SCA Group

SCA Group and Alabaré have signed a partnership agreement that will see the two organisations working cooperatively to improve the lives of vulnerable people across the south.

SCA Group, one of the longest-running social enterprises in the country, provides not-for-profit community care and support work, day care, community transport, social care training, advocacy, NHS dentistry, and social enterprise consultancy from Southampton and across Hampshire and Dorset.

Alabaré, which operates in Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire, Bristol, North Somerset and Devon, is a charity that supports homeless people, vulnerable young people and people with learning disabilities and mental health needs.  It runs crisis drop-in centres, supported housing, resettlement services and a training and employment centre for people with learning disabilities and enduring mental health issues.

The two organisations will remain separate but as a result of the agreement will work together on joint projects at both a national and local level. They will share expertise and business intelligence, monitor national health and social care policy and hold regular CEO and Board meetings to explore joint working and disseminate good practice.

"Through our strategic alliance we will be able to work more closely with Alabaré and to share our strengths and expertise," said Rev. Brian Strevens, founder and Executive President of SCA Group.

"Alabaré has a strong presence in the south west and expertise in working with people with housing needs and special educational needs. SCA Group works mainly across the central area of the south and our strengths are in care and support for vulnerable and elderly people as well as the other services we offer.

"By working together more closely we can make sure we can adapt to the new national agenda of providing a range of unified services designed to keep people living longer in their own homes.

"Alabaré has its roots in Christian community service while SCA Group is a secular organisation, but there are synergies in our aims and values.  In both cases we aim to improve people's lives by providing flexible services that meet their practical, emotional and care needs while also treating them with dignity and respect," he said.

Rev. John Proctor, founder and Chairman of Alabaré Christian Care & Support, said he hoped the relationship would help to bring about improvements to services.

"Alabaré has built strong partnerships to ensure it is able to call on the expertise necessary to remain at the forefront of a developing third sector and we see our link with SCA Group as another positive move in this direction," he said.

"We both bring differing strengths to the table which should help us in our effort to provide the flexible care needed by our clients in a changing market place.  We hope that as our relationship strengthens we will embark on some joint projects across the South."

(L-R) Alabaré Chairman Rev. John Proctor signs the agreement with SCA Group Chairman Mike Morgan.

Sara Morgan (pictured right with Lisa Dillane) feels she has learned a lot since taking on a six-month internship at Fenwick2 Health and Well-being Centre with the SCA Institute of Social Enterprise.

Sara, who recently gained a 2.1 in her Philosophy degree after studying at the University of Southampton, joined the Institute in June. She has already attended a breakfast meeting at the Bishop of Winchester's headquarters in Winchester for the launch of the Institute's ‘Big Society and the South' pamphlet and has also been involved in helping to promote the Institute's new social franchising initiative.

"It's been a surprise to find out how massive the social care sector is," she said. "I was not aware of how many services there were for the elderly and how many people and organisations are involved. It takes so much effort and so many people are committed to helping others. I am very impressed by their dedication."

Sara grew up in the Godalming area of Surrey but now lives in Southampton. She did not know much about the work of social enterprises before applying for the internship but the work sounded interesting.

"I was interested in the internship because the Institute is a relatively new venture for SCA Group and I liked the idea of being involved with something at the start and of helping it to grow and develop," she said.

Sara is not yet sure what field of work she'd like to pursue but feels that the experience of working for SCA Group will stand her in good stead. Her studies in philosophy also help.

"My studies have given me good literary skills. Generally people who study philosophy are quite good at taking a step back and looking at the big picture.

"Fenwick2 is also a really lovely place to work and the people are very welcoming and friendly. I like the fact that there are so many pioneering and creative ideas being explored here. "