Cake and conversation: Care UK colleague raises £310 for mental health charity

A Care UK colleague has raised £310 for PTSD UK after organising a bake sale at the provider's Colchester based Support Centre, with the total boosted through Care UK's matched funding scheme.

Mandy Gurney, a Business Systems Support Analyst and Mental Health First Aider, organised the fundraiser to mark PTSD Awareness Day. The bake sale raised £155 for PTSD UK, with Care UK matching the donation and bringing the total to £310.

Mandy teamed up with fellow Mental Health First Aider Sue Fairs to host the event, choosing PTSD UK because of the charity's focus on providing safe, accessible information for people living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and Complex PTSD (CPTSD).

Mandy said: "For us, it wasn't just about raising money. It was about raising awareness. I wanted to be in the office to be present and start conversations. And feeding people cake always helps!"

She added: "People have heard of PTSD, but CPTSD is much less understood. Being able to explain what it is and where to find support is incredibly important."

Mandy's fundraising reflects Care UK's wider commitment to colleague wellbeing and is also an example of how colleagues can make an even bigger difference through the matched funding scheme.

Care UK's matched funding scheme supports colleagues' fundraising by matching donations up to £1,000 for UK registered charities. The initiative raises tens of thousands of pounds each year and helps charities of all sizes benefit from additional funding. In 2025, the scheme raised £34,189.90 for a range of charities, with colleagues taking part in a wide variety of activities, from marathons and bungee jumps to whole home fundraising events.

Mandy said: "Even small amounts matter. £310 is money PTSD UK wouldn't have had without a few of us baking our socks off!"

As well as supporting colleagues' charitable efforts, Care UK is committed to promoting wellbeing across the organisation through a range of initiatives, including its network of Mental Health First Aiders.

Care UK has almost 300 Mental Health First Aiders, with the aim of having at least one in every home. Monthly Mental Health First Aiders forums, delivered in partnership with Red Umbrella, provide CPD, professional guidance and a confidential space for colleagues to share questions to ensure they can offer the best support possible in their role.

Phil Clarke, Head of Health, Safety and Wellbeing at Care UK, said: "We want to create a culture where colleagues are open and honest about their mental health and, most importantly, that they know how they can get help.

"Struggling with your mental health is no longer a stigma. With over 260 care homes, we have to build trust within each and every home."

If you want to work alongside caring colleagues like Mandy, visit Care UK's careers page to find out about vacancies near you: https://www.careuk.com/careers.