Two liver disease support charities have merged in an attempt to strengthen their impact by pooling resources.
The British Liver Trust and Children’s Liver Disease Foundation announced last week that the combined organisation will be directed by an executive team and trustees from both of the original charities.
Pamela Healy, British Liver Trust chief executive since 2019, will lead the merged organisation in the same role.
All of the current staff from both charities will be retained and the merged organisation will be headquartered in Winchester, Hampshire, where the British Liver Trust is currently based.
According to the Charity Commission website, the British Liver Trust had 37 staff and recorded an income of £1.57m in the year to March 2023, while the Children’s Liver Disease Foundation had nine employees and an income of £470,000 in 2022.
Both charities recorded a deficit in their most recent accounts filed with the Commission.
Initially, both charities will retain their separate branding and continue to deliver the same services as previously.
However, longer term the merged organisations plan to develop into a fully integrated charity, with activities and work aligned for the benefit of children and adults with liver disease.
Patients, supporters, healthcare professionals and stakeholders will be consulted throughout the merger process, the charities said.
Aim to campaign ‘more effectively’
Healy said: “Becoming a larger charity and combining our strengths, resources, and expertise will enhance our ability to positively impact the lives of patients, families and carers who are at the centre of everything we do.
“Having one distinct organisation will also allow us to widen our impact and reach, increase advocacy for policy change, campaign even more effectively for improved patient care and collaborate on research opportunities.”
Michelle Wilkins, head of services at Children’s Liver Disease Foundation, said: “Bringing together the expertise and resources of the Children's Liver Disease Foundation with the British Liver Trust marks a significant milestone in our mission to ensure that children and young people with liver disease are not limited by their condition.
“A diagnosis of childhood liver disease means a lifetime of medical care and this merger will ensure we can offer comprehensive information and support to everyone impacted by liver disease, across all ages.”
