had a great sense of humour. As the calls went on, I asked her what she had to deal with and what worked for her. She gave me such good tips and tricks for life, anything really – even a brilliant spag bol recipe! I spoke to Narin as well and that was incredible. She is incredible. She shared her story and that was what I needed. I felt validated by her. She had a bigger injury, but that didn’t mean mine was nothing. She gave me so many good insights about friends and family. An injury doesn't define you, so there shouldn’t be any pressure to talk about your recovery if you’re not ready. I really enjoyed having peer support calls and they have made such a positive difference. I’ve learnt so much. I've learnt not to worry. It’s not the end of the world and everything can be put on hold. I’m looking forward to when I can pass on the knowledge I’ve learnt from Catherine and Narin to other people who have been in similar situations. I honestly don’t know what I would have done without peer support from Day One. (fb)