Barchester’s Charitable Foundation had an exceptional year in 2023, achieving a donation milestone of £225,000 which enabled us to provide vital help to a staggering 160 small groups and charities, plus 87 individuals in one year alone.
Established in 2000, our aim is to help older people and adults living with a disability or mental health conditions in local communities across the country. We provide grants to improve mobility and quality of life, and each year we distribute thousands of pounds to individuals, small community groups and charities across England, Scotland and Wales, however 2023 has proven to be an exceptional year 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 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 skydiving and participation in events such as the Ride100 cycle race and the Great North Run, all money raised by Barchester staff is matched pound for pound by the Barchester Healthcare business. The Charitable Foundation also receives legacies from Barchester residents, showing that the excellent care provided in Barchester’s care homes and hospitals can inspire extraordinary charitable giving.
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.
Our Chairperson Simon McCall explains: “We support older people and other adults with disabilities by giving grants to help people connect or reconnect with others in their local community. Every single individual or small local charity that we have helped over the past year has faced serious challenges during very tough times, and we are immensely proud to have been able to help each and every one of them through the kindness, support and generosity of our fundraisers and donors.”