This vital initiative aims to investigate how environmental factors, such as sunlight exposure, temperature variations, and air pollution, impact the risk of stillbirth.
Around 13 babies die shortly before, during or soon after birth every day in the UK and 2,680 of these deaths were stillbirths in 2022. More children die around the time of birth than at any other time of childhood, yet only 2.4% of UK health research funds go to reproductive health and childbirth.1
Philanthropic funding is vital in enabling Sands to fulfil its mission to end baby deaths and help families rebuild their lives. For over a decade, Teddy’s Wish has been committed to supporting Sands in memory of Jen and Chris Reid’s beloved baby, Eddie.
Through their generosity, Sands has been able to advance research aimed at understanding why some babies die unexpectedly. The Environmental Influences on Stillbirth project will explore how the environment a woman is exposed to during pregnancy affects both maternal and fetal health.
Jen Reid,Co-Founder and CEO of Teddy’s Wish said: “Teddy’s Wish is committed to funding research that brings us closer to understanding and preventing baby loss. We are delighted to be jointly funding this important research project with Sands to explore the impact of environmental influences on stillbirth with the hope that more babies will be delivered safely.”
The link between environmental factors and stillbirth has not yet been studied in-depth in UK populations. This research will link environmental data with comprehensive Scottish maternity records, providing a robust dataset to study potential environmental risk factors.
Dr Murray, Consultant in Maternal and Fetal Medicine and Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer at the University of Edinburgh, said: “This work is a step forward in understanding the complex and unknown factors that may contribute to stillbirth.
“Our findings could inform future public health guidelines and targeted interventions, especially in areas with high levels of air pollution.”
The research has the potential to reduce stillbirth rates across the UK by providing clinicians with clearer understanding of how the environment impacts on pregnancy and the baby’s wellbeing. The research insights could help people in government and the NHS improve maternity care for pregnant women and babies.
Janet Scott, Sands’ Head of Saving Babies’ Lives team, said: “Through this research, Sands and Teddy’s Wish aim to support advances in the health of babies and mothers, reducing the devastating impact of stillbirth on families across the country.
“Thank you to Teddy’s Wish for your unwavering support in helping save more babies’ lives and transform the life of future generations of families.”
It has been six weeks since the decision by the Edinburgh Integrated Joint Board (EIJB) to retain the Third Sector Grants Programme, worth £4.5 million, until the end of this financial year.
While a much-welcomed reversal of the initial proposal to pull the grant from 64 charities from January 2025, the forecasted cuts have left many of these registered charities in Edinburgh in doubt over their long-term future.
Edinburgh Community Health Forum strategic development managerStephanie-Anne Harris,said: “Without the necessary funding, closures are inevitable. These community-led charities cannot afford to exist without long-term public funding, and the threat of this being removed is hanging over their heads, preventing future planning.
“Edinburgh Health Community Forum has heard from many member organisations that are expecting to have to start the process of shutting down in January due to the EIJB’s decision.”
One such organisation is the Murrayfield Dementia Project, which provides lunch clubs and day services for those who are elderly and frail or living with early-stage dementia.
The termination of the EIJB funding will remove this service from the 20 members who attend each week, with repercussions for their carers and families. It will also result in five members of staff being made redundant and eight voluntary opportunities being stopped.
Jenny Rowe, Project Coordinator at Murrayfield Dementia Project, said “The EIJB reprieve has only prolonged the inevitable. As a small, community organisation, we need to know whether future funding will be made available, and if not, we will be forced to close.
“The loss of vital services, such as Murrayfield Dementia Service will not only impact those who directly benefit from them. Without the support offered by Third Sector organisations, we will undoubtedly see an increased pressure on Scotland’s wider health and social care services, which are already at breaking point”.
This is exemplified in the case of Phonelink Edinburgh, a twice-daily check call service for the over 60s that offers social interaction, medication prompts, welfare and safety checks, and eating and drinking prompts.
Kellie Mercer, Manager of Phonelink Edinburgh, commented “Phonelink Edinburgh receives £89,000 in funding from the EIJB grant.
