Social care charity, Community Integrated Care has completed its merger with specialist Scotland care provider, Inspire.

The move was completed this week as planned after the charities announced the merger in June. Inspire’s colleagues have now transferred to Community Integrated Care in line with TUPE regulations with the teams becoming part of Community Integrated Care’s Scotland region.

Jim Kane, chief executive officer at Community Integrated Care, said: “We’re thrilled to have joined forces with Inspire and to be welcoming a team of incredible new colleagues and people supported to our charity. As organisations, we already have so much in common; from turning 35 this year to being rooted in the same mission of ensuring that people with support needs lead fulfilling lives in their communities. This represents a brilliant new chapter for us both, and we’re confident that the shared values, vision and goals that brought us together will enable us to thrive – continuing to deliver the best lives possible for the people we support.”

Community Integrated Care supports 2,500 people and employs 5,000 colleagues nationwide, with over 280 people and 1,000 colleagues in Scotland. With a significant presence across Northeast Scotland, Inspire employs 570 colleagues and delivers life-changing care to 360 people with learning disabilities, autism and complex care needs, supporting them to live independently in the community.

Both charities share similar values, heritage and a collective vision for the future of social care. The merger will enable the organisations to learn new ways of working through best practice sharing, align resources to work more effectively, as well as support them to collectively build initiatives that will improve the lives of the people they support.

Inspire chief executive Linda Gray, who will be remaining in post to support the transition over the coming months, said: “Today is a proud day for both of our charities, as we come together and look toward an exciting future ahead. Throughout recent years, it has been a privilege to lead Inspire in our ambition of being a care provider and employer of choice in Scotland, and I take immense pride in our remarkable achievements. Collaborating with Community Integrated Care is a fantastic opportunity and we’re looking forward to achieving many more brilliant things together in the years to come.”