The UK’s Only charity dedicated to supporting congenital heart patients.

Congenital heart defects (CHD) affects thousands of adults living in the UK today.

Fortunately, thanks to our research and support, CHD patients are not only surviving into adulthood, they are also thriving.

Here are just some of the ways we’re helping to change lives for the better.

Established the UK’s first dedicated Congenital Heart Research Centre in partnership with the University of Suffolk.

Launched a Freephone patient helpline – staffed by volunteers – to provide practical advice, a listening ear, and emotional reassurance at times of stress.

Published a range of leaflets for CHD patients on topics such as lifestyle, travel insurance, and pregnancy which is frequently distributed.

Produced a pocket-sized ‘personal health passport’. Useful for keeping all the information you need to know about your condition in one place.

Publish a quarterly newsletter, written for, and by, adult CHD patients. Subscribers include members, supporters and medical, healthcare and social care professionals.

Developed and regularly update an online resource centre (this website!) and online forums where congenital heart patients can connect with each other. 

Established a benevolent fund for CHD patients in financial hardship.

Organise residential weekends and growing older events for teenagers and adults. Providing CHD patients with the opportunity to meet and gain support from each other.

Hold annual conferences, regional patient information days and workshops throughout the UK.

Contribute to adult CHD nurse training days and taken part in various study days and conferences for medical and health professionals, including the bi-annual EuroHeart conferences.

Organising various social, publicity and fundraising events. These include receptions at the  House of Commons, film premières, concerts, parachute jumps, marathon runs, annual sponsored walks, cycle races and masquerade balls.

Help us heal hearts across the UK.

At The Somerville Foundation, we make it our mission to ensure that adult CHD patients enjoy access to every opportunity, are free from discrimination, and are fully supported throughout their lives.

But we can’t do this alone.

So please, do something remarkable and help us make a difference.

Investing in Volunteers.

At The Somerville Foundation, we have achieved Investing in Volunteers’ status.

The UK quality standard for good practice in volunteer management, this shows volunteers – and potential volunteers – how much they are valued.

It also demonstrates our ability to provide an outstanding volunteer experience.

Find out more about volunteering with us

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With your help, we’ve helped fund new and improved treatments for congenital heart disease. we opened the UK’s first dedicated Congenital Heart Research Centre. we’ve organised receptions at the House of Lords and House of Commons, a film première, concerts, parachute jumps, marathon runs, annual sponsored walks and masquerade balls. we ensure that adult CHD patients enjoy access to every opportunity, are free from discrimination, and are fully supported throughout their lives. we’ve staged annual conferences, regional patient information days and workshops throughout the UK. we’ve published a range of leaflets for CHD patients on a wide-range of topics. we’ve launched a Freephone patient helpline to provide practical advice, a listening ear, and emotional reassurance at times of stress. we’ve created online networks where congenital heart patients can connect with each other. we successfully applied for a Comic Relief grant to help develop mental health support services. we’ve contributed to adult congenital heart disease nurse training days and taken part in various study days and conferences for medical and health professionals. we’ve established a benevolent fund for members who are in financial hardship. we’ve organised residential weekends and outward bound holidays for teenagers and adults, providing congenital heart patients with the opportunity to meet and gain support from each other.

Just think what else we could do if you donate, fundraise or volunteer for us.

FIND OUT HOW WE’RE HEALING BROKEN HEARTS