Member updates

NHS messages prompting gym-goers to look out for potential signs of cancer will appear in the changing rooms of hundreds of Better leisure centres this summer. Stickers reminding people to check themselves regularly are set to feature on mirrors in more than 240 leisure centres run by Better, the UK's largest leisure charitable social enterprise. The eye-catching stickers will feature the message ‘Check you out’ and ‘Know what’s normal for you’ before reminding people that if something in their body doesn’t feel right, to contact their GP practice. The scheme is the latest push by the NHS to find cancers at an earlier stage, with Better joining several other partners, such as supermarkets and washroom hygiene specialists, to highlight cancer messages to the public in relevant everyday situations. The new initiative comes as a survey of more than 2,000 people by Better found that only 55% of respondents check their bodies for physical changes regularly (at least once a month), and one in ten (12%) don’t check at all. Professor Peter Johnson, National Clinical Director for Cancer at NHS England, said: “Finding cancer early is key to successful treatment and survival, and this means that we need people who have new symptoms to come forward as soon as they spot them. This is why it’s vital that people are aware of their bodies, take notice of any change from what is normal for them, and get it checked out immediately. “The partnership with Better helps us to reach more people and remind them to check themselves at a time and a place that works for them. It’s a simple thing that anyone can do, but it really can save your life.” Joe Rham, Customer and Communities Director for GLL, the not-for-profit charitable social enterprise that runs Better leisure centres, said: “Our aim is to improve health and wellbeing in local communities and we’re delighted to be partnering with NHS England in this vital campaign. “The survey we conducted clearly indicates a need to raise awareness of potential signs of cancer and the mirror stickers will hopefully act as a timely reminder to our customers to check themselves regularly.” NHS staff are working hard to see and treat more people with cancer than ever before, with over 50,000 patients starting cancer treatment in June – more than nine in ten within one month – and over a quarter of a million people referred for urgent cancer checks. The NHS also met the 28-day faster diagnosis standard for the second month in a row in June with more than three quarters of patients (76.3%) – almost 200,000 people – receiving the all-clear or a definitive diagnosis within four weeks.   Lending her support to the scheme, Demi Jones, ex-Love Island reality TV stars, said: “I was just 22 years old when I received my thyroid cancer diagnosis after I found a lump on my neck. I contacted my GP practice straight away to get it checked out and I was quickly referred for further testing that led to treatment by the incredible NHS team in Portsmouth. I’m now living life cancer free and would urge anyone who notices an unusual change not to delay and speak to their GP as they are there to help. It really could save their life, as it did mine.” The survey by Better also found that 59% of respondents are aware of the symptoms of breast cancer – the highest awareness across the UK’s most common cancers. That is followed by skin (50%) and bowel (47%). Worryingly, one in five (20%) said they are not aware of any potential cancer signs - particularly among the younger age groups. 33% of those aged 18-34 said they were not aware of any symptoms, compared to 16% of those aged 35 or over. Of those surveyed, 68% of females and 56% of males said they would recognise a lump or swelling in a part of their body as a possible early sign of cancer and would seek medical advice. Rhiannon Morgan, 34-year old regional health manager for Better in London and Surrey, was diagnosed with breast cancer after finding a lump during a hiking holiday in Canada in 2019. She said: “When I found the lump, I was alarmed but I had no other symptoms and felt perfectly well so I wondered if it was just where my rucksack had rubbed against the skin.”  “Eight weeks later, test results showed that the lump was cancerous, so I needed chemotherapy and underwent a mastectomy during lockdown. Now I’m living cancer free and I would advise other people to know what’s normal for your own body and get yourself checked if something doesn’t seem right.” David Bateson, 49 from Ampthill, Bedfordshire, was diagnosed with melanoma after going to his GP about a bleeding spot on his scalp. He’d noticed the spot wasn’t healing and his wife, a nurse, encouraged him to get it checked. After being referred to a specialist for a biopsy, David was told it was cancerous and within months had surgery to remove it. Despite the cancer returning the following year, immunotherapy has meant that he is now cancer free. David said: “I am living proof that early diagnosis is so important. Although I never dreamt that this spot on my head would end up being skin cancer, it turned out to be one of the most aggressive types. I dread to think what would have happened if I’d not gone to my doctor when I did. “I think these stickers are a great idea. I play football at my local leisure centre, and – when you’re in the changing room or showering – it’s the perfect place to think about changes in your body, so it’s the ideal setting to remind people to be aware.” About Better Better is the consumer facing brand for GLL.  Established in 1993, GLL is the largest UK-based charitable social enterprise delivering leisure, health and community services.  Operating under the Better brand, it manages 250 public sport and leisure centres, 113 libraries and 10 children’s centres in partnership with 50 local councils, public agencies and sporting organisations. www.better.org.uk

TV presenter and former model Gail Porter, who fought back from crippling bankruptcy and homelessness, speaks out on behalf of the 6 million Brits [1] living without an essential item like a washing machine or table to eat from. Gail Porter, Patron of the Fair Credit Charity which set up ethical lender and social enterprise, Fair for You says: “Six million people are living without household essentials right now, and many of those won’t have access to charity support or local council grants - nor do many want to use them. A helping hand from an ethical, not for profit lender like Fair for You can help them make their house a home. The alternative is living in deep deprivation, which I have experienced, or being burned by high-cost credit, or the exploitative tactics of illegal lenders.” New data released today [2] shows that around 9 million adults in Britain now have less than £250 in savings - making the upfront purchase of an essential appliance impossible (Fair4All Finance). The campaign aims to get more Brits to spread the cost of essential purchases with ethical lenders like Fair for You, who will only lend what people can afford, and provide customers with control over repayments.  Gail Porter is also calling out banks for turning their backs on customers - even those who can afford to repay - because they don’t want to go to the trouble of making small loans. [3] She also feels that more retailers should be looking at their credit partners and considering whether they are offering options that are fair to hard-pressed consumers, saying: “The cost-of-living crisis has hit people hard, and I know that many people would be in serious hot water if they had to find a way to buy a new washing machine, fridge or other key appliance. I remember the horror of not being able to get a new washer when my young daughter was going to school - it wasn’t just the practical side of ensuring she wasn’t wearing dirty clothes, it was also the stress and the guilt I experienced, which put a huge pressure on my already dented self-esteem and mental health. “After what I went through, I know how hopeless things can feel when bills are piling up, but also how much of a boost it can give you - practically and mentally - when you find a helping hand. Fair for You and its retail partners are ensuring that there is a decent option out there for Brits who have nowhere to turn if they need to buy a new appliance or furniture - and we really want more companies to follow in their footsteps. We need to direct people away from illegal lenders who want to profit from misery.” Gail, a household TV and celebrity name in the 1990s, developed alopecia in 2005. The loss of her hair led to all her work drying up and coinciding with other personal issues, she went through the trauma of financial collapse and mental health issues. She has always been open about her well-documented difficulties during this period, and has become patron of the Fair Credit Charity to direct people to fair financial options. The Fair Credit Charity set up the ethical lender and social enterprise Fair for You in 2015.  