With the country in the grips of coronavirus pandemic and the NHS under strain, it’s fair to say many in the health profession are feeling the pressure,
Thousands of NHS staff across the country are facing the disease head on, working tirelessly day and night to save lives and stop the spread.
To show how much they appreciate staff members hard work, a growing number of food, drink and retail chains have put on special offers just for NHS workers, to make life a little easier.
Small reason to cheer: There are a large number of discounts and freebies available for NHS staff at the moment
While many outlets already have deals for staff who show their Blue Light Card or NHS badge, these offers have recently been added – or improved – since the pandemic.
To help key workers make the most out of an incredibly challenging time, This is Money has compiled a list of the best discounts and freebies available to NHS staff.
Food and drink
Deliveroo: The takeaway delivery service has 50,000 free £20 vouchers available for NHS staff. NHS workers can redeem their £20 voucher by setting up a Deliveroo account with their NHS email address.
Just Eat: Another major takeaway site, Just Eat is offering a 25 per cent discount on all takeaway and delivery. Follow the instructions on the site to get a code.
Hotel Chocolat: The chocolate store is offering a massive 50 per cent discount on online orders – valid with Blue Light Card or an NHS email address. Customers can claim the discount code on the site.
LEON: The fast food chain is now offering a 50 per cent discount to NHS workers from its open restaurants whilst it has also started selling supermarket supplies.
Leon is one of the food chains that is offering NHS works half price on its food and drink
Soulful Food: The healthy, ready meal company is offering £10 off boxes of 12 chilled ready meals to NHS staff. Email [email protected] from your NHS email account to be sent a code.
Las Iguanas: The restaurant chain is offering 50 per cent off food to NHS workers at locations that remain open for takeaway and a free Coke can.
Morrisons: The supermarket is offering all NHS staff a 10 per cent discount on their total bill.
Perks have boosted staff morale
Dr Demelza Beishon-Murley, a trainee psychiatrist at a London hospital, is one such key worker who is making the most of the offers available.
Doctors have said the perks have helped improve morale in this difficult time
She said: ‘Ever since I qualified as a doctor four years ago, I have found working in the NHS to be full of challenges and joys in equal measure.
‘During the pandemic however, it’s been more difficult to find the joys particularly as lockdown reduces life to all work and very limited play.
‘The work perks afforded to us by generous businesses truly has boosted staff morale, whether it’s free Dominos pizza at lunch or iced lattes in cans from Costa.’
‘My favourite NHS discounts so far have been 40 per cent off Bloom & Wild which allowed me to send friends and family beautiful birthday bouquets, as well as Hotel Chocolat’s very generous 50 per cent off which let me spoil my family at Easter even though I couldn’t be with them.’
‘ThisWorks is also offering 30 per cent off which I used to get money off a de-stressing candle I use to wind down.
‘Probably my favourite discount of all was 25 per cent off Sweaty Betty – I treated myself to some yoga pants which I’ve been living in whenever I’m at home.’
Demelza added that an NHS savings account, which rewards NHS workers with a better interest rate, would be useful.
Transport offers
JustPark: Those struggling to find a parking space can get free driveway parking with JustPark. The site is asking those with free driveways to list their spaces for free so NHS staff members can easily get to work.
NCP (Parking): Parking is also free in NCP car parks when booked on their website with the code NHSFREE.
Uber: Uber was offering 200,000 free rides to work and 100,000 free meals for NHS staff but unfortunately all have been used up. However, the firm has told users to check back at a later date, suggesting it could add more in the future.
Halfords: Halfords is offering a free 10 point car check including top-ups of tyre inflation, screen wash and checks on oil levels, headlights and brake lights.
Veygo: The insurer is giving NHS staff a 75 per cent discount on short term car insurance.
AA: If you work for the NHS and you break down travelling between home and work, call the AA 24/7 on their dedicated NHS number 0800 072 5064. It is offering recovery to those who show their NHS ID to the patrol when they arrive – there is no requirement to be an AA member.
‘The SimplyCook offer is the best’
Adam Wells, a pharmacist at a London Trust, said that some of the offers helped make life easier.
He said: ‘We’ve received a lot of free meals at work including from Leon and Dishoom which has been great.
Helpful: Some of the offers available to NHS staff can make their lives easier
‘Other local firms are also offering 50 per cent off or free ready meals which I can take home to eat.’
However, he said his favourite offer is receiving 50 per cent off his SimplyCook delivery – a subscription-based recipe box service.
‘SimplyCook is one of the best offers for NHS staff at the moment, I think, and its so good for finding new recipes to make.’
He added that any offers on alcohol products would be welcome after a long day at work.
Accommodation
The Landmark Trust: The Trust is offering free accommodation in its buildings for NHS critical staff.
AirBnB: AirBnB is offering free places to stay for frontline NHS staff and will help connect NHS staff living more than 30 minutes from their place of work with an appropriate site for free.
Mobile deals
Vodafone: The phone network has given NHS customers 30 days of unlimited mobile data for NHS staff.
EE: EE has given NHS staff unlimited data until 9 October for EE pay monthly mobile plan customers.
O2: O2 has also given NHS staff a 25 per cent discount on O2 Perks and Airtime Plans.
Fitness and wellbeing
Fiit: One of the best loved fitness apps, Fiit, is offering three months of premium membership for free. This will give NHS staff access to hundreds of classes by fitness trainers from yoga to HIIT.
Headspace: The meditation app, Headspace, is giving free access to Headspace Plus for NHS workers until 31 December 2020. This offers hundreds of meditations, mindfulness exercises, and animations to help ease anxiety and help sleep.
Sleepio and Daylight: Sleep-help programme Sleepio and anxiety-reduction app Daylight are giving free access to NHS staff who sign up online using their NHS email account.
Blue Light Card
The Blue Light Card is the UK’s largest Emergency Service discount and NHS discount service for UK public sector, meaning it is available to police officers, paramedics and firefighters, not just NHS staff.
Below are some of the best offers currently available but there are much more available online – log in here to see them all.
Pizza Hut: Pizza Hut are now offering 50 per cent off to Blue Light Card holders ordering online.
Oliver Bonas: The upmarket department store, that sells clothes, jewellery, gifts and homeware, is offering 25 per cent off everything for Blue Light Card holders.
Holland and Barrett: The store has decided to extend its offer giving card holders 30 per cent off Holland and Barrett’s own products and 15 per cent off branded items.
Superdry: The clothing chain is offering Blue Light Card holders up to 50 per cent off everything.
Pandora: Blue Light Card holders can also get 20 per cent off all jewellery at Pandora.
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