changing NHS Flying


The Angel Healthy Living Centre has been improving the lives of people in Salford for 10 years. But now the Angel is fl ying free and becoming a fully- independent social enterprise – Social Adventures


Free! “Being a social


enterprise allows us to observe NHS values of care, respect and


choice and ensure that patients get the care they need”


S


cott Darraugh is unequivocal: “A private company would run a mile if they had our contract.


“We are not about making money at all. We are about


making a real difference to local people’s lives and ensuring that we bring a social value to the community we serve.” And Scott, Project Manager of Social Adventures, an Industrial and Provident Society, is quick to answer critics who argue that his new social enterprise is undermining the basic tenets of the NHS. “Being a social enterprise allows us to observe NHS values


of care, respect and choice and ensure that patients get the care they need,” he says. “If anything, being a social enterprise means that we are the ones who can ensure that care is still provided free at the point of access.” Social Adventures has just won a £319,000 three-year


contract from Salford Primary Care Trust to run the Angel Healthy Living Centre in the city. It will provide a wide-range of services tackling everything


from health inequalities, social isolation and unemployment through to combating smoking, obesity and poor diet. The contract marks the Angel’s long journey from a tiny


community organisation with big ideas, to a fully-fl edged business with commercial deals. It was founded 10 years ago by health professionals,


Scott Darragher,


Project manager of Social Adventures


18


seconded from Salford Primary Care Trust, and local people. Two years ago staff decided to join the fi rst wave of NHS bodies bidding for the “Right to Request” – the last Labour


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