The background

The Haven Centre opened in 1990, with Princess Alexandra marking the formal opening the following year. It has served as a hub to the local community pulling together different social groupings, which included at that time the operation of a social club.

The centre was run by a management committee. As the centre grew an Executive Committee was formed to deal with all day-to-day issues. In 2003 when finances dictated accountants were needed to produce year end accounts, Richard Place Dobson were chosen for their charity knowledge. As time passed regulations and responsibilities changed, the charity became a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. There has always been an awareness that to have the support of those with expert knowledge in their field was essential.

A trading subsidiary, The Haven Café Bar, is also operated by a separate committee, the profits of which flow back into the charity.

Our role has been to ensure their SORP compliant annual accounts are correctly prepared, that their Independent Examination is carried out, to provide advice on their Sage bookkeeping system and that any support of an accounting, tax and regulatory nature is met. And to be there if they ever get stuck!

What The Haven Centre say about Richard Place Dobson

“We are volunteers with limited knowledge of the accounting, charity and legal framework. We must embrace all of this and we need to rely on the expertise of others.

Richard Place Dobson’s charity team know what they are talking about! They understand the Charity Commission and provide fantastic all-round knowledge and support to us. We have the highest confidence in what they do for us and it is very re-assuring to have them onboard.

They have taken the time to really get to know and understand us. Their team are very easy to get hold of and emails and telephone calls are always dealt with so promptly. It’s a truly personal service.

When we needed to move into the digital world for bookkeeping and accounting, they have been there to guide, advise and support us. When we have run into some ‘tricky moments’ their advice and handling of matters has been brilliant.”

Frances Lancaster,
Chairman