Hlnckley and District Work-Llnk Prolect Accounts Year to 31 st March 2025
nc istrl or Year 31rt March 2025 Contsnts Trustees Report Independent Examlners Report Income and Expenditure Account Balance Sheet 10 Notes to the Accounts
Hinckley and District WORK-LINK PROJECT Trustee's Annual report for the Year to 31 $t March 2025 Work-Link Project is a registered with the Charity commissioners (No. 1002750) and governed by the Work-Link Project Constitution. It is located at Abbotts House, Trinity Lane, Hinckley. LE10 OBL. A Trustee Board administers the Charity. Between April 2024 and March 2025. the board was served by'.- Name Bron Witherford Martin Roe John Moore Keith Griffiths Tim Render Office Trustee Trustee Trustee Trustee until 30th May 2024 Trustee and Chair In attendance at meetings Mandy Chapman Project Manager Sue Stanley, Finance Manager Tim Render was re-elected as Chaimian at the Annual General Meeting in January 2025 The Vice Chair, Treasurer and Secretary posts still remain vacant, as the charity continues to review its governance structure in the light of changing business circumstances. In particular, Work-Link remains committed to becoming an incorporated charity as soon as practical. Once the charity is incorporated, the assets of the Charity will be held in the name of the charity and not individual trustees. The Charity's Bankers are National Westminster Bank Plc, 13 The Borough, Hinckley, Leicestershire. LE10 1 NW. The only area of restriction contained in the governing documents is that the activities of Work- Link shall be limited to the objects set out in (3) below. 'The trustees shall invest in the trust's name any money that is not required for the immediate purpose of Work-Link in any of the securities in which trust money maybe by law invested with power from time to time to transpose such investments. Any Property acquired by orfor Work- Link shall be vested in the Trustees..
Hinckley and District WORK-LINK PROJECT Trustee's Annual report for the year to 31$t March 2025 (Continued) Structure, Governance and Management The Charity is governed by a constitution dated 11th November 2008 and is registered with The Charity Commission as a Charity. The maximum size of the Trustee Board is fifteen members.. 4 interested representatives of Churches Together in Hinckley and District. 4 Persons of appropriate experience and of good standing within the community, 2 from Voluntarylstatutory sectors and'2 "Work-Link' volunteers (service users). Additionally, the committ has the power to co-opt an additional 3 members who do not have voting rights. Co-opted members may be re-co-opted or seek election to the Trustee Board. Officers are nominated prior to AGM and. If necessary, a vote its then taken at the AGM. The Trustee Board continues to endeavour to widen and strengthen its membership in the past year and is considering succession arrangements for Trustees. Following a period of search, Work-Link was able to recruit two new experienced trustees to join the Board in July 2025. Trustee Board members are given an induction and training in their roles and responsibilities. A Manager is appointed by the Trustee Board to manage the day-to-day operations of the Charity. The Charity has a working relationship with various statutory agencies including the County Council, Leicester City Council, and Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council. The Trustee Board regularly reviews its risk management strategy. Health and Safety risk assessment using government guidelines are in place in all areas. An independent expert is commissioned to review and advise on Health and Safety arrangements annually. Work-Link has adopted a Safeguarding Adults Policy and wort(s closely with referrers to ensure risk assessment and risk management strategies are in place for individuals within the client group. There is also a policy concerning the level of financial reserves and this too is regularly reviewed. Objectives and activities The work of the charity is entirely focussed on providing benefit to the people most in need of practical support and those needing clear and supported routes into training. This is especially for those who have a leaming disability, who otherwise would be at risk of long term unemployment and exclusion from everyday economic activities, and thus very likely to be
living in poverty. The practical work and training activities that Work-Link provides provide essential preparation for work or further study as well as being "real. businesses that help to make the organisation sustainable. The Charity employed an average of 13 members of staff (3 full- time and 10 part-time) during 2024125. Work-Link has referrals from the voluntary and statutory sectors and intends to continue to grow that number. Volunteerslservice Users attend on one or two sessions per week, 55 individuals attending each week. Training opportunrties, support and supervision are provided by the staff team on a daily basis in the Service Users chosen area(s) of activity. Work-Link activities listed below provide meaningful work place opportunities and training in the following areas:_ Furniture and Electrical Collections Work-Link collects donated furniture from residents of Leicester, Leicestershire. and beyond that are suitable for supply to others, or for sale. These items are then either sold in our dedicated shop or used to fulfil orders that Leicester City Council or Leicestershire County Council, have sent that are then delivered to vulnerable adults and families. To achieve this, we have a dedicated team of staff and volunteers, vans to collect and distribute goods. The