A SOUTHAMPTON not-for-profit social enterprise dedicated to improving health and wellbeing is officially kicking off its 30th anniversary celebrations during a national week designed to raise awareness of charity trustees (November 1-5, 2021).
Social Care in Action (SCiA), based on Dukes Road, is a group of charitable organisations working together providing services focused in areas of disadvantage in the city and across the southeast.
Dan Freshwater, CEO at SCiA explains: “We owe so much to everyone who has been part of our journey to this point, be that team members, volunteers or trustees. They all deserve a big ‘thank you’. But we’re particularly indebted to our trustees who are accountable for everything we do and take on a great deal of responsibility, legally, for the organisation in an unpaid capacity. Without them, we would not be able to function and support those in our community who vitally need our help.
“I think it’s fitting that we’ve been able to launch our 30th anniversary celebrations in national Trustees’ Week, as they have played such a significant role in our creation, development and ongoing success.
“SCiA has achieved a great deal since its inception. We’re working hard to continue in our pivotal role providing services in Southampton and Hampshire communities, meeting the needs of residents, delivering care, health, transport and counselling services. We’ve numerous initiatives in place for the future and are looking forward to announcing many of these in our 30th anniversary year, which will run until the end of October 2022.”
SCiA’s services are a mix of publicly commissioned ones and those directly purchased by residents in the area.
As a social enterprise, it reinvests any profit back into its services to ensure it can continue to support the communities it is involved with.
Chairman of Trustee’s Les Judd, who has been volunteering for SCiA, across its different boards, for nearly 20 years, says: “We’ve had challenging times and joyous ones, and we’re kept motivated by those who we help, the lives we change for the better and the life chances we improve for people from disadvantaged situations. Plus, we’re also buoyed up by the employment we provide for our now 200 staff and volunteers.
“Our 30th anniversary is a tremendous achievement and is a result of all the hard work of everyone who has been involved with the organisation at all stages in its development so far.
“We’re indebted to our teams and those who volunteer for us and donate their time freely, including my fellow trustees. Together we’re able to provide the wonderful services that we do and to positively touch the lives of thousands of people each year.”
Trustees’ Week from November 1-5 is an annual event to showcase the great work trustees do and provides opportunities for others to get involved and make a difference.
The week is also designed to raise awareness of their commitment and to help encourage others to give their time freely to become a trustee.
Dan continues: “The contribution trustees make to a charity like ours and society is truly inspiring. Without their commitment and dedication, SCiA simply would not be possible. There has never been a more important time to celebrate the work that all trustees do to ensure charities like ours thrive. We felt to combine our 30th anniversary year launch with national Trustees’ Week was an apt combination of celebrations.”
For further details, please visit www.sciagroup.co.uk, call 023 8036 6663 or follow SCiA online via SCiA Group (facebook.com) or (1) Social Care in Action (SCiA Group): Overview | LinkedIn.
