Charity Commission Chair calls on philanthopists to invest in Wales’s strong community spirit
Charity Commission Chair calls on philanthropists to invest in Wales’s strong community spirit
The Chair of the charity regulator has urged greater giving from those with deeper pockets, as he saw at first hand the impact of voluntary organisations in north Wales.
Orlando Fraser’s comments came as visited the Association of Voluntary Organisations in Wrexham (AVOW). Tomorrow (25th February), he is expected to visit three more charities in the region as he celebrates the country’s community spirit.
AVOW is the County Voluntary Council for Wrexham. AVOW provides free advice and signposting to community and voluntary organisations on a range of subjects including governance, sustainable funding, volunteering, engagement and influencing. AVOW also provides Health and Wellbeing support through to citizens throughout Wrexham Borough through their Health and Wellbeing Facilitator, Community Agents and Community Hubs project.
The charity is one of many recipients to obtain funds through the regulator’s Revitalising Trusts Wales programme.
Orlando Fraser KC visits four Welsh charities in one of his last official visits to the country.
Pictured: Dawn Roberts-McCabe, Chief Officer AVOW, Orlando Fraser KC, Jane Edwards
Orlando Fraser KC discussing with Volunteers and Staff at AVOW
AVOW Chief Officer, Dawn Roberts-McCabe praised the Revitalising Trusts programme:
We were delighted to be considered for the funds from Wrexham Care Association who had done great work as a befriending service, reaching some of our must vulnerable residents. AVOW’s Community Hubs programme has built upon their work and provided isolated residents the opportunity to reconnect with their community through meaningful community and voluntary activities near their homes. Jane Edwards, Community Hubs Coordinator, encourages the participants to decide which programmes to put on or what organisations will be of most help to the local community, giving true community ownership while alleviating loneliness and isolation.
Orlando Fraser KC discussing with Volunteers and Staff at AVOW
Pictured: Dawn Roberts-McCabe, Chief Officer AVOW, Katherine Prince and Orlando Fraser KC.
Last year, the Revitalising Trusts team helped a volunteer wind up Wrexham Care Association which had fallen inactive but had remaining funds to spend. After identifying AVOW as a suitable charity to use the funds as intended, the regulator oversaw the transfer of over £30,000.
Orlando Fraser met with the charity’s trustees, staff and volunteers to find out how the funds had been used to support the local community.
AVOW has been able to fund its Community Hubs Coordinator role for a further year, helping ensure vulnerable people can access local and voluntary services through community hubs based in Gwersyllt and Acton (Wrexham). The charity hopes to expand its network to additional locations and share best practices with other community-based organisations.
Orlando Fraser KC discussing with Marsh Squire, AVOW Hub Volunteer
Today’s visit comes as the regulator’s Revitalising Trusts Wales programme reaches £11.6 million, contributing to good causes, community foundations and charities across Wales. 346 charities have entered the programme since 2021, 80 of which are now operating again after years of inactivity.
Speaking on the Revitalising Trusts Wales programme, Orlando Fraser KC, said:
“The Revitalising Trusts programme demonstrates how the sector and we as regulator have a common goal – ensuring public good rises above all else.
“There are fantastic benefits to being a trustee, but we know it can be difficult to recruit, and due to pressures on charities, it can be hard to remain active.
“Our programme, working with Community Foundation Wales and the Welsh government, offers trustees the support to get back on track or, if the decision to close is taken, helps them effectively wind up and transfer funds in a way that will ensure the legacy of their great work lives on.”
Tomorrow, Orlando Fraser is expected to visit North Wales Recovery Communities, Clough Williams-Ellis Foundation and the Snowdonia Society. This forms part of a farewell visit as he concludes his term as Chair of the charity regulator for Wales and England.
Set up in 2014, North Wales Recovery Communities provides therapeutic housing and services to individuals affected by substance misuse, offending and homelessness. The Snowdonia Society was established in 1967 to protect and enhance Snowdonia. The Clough Williams-Ellis Foundation was originally established by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis in 1972, to protect his property in North Wales and ensure its conservation for long-term public benefit.
Discussing his visits, Orlando added:
“In my time as Chair, I’ve been privileged to see first-hand the fantastic charitable work across England & Wales, work made possible by dedicated trustees, staff and volunteers.
“I’m grateful to AVOW, North Wales Recovery Communities, Clough Williams-Ellis Foundation and the Snowdonia Society for taking the time to meet with me.
“There is a strong community spirit here in Wales – and, as my term as Chair comes to an end, I call on potential philanthropists here and further afield, to invest in this spirit.”
Orlando’s call to philanthropists comes as new research suggests that the UK’s richest people give a smaller proportion of their wealth to charity than the average person. The data from the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) indicates that the UK’s millionaires gave the equivalent of 0.4% of their combined investable assets in 2023 (equating to almost £8 billion) compared to wider UK public donations of around £14 billion to good causes in the same year, equating to 1.6% of their income.
Research also shows that while Wales is home to some of the most generous people in the UK (according to percentage of income donated), donations tend to go to national rather than local charities supporting Welsh communities.
AVOW Community Hubs are supported by AVOW through their Hub Coordinator, Jane Edwards. You can learn more about them on our Wellbeing Page
You can also find more information in their Facebook page.
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