A CHARITY has assured people that its community hub in Rhyl is still operating as normal following a government department launching an inquiry into its practices.

Big Help Project, whose activities include providing accommodation to vulnerable adults, is being investigated by The Charity Commission, which regulates registered charities in England and Wales.

It opened a hub in Rhyl, at 31 Vale Road (formerly The Prince of Wales pub), last September, to offer such services as food clubs, drop-in advice services, and wellbeing activities.

When contacted by the Journal, a Big Help Project spokesperson said “nothing has changed” in the way the hub, or indeed any of its services, are being run since the inquiry was launched.

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The Charity Commission first engaged with Big Help Project after identifying a significant increase in its reported income.

It then identified concerns regarding trustee decision making, potential unauthorised trustee benefit and unmanaged conflicts of interest.

As part of its inquiry, the Charity Commission will investigate whether:

  • Conflicts of interests and transactions with connected parties have been adequately identified and managed.
  • There has been any unauthorised trustee benefit.
  • Any misconduct and or mismanagement led to financial losses for the charity.
  • The charity has accurately accounted for its funds and assets in line with legal requirements.

A report will be published by the department following the conclusion of the inquiry.

Big Help Project said: “We are very disappointed to note the decision of the Charity Commission.

“We have cooperated fully and will continue to cooperate fully with the Charity Commission.

“None of our service delivery will be affected in any way and we will continue to provide the same lifechanging support that we have for the past 12 years.

“We look forward to clearing up any issues raised during this process and are now exploring various legal channels through which we can do so.

“As the Commission’s guidance states: ‘An inquiry should not in itself be seen as a determination by the regulator of wrongdoing in a charity’.

“The hundreds of clients we help each week can rest assured they remain our priority.”