OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

2022-03-31-accounts

Wintercomfort for the homeless

Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2022

Overstream House, Victoria Avenue, Cambridge CB4 1EG

Annual Report and Financial Statements to 31 March 2022

Contents Report of the Chair of Trustees ...................................................................................................................... 2 Report of the Chief Executive Officer ............................................................................................................. 3 Strategic Report …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 4 Beneficiaries of the work of Wintercomfort for the homeless .................................................................... 4 Trustees’ report ............................................................................................................................................. 5 Objectives and activities ............................................................................................................................ 5 Strategic Report……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………11 Achievements and Performance……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….11 Financial Review and Results for the Year…………………………………………………………………………………………………15 Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities………………………………………………………………………………………………………..17 Independent Auditor's report to the members of Wintercomfort for the Homeless…………………………………….18 Statement of financial activities for the year ended 31 March 2022 ............................................................. 22 Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2022 ............................................................................................................. 23 Statement of cash flows for the year ended 31 March 2022 ........................................................................ 24 Notes to the accounts .................................................................................................................................. 25 Strategic Report (Continued)………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………40 Financial Management and Policies…………………………………………………………………………………………………………40 Governance and Management…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………41 Legal and administrative details…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..44

1

Annual Report and Financial Statements to 31 March 2022

Report of the Chair of Trustees

For my report as Chair of Wintercomfort, I would like to thank and congratulate Sarah Foreman (former Chair of Trustees) for the steadfast and successful leadership she has provided the organisation for the past six years. During this time, the Charity has evolved from simply providing free welfare to an organisation that delivers training and learning opportunities, giving people the chance to gain qualifications and build selfesteem to move into employment. Sarah Foreman continues to make an important contribution to Wintercomfort in her new role as the Interim Services Manager.

Over the past two years, Covid-19 has shone a spotlight on the most vulnerable in our community and we saw organisations working together to keep everyone safe. As part of the ‘Everyone In’ initiative, like many, we worked in close partnership with statutory and other local providers to identify approx. 180 rough sleepers in Cambridge and place them in temporary accommodation. Since then, we have supported those identified to move forward and where possible, move into permanent accommodation.

However, the impact of the pandemic is just beginning for homelessness services. According to the annual forecast by the housing charity Crisis, overall core homelessness by 2024 is projected to be one-third higher than in 2019. The majority of local councils are warning of a ‘tidal wave’ of need caused by benefit freezes, soaring food and energy bills and the end of Covid-19 eviction bans. Now more than ever, it is critical that Wintercomfort continues to provide its support to the most vulnerable and in need.

At Wintercomfort we do not stand still, our services are constantly evolving as the homelessness landscape and the needs of the people we support change. The services we deliver have always been driven by our service users and one of our greatest assets is that 35% (2020/21: 35%) of the staff now at Wintercomfort have previously benefitted from our services and 52.5% (2020/21: 49%) have had experience of homelessness.

I would like to thank all the team at Wintercomfort, led by our Chief Executive Officer Sarah Halls. They have all shown outstanding commitment and resilience through such a challenging time. I would also like to thank all our partners, funders, volunteers and everyone who has individually fundraised for us throughout the year. It is only with your support that we can continue to deliver such high-quality services to the homeless and vulnerably housed.

Thank you.

Rod Cantrill

Chair of Trustees

(Service user)

2

Annual Report and Financial Statements to 31 March 2022

Report of the Chief Executive Officer

During 2021/22, we saw the world slowly move away from the restrictions of Covid-19. As we begin to resume our everyday lives, we have reflected on what we have learnt from the unprecedented challenges created by the pandemic.

There were two critical components to ensuring the most vulnerable within our society were fully supported during this time. 1) strong collaboration with other local organisations to ensure people received all the support they needed and 2) being able to adapt quickly, providing the same high-quality support, but via different channels. These two factors made a massive impact on the effectiveness of our service delivery during Covid-19 and moving forward, we want to incorporate these new ways of working into our mainstream services.

In support of greater collaborative working, I am delighted to announce that from April 2022, Wintercomfort will be part of the new cross-partner ‘Streets to Home’ initiative. Commissioned by Cambridge County Council, the partnership includes Wintercomfort, Riverside, Jimmy’s, Cyrenians, CGL and CHS. ‘Streets To Home’ will provide a more cohesive approach to tackling rough sleeping and homelessness in Cambridge, providing better outcomes for those who use the service. We are thrilled to be part of this new partnership and we very much look forward to sharing the impact of this initiative in the years to come.

