Social Enterprise Invites UK Public To Donate 10,000 Minutes of Care
Community interest company, Spectrum Community Health CIC has today announced an ambitious campaign to get more people to help others in their community this summer.
Ahead of Thank You Day (Sunday 4th July) and NHS, Social Care and Frontline Workers Day (Monday 5th July), the social enterprise, which oversees a range of community-based clinical care projects across the North of England wants to encourage the continuation of the neighbourly spirit that developed throughout the pandemic.
To celebrate its 10th anniversary, Spectrum is launching #CareFor10 campaign which appeals for the public to take just 10 minutes to care for someone else in the community through small but meaningful acts of kindness. The social enterprise will also allow all 850 members of staff to take part in the campaign.
Dr Linda Harris, Chief Executive at Spectrum, said: “We’ve been caring for 10 years – so all we ask is for others to care for just 10 minutes. It can make all the difference to someone’s life. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate our 10th anniversary and underline the impact we’ve had in the communities we work in.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need to stay well, both mentally and physically, and has heightened the need for people to stay connected. It’s been a difficult time for so many people, but throughout that we’ve seen impactful human acts of kindness help people through. Our campaign aims to maintain that community spirit in simple and effective ways. It will be a fantastic legacy to our 10th anniversary.”
The organisation has supported more than 400,000 people over the last 10 years across communities in Yorkshire, the North West, and the North East in health and justice, sexual health and those dealing with complex conditions such as drink and drug dependencies.
Dr Harris continued: “Imagine the difference this would make to vulnerable or isolated people in the community if we could just get 1,000 people across the UK each caring for 10 minutes for a neighbour, a friend, or a family member.
“It can be as simple as taking the bin out for a neighbour, helping the environment with a litter pick-up, or doing an elderly family member’s grocery shopping – as long as we’re adhering to Covid-19 social distancing guidelines. We hope those inspired to take part will share their moments on social media by using the #CareFor10 hashtag.”
Spectrum has created a simple list of things people could do to support the campaign but hope some will get imaginative and creative with their time and share their experience using the #CareFor10 hashtag.
Some easy ways to get involved (adhering to social distancing rules):
- Take 10 minutes to call a friend and check in on them
- Pick up litter at your local park/beach
- Set up a community book swap for your street/block of flats
- Drop off a donation to a food bank
- Take your neighbours’ wheelie bins in for them
- Drop some essentials off with a neighbour if you know they struggle with mobility
- Hold a virtual activity such as a quiz or fitness class
- Ask a neighbour if they need their grass cutting
- Pay it backwards – buy a coffee for the person behind you in the queue
More recently, the social enterprise completed the ‘10 peaks challenge’ alongside staff and partners for its charity of the year, Cancer Research UK. The team were also on hand to administer first aid to wounded hiker on Scafell Pike – emphasising the whole meaning behind #CareFor10.
Over the past decade, Spectrum has been shortlisted for over 50 national healthcare awards, winning 21, and expanded its portfolio of services into sexual health, health and justice, and wellbeing. Most recently, it has successfully partnered to deliver one of the country’s COVID-19 large scale community vaccination centres.
Those who want to get involved in the campaign can visit https://spectrumhealth.org.uk/care-for-10/ or contact [email protected] for more information.
