Thursday 8th May marked the 3rd annual Dorset Charity Conference; an event which emphasised the importance of businesses and charities working together.
Over 130 attendees visited the Conference, hosted by leading Dorset accountancy firm and adviser to the charity sector, Ward Goodman. The event gave local charities the perfect platform to engage with leading sector suppliers, hosted at the RNLI College – a venue chosen for its prime location as well as for being one of the UK’s best loved and supported charities.
The event was opened by Ward Goodman’s new Managing Director, Ian Rodd, and the RNLI’s Public Engagement Manager, Jon Knight. Also featured were leading sector-expert speakers who provided a series of informative presentations throughout the day. The speakers, each of whom brought their own unique expertise, included: Alison Shelton from LV=Streetwise who gave an insight into collaborative working; Geoff Trobridge from Lester Aldridge LLP who provided a legal update; D’Arcy Myers from Small Charities Coalition, spoke about issues affecting small, local charities; Rick Smith of Age Concern gave advice on Grants and local Government contracts; whilst Jen Richardson of Ward Goodman delivered a dynamic Charities Accounting Update and her colleague, Chris Peters, spoke about the requirements and impact of Auto Enrolment.
Jen Richardson, who is the Head of Charities at Ward Goodman, used the event to also name their chosen charity of the year, Woofability (www.woofability.com). A lucky draw was also held for all charities in attendance – with a £500 prize going to Bournemouth Older People’s Forum, collected by a grateful Bryan Tizzard.
Ian Rodd, Managing Director at Ward Goodman, commented on the event:
“Ward Goodman host this event each year as an opportunity to facilitate charities working together and equally to form lasting partnerships by supporting their work. I am personally delighted with how well attended the event was and of course how well our fantastic speakers were received. Following the previous years’ events at The Lighthouse in Poole and at Bryanston School, it is clear that this event is gaining more traction, year on year, and we look forward to building on this momentum in 2015.”
The third annual Dorset Charity Conference was proudly sponsored by M&G Investments, Coleman Insurance Brokers and Poole Council for Voluntary Service, CVS Bournemouth and WSX Enterprise. To find out more information, visit www.wardgoodman.co.uk/index.php/dorset-charity-conference.