During the pandemic we also learnt the importance of flexibility and adapting services to support our service users in a way that worked best for them. Overwhelmingly they reported enjoying the more flexible service we now offer, including having appointments via phone, Whats App, Zoom and meetings in the community. As always it is their feedback which shapes our service design and we have already started to implement a more outreach style approach, working within other organisations and meeting with service users outside of Overstream House. Through this new model of working, we aim to reach a much wider audience who may not necessarily have considered using Wintercomfort’s services before.

Whilst always looking forward, it is important to recognise the services our hard working, phenomenal team have delivered over the past year. During 2021/22, we supported 456 (2020/21: 476) homeless or vulnerably housed adults. We delivered 659 (2020/21: 515) counselling sessions. During this time, with our support 40 (2020/21: 18) people gained paid employment and 117 (2020/21: 23) individuals maintained their tenancies through advice and support from our Housing Support and Prevention Service. More details about our work is included in this report and I hope you will find it an interesting read.

Financially, this has been a challenging year for Wintercomfort. Competition remains high for grants and donations, however we were fortunate to break even by the end of the financial year. Looking to the future, the funding environment is becoming more challenging as the weak economic environment has an impact. None of these achievements would have been possible without the hard work of our team and I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to the staff, our incredible volunteers and our trustees, who all contribute to the success of Wintercomfort. It is their commitment, talent, compassion and determination which help the most vulnerable progress forward to a more independent and happier life.

With very best wishes

Sarah Halls, CEO.

3

Annual Report and Financial Statements to 31 March 2022

Strategic report

Beneficiaries of the work of Wintercomfort for the homeless

Adults who are rough sleeping or vulnerably housed in Cambridge.

People who are sleeping rough or who are homeless have complex needs and face multiple disadvantages. All have experienced some level of trauma. Those we help often have poor physical and/or mental health and struggle with alcohol and/or drug dependencies. Many have criminal records, low educational attainment levels and poor numeracy and literacy. Individuals are usually long-term unemployed and have limited job skills. They are isolated, living on the margins of society, having lost contact with friends and family. Homelessness is rarely the result of simply having nowhere to sleep. For the people who use Wintercomfort, it tends to be the result of complex and often cumulative events e.g. relationship breakdown, job loss, eviction, addiction, leaving an institution, abuse or just an inability to cope.

Case study – Kayleigh’s story

Kayleigh didn’t have a straightforward childhood although that’s not something she wishes to dwell upon. Issues in her early life sadly led to poor mental health, self-harm and a pattern of alcohol and drug dependency. The relationships she formed were often with people living similarly chaotic lives and she frequently found herself trying to cope with her own problems whilst caring for others. Carl, her partner of more than four years was himself an alcoholic. During their relationship, Kayleigh managed to overcome her own addiction but tragically, returned home one day to discover Carl’s body in the flat they shared. He had died of alcohol abuse.

Since the flat was in Carl’s name, within two weeks, Kayleigh found herself homeless. Living on the streets and struggling with grief, it is perhaps little surprise that she relapsed into destructive patterns of behaviour. Eventually, after spending time first in Jimmy’s and then in a women’s hostel Kayleigh began to engage with Alison, our Senior Women’s Project Worker.

Throughout the pandemic, in addition to always being there for emotional support, Alison helped Kayleigh with practical support including help to access the food bank and dealing with the local authorities and other support services. With Wintercomfort’s support, Kayleigh is engaging with CGL (Drug and Alcohol Support Services) and is making fantastic progress in overcoming her addiction. She is also making great strides in overcoming her struggles with anxiety. She’s also enjoying taking part in some of the activities on offer at Wintercomfort and is really keen to get involved in some cooking classes. “I really like cooking and trying to make something nice out of what I can get from the foodbank. It would be great to learn some new recipes to cook on a budget”.

As for the future, Kayleigh has ambitions to become a support worker herself. “I want to use my own experiences to help other people. Wintercomfort have helped me so much and I want other people who are experiencing the same things to know that they will be there for them too.”

“Alison helped me so much. She’s someone I can always talk to. I’ve never had that in my life before.” Kayleigh – service user

4

Annual Report and Financial Statements to 31 March 2022

Trustees’ report

Objectives and activities

Our Mission Statement

Wintercomfort supports those with experience of homelessness by offering essential welfare services and social, learning and work opportunities to enable them to achieve their potential.

