Brighton based organisation Here is a finalist in the UK Social Enterprise Awards, recognising it as one of the country’s most innovative and impactful businesses.‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌

Here beat stiff competition to make the shortlist for the UK Social Enterprise Awards this year, which attracted more than 400 entries from all over the country. Awards recognise sector-leading excellence and innovation across a diverse range of criteria, and Here is a finalist in the ‘Innovation of the Year’ category.

As prime contract holder for the Sussex MSK Partnership, Here holds the entire budget for MSK delivery in Central Sussex in service to 700,000 patients. Their Community Appointment Day Innovation has broken away from traditional healthcare boundaries to experiment with a new model; centred around a community powered and strengths-based approach.

“Being a social enterprise means we can fulfil our purpose as an agile and innovative organisation providing real social value to our communities.”

Sarah Bartholomew, Deputy Chief Executive of Here, said: “We’re thrilled to be shortlisted for the Innovation of the Year Award, particularly for our MSK Community Appointment Days (CADs) as this approach draws on the power of our communities to improve people’s health. Giving people more timely, holistic, and effective care strikes at the heart of what we do at Here and makes a really positive impact. For example, out of 550 CAD attendees earlier this year, over half were discharged from the waiting list. Being a social enterprise means we can fulfil our purpose as an agile and innovative organisation providing real social value to our communities.”

Social enterprises are mission-led businesses that reinvest or donate most of their profits for a social or environmental purpose. Here is one of the largest employee-owned health care social enterprises in the UK, helping people to live well. They do this by creating outstanding personalised healthcare rooted in seeing the whole person – not just the health issue.

Here is unique in the way they do things, developed through years of experience in delivering exceptional care for the community. Their expertise lies in designing and delivering healthcare that flexes to meet individual needs. Here thinks differently and constantly innovate new ways to exceptional care for everyone.

Here will join other finalists and VIP guests at a prestigious awards ceremony in London’s iconic Roundhouse on Thursday 30 November, when the winners will be revealed.

The Awards are run by Social Enterprise UK, the leading membership body for social enterprises. There are more than 100,000 social enterprises in the UK, employing around two million people and contributing £60bn to the national economy each year – while also tackling some of the biggest challenges facing people and planet.

Peter​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌ Holbrook CBE, chief executive of Social Enterprise UK, commented: “Our Awards are the ultimate showcase of the impact and excellence of social enterprises. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​Those who made the shortlist are a beacon of innovation, optimism and resilience in turbulent times.

“‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​These are trailblazers and standard-setters for better business, making profit but not putting it before people and planet – and they do all this under the same immense pressures as other businesses, with the long-term impacts of Covid and a national cost of living crisis. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​

“The challenges we face as a society demand new approaches and a shift in how businesses – big and small – act.‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​ Social enterprises celebrated at our Awards are the brightest stars in a brilliant sector, giving us all inspiration and motivation to do business better.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

See the full shortlist here.

About Sussex MSK Partnership Central

Sussex MSK Partnership Central is a joint venture between Here, & Sussex Community NHS Trust. This is a prime contracting model supporting musculoskeletal (MSK) health for a population of 650,000 covering physiotherapy, orthopaedics, rheumatology and chronic pain. The service operates across central Sussex; including Brighton & Hove, Horsham and mid Sussex and Crawley.

Website: www.sussexmskpartnershipcentral.co.uk