Social responsibility
As a company we have a lot to offer our clients, our associates and the people we ultimately serve through our health and advice lines.
However, we understand that life doesn't stop at the front door of any of our centres; we believe we have a responsibility to look at how we can use our skills and resources to have a positive impact in the communities we belong to.
That's why we are open to working with a variety of businesses and organisations in a number of fields.
For instance, the company has joined the Determined to Succeed programme which aims to introduce enterprise into education. A key objective is to underline the value of work-based and entrepreneurial learning.
Consequently, The essentiagroup has signed an agreement to provide various levels of support to a Scottish school whose pupils have special educational needs.
We remain open to other partnerships and will continue to pursue courses of action which deliver on our social responsibilities.
Our current designated charity is CHAS
The Children's Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS) is a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee. CHAS was founded in 1992 by a small group of parents and professionals who understood the needs of children with life limiting conditions and their families.
Their aim was to provide hospice services in Scotland to children and their families in line with need and demand. At that time Scotland had no children's hospice. Families who wanted and needed hospice services had to make long journeys to England with their sick children to receive the support and practical help that only a children's hospice can offer.
In 1993 with the support of the Scottish Office, CHAS embarked on a programme of public, corporate and professional awareness raising to secure the funds to create Scotland's first children's hospice. At that point the charity was entirely dependent on the voluntary efforts of board members and volunteer support. Volunteers remain a key component of CHAS and are involved in all areas of the organisation.
Rachel House, Scotland's first children's hospice opened in 1996. It provides:
- specialist palliative support through respite care and emergency care for children with life limiting, life threatening and terminal conditions.
- regular short term breaks for children and their families.
- terminal care and bereavement counselling.
- friendship, information, advice and practical support for families, with help available in their own homes at times of special stress.
Robin House is Scotland's second children's hospice. The success and increasing demands on Rachel House made it necessary for Scotland to have a second children's hospice. It has been built in the National Park at Loch Lomond. It was completed in Spring 2005 and will be open to children and their families in August 2005.
A successful bid for money from the Big Lottery Fund with NHS Highland has seen the establishment of a small team able to work in families' homes. The 'Rachel House At Home Team' is based in Inverness working with families who use Rachel House. The team is now ready to take new referrals. The funding is in place for three years, beyond that time CHAS will continue to fund the Rachel House At Home Team for as long as the families need the at home service.