“Among other check-ins, we carry out 128 medication prompts twice daily, 7 days a week. The estimated cost for Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership (EHSCP) to do the same would be £256,960 – and that is without considering the other welfare and safety services Phonelink Edinburgh offers.”
A Therapy Assistant Practitioner from the Western General Hospitalgave a real life example of the importance of the Phonelink Service: “A patient was medically fit for discharge but needed medication prompts to allow this to happen.
“So Phonelink was contacted by email for a twice daily medication prompt. The email was received at 3.48pm, the service set up at 4.30pm, with the patient discharged that evening, and the service started at 7.30pm.
With unprecedented budgetary challenges facing the EIJB, and the necessary shifting in strategic priorities, the cessation of the Third Sector Grants Programme may well be unavoidable.
If this is to be the case, Stephanie-Anne Harris argues for a planned transition with interim support made available:
“Sufficient time and planning must be given to avoid devastating consequences for Edinburgh’s most vulnerable citizens.
“This requires a collaborative approach, including Third Sector representatives, NHS Lothian and the City of Edinburgh Council to establish a clear timeline and secure alternative funding to prevent the immediate loss of vital services which currently benefit over 50,000 people across Edinburgh.
“Without Edinburgh charities and Third Sector organisations, the fabric of the community collapses. It is imperative that together we carve out a sustainable future for the City’s Third Sector, one that delivers high-impact services, strengthens community resilience, reduces pressure on statutory services and achieves better outcomes for Edinburgh’s most vulnerable citizens.
“We urge Edinburgh City Council and the EIJB to step up, provide clarity, and commit to funding that ensures these vital organisations can continue their essential work beyond the end of March 2025. ”
World’s biggest humanitarian catastrophe to receive vital assistancefrom Scotland
The Scottish Government will provide critical aid to one of the world’s most overlooked and devastating crises, pledging £375,000 to help alleviate suffering in conflict-torn Sudan.
First Minister John Swinney announced the funding, which will support vital humanitarian projects for some of the 30 million people affected by the conflict, famine, displacement and gender-based violence that have ravaged Sudan since April 2023.
Despite limited global media attention, the war in Sudan has claimed an estimated 150,000 lives and driven 11.5 million people from their homes—creating what the United Nations describes as one of the largest displacement crises in history.
The funding, delivered through Scotland’s Humanitarian Emergency Fund (HEF), will empower trusted charity partners Christian Aid, Tearfund and Islamic Relief to deliver life-saving assistance in Sudan, South Sudan and neighbouring Chad.
First Minister John Swinney said: “The situation in Sudan is harrowing, and this funding demonstrates Scotland’s commitment to standing with those in dire need. We are helping charity partners to provide urgent assistance to address the devastating impact of conflict, famine, and displacement.
“As a responsible global citizen, Scotland stands shoulder to shoulder with the people of Sudan during this dark chapter in their country’s history. Our thoughts are with the millions struggling to survive and facing an uncertain future.”
Christian Aid will provide multipurpose cash assistance to improve food access for 5,270 Sudanese refugees and displaced individuals in the Wedweil settlement camp and surrounding host communities. The initiative will also work to prevent gender-based violence among 3,000 vulnerable individuals.
Tearfund will enhance food security and address basic needs for 1,500 households in Zabout Camp, Chad, while fostering peacebuilding, inclusion, and the empowerment of women in camps and host communities.
Islamic Relief will assist 2,400 newly displaced people from eastern Al-Jazira to Gedaref state, providing cash assistance and hygiene kits for women and girls, including 120 individuals with disabilities, to alleviate their suffering.
Val Brown, Head of Christian Aid Scotland said: “We’re grateful that the Scottish Government’s Humanitarian Emergency Fund is able to support our work in Aweil, South Sudan, where displacement camps continue to grow due to the constant stream of people fleeing violence in Sudan.
“This funding will allow our local partner to distribute cash grants – this means people, who’ve often arrived with only the clothes they’re wearing, can buy essentials like food or medicines. Importantly this provides a ray of hope during a bleak time. The project will also include activities to reduce gender-based violence, allowing women and girls to feel safer.”
