On Call
Support for Caerphilly Miners Institute
Background
Caerphilly Miners Centre for the Community (The Miners) was established in 2008 to save part of the former Caerphilly Miners Hospital as a sustainable facility to support the wellbeing of our community.
Caerphilly Miners Centre became a company limited by guarantee in 2011 and a charity in 2012. In 2014, the trustees signed a 99-year lease with United Welsh and set to work to restore the building. The refurbished ground floor was opened in September 2015. It provides a pleasant environment within easy reach of people, with good parking facilities and a warm welcome.
The Miners is owned by its members, shaped by its trustees and volunteers and used by the people of Caerphilly. People are able to access affordable services and gain the experience of helping others. There is common purpose in making a positive difference to people’s well-being, whatever their age or circumstances, and partnership working to ensure the best possible provision for our community.
The Issue
The charity approached the Cranfield Trust for ‘On Call’ telephone support with their financial policies and procedures plus support with their Risk Management
The Solution
Cranfield Trust matched founding member and secretary Kathrine Hughes with a volunteer John Newton, an experienced finance professional with wide-ranging experience and expertise gained from working in the public and private sectors. John was already familiar with the work of Caerphilly Miners Institute and was keen to offer his support.
John was able to revise their financial policies paper and also offered additional advice and support:
- Scope to save on VAT and signposted the charity to www.gov.uk/vat-charities
- Recovery of more Gift Aid on donations and bucket collections.
- Risk Management Policy.
- Trustee Training - signposting to the ICAEW Trustee Toolkit - free online training modules which provide an overview on trustees legal and financial responsibilities and their strategic and operational considerations.
Impact
Katherine Hughes, Founding member and secretary of Caerphilly Miners Institute said:
“The support provided by John has been outstanding. We were able to get immediate support and advice regarding our existing Financial policies and procedures and also our current Risk Management strategy - he truly went above and beyond! We are keen to continue to work with Cranfield Trust, their support has been invaluable.”
