Community Hospitals Association Special Interest Group discussion: fundraising and volunteering in community hospitals

This talk will focus on vital importance of fundraising and volunteering in community hospitals. We will hear about the learning from community hospitals that have transferred to community owned charities, and apply this to our wider community hospital network.

6 Mar 2024
19:00 – 20:30

Community Hospitals Association (CHA) Special Interest Group are delighted to welcome Dr. Steph Haydon from the Department of Social Policy, Sociology and Criminology at University of Birmingham to a SIG Discussion Group on 6 March. Steph will be talking about the ‘Voluntary takeover of community hospitals’ and the session will be chaired by Dr. Helen Tucker, CHA President and SIG Co-Convenor.

About the discussion

In July 2023, St Ives residents successfully raised £1 million to buy the Edward Hain Memorial Hospital, preventing its permanent closure after its shutdown within the NHS. This case reflects a broader trend, with nine hospitals in England transitioning from NHS to charitable control between 1984 and 1999.

The discussion explores the reasons for these shifts, investigating the varied communities involved, their values associated with hospitals, and the adaptations made since returning to charitable control. Examining the ‘communities’ linked to ‘community hospitals,’ such as local residents, Leagues of Friends, patient groups, and staff, the findings provide insights not only into the future of the Edward Hain Memorial Hospital but also hold relevance for all community hospitals. The research underscores the diverse ways communities support their hospitals, including fundraising and volunteering, highlighting their crucial role in shaping hospital outcomes and the collaborative relationships formed among them.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to gain valuable insights, network and discuss the opportunities and challenges presented on this topic. There will be plenty of time for questions and discussion.

How to register

To book your place please register via the booking button below.

For more information about how we use and store event registrant data, please refer to the  CHA Events Registration Notice. Please read the Community Hospitals Association Privacy Notice regarding GDPR,

Please be aware CHA Special Interest Group discussion groups are recorded and a recording of the event will be accessible on the CHA website.

Should you wish to get in touch about the event or require any support to register, please contact Eleanor Murphy on eleanor@communityhospitals.net or 07876 408259.