The Scottish Government’s commitment to support Sudan and its neighbouring countries spans an 18-month period; Oxfam, the British Red Cross and Christian Aid have all delivered vital projects through HEF funding to provide food, access to clean water and shelter to people affected by the conflict.
This funding forms part of Scotland’s International Development commitment, protected in the draft 2025-26 Scottish Budget.
The Humanitarian Emergency Fund provides aid in the aftermath of a crisis through a panel of eight leading humanitarian aid organisations in Scotland who advise and access the fund: Mercy Corps, Oxfam, British Red Cross, Islamic Relief, SCIAF, Christian Aid, Tearfund and Save the Children.
According to the Scottish Third Sector Tracker, the percentage of organisations identifying financial challenges as one of their top three concerns has risen dramatically, from 47% in August 2021 to 77% in Spring 2024 [1]. Add to this rising service demands and escalating operating costs, and Edinburgh charities are likely to experience significant strain.
Ansvar Insurance, the expert provider of insurance for the charity, not-for-profit, faith and care sectors, has identified the five risks charities are expected to face in 2025, and is providing expert advice on how organisations can protect themselves.
Adam Tier, Head of Underwriting at Ansvar, commented: “In 2025, charities will have to deal with rising operational costs, growing service demand, and monetary donations continuing to be affected by the cost-of-living crisis.
The impact on the sector has been significant, particularly for smaller, local charities, where resources are already stretched.”
1. Financial instability
Charities are struggling with declining donations and rising costs, including increased utility bills and the upcoming living wage increase to £12.21 per hour. To maintain financial sustainability, charities must prioritise financial planning and seek alternative funding sources like corporate partnerships and grants.
2. Increased demand for services
Whether it’s foodbanks, hospices or mental health support, charities across Edinburgh are on the front line. While government funding for social care and healthcare is expected to help, local impact will take time. Strategic partnerships with local authorities and other charities are key to managing demand effectively.
3. Declining income from donations
Changes in Inheritance Tax and Capital Gains Tax in the recent budget may encourage legacy giving. Therefore, charities should invest in donor engagement strategies to address any ongoing decline in donations.
4. Cybersecurity threats
Cybercrime is on the rise in the charity sector, with a third of charities that responded to the Government’s Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2024 [2] reporting they have fallen victim to an attack. Charities need to implement strong cybersecurity measures, educate staff on safe online practices and ensure they have insurance coverage specific to the charity sector that addresses cyber threats.
5. Regulatory and compliance risks
The government has announced that new charity tax regulations will come into effect in April 2026, which is in addition to the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill (DPDI) which may impact data protection, fundraising, and safeguarding. Ansvar urges charities to regularly review compliance strategies to avoid financial and reputational risks from regulatory breaches.
(Charities also face a hike in employers’ National Insurance contributions – Ed.)
Adam Tier added: “It’s vital that charities take proactive steps to ensure their resilience, from reviewing their financial strategies to securing adequate insurance cover to protect against emerging risks.
We’re committed to helping charities understand the hazards they face and take the proactive steps needed to protect themselves, so they can continue making a difference in their communities.”
Ansvar is part of the Benefact Group, a charity-owned specialist financial services organisation. The Benefact Group is the UK’s third-largest corporate donor, underscoring Ansvar’s dedication to supporting the wider charitable community.
Scotland’s party leaders are being urged to unite and take bold, immediate action to overhaul the devolved tax system, to build a fairer, more prosperous, and sustainable future for all.
In an open letter, Tax Justice Scotland, a newly formed campaign group which represents over 50 Scottish civil society organisations, trade unions, economists, and academics, says that Scotland’s existing tax system is undermining public services while exacerbating economic and wider inequalities. They say it’s time to break free from short-termist tax policymaking.
Campaigners say that a fairer, more effective devolved tax system is needed if the Scottish Government is to deliver on its legal commitments to cut child poverty and tackle climate change, while avoiding damaging cyclical emergency budget cuts.
Ahead of the publication of Scotland’s new Tax Strategy and the 2025/26 Scottish Budget, the Tax Justice Scotland campaign is warning Scotland’s finances are “beyond breaking point”, while urging leaders to “stop dodging the hard but necessary decisions” on tax reform for future stability.
