Asthma UK’s effectiveness

Asthma UK is a membership-based charity. It is legally a company limited by guarantee. It is managed by the ‘Council of trustees’, who are the legal directors of the company. Trustees are members of Asthma UK and give their time voluntarily to ensure that directors and staff effectively deliver Asthma UK’s mission and vision. Day-to-day management is delegated by the Trustees to an executive of full time employees who operate within defined terms of reference and authority. The charity is organised into four directorates: Research and Policy; Nations, Regions and Services; Marketing; and Operations, each headed by an Executive Director who reports to the Chief Executive.

In England and Wales Asthma UK is registered with the Charity Commission, and in Scotland, with the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator. Their role is to regulate charities in order to increase their effectiveness and to ensure public confidence by promoting a successful, flourishing and accountable voluntary sector.

What is the Fundraising Standards Board and is Asthma UK a member?
Asthma UK is a member of the Fundraising Standards Board. This means we agree to the ‘Fundraising Promise’, which represents our commitment to the highest standards of good fundraising practice, ensuring all our activities are open, legal and fair. For more information on the Fundraising Promise visit www.fsboard.org.uk.

What is the ImpACT Coalition and is Asthma UK a member?
Asthma UK is a member of the ImpACT Coalition. The Coalition aims to increase public trust and confidence in charities by raising awareness of the nature and activities of charities and communicating with clarity and openness about our achievements and challenges. This includes being transparent about the fundraising process, how much is invested in raising money and how this helps us meet the needs of our beneficiaries. For more information about the ImpACT Coalition visit www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/impact.

Asthma UK professionally recruits staff into paid roles in the same way that other organisations do. Applicants are attracted through internal and external advertising in relevant publications and by using specialist recruitment agencies. New members of staff are recruited if they match the specific skills, knowledge and experience required for the role, following assessment by application form and an interview process. All staff are regularly reviewed and appraised against set targets.

Recruitment of trustees is by an electoral process amongst the members. To find new candidates to become trustees we advertise in Asthma Magazine, other Asthma UK publications and if appropriate, in the national press. Occasionally we also use specialist recruitment agencies. This recruitment process may be designed to encourage applicants with specific skills, or from under-represented groups, to ensure the Council of Trustees has an appropriate mix of skills and experience. Any remaining gaps may be addressed by co-opting suitably qualified individuals. Co-opted trustees can only stay for a maximum of three years before seeking formal election.

• By electing Trustees who form the governing body of Asthma UK.
• By attending the Annual General Meeting.
• By receiving and considering the Annual Report and Accounts and voting on them at the AGM.
• By participating in the Users and Carers Advisory forum and Youth forum which advises on the work we do.
• By responding to specific invitations to comment on the work of Asthma UK.

In 2008/9 Asthma UK’s total income was £8.9m, of this £8.4m was raised through fundraising activity.

Asthma UK is currently working within a three year strategic plan which focuses our work on five main goals (below). These goals guide the decisions we make on what we spend the money we raise on. Each year staff recommend projects, based on the needs of people with asthma, these are then presented to the Board of Trustees, which approves the plans and budgets.

1. Support the best science and promote dialogue to advance knowledge and treatments and secure improvements for people with asthma.

2. Influence the provision of high-quality services across the UK, ensuring that they can be reached by all people with asthma, especially those with the worst health outcomes.

3. Give people with asthma and healthcare professionals across the UK the knowledge, confidence and support to manage asthma effectively.

4. Champion the interests and priorities of people with asthma and achieve positive change on their behalf.

5. Grow our capacity to make a difference for people with asthma.

In 2008/9 we received £79,000 from statutory sources (less than 1% of our total income). Not being heavily funded by government allows Asthma UK the independence to campaign and influence decision makers across the UK to ensure the interests of people with asthma are considered in policy making.