Member Article

Tech boost for social enterprise in Coventry

A social enterprise in Coventry that supports people with serious health conditions has been given a technological boost thanks to a ‘secret sign-up’ by a member of its team.

Kerry Malik had only just returned to Atrium Health from maternity leave when she registered for a competition on the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce website to win £1,000 worth of tech items through high-speed fibre operators CityFibre.

Atrium provides essential rehabilitation for those with long-term heart, lung and circulation problems, initially through NHS referrals but then through memberships to its gym and rehab services, which also includes social activities.

Kerry returned to her role as executive assistant in October 2021 and one of her first tasks was making sure the organisation was making the most of its Chamber membership.

She spotted a chance to enter the CityFibre competition and was delighted to receive a recent phone call to say Atrium had won. Kerry said: “There’s lots of support and opportunities on offer through the Chamber and I was looking at their website and saw the chance to win £1,000 worth of tech. “For a social enterprise like us, that was too good an opportunity to miss so I entered. I didn’t tell anyone about it and didn’t think much more of it.

“Then, out of the blue, I got the call from Chris Nagle at the Chamber to say we had won. I couldn’t believe it and it was a big surprise for everyone.” Atrium has now taken delivery of five Galaxy Tab A8s, two headsets and two digital timers that make up the £1,000 offered by CityFibre.

“As a social enterprise, we have to give careful consideration is given to all expenditure,” added Kerry, “so we wouldn’t have been able to go out and buy these items but we know they are going to make a big difference to the team that work here and to our members.” Leigh Hunt, Regional Partnership Director at CityFibre, said: “We are thrilled that Atrium Health entered and won our competition with the Chamber.

“They do fantastic work in helping to rehabilitate people with serious, long term medical conditions and we are delighted that this prize will play a part in helping them to do that. “For our part, we wanted to give something back to the city through the Chamber and continue to highlight and raise the profile of what CityFibre is doing to bring the fastest and most reliable broadband to homes and businesses in the region through a range of Internet Service Providers (ISPs).”

Chris Nagle, events, communications and marketing manager at the Chamber, said: “It’s great to see two member companies being brought together in this way. It is a wonderful gesture from CityFibre and we were all delighted for Kerry and the team at Atrium Health.” In addition to the tech prize, Kerry also won dinner for two at the Telegraph Hotel.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Matt Joyce .