Our charity was founded in May 1991, over 30 years ago, in response to a clearly identified need to support those who find themselves homeless and/or vulnerably housed in Cambridge. We now deliver a range of services that don’t just meet the potentially life threatening, immediate urgent needs of our service users but also strive to facilitate lasting and proactive change in their lives.

Our Service Delivery Model.

5

Annual Report and Financial Statements to 31 March 2022

Trustees’ report

Objectives and activities

Wintercomfort is an advice and support hub, helping those who are homeless or at risk of losing their home. We offer vital activities designed to provide learning, training and improve self-esteem; empowering those we support to move out of homelessness, as well as free daily welfare. We are open seven days a week. Wintercomfort provides a number of services from its city centre location and out in the community.

Independent housing advice and support: Drop-in clinics for housing advice and support including HomeLink bidding and private rental applications, housing debt, applying for grants and tenancy support.

Employment, training and volunteering: Including CV writing, literacy and numeracy support, digital inclusion, job & volunteering applications, interview preparation and practice, practical skills training within our catering team and food hygiene accreditation, support to gain CSCS accreditation and employment opportunities within our social enterprise business Overstream Clean & Garden.

Counselling and therapy: In person or telephone-based sessions, specialist support for those recovering from addiction, support to cope with past trauma, anxiety and help to build self-resilience and self-esteem. Our qualified counsellor is experienced in supporting people using an integrative counselling approach including, one to one counselling, group therapy, mindfulness, art therapy, with a specialism in the field of addiction and recovery.

Health and wellbeing: Assisting with GP registrations, access to dental treatment, accompanying service users to medical appointments, referrals to drug and alcohol support services, Covid-19 testing and vaccination clinic, specialist sexual health and hepatitis clinic and monthly footcare clinic.

Women’s only service: Independent Sexual Violence Advisor accredited 1:1 support for women including emotional support, accommodation help and advice, referrals to a wide range of general and gender informed services such as counselling, practical support to ensure they have the basics to maintain their dignity, such as toiletries and clean clothes, advice and guidance on how to stay safe, with access to physical and mental health support and personal development plans. Regular group activities take place including coffee mornings, cooking sessions, yoga, arts and crafts as well as day trips to museums and the botanical gardens.

Migrant support: Including support for those at risk of exploitation and trafficking through modern slavery, support with official documentation, help with immigration services including legal advice, translation services and English language tuition.

Social inclusion and sports : Including a weekly reading group, museum visits, cinema trips, photography clubs, excursions and day trips and gardening. Daily and weekly sports & exercise programmes including individual fitness plans for service users.

Welfare support: Including provision of hot food and drinks, showers, laundry, toiletries and a clothing and footwear store. Food and fuel vouchers are provided along with home furnishing starter packs and grants when service users move into accommodation.

6

Annual Report and Financial Statements to 31 March 2022

Trustees’ report

Objectives and activities

LEARNING, DEVELOPMENT AND EMPLOYMENT

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, all volunteering activities within Overstream Clean & Garden and in our commercial kitchen took place at Overstream House, but the majority of our learning activities were conducted via 1:1 sessions remotely via telephone, email, text or through meetings in the community.

Throughout 2021/22, service users participated in basic skills activities which included kitchen skills, budgeting skills, IT skills and basic literacy and numeracy. 54 (2020/21: 12) service users gained accredited or non-accredited qualifications, this included Construction Skills Certification (CSCS) and IOSH Managing Safety Scheme, Colour Coding and Infection Control, Health and Safety, Introduction to Cleaning, Manual Handling, Sharps Handling, Washroom Hygiene and Housekeeping. 75 (2020/21: 28) service users volunteered with Overstream Clean & Garden or within our commercial Kitchen. 137 (2020/21: 64) service users gained work ready skills including writing CVs, learning job seeking skills and interview techniques. 50 (2020/21: nil) service users gained knowledge around maintaining employment including time keeping, money management and appropriate behaviour in the workplace and 40 (2020/21: 18) service users gained paid employment, mainly within Overstream Clean & Garden, the hospitality sector or the construction industry.

HOUSING SUPPORT

During 2021/22, our Housing Support and Prevention Service provided information and advice to 117 (2020/21: 51) service users in order to maintain their tenancy. In addition, we helped 25 (2020/21: 6) homeless service users to gain accommodation.

