
Chesca Ross
Regulator’s new “5-minute guides” will support charity trustees to meet duties
The Charity Commission has launched a new set of simple, easy to understand guides to help trustees
The Charity Commission, the charity regulator for England and Wales, has launched a new set of simple, easy to understand guides, designed to help trustees run their charities in line with the law.
The new guides cover five key aspects of charity management – a ‘core syllabus’ covering the basics that the regulator expects all trustees to be aware of.
They explain the basics of:
- financial oversight
- achieving a charity’s purposes
- good decision making
- addressing conflicts of interest
- what to file with the Commission and what support is available
This ‘gateway’ level guidance will make it easier and quicker for all trustees to check what is expected and to find more detailed information if needed, which is all the more important as charities respond to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Commission’s research and testing with trustees have helped shape their design and content.
The publications come as part of the Commission’s programme, outlined in its 2020/21 Business Plan, to deliver updated core guidance and an improved website, so that it is easier for trustees, who are overwhelmingly unpaid volunteers, to access the information they need. This is in line with the Commission’s strategic priority of ensuring trustees have the tools and understanding they need to succeed, and helping them maximise the difference they make.
The new tools have been launched to coincide with Trustees’ Week, the annual celebration of charity trustees and the contribution they make to society.
RABI extends support for farmers with new wellbeing initiative
Charity’s evolving strategy aims to reach more farming people.
With 2020 bringing ever greater levels of uncertainty and unexpected changes, pressures on the farming community continue to grow. As part of a new package of services designed to assist people deal with these complex challenges, RABI is launching an online wellbeing community and counselling service for farming people across England and Wales on 19 October.
Against a backdrop of continuing strains and demands, this new online initiative is a significant step in RABI’s plans to evolve its services, to better meet the changing needs of farming people.
“We know that farmers have continued to face exceptionally difficult times. Managing mental wellbeing and maintaining good mental health has emerged as one of the most significant issues facing our sector, which is already known for its higher than average levels of stress, depression, anxiety, and suicide,” says Alicia Chivers, RABI’s Chief Executive.
“Our aim is to make a real difference to the farming community that RABI has been dedicated to for the past 160 years. We believe early intervention and one-to-one support are essential to ensuring good mental health and tackling the root causes of poor wellbeing. We believe that providing confidential, easily accessible, free online support can make a real difference to a wide audience.”
The initiative features two distinct sites – Qwell.io/rabi for adults, while Kooth.com/rabi is tailored to those aged 11-17. These safe and confidential online platforms are being delivered in partnership with a specialist online mental health provider. The websites include dedicated farmer friendly content that addresses farming sector specific challenges such as loneliness, Brexit anxiety, animal health and crop disease and farm debt.
Users will be able to anonymously access farmer specific and more generic content, as well as a wealth of discussion boards, case studies and messaging functions. There are many tools, such as a journal to record and track progress against personal goals, as well as tips and articles.
In addition, all users can access one-to-one counselling support from BACP recognised, qualified professionals through a chat function. The practitioners are trained in different forms of counselling, allowing them to meet individual needs and preferences.
“No one should take mental wellbeing for granted. We believe offering practical support through these sites is a constructive and hugely positive step forwards. It forms a key aspect of RABI’s ambitious five-year strategy that will extend our offering to a broader audience. We understand the issues that farmers face and really care about finding and developing tools that can assist. Our role is to offer encouragement so people can access the services they need, early enough to make a difference, hopefully preventing them from reaching crisis point,” continues Alicia.
“We also need to initiate frank and honest discussions throughout agriculture to tackle this complex subject. Therefore, we are also reaching out to numerous stakeholders and organisations, who I hope will join us by raising awareness more widely and amplifying these important messages.”
“The launch of the online wellbeing community is a significant step towards achieving our vision that ‘no farmer should ever face adversity alone,’” concludes Alicia.
To access the online counselling platform, visit the RABI website: https://rabi.org.uk/kooth
Blood Donation
Blood donation is classed as essential travel under current Welsh Government guidelines. Please continue to support your local donation hub in Ceredigion
We still need donors to save lives.
If you are fit and well, please book to donate at;
📌 Lloyd Thomas Dining Hall, Lampeter
📅 5 &6 Nov
📌 Memorial Hall, Aberaeron
📅 9 & 10 Nov
Book your appointment here: https://wbs.wales/CeredCavo
New donors are especially needed at this time
To check eligibility and register, please visit: https://www.welsh-blood.org.uk/
Caring for someone with dementia – A guide for family and friends
Carers Trust Wales have published Caring for someone with dementia: A guide for family and friends. The new guide will help carers know where they can access practical help and give them the reassurance to look after their own health and well-being.
The guide contains access to information about issues including:
• Getting a diagnosis
• Carers rights and needs assessments
• Looking after your own emotional well-being
• Grants, finances, legal considerations
• Medicine management
• Hospital admissions
• Planning for the future
English version:
caring-for-someone-with-dementia-eng.pdf
Welsh version:
gofalu-am-rywun-a-dementia-cym.pdf
For further information about how to support Carers or to access support as an employee Carer click here.
Contact ;-
Strategic Partnerships, Diversity and Inclusion Team Block 6, PPH
CarersTeam.HDD@wales.nhs.uk