A FLINTSHIRE charity has won a prestigious award which honours excellence in the third sector in Wales.

The Neuro Therapy Centre from Saltney, was named winner of the 'Outstanding Trustees category at the inaugural Welsh Charity Awards, organised by WCVA.

The award was given at the prestigious ceremony in Cardiff at the National Museum in reflection of their exceptional leadership in ensuring the charity’s aims are delivered effectively by working together as an effective team.

In 2018, the Centre successfully achieved the Trusted Charity Mark award (previously named the PQASSO kitemark), which is a level of good practice in governance, service delivery and monitoring outcomes for the voluntary sector.

The Board of Trustees were nominated for playing a crucial role in driving the Centre's staff to achieve this important standard, which has put the charity on a positive footing for the future.

A number of the Trustees are users of the charity’s services, and they invested a great deal of time and effort to help gather the evidence and measures needed to secure a successful external assessment.

The Neuro Therapy Centre Trustee Board committed to a systemic review of both structural and organisational procedures, supporting staff to build, refine and improve on systems that had been relied upon, unchanged, for a number of years.

On winning the award, Lorraine Dodd, Chair of the Neuro Therapy Centre Trustees, said: “I’m over the moon to see that, as a Board of Trustees, we have been nominated for our ‘exceptional leadership’.

"I’m proud that we pushed ourselves to help staff gain the Trusted Charity Mark award, because it ultimately means that the Centre’s services will be more effective and lead to better quality services for people with neurological conditions."

The Neuro Therapy Centre is a charity which provides practical support and therapies to help manage the symptoms of a wide range of long-term degenerative neurological conditions including MS, Parkinson's, MND and ME.

Ruth Marks, Chief Executive of WCVA, organisers of the brand-new Welsh Charity Awards, added: “All the winners have set the standard for excellence in the third sector in Wales: most certainly a shining light.

"The judging panel were blown away by the real dedication and passion shown in delivering their life-changing services, and the way they have made a real difference to the lives of so many.

"Only a select few were shortlisted, so winning this award is really rather special. They should be very proud of themselves."

The Welsh Charity Awards are judged by a panel of experts, including: Ruth Marks, Chief Executive WCVA (Chair of judging panel); Mike Lewis, Lloyds Bank Foundation; Jonathan Levy, Class Networks; John Rose, National Lottery Community Fund; Joe Brown, designdough; Catrin Pascoe, Editor, Western Mail; Mrs Margaret Thorne CBE DL, Vice President of WCVA; Rachal Minchinton, IOF Cymru; Tahirah Ali, #iWill Youth Ambassador for Wales; Llinos Iorwerth, Ateb; Ashok Ahir, Eisteddfod Management Board; David Notley, Impact Innovation; and Lisa Morgan, Partner, Hugh James.

People wanting to find out more about the Neuro Therapy Centre can visit www.neurotherapycentre.org or call 01244 678619.

The entry date for next year’s Welsh Charity Awards will be announced in the New Year.