Auditel work with hospice to bring savings and peace of mind

The recession has been very difficult for organisations of every type but none more so than in the charity sector where over 170,000 organisations are competing for fewer funds. With both corporate and individual donations down since the start of the credit crunch, a study carried out by the Charities Aid Foundation and the National Council for Voluntary Organisations estimated a fall in funds of 11%, or £1.3 billion, between 2008 and 2009. The Earl Mountbatten Hospice on the Isle of Wight has experienced this fall at first hand and, like many other charities, was keen to reduce overheads and increase available funds without negatively impacting on the vital medical and nursing services they provide. Having been recommended the Auditel service by a colleague at another hospice, Director of Finance and Performance Management, Cathy Tyler, got in touch with Steve Ray and Keith Marsh, despite the misgivings of some of her colleagues who were wary of the possibility for consultants to over-promise and under-deliver. However, within weeks Steve and Keith had found and implemented ways to reduce the hospice’s communications spend by over 40%, and reclaimed £1,400 in one-off overcharges by the incumbent supplier. As Cathy says, “The doubters on the team were immediately won over. So much so that they asked if Auditel could examine other areas of expenditure too!”.

L to r: Graham Elderfield, CEO Earl Mountbatten Hospice; Steve Ray, Auditel Consultant; Keith Marsh, Auditel Consultant; Cathy Tyler, Director of Finance Earl Mountbatten Hospice

Just as importantly, though, the ongoing management aspect of the Auditel service means Cathy can focus on the core challenges faced by the hospice, safe in the knowledge that their overheads are being looked after. “With Auditel managing our costs I feel confident in the knowledge that all our bills are being checked on an ongoing basis and we are spending our money wisely. I have regular meetings with Steve and Keith, but if I need them at other times they are just a phone call away and always eager to help.”

Read the full story and other client testimonials here.