Our new address, on the outskirts of Peterborough, is:
Shine
Unit 4, The Forum
Minerva Business Park
Peterborough
PE2 6FT
In 2019, the Senior Leadership Team carried out an extensive piece of research to look at the options for the best use of the building. On the basis of this research, the Trustees considered the options and agreed that it was in Shine's best interests to secure long-term financial stability with the sale of the building in Park Road, Peterborough.
Simply put, the sale will enable Shine to invest in our services to support members over the coming years.
Before the building could be sold we had to have an independent report on the viability of the sale, and a valuation to make sure that we were selling at the correct market value.
The Trustees accepted an offer in September 2021, but the process from accepting an offer to exchange to completion takes time.
Contracts on the sale of the building were exchanged in April 2022.
Whilst the past two years of the pandemic have been challenging financially, Shine is in a stable financial position. This is because we were in a good financial position at the start of the pandemic, we carefully manage our finances, and our fundraisers and other supporters such as small businesses, Corporates, Trusts and Foundations have invested in us to ensure we continue to offer the services and support for our members and their families.
With more modern ways of working, the office in central Peterborough was too big for our needs. It was becoming more and more costly to run and maintain, and we only have a small team of office-based staff now as most staff are home-based across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
By selling now, there will be a significant cost saving to the charity over a period of time.
Any surplus from the sale and any savings we make by moving will be invested in the services we provide. The savings will also help us through the times when income generation becomes difficult, which can happen.
Our primary focus will be to ensure financial stability for the charity, invest in the services we provide to members, and enable us to offer support and information long into the future. We will be growing and strengthening our Health Team and improving the work we do with our members at different stages of their lives. Plans for investment will be discussed and agreed with Shine's Board of Trustees as part of our annual budgeting process 2022/23.
The new office is out of the city centre but there are direct buses. It is fully accessible, and there are plenty of parking spaces.
It is, however, much smaller than our current office, so we will be looking at options to run groups like the 0-5 Little Stars there. It may be that it is more practical for us, and more convenient for members, to find a more central venue to have the get togethers (once we resume face to face of course).
You can contact us on our usual number 01733 555988 or by email firstcontact@shinecharity.org.uk – we suggest you email as well as phone if you require an urgent response for the first few weeks just to make sure we get back to you quickly enough, as our phones are being redirected.
If you are sending anything to Shine's Head Office, please use our new office address:
Shine
Unit 4, The Forum
Minerva Business Park
Peterborough
PE2 6FT
We look forward to continuing to support you.
Kate Steele, CEO, Shine
