Friends of the Hospital of St Cross

Friends of the Hospital of St Cross (Charity number 218485) is a UK-based nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the Hospital of St Cross and the NHS Community Health Service in Rugby. Established in 1955, the charity focuses on enhancing patient care by providing voluntary services and funding equipment and projects that improve the health services offered to the local community[1][4][5].

History and Background

The Friends of the Hospital of St Cross was originally known as The League of Friends of the Rugby Hospitals before adopting its current name. Since its inception, the charity has played a vital role in supporting healthcare in Rugby by raising funds and providing volunteers for various hospital and community health initiatives[3][5].

Activities and Impact

The charity supports the Hospital of St Cross and associated community and mental health services primarily through voluntary work and fundraising. It has more than 150 volunteers and does not employ paid staff, ensuring that all donations are maximized for direct patient benefit. The money raised is used to purchase medical equipment and to implement projects that improve the patient experience in the hospital and wider health services in Rugby[1][4][5].

Significant achievements include raising over £4 million since 1955, with over £1 million spent in the last decade on new equipment and projects that support patient care. For example, the Friends recently funded an advanced Ocular Coherence Tomography (OCT) Scanner for the diagnosis of glaucoma at the Hospital of St Cross, enhancing the ophthalmology department's diagnostic capabilities[1].

Governance

The charity operates under a board of trustees, with 12 trustees overseeing its activities. It has around 170 volunteers actively contributing to its mission. The charity maintains thorough governance policies, including safeguarding, financial controls, risk management, and volunteer management. None of the trustees receive remuneration for their roles, ensuring that funds are dedicated entirely to the charity’s objectives[3][4].

Community Engagement and Education

Friends of the Hospital of St Cross also engage with the community by organizing lectures, social events, and educational talks about the hospital's history and its role in local healthcare. The hospital itself has a rich history dating back to its opening in 1884, and the charity offers speakers for events to share this heritage and raise awareness of its ongoing work[1][5].

Financial Overview

For the financial year ending 31 December 2023, the charity reported a total income of £99,112 and expenditure of £176,820. The funds are primarily directed towards supporting the health services in Rugby through voluntary services and equipment donations[4].

The Friends of the Hospital of St Cross continue to be an integral part of the Rugby healthcare community, fostering volunteerism and charitable giving to enhance patient care and support local health services.

[1] https://www.fsx.org.uk [2] https://www.friendsofstcross.com [3] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/218485/governance [4] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/218485 [5] https://www.fsx.org.uk/about-us