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1995 - 1998 A group
of friends who were parents and professionals working with people who had learning disabilities met in
a pub. They were concerned about the future financial security of their relatives or the people they supported.
Where could they get good advice on how best to leave a legacy? Would their relative be able to
stay in the family home? Who support their relatives in managing money or property? Concerns and ideas developed into an approach to Cardiff County Council which funded a two year feasibility study
which looked at the possibility of a service to to provide advice and assistance to people with learning disabilities, their
parents, and other family carers in the management of current assets and future inherited resources.
Rolly Bradstock
July 1998 The Friendly Trust became a company
limited by guarantee. The company was supported by a grant from Cardiff County Council and appointed a
Co-ordinator, Rolly Bradstock and an administrator, Paul Mitchell. Rolly
and “Mitch” worked from offices in Trade Street sub-letted from People in Partnership, a local advocacy
organisation.
1998 - 1999 The company gave advice on wills and trusts to parents in Cardiff wanting to make provision for their sons
and daughters who had learning disabilities. The Friendly Trust was commissioned by the Vale County Council to conduct
an evaluation of personal financial management for people with learning disabilities who used the adult placement service.
Alison Brunt
Co-ordinator 1999 -
1999 Rolly Bradstock left as a member
of staff and became a member of the management committee. Alison Brunt was appointed as the Co-ordinator. The
Friendly Trust moved out of their office with People in Partnership as that organisation had plans to expand. Unable
to find suitable premises at an affordable price the company worked from Alison's home in Penarth.
1999 - 2003 The Friendly Trust gradually increased the services offered acting as appointee for
people with learning disabilities who claimed benefits and acting as Receiver in work with the Court of Protection.
December 2000 The company became a registered charity.
April 2003 - March 2006 A
3 year lottery grant funded an expansion of the Friendly Trust. We moved to our present office base in Canton, , Cardiff in July 2003. Our next challenge was to secure funding after March 2006 to continue
our work. in July 2003. Our next challenge was to secure funding after March
2006 to continue our work.
During 2006 Cardiff Council and the Vale of Glamorgan Council - our two
biggest referrers - both eventually decided to increase their funding of The Friendly Trust.
2007 - 2009
We have been granted funding from The Big Lottery to offer help to more people and provide a service to people
in Cardiff and the Vale who do not have learning disabilities but, because of another disability or disabling illness, are
vulnerable and need help to manage their money.
We move to slightly bigger rooms to accommodate our
expanded staff group but remained within Canton House.
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