The letter says:
“Scotland’s finances are beyond breaking point. Tweaking the status quo on tax is not working; it’s failing our communities, our economy, and our planet. Inaction will condemn current and future generations to deepening inequality, crumbling public services and environmental collapse.
But you have the power to choose a different future.
To do so, you must choose to move beyond inadequate tweaks to our flawed tax system. It’s time to think beyond the narrow constraints of budget and electoral cycles to deliver a better and fairer tax system while ensuring those with the broadest shoulders carry the greatest weight of change.”
While the recent UK Budget will boost public spending and somewhat ease immediate finance pressures in Scotland, this won’t put Scotland’s public finances on a sustainable path.
The campaign is urging the Scottish Government to leverage the upcoming Tax Strategy as a catalyst for overdue and essential long-term reform.
Tax Justice Scotland also sets out a series of immediate steps the Scottish Government should take, using devolved powers, to make progress towards a fairer tax system:
Launch an immediate nationwide property revaluation, the first critical step to finally scrapping the outdated and unfair Council Tax. At the same time, Ministers must start the search for fairer, more equitable alternatives.
Kick-start a bold plan to tax wealth more fairly, ensuring those with the most contribute their share to Scotland’s future.
Make polluters pay for the damage they cause while encouraging greener, fairer business practices, including through reforms of existing Non-Domestic Rates and tax breaks.
On behalf of Tax Justice Scotland, Lewis Ryder-Jones, Oxfam Scotland’s Advocacy Adviser, said:“Scotland’s finances are perpetually teetering on the edge of a perilous precipice. Poverty and inequality are rampant, public services are badly stretched, and the climate crisis is escalating. Fairer taxes, alongside a fairer economy, and ensuring public money is well spent, can and must do more to secure a fairer, greener future for everyone.”
Tax Justice Scotland has been established to build public and political pressure for tax reforms in Scotland, as part of improved UK and global tax systems.
The letter coincides with growing global momentum on tax, with the leaders of G20 governments making a ground-breaking commitment to cooperate on taxing the world’s super-rich at a summit in Brazil last week.
Bold, well-designed changes to devolved taxes could build on this global momentum, unleashing more resources to invest in healthcare, education, social security and climate action while reducing the widening gap between the wealthy and the rest of society in Scotland.
Lewis Ryder-Jones added:“Scotland can lead the way in the UK and internationally. It’s time for our leaders to stop dodging the hard but necessary decisions, and instead start making the case that fairer taxes are good for the economy.
“We need grown-up tax governance that takes Scotland’s future seriously; moving beyond piecemeal, patchwork fixes and instead delivering a tax system that works for everyone, not just the privileged few.”
Family ‘repeatedly benefitted’ from ‘mismanaged’ Captain Tom Foundation, investigation finds
The Charity Commission’s investigation into The Captain Tom Foundation has found repeated instances of misconduct and/or mismanagement by the family of the late fundraiser, who set up the charity in his name.
The official report, published today, is highly critical of the conduct and actions of the charity’s former trustee and CEO (Hannah Ingram-Moore) and a former trustee (Colin Ingram-Moore).
It sets out evidence of serious failings in the charity’s management, including failures to act solely in the best interests of the charity and to effectively identify and manage conflicts of interest.
The report finds that Mr and Mrs Ingram-Moore, who are now disqualified from serving as charity trustees, are responsible for a “pattern of behaviour” which saw them repeatedly benefitting personally from their involvement in the charity.
The failure to manage conflicts of interest arising from Mr and Mrs Ingram Moore’s link to each other and the charity’s links to their private companies happened repeatedly and led to direct and indirect private benefit for the family.
The report is also critical of the charity’s unconflicted trustees, who it finds did not always have sufficient oversight and control of the administration of the charity. However, the inquiry notes that their ability to manage conflicts of interest was limited by the failure of the Ingram-Moores to inform them of potential conflicts of interest as these arose.
The report concludes the non-conflicted trustees are responsible for mismanagement but that this did not warrant any further regulatory action.
