Ingrid Barker Named as Social Enterprise Chair

18/03/2011

Gloucestershire resident, Ingrid Barker has been named as the Chair designate of a new Social Enterprise organisation that looks set to provide community health services from later this year.  

The Social Enterprise’s stated aim is to give users and staff more of a say on how services are run for the benefit of individuals and local communities with more direct involvement in their design and development.

The Social Enterprise, called Gloucestershire Care Services Community Interest Company (CIC), is expected to take over management of NHS funded community services currently delivered by NHS Gloucestershire Care Services.  

Chair designate of Gloucestershire Care Services CIC, Ingrid Barker said:

“I am excited about taking on this role and we will be working hard to ensure that the Social Enterprise succeeds.”

“We want to establish an organisation that is focused solely on providing high quality community based services that are in tune with the needs and aspirations of local people.”

“Our aim will be to empower our staff to work with our community partners and the public to deliver innovative services. I believe that Gloucestershire Care Services CIC as a county-wide organisation is also best placed to support more joined up health and social care services in the future.”

Welcoming the appointment, Chair of NHS Gloucestershire, Ruth FitzJohn said:

“I congratulate Ingrid on her appointment and I believe that it’s the best possible start for the new organisation.”“

Ingrid has always been deeply committed to service user involvement and advocacy and this has been strongly evident in her spell as a Non Executive Director of NHS Gloucestershire.”