News

We are delighted to announce a new partnership with Wilmslow-based Sapphire Accounting.

The accountancy firm is transferring 10% of its apprenticeship levy to Seashell to enable us to fund more apprenticeships for existing and new staff.

Any business can gift up to 10% of their overall levy to another business as it is a ‘use it or lose it’ tax. It is estimated only 8% of the total £1.28bn in apprentice levies paid over the last 12 months have been used so there is a huge amount of opportunity for companies to transfer their levy to charities.

Maria McGrath, Learning and Development Manager at Seashell Trust, said: "We are so grateful to Sapphire Accounting for their generosity and such a forward-thinking CSR strategy. At the moment we have 47 people signed up to apprenticeships and are committed to ensuring our staff have the best opportunities for career development. But as a charity we just don’t have the budget to offer apprenticeships to everyone who would benefit sop this money will really change the lives of local people."

Sapphire is also planning a whole host of fundraising activities for Seashell over the next year including the Manchester 10K, the Yorkshire Three Peaks and payroll giving.

Mark Connor, Managing Director at Sapphire Accounting, said: “We are delighted to partner with Seashell Trust, a local charity which our staff voted overwhelmingly to support. The work that Seashell Trust do to make a significant difference to children and young people’s lives is truly inspiring and everyone at Sapphire is really proud to support such a great cause.”

If your business has unused money in the levy pot that you would be willing to transfer to benefit a local charity, contact wendy.bray @seashelltrust.org.uk or call her on 0161 610 0168.