Scope of the inquiry
The regulator’s inquiry was opened in June 2021 to examine if trustees had been responsible for misconduct and / or mismanagement and if the charity suffered any financial loss, including private benefit to any current or former trustees. It also considered if conflicts of interest were adequately managed and if all trustees complied with and fulfilled their responsibilities under charity law.
Findings of the inquiry
The inquiry examined a range of concerns in detail, assessing the extent to which trustees complied with their legal duties. The report is critical of:
The Ingram-Moores’ handling of and public communications about publishing deals for books authored by the late Captain Sir Tom. The inquiry concludes that the public “would understandably feel misled” to learn that sales of his autobiography ‘Tomorrow will be a good day’ have not benefited the charity, given that statements were made which implied donations from sales would be made to the charity carrying his name.
Public statements made by Mrs Ingram-Moore regarding her involvement in setting her salary for the role. The inquiry concludes that it might have been technically accurate for her to state that she was “not offered” a “six figure salary”, as the Commission blocked the initial salary request, and no formal offer was made to her prior to the regulator’s authorisation of a lower salary. However, the inquiry finds these assertions were disingenuous, as it saw written evidence that she had stated, prior to starting in the role, that her expectations were for a £150k remuneration package.
Mrs Ingram-Moore retaining £18,000 for judging and presenting an award named after Captain Tom. While she claims she undertook the engagement in a personal capacity, the inquiry does not agree and found no evidence that supports her position. Mrs Ingram-Moore committed the charity’s resources to the event without the non-conflicted trustees’ knowledge or consent.
The handling of intellectual property rights owned by the Ingram-Moore family but offered to the charity for its use without appropriate agreements in place, which led to confusion and possible financial losses to the charity.
The Ingram-Moores’ use of the charity’s name in an original planning application for a building constructed on their private land, which also implied the building would be used by the charity. They did not inform or seek consent from the unconflicted trustees before using the charity’s name for this purpose. The building was subsequently demolished by order of the local authority. The inquiry finds that the couple used the charity’s name inappropriately for private benefit, and that this amounted to misconduct and/ or mismanagement.
The above matters are examples drawn from the inquiry report, which sets out the findings and conclusions in full, provides wider context and background, and includes lessons for other charities to learn from this case.
Regulatory action taken
In June 2024, the Commission disqualified Hannah and Colin Ingram-Moore from being a trustee and from holding a senior management position at any charity for a period of 10 and 8 years respectively.
Throughout the investigation, the inquiry exercised the Commission’s information gathering powers to obtain information to inform the inquiry’s findings and conclusions as set out in the report.
David Holdsworth, CEO of the Charity Commission, said: “Captain Sir Tom inspired a nation and reminded us what service to others can achieve even in the most challenging of times.
“His determined fundraising efforts, and the incredibly generous public response, brought a smile and hope to many of us during the pandemic. We should remember his achievements and how grateful NHS Charities Together is for the £39m he raised for the causes they support.
“Sadly, however, the charity set up in his name has not lived up to that legacy of others before self, which is central to charity. Our inquiry report details repeated failures of governance and integrity.
“The public – and the law – rightly expect those involved in charities to make an unambiguous distinction between their personal interests, and those of the charity and the beneficiaries they are there to serve. This did not happen in the case of The Captain Tom Foundation. We found repeated instances of a blurring of boundaries between private and charitable interests, with Mr and Mrs Ingram-Moore receiving significant personal benefit. Together the failings amount to misconduct and / or mismanagement.
“The Commission conducts all its investigations in a fair, balanced and independent way, led by the law and the facts alone. Where those investigations find that individuals have misused the trust that people have in charities, it is right that we take firm action to hold them to account.”
Reflecting on the role of charity in society more generally, Orlando Fraser, Chair of the Charity Commission, said: “Charities represent the best of society – bringing people together, supporting the most vulnerable, and strengthening communities.
“It is important to remember that their work is underpinned by trustees, most of whom are volunteers, and most of whom fulfil the role with passion and integrity.”
