New video series reflects on key issues facing charities operated by Religious Orders

The role of the trustee, the impact of the pandemic and development of future mission are among pertinent topics covered in a new, three-part video series in which two experts explore the road ahead for charities operated by Religious Orders.  

Amanda Francis, Partner at accountancy firm Buzzacott, and Tim Rutherford, head of the Charity and Social Enterprise Sector Group at charity law specialists Stone King, draw on their experience to reflect on a range of relevant themes, offering insight into what change is needed and how the future may look for Religious Orders and their congregational charities. The video series is entitled Walking in Partnership and is the third part in a trilogy of content co-published by Buzzacott and Stone King to support the work of Religious Orders.

Tim Rutherford says:

“There has been so much accelerated change since the start of the pandemic with more considered, prolonged discernment as part of decision-making simply not being an option. We are taking stock of some of these changes and looking at the way forward for Religious Orders, whose experience has been very particular. Through our conversation, we hope to encourage Religious Orders to have similar conversations about their future.”

Amanda Francis comments:

“In our previous publications together our aim was to help Religious Orders look at and plan for the future but the topics we covered continue to evolve. We are taking the opportunity to reflect on how they can embrace the changes brought about by the pandemic and review what issues it has thrown into sharp focus. Aside from the pandemic, it’s also important to not forget pressing issues that were there before, such as how to look after our ageing congregations as well as financial and property considerations.”

The three videos broadly follow the topics of trustees and governance in part one; finance and related concerns in part two; and reflection and looking forward in part three.

The videos are being released over the next few weeks. The first video is available to view now here, with a series trailer below.

The first collaboration between Buzzacott and Stone King was entitled Embracing Change, a handbook prepared for Roman Catholic Religious Orders to mark 2015 as the Year of Consecrated Life, and the second, entitled Consecrated Life: a Trustee’s Journey, provided a governance handbook for trustees of Religious Order congregational charities.

Walking in Partnership Series Trailer