Triodos Bank UK is partnering with Paces Sheffield – a leading charity for children and adults with Cerebral Palsy and other neurological motor disorders – to raise £1.5 million through a new bond offer on the Triodos Crowdfunding platform. The proceeds will be used to deliver a new home for Paces School, allowing the charity to increase the number of pupils and families it supports by over 75%.

Paces aims to positively change the lives of those it supports and focuses on ability, not disability. It runs Paces School, a special educational needs school for pupils aged 4-18 and Paces Conductive Living, which offers a range of adult services.

At the school, based in High Green, Sheffield for over 20 years, the charity delivers Conductive Education: a holistic package of educational support that aims to help children and adults obtain the greatest level of independence through a range of supportive measures.

Its services have continued throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, with Paces School remaining open for most of the period with the charity’s staff delivering online programmes and assistance to the people it supports.

Paces School is one of the country’s leading centres for Conductive Education and has ambitious growth plans to fulfil the demand for its services, which far outstrips the number of places available. For several years, the charity has been exploring options to relocate its school to a new location due to the current building needing a huge amount of work and being unable to be expanded to allow more children to be supported.

The charity has now found the ideal opportunity at Thorncliffe Hall, only a mile away from its current premises, which will allow the charity to increase its pupil numbers by over 75%. The new premises need refurbishing and fitting out to provide the facilities needed for the pupils.

The centre will feature classroom spaces that have their own adapted bathrooms, a sensory room, a playground and sensory garden, office spaces, staffroom spaces and meeting rooms.

For investors, the 8-year bond will pay 6% gross interest per year, with a minimum investment of £50. Investors can also select a lower rate of interest of 3% or 0% to further support the charity. It is also available within the tax-efficient Innovative Finance ISA (IFISA) wrapper. As with all investments, interest payments and return of capital are not guaranteed and like all ISAs, the IFISA is subject to eligibility criteria.

Spencer Pitfield, CEO of Paces, said: “We want to make sure Paces School has a home that is worthy of our amazing young people and their families, some of the most inspirational individuals you would ever meet. They deserve the best and our new home will allow them to achieve their potential every day.”  

Ruth Liu, Headteacher of Paces, commented: “Our aim is to provide and develop a curriculum that enriches the learning opportunities for all the children. Our child-centred approach fosters an environment in which each child is given the tools and motivation to achieve their goals.  The new home we have planned will deliver that, bring more opportunities for our existing and potential pupils, and is an exciting moment for Paces.”

Dan Hird, Head of Corporate Finance at Triodos Bank UK, added: “We really admire this charity and it’s fantastic to be involved with the opportunity to help them refurbish a new larger home for the school. It will enable Paces to support so many more children from Yorkshire and beyond, making a huge difference to their lives.  

“As we emerge from the pandemic, people are looking for ways to invest their money to support organisations that will make a positive impact on society over the long term. This bond offer allows ordinary investors to support a milestone project for a fantastic charity.”

Important information

Investments offered on the Triodos crowdfunding platform are not readily realisable, which means that they may be difficult to sell, and you may not get back the full amount invested. Investments are not covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) and your capital is at risk and returns are not guaranteed. Repayment of capital and interest will be dependent on the success of the organisation's business model and past performance isn’t a reliable indicator of future performance. You should always read the offer document in full before deciding whether to invest as it will cover risks specific to an individual investment. You can read more about the general risks associated with making these types of investments here. If you are unsure if any of these investments are right for you, you should contact an Independent Financial Adviser.

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Notes to editors

For further information and photos please contact:

Ellie James, Triodos Bank

Paces published an offer document dated June 2021. Applications can only be made on the basis of, and subject to, the terms and conditions of the information contained in the offer document which includes the terms and conditions of the Triodos Crowdfunding website. Paces Sheffield is a private company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales with registered office at Unit 4 Smithy Wood Business Park, Smithy Wood Drive, Sheffield S35 1QN (registered number 04793176). Paces Sheffield is registered with the Charity Commission with registered charity number 1104356.

About Paces

Paces’ mission is to support families supporting children with disabilities into independent adulthood as active citizens, especially those with Cerebral Palsy and particularly through Conductive Education.

With over 20 years’ experience of supporting people using the techniques of Conductive Education, Paces has directly supported over 350 children and adults with a range of complex needs.

The charity is based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, and supports individuals and families of all ages. As it is the only provider of Conductive Education between Nottingham and Newcastle this includes those living across the Midlands, Yorkshire and even further afield.

About Triodos Bank

Founded in 1980, Triodos Bank has become a frontrunner in sustainable banking globally. As an independent bank that promotes responsible and transparent banking, it does not see any conflict between a focus on people and the planet and a good financial return. Instead it believes that they reinforce each other in the long-term.

Triodos Bank has banking activities in the Netherlands, Belgium, the UK, Spain and Germany as well as Investment Management activities based in the Netherlands but active globally. Triodos Bank co-founded the Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV), a network of 63 sustainable banks. Together these banks want to grow sustainable banking and its impact on the real economy substantially.

Triodos Bank UK Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of Triodos Bank NV. Registered Office: Deanery Road, Bristol, BS1 5AS. Registered in England and Wales Company No. 11379025. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority under registration number 817008. VAT reg no 793493383.

This financial promotion has been issued and approved by Triodos Bank UK Limited for the purposes of section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. Triodos Bank UK Ltd. Registered Office: Deanery Road, Bristol, BS1 5AS. Registered in England and Wales with registered number 11379025. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority under registration number 817008. Details about the extent of our regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority are available from us on request.