A GROUP of charity champions from Chirk were invited to a 10 Downing Street reception recently.

Simon Baynes, MP for Clwyd South, invited representatives from The Rainbow Foundation to the event celebrating the work of Local Charity Champions from across the UK.

The foundation's chief executive officer, Caroline Tudor-James, and director of operations, Ian Pope, joined Mr Baynes to celebrate the outstanding work carried out by the foundation for the community.

Caroline said: “We were really proud to represent the Rainbow Foundation at 10 Downing Street.

“This reception comes at a time when the Rainbow Foundation is working in a uniquely challenging environment.

“The long-term consequences of Covid and the current cost-of-living crisis are having a significant impact on the health and wellbeing of the communities we support. 

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She continued: “At the same time we are delivering innovative new solutions in health and social care to support our local community to access the services they need locally and to address system stressors in the NHS and social care.”

“But our charity finances have been hit hard; which is why it is so important to raise the profile of the work we do across Wrexham and the difference it makes to people's lives.”

The event was hosted by the Minister for Civil Society, Rt Hon Stuart Andrew MP.

Founded in 1994, The Rainbow Foundation offers a range of interventions and community outreach work that allows the charity to work with adults in the Clwyd South area.

Mr Baynes added: “I was very pleased to invite Caroline Tudor-James and Ian Pope from The Rainbow Foundation to 10 Downing Street to celebrate their incredible work as charity champions in Penley, Chirk and Marchwiel and elsewhere in Clwyd South.

“Their commitment to helping those in our local area makes a tremendous difference to those in need. It was a pleasure to introduce them to Rt Hon Stuart Andrew MP, Minister for Civil Society, and to have their inspirational work recognised in this way.”

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Amongst its numerous community-focused programmes, it provides a Day Opportunities service providing social engagement, and support to stay active and reduce frailty, and live well for the elderly, a Home Care service to deliver support in the home, and a Social Prescribing Service that works with GPs across the Wrexham area to support anyone over 18 with their mental health and wellbeing.

The Rainbow Foundation has also recently been selected from more than 400 charities across the UK as one of the 10 winners of the 2023 GSK IMPACT Awards in partnership with The King’s Fund.

Now in their 26th year, the awards are run in partnership with The King’s Fund and provide funding, support and recognition for charities in the UK that are doing excellent work to improve people's health and wellbeing.