Fair for You enables people who aren’t being well served by banks and other mainstream lenders to buy household items including beds, washing machines, fridges and furniture with fair and flexible repayments. A range of leading retailers partner with Fair for You including Hotpoint, Argos and Iceland. Simon Dukes, chief executive of Fair for You, says: “The latest data from Fair4All Finance shows that 20.3m people are in financially vulnerable circumstances.(4) Around half of them are not able to save each month. This means there are millions of people with no financial safety net, who may feel they have no option in a moment of financial stress but to turn to high cost credit or illegal lenders. “We’re proud of the support we do provide, and we are supporting more and more customers all the time. Gail Porter is destigmatising the issue of financial exclusion by being so honest talking about her experiences of appliance poverty and just how distressing and hopeless it can feel without the right support.” Ian Moverley, Communication Director, Hotpoint says:"We don't believe anyone should worry about being able to put their kids in clean clothes or keep their food fresh. That's why we've been a proud partner of Fair for You since it first launched. Providing an affordable way for people to buy our household appliances means we can help alleviate the financial burden so many families are under. We're delighted that Gail is encouraging more brands to join us in offering similar ethical solutions that will make such a huge difference to so many lives." Claire Donovan, head of policy, research and campaigns at the End Furniture Poverty charity comments:“Our research highlights that there are at least six million people in the UK in furniture poverty, meaning they lack access to at least one vital household item, including appliances - and that at least one million are in what we call ‘deep furniture poverty’, meaning that there are three or more vital items they don’t have. The routes out of furniture poverty are becoming increasingly harder to navigate, so we welcome all sources of support.” References https://endfurniturepoverty.org/research-campaigns/understanding-furniture-poverty/ Fair4All Finance latest segmentation of people in financially vulnerable circumstances reveals that of the 20.3 million in financially vulnerable circumstances, 44% of these (8.93m adults) have no savings at all or less than £250 in savings. According to a Fair4All Finance report, only one major bank in Great Britain offers loans under £1,000. https://fair4allfinance.org.uk/nearly-half-of-uk-adults-now-living-in-financially-vulnerable-circumstances Photo credit: Getty Images/Fair for You About Fair for You  Founded in 2015, Fair for You is an ethical lender and social enterprise, with a mission of helping financially-excluded families to buy essential household items, avoid hardship, and build their financial resilience.  A registered community interest company (CIC) and owned by the Fair Credit Charity, Fair for You is backed by leading social investors. With more than 20m Britons struggling to access mainstream credit, and more than 10m having less than £100 in savings, there are families for whom an unexpected bill, or a fridge or washing machine breaking, spells disaster. Rather than go without fresh food or clean clothes, or having to go to the sort of predatory, for-profit, high-cost lenders which don’t have their welfare in mind, Fair for You is here to support them.  Fair for You has a 4.8 out of 5 rating on Trustpilot, as well as a string of industry award wins. Since 2015, it has lent to more than 100,000 customers, and regular independent impact reports demonstrate far-reaching social benefits including better physical and mental health; improved education and wellbeing of children; and making it easier for adults to seek work or remain in employment.  Fair for You runs affordability checks on all customers and uses open banking technology to enable it to lend better and collect better from those who may get rejected for loans elsewhere, due to poor credit ratings or thin credit files. Our growing range of retail partners - including Iceland, Argos, Dunelm, Whirlpool and Chemist Direct - are helping customers who may not have had access to their products without credit from Fair for You. The best-selling items through Fair for You include freezers, washing machines and children’s beds, with the average loan standing at £350. Fair for You is backed by Social Investment Scotland, Barrow Cadbury Trust, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, The Tudor Trust, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Carnegie Trust, FSE, The Robertson Trust, Ignite and Fair4All Finance.

