A very warm spring welcome to the latest edition of the Karten Network Newsletter. We’re already well into 2023 and Spring is definitely upon us, with bountiful spring flowers appearing, some warmth in the Sun (well when it appears), and perhaps an urge to do some spring cleaning!!.
As ever there are some fantastic stories in this edition that demonstrate the impact and brilliant work being done by Karten Centres across the UK and Israel. Ian Karten whose vision and generosity started all this, will I’m sure have been immensely proud to see how the Network has evolved.
The Trustees of the Ian Karten Charitable Trust who make the funding decisions on applications from Centres, follow closely how those decisions translate into life changing activities. Whilst funding is still challenging due to the volatility of investment markets from which their monies are drawn, they are totally committed to continue supporting Centres and the Network along with seeking out other innovations that can make a difference to those living with a range of disabilities.
Returning to the Spring Cleaning theme, we as Karten Network will be moving forward as a newly approved Charitable organisation. When the Trust was formed many years ago, they decided to establish Karten Network Limited to oversee the operational aspects of the Network. Circumstances over the years have evolved and we agreed with the Trust in 2022 to do a short review of Governance given that the status of being a limited company no longer seemed the best way to operate.
We therefore with the support of the Trust, applied to the Charity Commission last autumn to convert Karten Network to charitable status. I’m delighted that this was recently approved by the Charity Commission and Karten Network will hereon operate as a charity. From a day-to-day perspective Network members will see no difference and we will be working closely alongside the Trust to continue developing the Network.
Over the coming months we as Karten Network will be updating our working practices to reflect charitable status and developing an ambitious forward looking strategy that will aim to broaden our participation in research and development projects that complement the needs and work of the Centres, and champions the role of assistive technology in being so transformative in the lives of many people. In turn this may well open up new opportunities for Centres to get involved as many have over the last 3 years in the Nuvoic project in which Karten Network is the UK partner.
In summary Karten Network is entering an exciting new phase and the Network Board is eager to fully exploit the potential of our newly acquired charitable status to build on the network achievements to date seeking out new partners, innovation and investment that will benefit Karten Network and its members as technology itself continues to evolve.
I hope you enjoy this newsletter and we’d love to receive your contributions for our future editions.
Best wishes,
Arwyn Jones
Chair of Trustees
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- Featured in the Karten Spring 2023 Newsletter
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