Charity helped to expand services for disabled people
Nov 26 2008 by Peter McCusker, The Journal
ACCOUNTANTS Horwath Clark Whitehill is helping Teesside charity the North East Centre for Independent Living (NECIL) expand its range of services for disabled people in the region, including plans for a new £4m centre of excellence in Middlesbrough.
The charity is currently in the master-planning stage of a design-and-build project to establish a new centre for independent living (CIL), innovation and enterprise. Hartlepool-based Horwath Clark Whitehill has given NECIL advice on financial matters, as well as audit and VAT services, and is working with the charity on its latest expansion plans.
Gillian Baker, general manager of NECIL, said: “The CIL model is an enterprise, independent living hub and spoke project, forming the first stage of a wider network of CILs within the region. By working collaboratively with local stakeholder partners, we aim to develop services to enable people to move away from poverty and through into employment. It is envisaged this spirit of inclusion and equity, alongside sound business practice, will deliver a sustainable building, enterprise growth, business solutions and increased capacity within the third sector.
“We are confident that this approach will have a positive impact in generating a level of new substantial jobs across a wide range of disciplines, with an increase in disabled people entering the workplace for the first time.”
NECIL provides a number of services to support disabled people who want to work and lead independent lives. This includes a payroll service to 480 micro employers, a handyman and gardening service and a chain of Aroma Coffee Houses. Heather O’Driscoll, is a partner at Horwath Clark Whitehill and specialises in advising charities.
She said: “During the time I have worked with NECIL, I have been amazed by its ongoing success and the fantastic work its team do to help disabled people in the area.
“They continue to go from strength to strength and I look forward to helping them with this latest phase of growth.”