Allia Impact is excited to announce the relaunch of two of its most sought-after programmes. Designed to empower and support those who have a positive impact idea the "Start" and "Grow” programmes offer amazing opportunities for individuals committed to positively impacting their communities.Both programmes are fully funded by Cambridge City Council and so are free to access. The Start Your Business Programme is tailored for aspiring entrepreneurs who are in the early stages of developing their social enterprises. This comprehensive programme equips participants with the essential knowledge, tools, and resources needed to transform their innovative ideas into viable, impactful businesses. Through expert-led workshops, practical guidance, and a supportive community, participants will gain the confidence and skills to launch and sustain their ventures. For those who have already established their social enterprises and are ready to scale their impact, the Grow Your Business Programme is the perfect next step. This programme provides in-depth support, including one-on-one coaching from industry experts, strategic advice, and the opportunity to connect with a network of like-minded individuals. Participants will receive tailored guidance to help them navigate the challenges of growth, refine their strategies, and amplify their social impact. Marina Pritchard, Programme Manager at Allia Impact, shared her enthusiasm about the relaunch: “Over the past two and a half years and overseeing 15 cohorts, I've had the privilege of meeting and working with inspirational people. The 'Start' and 'Grow' programmes are a place to be yourself, pursue your passion, and achieve your positive impact goals. We're thrilled to bring these programmes back with enhanced features to better support our entrepreneurs on their journey.” Both programmes reflect Allia Impact's commitment to promoting social innovation and entrepreneurship, providing participants with the tools and support they need to create businesses that make a real difference. With the continuation of these programmes, Allia Impact continues to lead the way in enabling social entrepreneurs to thrive and drive positive change in their communities. Applications for both programmes are now open. Whether you're just beginning your entrepreneurial journey or looking to take your idea to new heights, Allia Impact's "Start" and "Grow" programmes offer the perfect platform to help you succeed. Apply now for ‘Start Your Business’: https://bit.ly/Start-Cambs Apply now for ‘Grow Your Business’: https://bit.ly/GrowbizCambs

City Health Care Partnership’s (CHCP) annual patient and colleague surveys show a clear link between happy staff and happy patients. 76% of colleagues completed the survey on what it’s like to work at CHCP, a local NHS organisation providing community health and care services in Hull, the East Riding and Merseyside. 91% said they would recommend CHCP to friends and family who needed care or treatment. This is reflected in the annual patient survey, which asked 2,422 people about the service they’d received from CHCP last year. 93% said they were satisfied with their overall experience but even more striking was the 98% of patients who said they were treated with care and respect by their health professional; 96% said they were happy with the amount of time their clinician spent with them. Andrew Burnell, group chief executive at CHCP, says these results show that when people feel valued and appreciated, they pass this on to their patients: “As a registered nurse myself, I know what it’s like to work in our services and I know that feeling that you’re doing the best you can for your patients is crucial to a positive experience of work. “The health and wellbeing of all our colleagues is vitally important; in the survey they mention the positive work culture, job satisfaction and the feeling of being valued as reasons for 81% of them recommending CHCP as a place to work. “And our patients reap the benefits of this. They talk about the friendliness, professionalism and efficiency of the people looking after them and that our staff are caring and supportive. “But there is always room for improvement and we are looking at the areas where we need to do better for colleagues and patients. We are working on reducing waiting times and making it easier to get an appointment. “One of our patients said, ‘You can’t improve on excellent’ but I want us to try! We are delighted with these results, but we can always do better.”

Minister for Climate, Kerry McCarthy, visited Low Carbon Hub last month in her first ministerial visit, to learn more about community energy and the innovation work we’re doing at the grid edge to drive the transition to Net Zero. Low Carbon Hub welcomed a delegation from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero including Kerry McCarthy, Minister for Climate, Katherine Wright, Deputy Director, Local Net Zero Strategy Directorate and Anca Mihalache, Head of Smart Energy Policy. The visit kicked off with a roundtable discussion highlighting the role that community energy is already playing in the transition to net-zero, and the impact that policy changes to support greater community ownership and enable local energy trading could achieve. The Minister also took time to take in a tour of Osney Lock Hydro and a local business, the Vishuddah Yoga Centre. Both participated in Osney Supercharge trial, part of the £40 million Innovate UK funded Project LEO (Local Energy