The Association's services to its Members

Gives you:

• Raising the profile of the work of benevolent charities whose existence is often unkown.
• Direct feedback to and from Government Departments on key areas of policy, eg. Statutory Benefits, Health and Care Services and Charity legislation.
• A voice for the benevolent sector - through dialogue and meetings with officials of Government Departments and Ministers to represent the interests of member charities and their beneficiaries, thus all members have a chance to influence these discussions.
• Detailed reports on the implications and implementation of changes in legislation.
• Briefings and Good Practice Guides on topical issues.
• Legal updates from a specialist firm.
• A regular members' newsletter.
• Free publicity to members in ACO circulars and newsletters.
• Access to some benefits through ACO's membership of National Council for Voluntary Organisations.
• Development Seminars for your Trustees.

Offers you:

• A first port of call for all your policy and operational queries.
• A central source of information and advice to members on all aspects of charitable work.
• Free access to initial advice on legal issues, accounting and investment matters and web site design.
• A network of members with special expertise and experience which they are willing to share.
• Seminars and meetings on areas of critical concern.
• Tailored training on topical issues such as the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB), dealing with debt, Tax and Pension Credits.
• Special Interest Groups eg. Occupational Benevolent Funds Alliance, Residential Care Forum, Grant Making Forum and the Under 5's Group (for very small organisations).
• Specialist publications about benevolence.  
• Discounts on certain publications, products and services.

      We value member's comments on how they think we can improve our website or offer other services.