MP Dave Robertson paid a visit to local not-for-profit Grace Cares this week, showing his support for a bold, community-led mission to make care more sustainable, compassionate, and circular.
Founded in 2023, Grace Cares rescues care equipment from landfill, redistributes it affordably to people in need, and reinvests profits to support older people, unpaid carers, and community projects. In just over a year, the organisation has:
- Helped over 1,500 people
- Reused 2,300+ care items, including wheelchairs, walking frames, and hospital beds
- Delivered 44 community activities like companionship tea parties
- Awarded 16 hardship grants
- Run 11 ESG and sustainability training sessions for care providers nationwide
During his visit, Mr Robertson met with the team to hear about their growing impact and the urgent challenges ahead.
“We were delighted to welcome Dave and share how a Lichfield-based project is influencing national care policy,” said Hannah Montgomery, co-founder of Grace Cares. “We’re not just solving waste and inequality – we’re building a new model for sustainable social care.”
Key discussion points included:
- National Reuse Campaign for Mobility Aids: With thousands of walking aids going unused each year, Grace Cares is calling for a national reuse model to support NHS efficiency and cut waste, aligning with Wes Streeting’s Design for Life roadmap.
- Need for Local Space: The team is seeking new premises in or near Lichfield to support their rapid growth.
- Championing Unpaid Carers: Grace Cares is working with a former NHS lead to map local carer support needs and shape future services.
Dave Robertson MP said: “Grace Cares is a brilliant example of the kind of innovative, community-driven thinking we need in health and social care. Their work in sustainability, support for unpaid carers, and community outreach is not just helping people locally – it has the potential to inform national policy. I’m proud to support their vision and will do what I can to help champion their cause in Westminster.”
Grace Cares is backed by four NHS Trusts, Staffordshire County Council, Care England, local care associations, and leading universities. With local roots and national reach, the organisation is proving what’s possible when care, community, and sustainability come together.
