Dear all, 

We hope this message finds you well. As we approach the end of 2021 we wanted to give you an update on The CIP Project, and also ask for your help.

 

As some of you may be aware, The CIP Project was made a Community Interest Company and awarded full 'not-for-profit' status in September this year. This is a huge step towards one of the main aims of the project - to be able to help as many people as possible, regardless of their financial situation. We've since set up an Advisory Group to look at how best to develop and take the project forward and we're genuinely excited about the plans for 2022, and believe there's much to look forward to.

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Due to the low cost of the retreats compared to many others, The CIP Project doesn't have huge cash reserves for when things come up. Historically, Michael has personally funded many of the bursary places offered, and has ploughed considerable sums of his own money into the project to ensure its survival. Another key aim for 2022 is to make the project self-sufficient in its own right - through fundraising events, donations and grant applications. The first fundraising event is planned to get underway at the beginning of December.

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However, and this really is the purpose of writing, with no retreats planned for some months and  the costs of the application for not-for-profit status, together with the recent costs of the annual accounts submission, the bank balance is currently at zero. 

 

The one major expense that is due in the next ten days is the zoom account for the weekly online check-in groups. If we don't find the funds to cover this, together with some of the other associated costs, sadly our only option will be to close the groups. We really don't want to do this, given just how valuable they are.

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And so we are suggesting a small annual fee to enable such an important service to continue. A £10 annual fee for those who use the online support groups will ensure they continue to run for another twelve months. For those who attend all 52 weeks, that works out at about 19p per meeting.

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We hope you don't mind us asking, and even if you don't personally use the groups but are able to help, we'd be incredibly grateful for your support in ensuring we can be there for each other over the winter months.

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Bank transfer details for the £10 annual fee are as follows:

The CIP Project Ltd

Account no: 73826651

Sort code: 20-68-15

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We'll share more with you about our Christmas fundraising campaign in a few days. But in the meantime, thank you for your continued support of the project and each other.

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With love,

The CIP Project Advisory Board

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The CIP Project Advisory Board is made up of Michael Maisey, Dave Redfern, Luke Szachnowski, Tom Pickersgill and John Williams