Cambodian Children’s Fund (CCF) has marked a new partnership with the Cripps Health Centre in the UK by twinning a consultation room to celebrate a shared goal of improving healthcare for all.
CCF’s medical clinic currently provides free healthcare services to hundreds of children and families each month, many of whom would otherwise go without. The twinning aims to build the capacity of the clinic’s doctors and nurses by connecting them to UK expertise, mentorship, and wider networks.
It’s the first time that CCF’s Medical Clinic has partnered with an overseas health centre.
A consultation room at CCF’s Medical Clinic has been twinned with a consultation room at the Cripps Health Centre, one of the largest single-site general practice health centres in the UK, located on the main campus at the University of Nottingham.
CCF has been collaborating with the University of Nottingham for eight years on various education projects, including teacher training and research.
The twinning was made possible through the ongoing support of Robert Cripps, the former chairman of Velcro Companies, who has been a long-term advocate of CCF and whose family established the Cripps Health Centre.
In 2017, Velcro Companies generously gifted CCF its Neeson Cripps Academy high school. The Cripps Foundation is a major donor to the University of Nottingham through its philanthropic work to promote educational opportunities for all.
This marks the beginning of a meaningful connection between two medical communities united by a common goal
Mr Cripps travelled to Phnom Penh for the official twinning ceremony at CCF on August 18 with Daniel Hammersley, Chief Operating Officer of the Cripps Health Centre, who toured CCF’s Medical Clinic and Maternal Care Program, met with local staff, and saw firsthand the life-changing impact of the charity’s healthcare services.
“This marks the beginning of a meaningful connection between two medical communities — one rooted in the UK, and one in the heart of Phnom Penh — united by a common goal: improving lives through healthcare,” said Daniel Hammersley.
“It’s been really interesting to see the clinic. The consultation room here is almost the same as ours in Nottingham, showing how healthcare has similarities the world over.”
Daniel and his wife, Julie, had committed to sponsoring a child, an eight-year-old boy through CCF, before arriving in Cambodia. They were able to meet him for the first time during the trip, along with their four sons.
Scott Neeson, CCF Founder & Executive Director, said: “This partnership further cements our relationship with the University of Nottingham. We are so grateful that we can work together on healthcare, a critical part of CCF, and a big part of keeping children in school and helping families to keep their children in education.”
The visit ended with Daniel presenting plaques to CCF to promote the partnership with the Cripps Health Centre, celebrating a “commitment to compassion, care, and global friendship” and cultural exchange.
This recognises the work of the Medical Clinic to improve healthcare for children living in marginalised communities in Cambodia
CCF is also proud to become an honorary member of the Student Health Association in the UK, which works with health centres that support students in education. The Cripps Health Centre was a founding member of the Association, and Daniel Hammersley was formally the Association’s President.
“We are delighted to welcome the Cambodian Children's Fund to the Association as an honorary member. This recognises the work of the Medical Clinic to improve healthcare for children living in marginalised communities in Cambodia, and the impact of improved health and wellbeing for families and the wider community,” said Hayley Bembridge – Administrator and Conference Coordinator, Student Health Association.
“This partnership reflects our shared commitment to ensuring that access to healthcare supports children and young people in remaining engaged with education, even in some of the most challenging circumstances.”
The twinning marks a powerful step toward strengthening healthcare delivery in underserved communities, and a shared commitment to building healthier futures — across continents.
Established in 2009, CCF’s medical clinic is one of Cambodia’s only free medical centres serving people of all ages.
Based in the heart of the neighbourhood where CCF works in Steung Meanchey, it offers healthcare for children, families, and community members from some of the most impoverished communities, ranging from common ailments to those with chronic illnesses.
In 2024, the clinic provided 27,973 treatments and consultations.
We are looking at ways we can have cooperation, sharing advice and experience, and build a relationship, which will be very good for us
Dr Deth Sereivuth, CCF’s Healthcare Manager, said the two clinics were discussing the needs and challenges of CCF's Medical Clinic and ways to collaborate with the Cripps Health Centre.
“We are looking at ways we can have cooperation, sharing advice and experience, and build a relationship, which will be very good for us,” said Dr Sereivuth.
Robert Cripps began supporting CCF in 2012 with the Food Program and is committed to the long term.
“Once you start with something, you don’t stop until it’s finished, and it’s not finished,” said Mr Cripps.
“The school [NCA] is on the way to becoming, if not already, the most well-performing school in Cambodia with some of the most underprivileged kids in Southeast Asia.
“I was recently at an after-party in Melbourne for a CCF student who had just graduated from the University of Melbourne. There were around 10 kids there, all from CCF, who had graduated or were studying at the University of Melbourne. It’s amazing to see what is being achieved.”
