Improving Chances has been set up by three senior NHS professionals, all of whom work or have worked in hospitals in England, where pregnant women, new born babies and children with special needs receive the best of care.

Our connection with Fort Portal goes back over 50 years when Pat Scampion, now recently retired as a Community Paediatrician at Bolton Hospital, lived in Fort Portal as a child when her father was District Medical Officer there.

While Sr. Theresa was studying for her degree in Educational Management at Manchester University in 2006, she shared her dream with friends of establishing The Good Shepherd Special School in Fort Portal. Pat heard of her bid and, inspired by her vision, promised to support Sr. Theresa in any way that she could.

Over the last four years, Pat has visited Uganda a number of times and now provides regular medical and developmental assessments at the school, allowing practical and sustainable medical support for the children there as well as providing general medical leadership.

Pat's husband John is an experienced Finance Director in the NHS and has held senior leadership positions in many different hospitals and is currently the Finance Director of Manchester PCT. John is also the Chairman of Lifeline, a UK- based charity supporting people with substance abuse problems.

On John's first visit to Uganda, he met Sr Theresa’s order, the Banyatereza Sisters, who introduced him to the Kyenjojo hospital project.

When John saw the site in 2008 it had the foundations in place. By June 2010, following local fundraising efforts, the shell of the hospital had been built but the internal fittings, water supply and other utilities still needed to be completed.

Len Richards is the Chief Executive of Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. Throughout his career he has had a keen interest in services for women and children and, prior to his job in Wirral, was Director of Children’s Services in Manchester, running the city’s Children’s Hospital.

After being introduced to the projects by John and Pat, Len joined them on his first visit to Uganda in early 2009. Having seen conditions for himself, Len joined John and Pat in establishing Improving Chances on their return.

Over the next three years, the project aims to raise £50,000, which will be shared between The Good Shepherd Special School and the Kyenjojo hospital, contributing to the running costs of the school and the completion and extension of the hospital.