Coventry digital health social enterprise shortlisted for national award

Social enterprises are mission-led businesses that reinvest or donate most of their profits for a social or environmental purpose. Hope 4 The Community CIC (H4C) is a business that exists to empower people living with long term conditions and carers to take control of their health and wellbeing through a range of evidence-based peer-led self-management programmes, called the Hope Programme, delivered in-person and online, licensed to a variety of organisations across the public, voluntary and private sectors.

Hope 4 The Community CIC beat stiff competition to make the shortlist for the UK Social Enterprise Awards this year, which attracted more than 400 entries from all over the country. Awards recognise sector-leading excellence and innovation across a diverse range of criteria, and Hope 4 The Community CIC is a finalist in the Tech for Good: Technology Social Enterprise of the Year category.

Gabriela Matouskova, CEO at Hope 4 The Community CIC, said: “We are thrilled to be a finalist in these prestigious awards that have recognised our work to support those with long-term conditions and their carers. 3 years ago we were offering in-person programmes only. The pandemic meant we introduced online delivery. Since then, over 9,500 people have benefitted from our Hope Programmes, delivered via our digital platform, all co-designed with the people we support. We're proud of what we've achieved, and we’re equally inspired by the remarkable work of our fellow social enterprises. We hope that this acknowledgement will also shine a light on the urgent need for investment in prevention and community-led approaches to health.”

Hope 4 The Community CIC will join other finalists and VIP guests at a prestigious awards ceremony in London’s iconic Roundhouse on Thursday 30 November, when the winners will be revealed.

The Awards are run by Social Enterprise UK, the leading membership body for social enterprises. There are more than 100,000 social enterprises in the UK, employing around two million people and contributing £60bn to the national economy each year – while also tackling some of the biggest challenges facing people and planet.

Peter​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌ Holbrook CBE, chief executive of Social Enterprise UK, commented: “Our Awards are the ultimate showcase of the impact and excellence of social enterprises. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​Those who made the shortlist are a beacon of innovation, optimism and resilience in turbulent times. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​These are trailblazers and standard-setters for better business, making profit but not putting it before people and planet – and they do all this under the same immense pressures as other businesses, with the long-term impacts of Covid and a national cost of living crisis. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​The challenges we face as a society demand new approaches and a shift in how businesses - big and small - act.‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​ Social enterprises celebrated at our Awards are the brightest stars in a brilliant sector, giving us all inspiration and motivation to do business better.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​