The Charity Commission's Rosie Chapman explains the rules
This will be my last column. During my tenure, I think I have exhibited my fair share of caution, scepticism and even, on occasion, cynicism.
So I want to throw caution to the wind and celebrate trustees - those unsung heroes and heroines who keep the charitable sector going. I never forget that the vast majority of the people who fill the 927,000 trustee positions in England and Wales do so largely without the support of paid staff.
I also want to urge them to do everything they can to make their organisations sustainable. To that end, the commission has recently been urging charities to consider ways they can work together, and I'd like to leave you with a great practical example.
The Almshouse Association is a collaboration between 1,800 separate almshouse charities, which provide affordable accommodation for people in need - most of whom are elderly - in their local communities. Many of them are currently facing similar difficulties: their old, sometimes Grade I and II listed buildings are seen as obsolete compared with modern homes.
The association recognised the commonality of this experience and has produced three factsheets offering information on the main problems. It draws on its members' experiences to provide practical solutions.
The wider support the Almshouse Association is offering is a great example of how collaboration delivers real results and eliminates the need for individual organisations to try to find their own way through difficulties, duplicating effort and resources. Small-scale collaboration could be just as effective for your charity.
- Rosie Chapman is executive director of policy and effectiveness at the commission.
