We all have issues that we feel strongly about – it might be homelessness, or cancer, or heart disease – maybe it’s animal cruelty or a local hospice.
Often we feel we want to offer a contribution and make a difference but we don’t know how. Charities are frequently on the lookout for help – and not just in terms of donations and frontline volunteering.
The UK is the sixth most giving country in the world and the myriad of charities that exist need trustees with a range of skills to help make sure they are properly run.
Matching service
Trustees’ Week, which runs from November 13-17, looks to highlight the huge value trustees bring to a whole range of organisations.
Award-winning Liverpool accountancy firm BWM includes the charity sector as one of its specialisms and it offers a unique Trustee-Match service, pairing charities seeking trustees with individuals looking for trustee opportunities.
With more than 150 charities in its client base, BWM will consider a a number of factors to ensure the right match, including skill set, previous experience and geographic location.
Invaluable skills
The firm’s director of client services, Vicki Harper, says: “Over the past couple of years there has been a lot of media debate over how charities are run. New rules and a challenging economic environment mean charitable bodies have to be run on a professional basis.
“So the kinds of skills that are abundant in the business and professional world can prove invaluable to organisations across the third sector.
“Since we started to offer this as a service, a number of clients, partners and our employees now sit on the board of trustees for a number charities, often in treasury or chairperson roles.
“The firm fully supports and encourages this, and offers time off to attend meetings where necessary.”
Lasting difference
BWM has successfully matched people with a number of charities in the Liverpool city region, including the Knowsley Citizens Advice Bureau, Expect Limited and The Royal School for the Blind.
Mrs Harper adds: “We hope to continue to offer this service to clients and friends of the firm, in order so that we too might help to make a lasting difference for some of the fantastic charities we work with.”
BWM is a leading, independent chartered accountancy practice in Liverpool with a heritage that can be traced back to 1926.The firm provides a wide range of accountancy and business support services to organisations and individuals across the North West; and their client base ranges from individuals and families to large companies and charities.
BWM also support a number of charities throughout the year with fund raising activities or pro bono accountancy advice to those that need it.
For more information contact Vicki Harper.
