PHOENIX STROKE CLUB
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CHAIRMAN?S REPORT
Following a very upbeat report from our Manager, I, for once, will keep my report relatively brief.
Inevitably, the most important issue I need to cover is that of finance.
We are a voluntary organisation which has grown over the 30 years or so of our life into a ?club? which operates on 4 days a week, has over 50 members and more than 30 volunteers. That all costs money and as you will see from the accounts which Nigel will present shortly the cost of each year is well in excess of
£40,000.
These are difficult times. Not only are there huge cuts in public spending but the future of the health service and the provision of health related activities continues to be uncertain and inn a constant state of flux. It is not clear whether an organisation like ours should, in the future, be looking for financial support from the from the health service (PCT?s have either gone or are going), local government (social services, adult services or something else) or entirely from the charitable sector.
The Trustees of the Horsham Phoenix Stroke Club have always been determined that we should maintain our independence (which we have) and we have been careful to ensure that any funding agreements we have from any public authority enable us to keep it that way. We have been fortunate to enjoy a very positive relationship with West Sussex County Council and as you have heard we are delighted that they have agreed to provide funding to us of an amount that covers the employment of our Manager (Jackie) and Assistant (Judith).
I must ask for a huge vote of thanks to Jackie and Judith for the work they have put in in securing our funding from WSCC and also, as you?ve heard, in obtaining further funding which will cover the cost of hiring professional care assistants to be available during our 3 club days.
Having said all that, the money from West Sussex and the Lottery Fund does not cover all our costs and we do have to raise the balance, partly from our members.
I think we continue to give fantastic value for money and as with any club it is only right that our members should pay a reasonable amount for the benefit of the facilities and service they receive. Any charges we make, either from subscriptions (to be a member) or from daily attendance must be affordable but inevitably, some of our members and their families can afford more than others. In the future therefore, whatever subscription we set will be a minimum subscription in the knowledge that some will wish to pay more to ensure the club?s survival and that it will go from strength to strength, which I am sure it will.
My thanks go to all of my fellow trustees and to all of our volunteers who have enabled this club to be so unique.
DON BURSTOW
4 July 2011
