We’re pleased to share that Berkshire MS Therapy Centre have recently undergone an external review of their governance as a charity and successfully been awarded the Safe and Sound Good Governance Award! Well done to the whole team. In this article we took the opportunity to interview trustee Ros Hatt on her experience and what the charity has gained from this accreditation.
Tell us a little about the charity and what inspired you to get involved with the charity
The Berkshire MS Therapy Centre (BMSTC) charity is based in Reading offering both in-person and online support for people with Multiple Sclerosis and their families.
Our core therapies – physiotherapy, oxygen therapy, counselling and footcare – are offered on a donation basis and our complementary therapies are offered at significantly discounted rates. We welcome donations from those who can afford to contribute toward the running of the Centre. We do not receive any funding from the Government or NHS – we rely on individual and corporate donations.
Having been diagnosed with MS in 2009, I started oxygen therapy at BMSTC in 2010. I now benefit from regular physio sessions, a singing group, footcare and more. I help to organise the on-site shop and became a trustee in 2023. The community of people attending the centre all find such a supportive and friendly atmosphere which contributes to overall well-being for those living with and/or affected by MS.
What encouraged you to apply for Safe and Sound?
Safe and Sound was identified by our Fundraising Manager as a way to give confidence to both members and potential donors that the charity is well organised and is a cause that is worth supporting. Also, that our policies and procedures ensure appropriate financial controls are in place; that we endeavour to ensure the Health & Safety of staff, members and volunteers; and that we comply with the law and follow best practice.
What did the process involve for the team?
I led the collection of the paperwork evidence to present to RVA, which required some revisions to bring it up to date. The sit-down assessment with Herjeet and three trustees was very useful, with a subsequent very thorough report to help us bring our portfolio to a good standard. Herjeet has been very supportive during the process, guiding where needed and providing examples of best practice we could adapt to our unique circumstances.
What benefits can you see for your charity from going through Safe and Sound?
It has afforded us the chance to stand back and take a good look at our portfolio of policies and procedures as a Trustee Board. We will soon have an updated schedule for our policies and procedures to keep them under regular review going forward. And I feel by sharing the review/refresh process among the trustees, we have gained a better insight as a Board on how they work to support the charity as a whole.
What were the highlights for you this past year?
Being awarded the Safe and Sound certificate! And receiving the King’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2025. In challenging financial times for the charity sector, these two forms of recognition for all that BMSTC offers is a real lift for staff, members and volunteers. Plus, it is a boost for the trustees to receive recognition for the efforts they make on the charity’s behalf.
(Photo: Berkshire MS Therapy Centre Trustees)
Further information
- If this article has inspired your organisation to consider Safe and Sound good governance accreditation, take a look at our resources here. These are free of charge for local charities delivering services in Reading, kindly funded by The Earley Charity.
- Did you know that the revised Safe and Sound materials now include Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) as cross-cutting themes? Ensuring that Reading’s charities maintain a good standard of EDI in how we work and the services we deliver and we have found that this is extremely helpful when evidencing your commitment to EDI in funding applications as well as to various other stakeholders.
- If you are looking for a stepping stone approach, why not consider First Steps towards Safe and Sound? You can find out more here. Specifically designed with smaller charities and community groups in mind.
- You can find out more about our Advice Service here – a free, confidential advice service on a wide range of legal and governance topics for those running charities and community groups in Reading.
- If you have any questions, contact Herjeet Vass, RVA Advice Manager, at herjeet.vass@rva.org.uk.