Issue 4
Grants and Impact Newsletter
Welcome
Welcome to the latest edition of the Grants and Impact newsletter, dedicated to showcasing the transformative impact that charitable funding makes across Alder Hey and beyond.
This newsletter focuses on the first quarter of the 2026/27 financial year, from April 1st 2026 to June 30th 2026. This newsletter provides an insight into grants made by Alder Hey Children’s Charity to support transformational projects across the hospital community, improving care, experience and wellbeing for our children, young people, families, volunteers and staff.
The Grants and Impact team at the charity work closely with colleagues from across the Trust to fund innovative, practical and compassionate projects. If you have an idea that could benefit from charitable support, we would love to hear from you. Together, we’re helping to make Alder Hey the very best it can be, and ensure that we strive to creating brighter, healthier and happier futures for children and young people within the hospital and wider community.
In this issue you will find: A breakdown of grant spending in quarter one of 2026/27, across our funding pillars.
2
grantgivingcharity@alderhey.nhs.uk
Information on how to get in touch with the Grants and Impact team and how to apply for charitable funding.
Highlights from recently funded projects.
Grants Breakdown. In quarter one... Received and Processing - 35 Applications Awarded - 25 Grants
Total Value £6,402,175
Total Value £365,073
We have funded projects across the following charity pillars:
Magic
Equipment
Campus and Community
Research, Innovation and Education
7 Grants totalling £221,975
4 Grants totalling £75,817
7 Grants totalling £11,305
7 Grants totalling £55,976
grantgivingcharity@alderhey.nhs.uk
3
Awarded £38,640 in funding
Intelligent Needle Trainer
Improved skills are helping to deliver safer regional anaesthetic blocks, providing children with better pain relief while reducing the need for opioid medication.
Thanks to a grant from Alder Hey Children’s Charity, the Anaesthetics team has introduced an Intelligent Needle Trainer, an advanced simulation tool that is transforming how clinicians develop ultrasoundguided needle skills.
By improving clinical education and reducing the risk of complications, the Intelligent Needle Trainer is enhancing patient safety, supporting staff development and reinforcing Alder Hey’s commitment to delivering world-class paediatric care.
The high-fidelity trainer allows doctors and trainees to practise complex procedures in a realistic, risk-free environment, helping to build confidence, improve accuracy and prepare for real-life clinical scenarios before treating patients. 50 members of staff have already received training, including trainees and clinicians.
4
grantgivingcharity@alderhey.nhs.uk
50 members of staff have already received training.
Awarded £44,587 in funding
Critical Care Unit Ward Art Installation Creating a Calmer Critical Care Environment A once stark and clinical corridor leading to Critical Care has been transformed into a welcoming, calming space thanks to funding from Alder Hey Children’s Charity. Following feedback from families and staff, the corridor has been redesigned with vibrant floral artwork, creating a more reassuring environment for those making what can often be an emotional journey to visit a loved one. The installation, which was designed by artist Sarah Abbott, provides a positive distraction for children and families, helping to ease anxiety during some of the most difficult moments they may experience at the hospital.
One staff member said: “The artwork has made a real difference to the corridor. It feels much warmer, brighter and more welcoming. In an area that can be stressful or emotional for families, patients and staff, it brings a sense of calm, positivity and comfort.”
This project demonstrates how thoughtful investment in the hospital environment can have a meaningful impact on the wellbeing of patients, families and staff alike.
(Image courtesy of Rob Battersby)
After
Before
grantgivingcharity@alderhey.nhs.uk
5
Awarded £9,000 in funding
Supporting Families: Stoma-Friendly Facilities Children and young people living with a stoma now have access to 11 dedicated stoma-friendly toilet facilities across Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, thanks to funding from Alder Hey Children’s Charity. One young patient shared: “I used to worry about going out because I didn’t know if there would be somewhere I could change my stoma bag. Now I know there are special toilets at Alder Hey that have what I need, and it makes me feel happier and more confident when I come to my appointment.”
The new facilities are helping to reduce anxiety for children and their families, making it easier to attend appointments and spend time at the hospital without the added worry of inaccessible facilities. This project is a powerful example of how relatively small grants can make a significant difference, creating a more inclusive hospital where every child feels supported, respected and able to access care with confidence.
Designed by the hospital’s Ability Celebrate Educate (ACE) Staff Network, the facilities include accessible sinks, mirrors, shelves, disposal units and additional space, giving patients the privacy, dignity and specialist equipment they need to manage their care confidently.
grantgivingcharity@alderhey.nhs.uk
6
Alice
Paula
Andrea
A L ICE CAREY
DR PAUL A CARROLL
ANDRE A TIMONE Y
Director of Grants and Impact
Impact and Insights Manager
Grants Assistant
For further information about our grant making, please visit the Alder Hey Children’s Charity section of My Alder Hey. If you would like to contact us regarding a potential application, please get in touch via email:
grantgivingcharity@alderhey.nhs.uk www.alderheycharity.org
© Copyright 2026 Alder Hey Children’s Charity. Registered Charity Number 1160661
Hiba H IB A ALI
Grants and Impact Assistant