A Cornwall-based international disaster relief charity has announced that it is moving to a smaller office to reduce running costs and improve accessibility.
ShelterBox, which supports people after natural disasters, will relocate from Falcon House in Truro to Osprey House in the same city, it revealed this week.
The charity said it would complete the move later this month which was motivated in part by changing staff preferences towards remote working.
Sanj Srikanthan, ShelterBox chief executive, said: “Cornwall has always been our home, and that’s not changing, but the way we work continues to evolve.
“We’ve adapted to staff preferences for greater work–life balance with more staff working remotely than ever before.”
The charity, founded in 2000, said its Osprey House office in Malpas Road is about a third smaller than Falcon House and charges a lower rent.
It also has improved parking requirements, step-free access, accessible restrooms, adjustable workstations, and collaborative spaces that also respect the need for calm environments.
The charity said it intended to operate at Osprey House for the foreseeable future.
Aim to focus resources
Srikanthan said that by moving office, more of the charity’s money could go towards its cause.
“As our 10-year lease comes to an end, we’re taking the opportunity to move to an office that better suits how we work today and means we can focus more of our resources on supporting families after disaster,” he said.
ShelterBox’s income fell by more than £6m to £20.1m in 2024, according to its accounts, while its expenditure dipped to £22.6m.
In 2024, the charity spent £208,000 on operating lease rental, an increase from £162,000 the year prior, and employed 161 people.
The charity has grown significantly in recent years, with its income and expenditure both almost doubled from 2020 to 2023.
ShelterBox, which has supported about three million people since its inception in 100 countries, also announced an urgent appeal after two earthquakes in Venezuela last month.
Other charities, such as the British Psychological Society, have also downsized recently, signalling a shift to cut costs after the Covid pandemic changed working patterns.