charity moved to new premises which combine retail and storage space in May 2024. Volunteerslservice Users are taught customer service, distribution, manual handling, risk assessment and data input. Collections of donated items saved around 120 tonnes of furniture and electrical items from landfill in 2024125 Retail sales New town centre retail premises were occupied in May 2024. Following bedding down of the move, retail sales have shown a significant upward trend contributing to the improved financial performance. Volunteers get real work experience within the shop and learn all aspects of customer service. Leicestershire and Rutland Re-use Network Work-Link was a founder member of the Leicestershire and Rutland Reuse Network. (LRRN) This was a county-wide Community Interest Company, a vehicle for organising and planning extended re-use and supply across Leicester and Leicestershire. This opened some new supply opportunities for us. It hosts the contract for the Community Support Grant in Leicester. Work-Link provides furniture and electrical appliances to those in need who have been referred by Leicester City Council. This work has become an increasingly important element of Work-Link's activities and income generation. As other members of LRRN have changed the focus of their work, Work-Link is now the sole member of this Community Interest Company. LRRN remains a separate company although Directors of LRRN'and trustees of Work-Link are continuing to assess what an appropriate organisational structure should be. Contractual Sales
Work-Link has won the contract for the LeIstershire Local Welfare Provision. This used to be run through LRRN. Work-Link supplies goods to people all over Leicestershire who are referred to us by the District Councils. Between April 2024 and March 2025 we delivered furniture to over 1,400 homes in Leister and Leicestershire via LRRN and through the Local Welfare Provision scheme. Volunteerin and trainin Work-Link Project provides meaningful volunteering and training opportunities for people with mental 111 health and other disabilities based around the reuse of furniture and electrical appliances. This year Work-Link dompleted 39 years of serving the community of Hinckley and Bosworth. We usually receive referrals for our Service from Community Mental Health teams. Assertive Outreach, Early Interiention, the Inclusion Support servi employment ServIS and voluntary agencies. After an initial assessment and risk assessment and a settling in period, sep4ice users look at short term goals and long temi goals. Volunteers all have individual development plans (IDPS) and work towards their own goals. We give our Servi users lots of opportunities to tell us how they experience the project. We hold daily informal meetings with service users over lunch where we pass on information and seek their ideas and input. Work-Link actively encourages and supports our employees to gain the skills and qualifications that meet the needs of our service users. We ensure that staff continually update and extend their skills though support, supervision and staff training. Staff continue to update their training in Safeguarding Adults, First Aid and Health and Safety. Business develo ment The loss of public sector grants a decade ago left a significant financial challenge for Work- Link, although the availability of free reserve funds has continued to give Work-Link time to adjust to the new situation. Business planning arrangements were again reviewed during the year to update the long- standing strategy to develop and thrive in a financially-sustainable way, without any significant grant support from public authorities. A Business Development Officer is employed to progress this agenda. This is a continuing "work in progress" as the financial and operating environment continues to change and become more challenging. Work-Link continues to develop its re-use activities that both provide training opportunities for volunteers and generate a net income to support the organisation. We continue to seek available charitable grant funding where available that supports our aims for Service Users, increasingly using on-line channels for sale of goods, (e.g. Facebook and Work-Link websrte) The two substantial local authority contracts will run until 2027 Financlal Review The gross income for the year totalled £642k whilst the expenditure was £ 665k, leaving a deficit of just under £23k. The loss included exceptional items that had to be funded in 2024125
including settling a dilapidations claim from the landlord of the previous property, the legal and physical costs of the move, and the settlement of outstanding lease payments on a vehicle that was stolen. In total, exceptional items amounted to £31 k. Without these expenses, the charity would have recorded a surplus for 2024125. Nevertheless, the actual performance including these costs is a considerable improvement over the £50k loss recorded the previous year. The balance of our income has substantially changed in last decade , with the vast majority of our income now arising from our own work and activities,(principally fulfilling contracts for supply of furnishings and equipment to residents of Leicester City and Leicestershire County), rather than from public sector grants. Reserves Polic The charity maintains reserves to cover the costs of operating the organisation for at least three months. That minimum reserve.would equate to £166k for 2024125. The actual free reserves amounted to £194k at 31st March 2025 Future develo ment and st balance sheet events Trustees continue to keep a close watch on developments in the operating environment and changes that will affect operations. In particular, medium term planning is in place that covers the end date of the significant public contracts that the Charity delivers. Goin concern The Trustees have considered all the financial information in the accounts as well as budget and financial prospects for 2025126 and beyond. They are satisfied that the accounts should be prepared on a "going concern. basis, as the organisation will have funds available to meet costs as they become due for at least the next twelve months (as required by accounting practice) from the date of signing the accounts. Signed Tim Render Chair of Trustees
