A Focus on Fundraising: Bridging the Gap

It costs £7.2 m per annum to keep The Meath operational which equates to over £19k per day.  We receive funding of £6.3 m from care packages which covers the cost of care, housing, food and  heating only.  While the cost of living rises and care packages remain at the same level, it is a harsh reality that fundraising is needed to bridge the increasing gap if we are to maintain the level of service on offer for the people we support.

The people we support have much to contend with, in addition to living with complex epilepsy and disabilities, many residents live with chronic pain and degenerative conditions. The Meath believes that everyone deserves to fulfil their potential, to stay as physically mobile and mentally agile as possible, to minimise pain and maximise independence. We are therefore committed to providing the very best possible care and quality of life for the people we support.

Lucy Miguda, Fundraising Manager explains our plans to Bridge the Gap between what is provided and what is required for the year ahead. “We are focussed on fundraising towards the cost of running our Holistic & Palliative Care Pathway.  These services improve the quality of life for those facing the many challenges associated with pain management, reduced mobility or life-threatening illness. “

At The Meath, Holistic & Palliative Care involves a range of personalised services delivered by our inhouse Physio, Occupational and Complementary Therapy Teams.  Palliative care is an approach that improves the quality of life, provides reassurance and comfort for the people we support and their families.  It prevents and relieves suffering through the early identification, correct assessment and treatment of pain and other problems.  It offers a practical support system to live life as actively and as independently as possible.

The personalised 360-degree holistic care services are designed to help the people we support to retain as much physical and cognitive function as possible but sadly in many cases we see a year-on-year decline in function, because of the effects of complex epilepsy and in some cases other health conditions. Lucy explains that this decline presents a key funding challenge for The Meath “Many of the people we support have lived at The Meath for years, their funding has not increased since moving in and yet their care needs are now greater. Despite negotiations, increasingly care package funding simply cannot cover the true cost of the care that the people we support deserve and receive.”

Thankfully, as we emerge from the pandemic, Lucy and her colleagues in the Fundraising and Marketing Department look forward to delivering some wonderful and much needed fundraising events. By supporting The Meath at events, joining our Meath 100 Lottery or buying giftware from our online shop you will be helping us to Bridge the Gap between statutory funding provided and our ability to sustain the life enhancing 360-degree holistic care that we know the people we support need and deserve.

If you would like further information about how you can continue to support The Meath by becoming a regular donor, or you would like to arrange a visit please contact Lucy on 01483 411071/ lucy.miguda@meath.org.uk