Oxfordshire.) Minister for Climate Kerry McCarthy said: "Tackling climate change is a shared challenge that can start at home. In my first visit as Climate Minister to Osney Hydro Lock and the Low Carbon Hub, I’ve seen first-hand the hugely important role local communities are playing in our mission for clean power – with investment funnelled straight back into innovative energy projects. As we accelerate towards net zero, we want to see more of this. That’s why through Great British Energy we will create the Local Power Plan, so that local authorities and communities are empowered to support cleaner and more secure homegrown energy for their towns and villages." Dr Barbara Hammond, CEO of Low Carbon Hub said: "Low Carbon Hub was pleased and proud to host the Minister’s first visit in her new role and to share with her some of the pioneering and inspiring work communities are doing in Oxfordshire. We are tremendously excited by the potential of the Local Power Plan to make sure the transition happens in a way that can truly involve, and benefit, everyone." Osney Supercharge set out to understand how better collaboration around the way we use, store and generate electricity can sit at the heart of a smart, low carbon, locally balanced energy system that creates opportunities and benefits people in an equitable and fair way. The tour brings to life the challenges and opportunities that arise in the transition to a net zero. It’s available to experience digitally here. During the roundtable discussion the Low Carbon Hub team were joined by Malcolm McCulloch (University of Oxford), Eleanor Watts (Rose Hill & Iffley Low Carbon), Cllr Anna Railton from Oxford City Council and Cllr Pete Sudbury from Oxfordshire County Council, who were able to bring their perspectives to the table. Our CEO Barbara Hammond chaired the discussion with topics ranging from the importance of ‘grid edge co-ordination’ to bridging the gap between strategic local area energy planning and delivery on the ground and need for social justice. As Eleanor stressed, we must make sure we bring everyone along on the transition to net zero. A takeaway we can all get on board with. About Low Carbon Hub Low Carbon Hub is a social enterprise that’s out to prove we can meet our energy needs in a way that’s good for people and good for the planet. Our work includes developing community-owned renewable energy projects in Oxfordshire, enabling homes and businesses to reduce their energy demand, and innovative energy trials accelerating the transition to net zero energy system. Because we are run for the benefit of the community, we use all of our profits to fund community-led action on climate change. Find out more: lowcarbonhub.org

Charitable Social Enterprise Leisure and Cultural Services provider GLL has committed to become Carbon Neutral by 2050 with an ambition to achieve this earlier in response to feedback from customers and staff, and partners. Following the launch of GLL’s new Sustainability Strategy that sets out the leisure trust’s longer-term ambitions and targeted actions between 2023 to 2027,  staff training on business sustainably was made a priority for the in-house management development programme during 2023/2024. 'Respecting the Planet' is one of GLL’s 6 Core Values underpinning its 5 Year Corporate Plan. Now, following a review of skills gaps with managers at the UK’s largest operator of public pools (and plant rooms), GLL has designed the ‘Managing Your Business Sustainably’ module. The practical training was designed and piloted by GLL’s in-house experts Chris Hebblewhite (Director of Standards and Compliance) and who has previously advised on  pool operations for both London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympics, Jeremy Gould (National Sustainability Manager) and Lee Franklin (National Facilities Manager). In recognition of the importance of this topic, The Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) will now endorse 10 CIMSPA points to those that complete this module from September 2024. Comprising of online learning, a practical workshop and classroom work, the one-day module covers all aspects of efficient pool plant operation and housekeeping. General Managers and Partnership Managers stand to benefit most from the training as GLL underpins and strengthens is commitment to sustainability throughout its business which employs 11,000 people and creates in excess of £440m in social value each year. 50 Managers have been trained across three pilots at Rivermead Leisure Centre in Reading, Britannia Leisure Centre in Hackney and The Sands Leisure Centre in Carlisle. Chris Hebblewhite, Director of Standards and Compliance, GLL said: “Sustainability is embedded in GLL’s DNA. We must do all we can to reduce carbon emissions and energy consumption for the benefit of the communities we serve. “Training our people to both ‘talk the talk’ and ‘walk the walk’ is hugely important to us. We are determined to make a real difference and we can already see the results coming through in real terms in our Carbon emissions. “So I’m delighted that 100% of learners felt their knowledge of sustainability issues has improved as a result of this highly practical training intervention.” GLL aims for all General Managers to attend this training over the next 12 months. Clare Dunn, Associate Director of Business Engagement at CIMSPA said: "It's fantastic to see that GLL has pledged to become carbon neutral, with a powerful declaration of their commitment through their CPD module. Sustainability is such a vital topic - becoming more sustainably aware is everyone's responsibility and it’s one that as a sector we need to be leading on. It's great that GLL are instilling this knowledge into their workforce in order to benefit their current communities and future generations." For further information on sustainability training or other modules that form part of the management development programme, please contact  LearningandDevelopment@gll.org

