Business appointees will help Alice Charity to support more vulnerable families

The Alice Charity have welcomed two new trustees from the business world to help them support more vulnerable families in Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-under-Lyme.

Entrepreneur Matthew Dashper-Hughes and Finance Director Larne Payne bring a wealth of experience to the Alice Board of Trustees. Matthew has held chief executive posts at Bargain Booze and Rymans, before opting to leave the corporate world to set up his own online stationary business, Office Prime Supplies in 2017. Matthew is also an associate partner with Sandler Training and a Director Consultant with BNI Staffordshire. Larne is Finance Director at the Hanley Economic Building Society, having worked with the Festival Park based building society since 2012.

Steph Talbot, Chief Executive and Founder of Alice Charity, said: “It’s fantastic to be able to welcome Larne and Matthew to the Alice Board of Trustees and I am confident they will play a big role in charting the future success of Alice and, in turn, helping us to support more families in our community. Larne will bring strategic financial and corporate governance advice to bolster the skills of the Alice Board, while Matthew has enjoyed a career, piloting the success of two well-known Cheshire companies before founding his own successful company. Matthew is a highly knowledgeable sales trainer and that is a valued transferable skill that we can utilise as Alice Charity continues to grow.”

Matthew said:  “I’m delighted to be joining the Board of Trustees for the Alice Charity. Having been involved in fundraising and practical support for the Charity in my own small way over the last couple of years I have been touched and overwhelmed by the remarkable work they do. It is a privilege and an honour to be asked to join the Board.”

Larne commented: “Alice Charity is currently one of Hanley Economics’ partner charities and I have supported the charity as part of our internal community strategy for over 12 months. Their passion, dedication and commitment to supporting low income, and ultimately vulnerable families in Stoke on Trent and Newcastle-under-Lyme was a cause that truly resonated with me and empowered me to do my part to make a difference. To that end, I was elated to be offered the opportunity to work alongside them as a Trustee and actively shape their future and improve the future of children and families in my local area.”

The Alice Charity was founded in 2011 to provide social, emotional and practical support for local vulnerable and disadvantaged families in need of support. Alice’s mission is to support local families with kindness and respect, providing practical and emotional support, at home visits and at community based initiatives. Based in the Ironmarket, Newcastle, Alice was founded by Steph and her daughter Emily Petts and started by hosting Big Cup, a free baby and toddler group in the Newcastle area. The charity now supports hundreds of families.

Steph said: “We’re often the last resort for desperate, local families who otherwise would have no one to turn to. We help to empower these families by giving them the tools they need to break the relentless cycle of poverty. Our discreet services are accessible to all Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-Under-Lyme families. Our prompt help alleviates the extra stress caused to the most vulnerable families.”