Barchester’s Charitable Foundation went from strength to strength in 2024, exceeding all expectations by achieving a donation milestone of £335,000 which enabled the charity to provide vital help to a staggering 239 small groups and charities, plus 104 individuals in one year alone.
Established in 2000, the aim of Barchester’s Charitable Foundation is to help older people and adults living with a disability or mental health problems in local communities across the country. The charity provides grants to improve mobility and quality of life, and each year the Foundation distributes thousands of pounds to individuals, small community groups and charities across England, Scotland and Wales, however 2024 has proven to be the charity’s best year ever, both in terms of funds raised and grants gifted.
The money to help good causes comes from the generous support of Barchester Healthcare and its staff and sponsors who fundraise through events such as the annual Barchester Golf Tournament and Tour de Barchester cycle ride. In addition, team members organise fundraising activities at Barchester’s care homes and hospitals and personal challenges such as the Three Peaks and participation in events such as the Ride100 cycle race and the Great North Run, all money raised by colleagues is matched pound for pound by the business. The Charitable Foundation also receives legacies from residents, showing that the excellent care provided in Barchester’s care homes and hospitals can inspire extraordinary charitable giving.
For the first time in 2024, the entire company took part in Barchester Get Moving, a week of intensive fundraising where staff and residents tracked their steps and took part in all kinds of different initiatives which helped boost the money raised.
The vast majority of grants for disabled and older individuals are for mobility aids such as mobility scooters, electric wheelchairs and specialist walkers, enabling people to get out and about in their local community and to take part in social activities. This type of help can be transformative to people’s day-to-day life and wellbeing, as well as giving back independence and freedom. Grants to small community groups and local charities have been more varied, funding a broad range of activities, outings, transport, equipment and materials for older people and adults with disabilities and mental health challenges. The projects cover a very wide variety of social and educational activities such as arts and crafts, gardening, woodwork, exercise, yoga, music, sewing, theatre and dance.
Simon McCall, Chairperson of Barchester’s Charitable Foundation and Barchester’s Commercial Director explains: “We support older people and other adults with disabilities by giving grants to help them connect or reconnect with others in their local community. I am immensely proud of all of our homes, hospitals and team members who have taken part in so many different fundraising events to enable the support of hundreds of small charities and individuals. These grants make such a difference, and I am amazed at how much we have been able to achieve this year. Our plans for 2025, our 25th year, are just as ambitious, and I know everyone at Barchester and our generous sponsors will do their utmost to raise even more money for good causes.”