Dr Pete Calveley, chief executive of Barchester Healthcare has said he is 'honoured' to be the new chairman of Barchester's Charitable Foundation, a charity that gives support to older people and other adults living with a disability.
Calveley officially steps into the role this month and will chair his first meeting with the Board of Trustees in March.
He succeeds Mike Parsons who chose to step down after nearly 12 years as chairman of the Foundation. Mike was instrumental in building support and encouraging fundraising by Barchester staff and he also helped source a huge number of sponsorships and raffle prizes from Barchester shareholders and corporate partners.
Calveley now brings his own vision and enthusiasm to the Foundation and says he is ‘looking forward’ to playing a key role in ensuring the Foundation continues to help some of the most vulnerable members of our communities.
The Foundation is a grant giving charity helping older and disabled people in England, Scotland and Wales increase their independence and improve their quality of life. It was created by Barchester in 2000 as a way to give more back to the communities it serves and has awarded nearly £2.3 million in grants since 2003.
Last year the Foundation provided 169 grants to individuals and small community groups, many of which went to projects tackling isolation through social activity, such as Dementia Adventure and the Wild at Heart project organised by Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust.
Dr Pete Calveley says: “Barchester's Charitable Foundation gives vital support to some of the most vulnerable people living in our communities and I'm honoured to be able to play a key role in that work.
“I'm looking forward to our first Board meeting in March and working alongside the Trustees to ensure the Foundation continues to allocate grants where they will have the biggest impact for the people we aim to help.
“Last year the Foundation’s focus was on connecting or re-connecting people with others in their local community and this year we will continue to prioritise applications for grants that help combat loneliness and enable people to be active and engaged.”
“Thank you to everyone who helped fundraise for the Foundation in 2016 and those who are planning their fundraising activities for the new year. Without your continued support, we wouldn't be able to provide these life-changing grants.”
Every pound raised for the Foundation by Barchester staff is matched by Barchester Healthcare.
