SASSOT Updates

Chair Update

We are now coming to the end of a what seems to have been a long summer and I hope we have all made the most of the good weather and got outside as much as possible to enjoy some of our fantastic countryside. It is a lovely county and it is easy to take it for granted so let us all work together to get active in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent!

There have been some considerable changes at SASSOT – by far the most significant of which is the Board’s decision to seek independent charitable status. This will mean bringing to end the highly successful partnership we have enjoyed with Stafford Borough Council.

They have been fantastic hosts over the last twenty years. Their support has been a significant factor in our success thus far and, I want to go on record to thank them for this, and also, the way they are helping the team during what is a complex transition process. The Board took the decision based on the need to seek new opportunities for funding, and to ensure the medium term sustainable future for the organisation in challenging times.

A small working group has been established consisting of myself, Jude Taylor, Jane Kracke, Kimiyo Rickets, and Professor Pauline Walsh. They will report back to the main Board on a regular basis to ensure robust management of the process. If anyone has any questions then please direct them to me, Jude or Jane.

We also wish to involve all our partners in this transition period to ensure we are shaping the new independent organisation to meet their needs – both now and in the future. We will be in touch about the mechanism for this shortly.

In the meantime enjoy what I hope will be the final glimpses of summer to get active.

Malcolm Armstrong, Chair of the SASSOT Board