Big Lottery funding for the Money in Mind project will run out at the end of September 2014. The Money in Mind project has provided free support with money management to small groups in Brighton & Hove since October 2009.
Over 300 groups have been helped with training, advice and information, two free downloadable accounts systems, and free access to an examination of accounts service. An independent evaluation of the project in August 2014 found that:
- Groups found the support offered by the Money in Mind project to be of excellent quality, and all beneficiaries would recommend the service to their colleagues and friends.
- A large majority of groups who received support from the Money in Mind project reported that their skills, confidence and knowledge had improved following the support.
- A majority of groups reported that they were better able to raise funds following the support they had received.
From October 2014, the Resource Centre has put aside funds to continue this free support for small groups who are based in areas of social housing, black and minority ethnic community groups, and disabled people’s groups.
For other groups, the following services are currently available:
- Free information on managing money.
- Free downloadable accounts systems. These will continue to be maintained by the Resource Centre.
- Examination of accounts services from professional accountants (for a fee). We can particularly recommend Clare Osbond at Voluntary Sector Services or Steve Early at Strategic Accounting Services. They both worked for us under the Money in Mind project and are experienced in working with small community organisations.
- Consultancy and other support with managing money, from professional accountants (for a fee).
Community Works are interested in finding out how many groups would find free examination of accounts or money management advice services useful, to help them with future planning (but they are not offering it at the moment). It is worth contacting them to tell them you would like to use these services if they are able to offer them in future. Contact Lisa Mytton, lisa@bhcommunityworks.org.uk or on 01273 234031 to let her know that your organisation would find this service useful.