We found trustees with Reach

                                                                   Organisations 

Cultural Co-operation makes use of new Board professional skills

Cultural Co-operation is an independent London-based arts and heritage educational charity with a mission to deliver high-quality popular engagement with the world’s cultures. It seeks to bring about positive social change where inequality, denial of opportunity and other forms of injustice persist.

In late 2009, the charity committed itself to strengthen its Board in a number of areas to help it deliver its new 5 year strategic plan for 2010-15. Thanks to the help of TrusteeWorks, it was able to make three Board appointments in 2010 - in project management, marketing and strategic planning - one of whom is serving as Chair for 2011.

Cultural Co-operation's Chief Executive Prakash Daswani said:

“Over the last year, TrusteeWorks has provided our relatively small charity with a regular and invaluable stream of talented and experienced volunteers. The new Board members with their professional skills have helped us to improve the quality and range of our free public services, thereby increasing our corporate profile and boosting team morale.”.

Local Government expert boosts Sussex Autism’s professional skills

Autism Sussex provides a safe base and educational, recreational and occupational opportunities for young adults with autistic spectrum disorders, helping them live a rewarding and fulfilling life. They have appointed a trustee with the help of Trusteeworks.

Richard Brown, Chairman of Sussex Autism, said:

“Trusteeworks proved an effective organisation, suggesting very suitable professional candidates for our Board. The new trustee has brought Local Authority experience to the Board and has proved to be committed and active. We continue to seek new trustees and have every confidence that TrusteeWorks will be successful with further introductions."

Northern Oak Credit Union fills vital Treasurer role

Northern Oak Credit Union is a community based financial co-operative which provides convenient savings and affordable loans to the people of North Tyneside. It was faced with the loss of its experienced Treasurer at a time when it, like many financial institutions, was facing problems with bad debts as a result of the recession. TrusteeWorks was able to find a replacement Treasurer very quickly.

Northern Oak’s Chief Officer David Hall said: “Being able to quickly appoint a replacement Treasurer meant the Credit Union could continue to function correctly and to manage its affairs effectively during a difficult economic period. We were finding it difficult to locate a suitable person until TrusteeWorks introduced the new Treasurer who provided the necessary background, skills and experience to help guide us successfully.”

Experienced strategist boosts Board of White Stuff Foundation

The White Stuff Foundation, funded by the White Stuff clothing brand, aims to help disadvantaged children and young people realise their true potential and to support their health and well-being. It currently supports and works in partnership with over 70 children’s and young people charities across the UK. It was looking for an experienced Trustee and was able to appoint Immanuel Mensik after TrusteeWorks helped it focus its search.

White Stuff Foundation Manager Sally Buckley said: “Reach were very helpful in finding suitable trustee candidates including Immanuel who is full of experience, enthusiasm and ideas. His strategic background, Board experience and contacts in both the charity and corporate sectors are invaluable.”

Kingston Bereavement Service’s trustee provides evaluation skills

Kingston Bereavement Service is an independent charity offering one-to-one and group bereavement support to anyone who lives, works or studies in Kingston, London. The charity was looking for a new Trustee with professional skills and TrusteeWorks was able to quickly find a suitable one who is now helping them evaluate and monitor their service.

Kingston Bereavement Service manager Sheila Nardone said: “The new Trustee has put together two evaluation reports which have been very useful for funding purposes. Finding the right kind of Trustee is essential for the good governance of a small charity like ours. Thanks to TrusteeWorks the process of recruitment was swift and easy. We are so glad to have someone new with a strategic focus who has fitted in so well.”

New Treasurer provides fresh approach for Peoples-uni

People’s Open Access Education Initiative - known as Peoples-uni - provides vital Internet-based education for people working in Public Health in developing countries. It was looking for a new Treasurer and was able to make an appointment after TrusteeWorks helped it focus its search.

Professor Richard Heller, Coordinator of Peoples-uni, said:

“TrusteeWorks’ help with our search for a new Treasurer was of great value to us. He has taken a fresh approach both to the Treasurer role and to the way the charity is organised. His skills and background are an ideal fit for our new organisation, and we are delighted to have him with us and with TrusteeWorks for identifying him for us.”

Cheadle Royal makes use of a new injection of skills

Cheadle Royal is a sheltered workshop and industrial therapy unit based in Cheadle near Stockport. They provide long-term support for people with learning difficulties and/or mental health problems. The charity needed four new board members and Reach provided them with a trustee to look at their grant structures, another to look at internet options, a marketing expert to help with extending sales and a Chairman who is also working on a trusts project for the organisation.

Steve Jackson, the Managing Director of Cheadle Royal says that it was the specific skills which the TrusteeWorks volunteers brought that have really made a difference to the organisation. "Before we just had general trustees; what is working so well now is that we are using our trustees for the business skills they gained in their working life. They are proactive and increased sales for us mean that we can extend the support which we offer."

Services for Independent Living looks for strategic direction

Services for Independent Living (SIL) is a Herefordshire charity that provides services and support to disabled and older people, enabling them to live independently. The charity was going through a period of great change as they moved into a more competitive and commercial environment and needed a trustee with business experience to help them achieve their strategic objectives.

TrusteeWorks volunteer Liz Lloyd has brought her impressive career experience in financial management, business development and marketing to SIL. She has helped the organisation move away from grant funding towards the process of tendering for contracts and guided the organisation in the proactive marketing of their services.

To read more success stories of organisations, click here