About Us
Helping Hands Accountancy CIC to provide much-needed advice, guidance, understanding and accountancy support to small businesses, individuals, organisations and other CICs. Learn all about our business (yes, that's our office above and our dog in front of our fire) and its founder here…
About our CIC
In 2024, Helping Hands Accountancy was born. And it was born for one primary purpose — to benefit the community. That means the community around Mousehole, Lanner and Truro in Cornwall. That also means the entire Cornish community. And that also means communities across the UK as any small business, CIC or individual can get in touch with the Helping Hands team to see how we can help you.
The primary aim of our accountancy service is to benefit the Cornish community and beyond to guide and help the small enterprises through the minefields of accountancy law and taxation with both HMRC and Companies House. We are all about affordable accounting for CICs in Cornwall and beyond, in fact. We offer free support at our business (pictured below) with members of our team who have the relevant qualifications and knowledge either via email, telephone calls or face to face.
Benefits to the community
Support is on hand from the team at Helping Hands Accountancy to help improve the knowledge and skills of small up-and-coming enterprises in the community that need financial support. This may be because they are just starting out or they are struggling in their early years. They may have little or no knowledge on how to run a CIC and we are here to help reduce or eradicate major problems through our guidance, advice and communication.
Financial accounting for CICs is important. And people forget that a company is not just a company. There are people behind the scenes and they should not be treated as just another number as other, much bigger and more traditional practices in chartered accountancy may do. Right now, some people in business are struggling both financially and mentally and need support from services like ours — especially in those first years — to achieve their goals.
Helping Hands Accountancy aims to help with financial support for these businesses during their first years. And our CIC will help support financially toward the accountancy fees that are given to these small enterprises, mostly during their first year, to help greatly reduce the costs which in turn should aid the communities around them.
Our CIC also helps startups in their first year by providing online accounting software at considerably reduced rates, to them for the first year, thus enabling them to make the correct accountancy records as per the regulations stipulated by HMRC and Companies House. We will also incorporate free training on the software and ongoing software support as most small enterprises struggle to tap into free support — but we can do this. It's all about giving a helping hand so that these businesses and their communities greatly benefit.
About
The
Founder
Tamarine Robinson has more than 30 years of experience in accountancy behind her. She has faced many challenges in her life but thanks to her resolve, dedication and experience, she has overcome them and now runs Blue Stone Accountancy Ltd. and Simply Payroll SW Ltd in Cornwall as well as Helping Hands Accountancy. Learn a little more about the founder and director with this Q+A…
Q+A with Tamarine Robinson:
The Helping Hands Accountancy founder answers some questions on the CIC (click on each question to read the answer), her background and where the Helping Hands name came from…
What's Your Background?
“Well, I was born and bred in Mousehole, a beautiful fishing port and village on the western tip of Cornwall. I am a Cornish lass, through and through. I had a child when I was young, however I was determined to give her the best possible upbringing, so I saved whatever I could get and bought my own house in Redruth, Cornwall, aged just 17.”
Wow — could you get a job to support your family?
“You could say that. Actually, before I was even an adult, I had enrolled into night school and it wasn't long before I became a fully qualified accountant at such a young age. But I was determined, ambitious and keen to work in an industry I knew I would love.”
“No, I couldn't get a job so I could only rely on income support — this meant that I counted every single penny and taught myself to record my incomings and outgoings meticulously in what I later learned was a ledger. I became hooked on how to get the best out of my money and thus my career in accountancy was born.”
You were an accountant before studying accountancy then?
“You could say that. Actually, before I was even an adult, I had enrolled into night school and it wasn't long before I became a fully qualified accountant at such a young age. But I was determined, ambitious and keen to work in an industry I knew I would love.”
Were you able to get a job?
“I got a loan which was worth its weight in gold. In short, I wouldn't have been able to launch my own firm without a £2,500 loan from The Prince's Trust when I was just 18 years old. This allowed me to set up my business when I had literally no other forms of investment. And I paid it all back in good time. Thank you to The Prince's Trust!”
So you started your own accountancy service?
“I did — and I haven't looked back since. Despite a few setbacks along the way, I managed to keep focus on my business and today Blue Stone is one of the leading small accountancy services in the South West.”
What makes Helping Hands Accountancy different to other accountancy businesses?
“We are not stiff, formal or archaic like traditional accountancy businesses. Quite the opposite, in fact — we are bubbly, welcoming, outgoing and supportive. We are also open, honest and simply want to help as many people as we can. Our office is also our home in Cornwall and it's beautiful — we have open fires in the office, friendly pets and we always have music on. We're anything but traditional. This is a really relaxed environment.”
How has the tough start to your life shaped your career?
“I wouldn't have gotten to where I am now without the hardships I have faced in my life. My personality and confidence have grown over the years — and it's now that I really want to help others, particularly those who have also faced hardships and need, well, some helping hands!”
Where did the Helping Hands' name come from?
“Well, that's actually inspired by “Labyrinth”, the 1980s fantasy adventure film starring David Bowie. There's a scene in it when a bunch of hands join together to help the protagonist, played by a young Jennifer Connolly. It was the family's favourite movie while the children were growing up and the scene with the helping hands holding the main character up has always inspired me — and I knew immediately what I wanted to call my Community Interest Company.”
Where did the idea for Helping Hands Accountancy come from?
“I have always gone out of my way to help my clients as best as I can. Plus, oftentimes I haven't charged for accountancy services for those who can't afford it. And thus, the idea for Helping Hands Accountancy was born in 2024. Rather than helping those in need with their accountancy services on an ad-hoc basis, this new CIC allows us to help them officially under the Helping Hands banner. It's our way of doing more for local communities, businesses and individuals who need help — and need it now.”
Have you been alone on your journey?
“Sometimes it has felt that way but of course I've had support from friends and colleagues to keep me going. And that Prince's Trust funding that I got when I was 18 has never been forgotten. Later, though, I was given financial help by others too and that set me on the road to running a successful business. Now, I want to do that for people who may be in the same boat. That's what Helping Hands is all about. I want people to know they are not alone. Accounts and finances can be so stressful but we're here to talk. We're here to help you relieve your stress.”
Have you been given financial help for the CIC?
“We have not yet been given government funding to launch our CIC but we are applying for grants. If all goes well we will be able to concrete our services towards helping communities across the UK — not just here in Cornwall. Plus, under our CIC, we are not VAT registered so this helps us keep costs lower for our clients who are struggling financially. That's a major help to them. Aside from the financial savings, though, we also offer our free advice, feedback,
Book A Free Meeting Today
We are always happy to organise a free initial meeting with any small or medium-sized business, individual or organisation who would like to use our services. We can help you. Talk to us today!