THE last post on the charity’s website states:
Update – July 2023
At this moment in time, the sole focus of The Captain Tom Foundation is to ensure that it cooperates fully with the on-going Statutory Inquiry by the Charity Commission.
As a result, The Captain Tom Foundation is not presently actively seeking any funding from donors. Accordingly, we have also taken the decision to close all payment channels whilst the Statutory Inquiry remains open.
Once the findings of the Statutory Inquiry have been communicated, The Captain Tom Foundation will be in a better position to make a decision in relation to its future, but for now, our main priority is to assist the Charity Commission with its enquiry.
In the meantime, on behalf of the trustees of The Captain Tom Foundation, we wish to extend a warm thank-you to all our supporters who have enabled us to help charities that were close to Captain Sir Tom’s heart.
Calls come as Holyrood Committee publishes report on public funding to voluntary organisations
Short-term funding cycles are creating financial instability and diverting time and resources away from charities’ delivery of services, according to a pre-Budget report by the Scottish Parliament’s Social Justice and Social Security Committee.
At the outset of the Committee’s inquiry the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations painted a stark picture of the challenges faced by charities in Scotland, identifying a 2.1% real terms decrease in Scottish Government funding in the previous budget, against a backdrop of increased inflation and high demand for services.
In recognition of the critical role charities play in supporting Scottish society, the Committee’s report calls on the Scottish Government to look at options to prioritise three-year-funding and include provisions for inflation-based adjustments.
During the inquiry, witnesses raised concerns about inconsistency, complexity and a lack of transparency in the application process for funding. In response, the Committee’s report recommends that the Government, and its partner grant awarding-bodies, streamline and standardise application processes and improve the transparency of the grant-making decision process.
The Committee also heard about the challenges some charities have faced because of delays to funding decisions and payments, issues the Committee wants the Scottish Government to resolve.
Bob Doris MSP, Deputy Convener of the Social Justice and Social Security Committee, said: “The Scottish Government has a commitment to provide fair funding for the essential work done by Scotland’s charity sector.
“We make it clear in our report that this commitment should be recognised in the upcoming budget, so that the sector’s vital work can be safeguarded. We call on the Government to prioritise strengthening its approach to multi-year funding and improving its processes.
“Whilst we acknowledge the Scottish Government’s ability to agree to multi-year funding when it does not know what funding it will receive from the UK Government for subsequent years, our committee has made practical suggestions to overcome these challenges.
“We believe that implementing the straightforward measures outlined in our report, including multi-year funding, could positively impact the effectiveness of a sector that does so much to help so many.”
Responding to the report, Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) Chief Executive Anna Fowlie said: “I welcome today’s report, and the committee’s recommendations. Throughout their inquiry, the Committee heard from witness after witness of how the practice and culture around public funding for voluntary organisations is broken.
“Too often and for too long voluntary organisations providing vital services to people and communities across Scotland contend with budget cuts, short-term funding cycles, late payment, incoherent decision-making, poor communication, inadequate grant management and more. That must end.
“The voluntary sector needs a funding landscape that is fair, flexible, sustainable, and accessible – as long-advocated by SCVO and recommended by the committee today.
“At a time when many voluntary organisations are facing extreme financial difficulties, these long-standing calls are more essential than ever.
“The prize is a sustainable sector, strong public services, and resilient communities – one the Scottish Government must grasp with both hands.”
Kids Operating Room and Smile Train successfully install solar surgery systems in 23 hospitals across Nigeria
The Solar Surgery system ensures reliable power for medical equipment during surgeries, addressing frequent power cuts
Initiative boosts patient safety and surgical outcomes, and reduces carbon emissions
Partnership aims to upgrade more than 30 paediatric theatres across Africa by 2025
Kids Operating Room (KidsOR), the Scottish charity dedicated to ensuring every child has access to safe surgery in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), and Smile Train, the world’s largest cleft-focused charity, announce the successful implementation of the Solar Surgery system in 23 hospitals across Nigeria.
In their groundbreaking partnership, the two organisations are taking significant strides to enhance surgical care in Nigeria through the creation of new surgical facilities, training of local surgical teams, and now the deployment of solar powered operating theatres to ensure every child has access to a safe operation, free from the risks of power outages.
