These are challenging times. But it is also true to say that the Commonside Trust was set up to face and overcome challenges, so we are in the right place! The staff and volunteer team at the Trust is strong and very committed, and we know this is an extremely valuable resource. The Trust is guided also by the excellent advice and support provided by the Development Trusts Association of which is it a full member.
The Commonside Trust is following a three-point action plan to guide it through the next eighteen month period. This comprises:
- Community focus: recognising that the core reason for the Trust’s existence is to assist local people and improve their lives. This will include developing the benefits of volunteering for the community as well as for individuals.
- Strategic partnerships: sustaining the Trust’s excellent reputation with the local authority and offering creative solutions to the problems arising from reduced public sector budgets.
- Strengthening internal processes: a new financial management system is now in place at Commonside. This will enable the Trust to better manage its resources, including cash-flow and forward planning, detailed expenditure analysis and relating staffing costs to performance.
