Croydon’s community equipment service, based on Imperial Way and providing wheelchairs, specialised beds, mobility aids and other equipment for use in the home, has been spun out of the council, and re-launched as Provide Equipment Hub.
Employee-owned, Provide Equipment now operates as an independent mutual organisation. It now sits as part of Provide Community, a community interest company based mostly in East Anglia, providing care services and homes.
“The transition not only marks a new name, but also an elevated service model, geared toward delivering responsive, community-driven support,” Provide Equipment said in marking the changeover.
“Provide Equipment Hub is committed to streamlining access to community equipment and ensuring that residents can readily access vital tools for their health and wellbeing, including wheelchairs and independent living aids designed to meet a wide range of individual needs.”
Launch event: Provide Equipment’s MD, Paul Kouassi (second left) at yesterday’s launch announcement with guests including Councillor Yvette Hopley (third left), Annette McPartland, the council director (fourth left)
Paul Kouassi, who has been the council’s head of service at Croydon Equipment Service for eight years, becomes the managing director at Provide Equipment Hub.
He said: “We are thrilled to officially introduce Provide Equipment Hub into our communities.
“While we continue to deliver the same trusted service, with the same dedicated team that our service users know from our time as Croydon Community Equipment Service, we are excited to re-launch as a mutual organisation with a refreshed brand.
“Our goal is to offer not only equipment, but a supportive, accessible service that helps individuals and families navigate their health and wellness journeys with ease and independence.”
- For more information on Provide Equipment Hub visit: www.providequipmenthub.co.uk
- For more information on Provide Community visit: www.providecommunity.org.uk
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I didn’t see a clear explanation of why this change is being made. I can’t see how the service can improve when 35% of the community interest company’s profits will be paid to private shareholders as dividends.
CICs are common – there are a few in Croydon. No scandals so far.. There are all sorts of limits on dividends and profits. I’d like to see more local involvement tho. One obvious advantage is that it gets the operation off the council’s books.
Five managers too many i heard. Too many chiefs not enough Indians. £250k/ yr extra would of been useful