Solar panels have been installed on the roofs of the operating facilities in Nigeria, charging smart battery units that power vital medical equipment in an operating room. This innovative approach combats the frequent power cuts experienced in many African hospitals, ensuring uninterrupted care and better outcomes for patients.
The system monitors what power is needed by the surgical team and provides that directly from the panels, meaning children across Nigeria are now having operations powered entirely by the sun. However, the system can seamlessly switch to a blend of solar and battery power on cloudy days and can go on to provide 8-hours of continuous use into the night. Only when there is no sunlight, and the reserve is being depleted will the system start to pull power from the local grid.
The partnership between KidsOR and Smile Train promises to deliver reliable power to Nigerian hospitals, improving patient safety and improving surgical results while also reducing the carbon emissions of the facilities – setting a sustainable standard for medical treatment across Africa.
Globally, one in 700 babies are born with a cleft lip and/or palate. Sadly, many of these children miss out on the vital reconstructive surgery they need, which can lead to challenges in eating, breathing, and speaking. Smile Train is the world’s leading charity focused on transforming the lives of these children and recently announced supporting their 2 millionth cleft surgery.
Nkeiruka OBI, Vice-President and Regional Director, Africa of Smile Train, commented:“Erratic power supply is a norm in Nigeria, like most developing countries. Interruption of power during a surgical procedure could jeopardise the life of the patient. It is not a desirable experience.
“By harnessing clean and renewable solar energy, which by the way we have in abundance in this part of the world, surgical teams can confidently operate critical medical equipment and ensure that children with clefts can receive safe, timely surgeries regardless of power outages.
“The solar-powered theatre is a game changer, in transforming healthcare delivery across Africa, especially in areas where unreliable power limits access to safe surgical care.
“With each solar-powered theatre, we take a step closer to universal access to safe surgery, amplifying the impact on children, families, and entire communities. Smile Train and KidsOR’s partnership truly serves as a model on how meaningful collaboration and innovation can overcome healthcare challenges and drive sustainable change across the continent.”
David Cunningham, CEO of KidsOR, commented: “Our partnership with Smile Train is making a life changing difference to children in developing countries across the globe. In Nigeria, and across Africa, we are working with Smile Train to pave the way for a future where no child has to fear a power outage as a significant risk to their life during an operation.
“In Nigeria, we will shortly have moved 30 operating rooms onto the exciting Solar Surgery system, which means surgical facilities across the country will be able to operate at full capacity and are no longer restricted by frequent power outages.”
Following reports of the UK Gov’s #Budget24 plans for increases to employer National Insurance contributions, SCVO wrote a joint letter with @NCVO@NICVA & @WCVAcymru to @RachelReevesMP about the potential impact this could have on the voluntary sector:
SCVO, NCVO, NICVA, and WcVA letter to Rachel Reeves, Chancellor of the Exchequer: Autumn Budget 2024 – employers’ National Insurance contributions
Dear Chancellor
Autumn Budget 2024 – employers’ National Insurance contributions
We are writing to you on behalf of charities and community organisations across the UK, in relation to recent reports of plans to increases to employer National Insurance contributions and the potential impact this could have on the voluntary sector.
If reports in the media are correct, National Insurance contributions are to be increased in the private sector. Public sector employers will be reimbursed for any such increase, to protect public services. But there has been no mention of the voluntary sector. This comes as a disappointment, given that our sector provides essential public services to people and communities up and down the country, delivering significant savings to the public purse.
With costs climbing, funding falling, and demand for services increasing, our sector already faces a crisis. The additional costs placed on the sector by increasing employers’ National Insurance contributions will only compound this.
As you navigate the significant financial challenges the country faces, we are confident that it would not be your intention to place them at the door of charities and community organisations. We are not asking for special treatment, just parity with the public sector.
In the spirit of partnership – as outlined in the UK Government’s Covenant document which published last week – we are assuming this is an oversight or over-simplification by the media and we are therefore calling on you to urgently clarify this matter, confirming that no additional financial burden will be placed on our sector.
We look forward to receiving a response as a matter of urgency.