Hinckley and Distrlrt Wothunk Project Independent ExamIne$ Report to the Trustees of'Hlncldey & Dlstrlct work.unk Prolece. I report to the trustees on my examlnatlon of the accounts of the above tharlty ('*he Trust,? for the year ended 31" March 2025. RwpoMlbllkle$ and basls of report As the charirfs trustees. you are responsible for the preparation of the acctwnts In accordance the requiremthts of the Charitie5 Att 2011 fthe Act.?. I report In respect of my examlnadon of the Trust's accounts earrled out under sec¢lon l 45 of the 2011 Art and In carryng out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Dlrections given by the Charity Commlsslon under $ettbon 145(5>(b) ofth¢ A¢L Indep•nd•nt examlnews $tat•m•nt I have Completed my examination. l eonfim) that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examlnatlon whlch gives me cause to believe that In. any materlal respe the accounting records were not kept In accordCe with sectlon 130 of the Charltles A¢ or the accounts did not accord wlth the accounting records: or the accounts dld not comply with the applioble requlrements conceming the forni and wntent of #tt¢unts set out in the CPAritie5 (Ae¢ounts and Reports) Regulatlons 21))8 other than any roqulrement that the aCCOUFts zlye a'tru¢ and falrf vlew vthl¢h ts not a matter consldernd as part cf an independ¢nt examlnatlon. I have no Concerns and have come across no other matters in connecrA¢n with the examinatlon to vthith attention should be dravrn In thls report in order to enable a proper understandlng of the accounts to be reached. Mrs K L Wright FCCA Integra Accounting Llml¢¢d Chartered Cerrified Accountants 5 Stttlon Road Hlnckaey LEIO IAW
Hlnckle and Dlstrkt Work-unk Pro Flnanclal accounts for the ear to 31.03.25 Income and Ex endlture Account 315t March 2025 31.03.2025 31.03.2024 Incom Donations and legacies 5.797 152 Income from Charftable Artlvltles: Primary purpose and ancilliary trading 468,150 471,376 Charltable Income Irom funders: Reuse credits/grant income 4,045 472,195 3.158 474,534 Other tradlng a¢tlvftles: Trading artlvities to ralse funds for the charity Other mlscellaneous Income 159,770 1.655 161,42S 53.145 53,145 Bank Interest recelvable Total Income 2,314 641.731 966 528.797 Ex ndlture Expendlture on charltable actlvftles: Dlrert spendlng Gross wa8es and salarles Employers NIC Defined beneflt penslon costs 207,309 10,628 3.195 221.132 9,562 230,694 194,7n 8.647 2,849 2268 8.370 214.638 Travel and subslstence - charltable actlvltSes Exp•ndlture on tharltable actlvitles: Charftable tradln8 Cost of 8oods for primary purpose tradlng Movement in stock for goods made by beneficiaries Costs of ancilliary trading to benefit beneficiaries Movement In stock for anclllary trading Motor expenses 55,133 2,4T7 232.305 5,221 30,511 323,170 264.916 (4,649) 23,603 286.347 Su rt costs for charltable actlvltles: Premlses expenses: Rent payable under operating leases Rates and water charges Light, heat and power Cleaning and waste mana8ement Premises repairs, renwals and maintenance Insurance 44.016 1.220 1978 1.535 24,811 8.773 40,691 1,002 4.376 5.161 6.880
Admlnlstratlve *)verheads: Telephone, fax and internet Postage Stationery and prlnting Hire of equipment Software licences and expenses Advertising and marketing Sundry expenses 1867 395 1,026 1.124 .4,112 817 617 990 3,870 5.436 3,694 Professlonal fees pald to advlsors Otherthan audltors or examlner: Other le8al and professional Payroll costs Financlal costs: Bank charges Depreciation 1.500 975 890 4.019 1.445 1.047 1.819 T•)tal support costs 109.925 76.043 Totsl charitable expenditure excluding depreciation Depreciation Governance costs 661344 1,445 1.000 575,809 1,819 1.040 Loss on disposal of flxed assets 664.789 578.668 Net surplus on ordinary actlvltles 23.058 49.871 23.058 49,871 Net funds blfwd 21&274 266.145 Net funds clfwd 193,216 216.274
Hlnckle and Dlstrirt Work-Llnk Pro ert Year to 3 st March 20 Tangible fixed assets 5,009 654 Current assets Stock Debtor$ Cash at bank and In hand 10,269 85,398 147,331 241998 15,490 118.426 121.631 255.547 Creditors: Amounts falling due In l year (54.017) (3&192) Net current assets 18&981 217,355 Totsl net assets £ 193.990 £ 218.009 Unrestrlcced Revenue funds Restricted Funds (roy Appeal) 193216 774 216.274 1,735 Total charity fund$ £ 193,990 £ 218,009 10
Hlnclde and Dlstrlct worLInk Pro. Notes to the accounts Year to 31rt March 2025 Tangible Fixed Assets and Fittln hl Cwc blhyd Additions 45,308 5,800 12,500 57,809 5.800 Dlsposals Cort 51.108 12.500 £ 63.609 Depn blfivd Charze in year Elim on disposals Depn elfivd 44,654 1,445 12.500 57,154 1.445 46,099 12.500 £ 5&599 NBV 2025 5.009 £ 5,009 NBV 2024 654 654 20 2024 Debtors Trdde debtors Prepayments and accrued incorne Other debtors 7&045 96,388 7.136 14.902 5.269 £ 85.398 £ 118.426 Credltors: Amounts falllng due In l year Trade credltor5 Accruals and deferred income Other taxes and social securty costs Other credltors 26.734 12.823 25,559 724 23,805 564 £ 54.017 £ 38.192