Hello and welcome to our first blog!

During these extremely difficult times, when many charities are facing uncertainty, Allied Services Trust is determined to carry on as near normally as possible.

Our four members of staff – Deborah, Lynda, Alison and Barry – are manning the office in shifts so that only one of us is in at any one time.  It’s a bit lonely and strange but ensures that the post gets opened and any messages listened to on a daily basis.  Luckily the AST office is situated in a converted barn surrounded by fields, so we rarely meet anyone else on our way to and from work.

Whilst not in the office we are all beavering away at home doing the same hours that we usually do.  We can access our emails and case management system, we can continue to draft Lasting Powers of Attorney and Deputyship applications, and we are still happy to accept new clients.

Our main priority is to continue to support the lovely people for whom we act as Attorney or Deputy.  We have an increasing number of these, all with different needs.  Of course we can’t visit them at the moment, but Barry (our welfare and visiting officer) is keeping in touch as much as possible by telephone.  Meanwhile, Lynda continues to make sure that their bills are paid and that their financial affairs are up-to-date.

We intend to post a new blog every few days, sharing our experience of adjusting to a whole new way of working, so please tune in again!