One Family, Ireland’s leading organisation of one-parent families, recently started providing Financial Services to others in the Community, Voluntary & Social Enterprise Sector.

‘We saw a gap in the market where we could help other organizations similar to ourselves, no matter how small, with their financial management,’ explains Karen Kiernan, One Family Director, ‘We understand their legal and organisational structures and have the necessary expertise, skills, professional qualifications and experience – whihch means we can offer support to other organizations in a flexible and tailored way.’

One Family can work in the client’s office, or remotely, they offer competitive rates, do not cahrge VAT and any profits made will go to support their work with one parent families.

‘It can be difficult and time-consuming to meet all the financial requirements of being funded by the state or of being a limited company,’ comments Bernadette Donlon. One Family Financial Manager, ‘We know what grants makers and funders are looking for so we can help organisations to prepare financial reports for the Board, do grants returns to funders, keep up with the latest charity legislation – as well as sorting out their payroll, bookeeping and budgeting needs.’

If you are looking for a trusted, knowledgeable and affordable company to which you can outsource your financial management needs please contact Bernadette Donlon at T: 01 662 9212 or email: bdonlon@onefamily.ie

www.onefamily.ie

One Family, Ireland’s leading organisation of one-parent families, is delighted to announce that it has been chosen as the benefiting charity for this year’s performances of Handel’s Messiah by the Culwick Choral Society. With performances on 23 and 24 November at St Patrick’s Cathedral, all proceeds will go towards the *askonefamily helpline for one-parent families.

Karen Kiernan, Director of One Family says, ‘Parenting is tough work, I know. But doing it all alone can be even harder. That’s where our *askonefamily helpline comes in. We offer support to all members of one-parent families in need of help, advice, information – or simply a listening ear. We have had a 20% increase in calls since the recession and are very thankful to Culwick for giving us this opportunity to raise funds for the helpline.’

Culwick Choral Society is a huge Dublin Choir that has been giving charity performances of Messiah in the atmospheric surroundings of St Patrick’s since 1992. For many people this annual event marks the beginning of the festive season. Handel’s Messiah is Church music, written for and first performed in a Church. So, this event takes Messiah back to its roots. Other venues may be plusher and have fancy bars, but – for most Messiah supporters – these things are not necessary. What is, is atmosphere, great singing, the spiritual element of choral music in a cathedral – and the chance to support a great charity.

Culwick choir’s Messiah promises just that: it’s an evening of glorious uplifting music, away from the stresses of daily life, all in aid of One Family, a great charity for one-parent families.

Of course, Messiah and St Patrick’s Cathedral are synonymous. Handel rehearsed it there and practised on the organ in St Patrick’s Cathedral, and used the choirs of St Patrick’s and Christchurch Cathedrals in the first performance in nearby Fishamble Street.

Tickets for this festive concert are Euro 28, make great gifts and are also a good opportunity for a staff Christmas outing – if you buy 9 you get one free.

Book online now at www.onefamily.ie, www.ticketmaster.ie or www.stpatrickscathedral.ie

Or book by calling One Family on 01-6629212 or emailing messiah@onefamily.ie

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For further information please contact Hilary Fennell, Communications Manager, One Family on 01 6629212 or 087 2359515.

Mr David Bell, the oldest practising solicitor in Ireland at 91 years, with grand daughter Emily Bell.

One Family is proud to be a member of My Legacy, where 60 Irish charities are working together to raise public awareness of the importance of leaving charitable bequests in your will. During our Best Will in the World Week, from Monday 17 to Friday 21 October 2011, we are encouraging members of the general public to visit a local participating solicitor to have a will drawn up or changed and to consider leaving a legacy to their favourite charity.

Karen Kiernan, One Family director, explains, ‘Through the Best Will in the World Week, you can get professional, impartial advice on your will for just €50, while also helping a favourite charity after you are gone.’

Leaving a legacy is a simple, wonderfully fulfilling experience and anyone can do it.  It does not matter how big or small the gift is – all contributions will make a lasting difference. For more information and to see a list of participating solicitors, please see www.mylegacy.ie

According to recent Irish research, only one in three Irish adults make a will. Furthermore only 12% of Irish people indicate that they have included a charity as a beneficiary in their will, despite the fact that 62% of Irish people say they would consider leaving a gift to charity in their will. Legacy donations are an extremely valuable source of unrestricted income to charities. However Irish charities only raise approximately 6% of their income from legacies which compares to up to 40% in the UK. Indeed, many Irish charities have never received a bequest.

One Family Director Karen Kiernan or Director of Development Nancy Ward are happy to answer any questions you might have about including One Family in your will –  everything from how to do it, to how the funds might be used to support our programmess and services.  You can ring us at 01-662-9212 or send us an e-mail at development@onefamily.ie.