Speakers from across the world are joining together for a virtual event focused on an often-hidden form of domestic abuse. It is the third time social enterprise PEGS have hosted an annual conference, with some speakers returning to share updates on their work and research – as well as new speakers being added to the line-up. The Child to Parent Abuse International Conference aims to highlight the efforts to support families affected by this type of abuse – thought to impact up to 10% of households – as well as raise awareness of best practice and policies. Attendees will have the chance to hear from esteemed speakers such as Richard Robinson, Chief Executive of Hourglass – a charity which works to end abuse towards older people in the UK; His Honour Judge James Burbidge KC; researcher and consultant Amanda Warburton-Wynn; and Jeremy Todd, Chief Executive of Family Lives – which provides early intervention and crisis support to families who are struggling. Michelle John, PEGS Founder, said: “We are delighted to once again be hosting a conference which brings together professionals from across the public, voluntary and private sectors as well as academics and researchers to discuss Child to Parent Abuse. “It’s only by sharing our knowledge, highlighting best practice, and understanding the reality facing so many families here in the UK and all around that world that we can collectively work to support those families effectively, understand why and when CPA happens, and ultimately to reduce the instances of it occurring. “We are delighted to have a packed schedule full of speakers who will be able to share fantastic insights, statistical and anecdotal evidence, and opinions on how best to move forward with our audience. And by hosting the conference virtually, we hope to ensure it’s as accessible as possible for attendees wherever they are based.” Tickets are available now, with a discount for those working for charities or social enterprises. Simply visit www.pegsevents.co.uk to find out more and purchase your ticket. PEGS is a social enterprise set up to support parents, train professionals, raise awareness and impact policy. It has impacted the lives of thousands through specialist parental services, as well as working with local and national governments, and partnering with charities in the UK and abroad. Search PEGS Support on social media to connect with the team. For further information, please email media@pegsupport.com.

A play inspired by group of doctors working for City Health Care Partnership’s Macmillan service about what it’s like to live with (and beyond) cancer has now been turned into a film called KPOW! (Know the Power Of Words), to show everyone who has contact with cancer patients how powerful their words can be. Dr Kate Thomas, one of the doctors who commissioned the original play, explained how it came about. “It started with a conversation between Dr Hannah Coysh and Allyson Kent, who is living with cancer. They met at 5K Your Way, a Parkrun initiative for people impacted by a cancer diagnosis. “Allyson talked about her diagnosis and experience and what she’d learned. Hannah thought, ‘That sounds like a play!’ and the idea was born.” With funding from CHCP, Hannah, Kate and Dr Marie Cohen commissioned playwright Libby Pearson to write a play to be performed at a Macmillan conference in June 2023. It was extremely well received and Allyson felt that it needed to go further and be seen by more people, so the next step to was to make a film. The film was funded by Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance and Macmillan Cancer Support and premiered at Hull Truck Theatre on Monday 8 July. Everyone involved in the project is eager to share the message of KPOW! with as many people as possible, including doctors, nurses, paramedics, social workers, care workers and admin teams to spread its impact and influence and change the experience of people living with cancer for the better. You can watch the film on YouTube here About City Health Care Partnership CIC City Health Care Partnership CIC is an independent ‘for better profit’ and co-owned Community Interest Company responsible for providing local health and care services. Registered in England No: 06273905 We provide over 50 diverse services in community settings, including Palliative Care, District Nursing, TB Clinics, Sexual Health, Dentistry, Public Health, GP Practices, Urgent Treatment Centres, Community Rehabilitation, Eating Disorders, Domiciliary Care and Psychological Wellbeing to name but a few and employ around 2,000 people All profits from all our growing ventures are reinvested into services, colleagues and the communities in which we work. Our recent Social Return on Investment audit showed a return of £55.85 for every £1 spent on community funded activities. For more information on the services offered by CHCP CIC please see www.chcpcic.org.uk. Follow us on X www.twitter.com/CHCPHull. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com.