As part of our Bristol Initiative member spotlight series, we’re proud to feature Paul Kearney, CEO of Bristol & Weston Hospitals Charity. Paul leads the NHS charity supporting hospitals across the region, helping to fund projects that improve patient care and staff wellbeing. We spoke with Paul about his role, the charity’s impact on healthcare in Bristol and Weston, and his ambitions for fostering partnerships through the Bristol Initiative.
Tell us about your role – what do you have responsibility for? What does a typical day look like?
As the CEO of the NHS charity for the city centre hospitals in Bristol, as well as South Bristol Community Hospital and Weston General Hospital, it’s safe to say that every day is different.
I might kick off with a meeting with the leadership team over at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust to discuss our joint goals for the future, before heading to a celebration event in one of the hospital areas. I recently attended the one-year anniversary of our gardening sessions for patients with dementia – it’s great to meet the people behind the projects we fund and find out more about the difference we’re making to patients and staff.
What does your organisation do? Why do you like working for them?
Most people in Bristol have a connection to our hospitals – whether they’ve been treated there, they know an NHS staff member, or they’ve visited a friend or family member. Our work as an NHS charity makes a difference to everyone who sets foot in our hospitals, bringing more moments of joy, comfort and hope to those who need it most.
We raise money to improve the health and happiness of patients treated at our hospitals. Whether that’s the little things that make a big difference, ground-breaking medical research, equitable access for all of our communities or healing environments, we’re guided by NHS staff on how best to use our charitable funding to make the biggest impact on the health landscape of Bristol and Weston.
Why have you joined the Bristol Initiative?
We’ve built high-impact partnerships with several Bristol businesses, but there’s still so much more we could do together. We want to meet like-minded businesses who want to get on board, take social value seriously, and partner with us to help deliver change.
We’re currently looking closely at projects that are themed around innovation, and programmes that can help reduce healthcare inequalities in our city, so we’re excited to meet businesses also working in these areas.
What are the key agendas that you’re looking forward to getting involved with?
All things healthcare and wellbeing are of interest to us. We’ll be sharing fundraising events, challenges for you and your team to take on, and volunteering opportunities at our hospitals.
We’re always keen to hear from companies who believe in investing right here in Bristol, exploring how we can work together to make a difference to those who live and work in this great city and the incredible benefits that partnership can bring to companies.
Where is your favourite place to visit in Bristol?
I love a walk around Bristol Harbourside. There’s always so much to see – it feels like a different walk every time.
In June, I took part in our Big Bristol Walk with my wife Irene and our dog Lola. It was great to see the harbourside turn yellow for our charity and I’m already looking forward to the event next year.
For more information on Bristol & Weston Hospitals Charity, check out their website here. If you're a Bristol Initiative Member and would like to be featured in a spotlight article like this, get in touch with Jenny Ablett.
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