City Health Care Partnership launches Foundation charity

02 October, 2013

City Health Care Partnership CIC (CHCP CIC) will launch its new charity, the City Health Care Partnership Foundation, at its AGM on Wednesday 25 September.

CHCP CIC provides over 75 health care services in Hull and the East Riding and as a social enterprise, supports local voluntary and community groups in projects to improve the health of people in the area. This aspect of the business, awarding grants and administering funds, will now be run by the Foundation charity.

CHCP CIC awarded over £170,000 last year to voluntary and community groups and to staff involved in fundraising for charities. One of the groups to benefit was Humber Community Advice Services (H-CAS), who were awarded £260 towards six health and wellbeing sessions for African women refugees and asylum seekers. These led to an event to celebrate annual Refugee Week, recognising the achievements of refugees in the UK.

Peter Oluotch, project co-ordinator for H-CAS, said the sessions got people together to meet, plan and rehearse songs and dances that were presented at Refu Tea in St Stephen’s in Hull. “This helped isolated people to meet and socialise, learn from each other and find out about other cultures. A rich variety of songs, dance, poetry and national dress was represented. Everyone had a great time and we hope to get our clients involved in more activities like this, as there are important health benefits in getting people to integrate and take exercise, so they not only become less isolated but get fitter in the process.”

CHCP CIC’s chief executive Andrew Burnell said, “The Foundation's objective is to galvanise and promote CHCP CIC’s social objectives, supporting the communities in which we work by raising funds and by gaining support from our staff to undertake pro bono work.

“Since the Foundation was registered with the Charity Commission in April this year, we have committed £15,000 to community groups and staff fundraisers; by innovating, inspiring, involving and investing in our staff, services and the communities where we deliver services we will continue to do this more and more.”

For more information on City Health Care Partnership Foundation, go to www.chcphull.nhs.uk/microsites/chcp-foundation