Autumn 2025 update

Love Is In The Blood

We've teamed up with Channel 4 on our new blind date show, Love is in the Blood, which follows 8 singletons who go on blind dates behind dividers while they donate to help save lives.

While they give blood, hidden from each other's view, matchmaker Adeola Patronne quizzes them on their love potential.

Could they be a positive or negative match? Will sparks fly before the donation ends?

Watch the first episode:

Donate Breaks

One of the ways our incredible partners support NHS Blood and Transplant is by giving their staff the flexibility to donate blood during the working day at one of our 27 donor centres.

These donor centres have their highest appointment availability between 10am and 4pm on weekdays, which means there are often appointments available for lifesaving blood donations.

Men can give blood once every three months and women every four months, so by providing flexibility at work – whether that’s a later start or an earlier finish, or using volunteering days to donate blood – organisations are able to support the NHS collect the 4,300 blood donations needed each day.

An NHSBT survey of over 3,000 donors found that 43% would be more likely to donate blood if their employers allowed time off for donations. This figure rose to 65% for those aged between 25-44. We are asking more organisations to support ‘Donate Breaks’ and join the likes of ITV, Manchester City Council and Unilever.

You can find out more about Donate Breaks and other ways your organisation can support NHS Blood and Transplant by visiting our dedicated partnerships page here.

Brighton’s new donor centre

We’re delighted to announce we’ve opened the doors of a brand new donor centre in Brighton. 

The south coast centre is the third to be opened by NHS Blood and Transplant in 2025, and will provide 1,100 appointments a week. 

With nearly 18,000 people currently registered to give blood but who have not yet donated, Brighton only ranks below two other local authorities in England.

An estimated 14% of the local population are also students, making the city an ideal location for a permanent centre that serves the donors of tomorrow.

Following the introduction of the FAIR guidelines in 2021, many more men who have sex with men are eligible to donate blood.

With 1 in 10 Brighton residents identifying with a sexual orientation other than heterosexual, NHS Blood and Transplant wants to raise awareness of this change and encourage LGBT+ individuals to consider donating.

With a colourful exterior designed by local artist Lois O'Hara, as well as Wi-Fi, wheelchair access and the nearby Brighton train station, we hope local donors will plan a visit soon.

Hidden Disabilities Sunflower

We're pleased to announce that we are becoming a Hidden Disabilities Sunflower supporter.

The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower symbol provides individuals with a voluntary and discreet way to share that they have a non-visible disability, condition, or neurodivergence. Non-visible disabilities include autism, sight and hearing loss, and chronic conditions such as diabetes. The Sunflower allows wearers to signal that they may need additional assistance, understanding, time, or space.

NHS Blood and Transplant staff will ask donors wearing the Sunflower lanyard or other wearables if they need help but will not ask about their disabilities. Donors in need of support who are not wearing the lanyard can also ask for help where needed.

You can expect our teams to be kind, show respect, and listen closely as we know everyone is different and may have different requests.

To find out more about the Sunflower, visit the Hidden Disability Sunflower website.