Most nurses who receive help from the QNI are going through a time of personal crisis. This may include physical or mental illness, trying to escape domestic abuse, or experiencing other life crises, such as eviction, family health problems, marriage breakdown or bereavement. The cost-of-living crisis has taken its toll on many nurses over the past 18 months and this has shown in the number of applications we received.

The QNI awarded single grants to 90 community nurses experiencing financial difficulties. In addition to the grants, we sent food vouchers to 19 people. These were to help some nurses buy essential items – this was especially of benefit for some during the costs of living crisis when food became so expensive.

We pride ourselves on being reactive to current situations that are affecting community nurses and following Storm Babet in October 2023 we were able to help many community nurses that had been severely affected by flooding with a flood grant.

We have a Covid-19 Healthcare Support Appeal Fund (CHSA) and last year we were able to support over 16 nurses who had been affected financially by Covid-19. Some are still suffering with Long Covid and have had to decrease their working hours – this grant helped bridge some of that loss.

We also have additional support for Community Nurses living and working in Hertfordshire and last year we were able to help 3 community nurses with additional funds from the Hertfordshire Community Nurses Charity (HCNC).

Please note we cannot help nurses in Scotland, instead please visit the QNI Scotland website for information on sources of funding.