Most of our work involved explaining to people how the housing system works, and the actions required to successfully navigate the housing pathway. If they were particularly vulnerable (mainly presenting with mental health issues), we made phone calls on their behalf or attended meetings with them. Where applicable, we encouraged people to register and bid on Home-Link. This year we supported 16 service users to bid for accommodation in this way. We worked closely with them to adhere to their housing plans, and we worked with those who had Council housing debt, devising repayment plans that were manageable. During the year, our Housing Advisor sat on the Housing First Panel, providing recommendations on suitable candidates for the programme.

7

Annual Report and Financial Statements to 31 March 2022

Trustees’ report

Objectives and activities

How did we meet our objectives? (Continued)

Once into accommodation we continued to work closely with service users to maintain their tenancies. This included making applications for grants on their behalf and providing them with free furnishings via our furnishing fund . Support has also been provided around budgeting and setting up direct debits, to enable them to manage their finances, which can often be overwhelming at first. Telephone support was then provided usually on a weekly basis until the Project Worker felt they could manage independently. This continued support is critical to ensuring they do not put their tenancy at risk and repeat the homelessness cycle.

COUNSELLING AND WELLBEING

Historically counselling had taken place face to face at Overstream House. However, due to Covid-19, we had to adapt to remote working via telephone. Surprisingly, the result of this was a much greater take up and increased engagement. During the year we delivered a record number of 659 (2020/21: 515) sessions. Remote counselling has been successful for a number of reasons:

During 2021/22, a significant proportion of those using the counselling service had an alcohol or drug addiction problem and this was the primary reason for their counselling. Other issues included, lowmoderate depression and anxiety, health anxieties, accommodation issues, employment, abuse, childhood trauma, family breakdown, parenting, bereavement and relationship issues.

In addition to our counselling, the overall wellbeing of our service users remained paramount. During the year, 210 (2020/21: 82) people received some form of medical/wellbeing support. This included attending foot care clinics, lung clinic, HIV testing, sexual health, dentist and encouraging service users to register with the Access Surgery. Anyone struggling with mental health issues or substance misuse problems was automatically offered counselling with our in-house counsellor as well as referrals to CGL and other mental health providers. Overall, a large proportion of service users reported an increase in physical and mental wellbeing from working with Wintercomfort.

‘‘[ counsellor] also helps me. Immense amounts….hearing good things come out of my mouth actually makes me say ‘I’ve got a much better life than I had before’ and that keeps my mental health going every day .” (Service user)

8

Annual Report and Financial Statements to 31 March 2022

Trustees’ report

Objectives and activities

WOMEN’S SERVICE

During the year, we worked with 134 (2020/21: 97) women who were homeless or vulnerably housed. A significant amount of the work has been carried out via telephone and Zoom. We found remote 1:1 working enabled us to connect with hard-to-reach women, who previously had not engaged well with our service. The women’s sessions focused on a variety of different issues including emotional support, personal development, life skills, money management, housing advice, family issues, isolation and loneliness, mental wellbeing, sexual abuse and violence, family issues, health anxieties, job skills and benefit advice .

Domestic violence and sexual abuse continued to be a significant problem for many of the women we supported. A large part of the work undertaken has been to educate them about what coercive and controlling behaviour is and that it is an illegal act and not a normal part of a relationship. Our Senior Women’s Project Worker is trained in supporting women in this situation and we worked closely with Cambridge Women’s Aid, ISVA and the Police to ensure they were fully supported.

Once restrictions began to ease, small group work activity was delivered with the women. Weekly coffee mornings began, cooking sessions took place as well as arts and crafts sessions during the week. We also provided outings to places such as local museums and botanical gardens and there were sports/recreational activities delivered exclusively for women. Many of the groups were run by volunteers and peer to peer support has been encouraged.

To increase engagement and let women know about the clubs and online activities available, we have created a new closed Facebook Group exclusively for the women’s service. This is now starting to gain attraction. 29 (2020/21: nil) women have now joined the group and they are actively participating and leaving supportive messages for one another.

SOCIAL INCLUSION AND SPORTS

We recognise that keeping our service users active is important for both their mental and physical health. This has been an ongoing focus for our Health & Wellbeing Project Worker and our Sports Project Worker. Bespoke support and fitness plans are created for service users who want to improve their physical health and they are encouraged to join some of the group sessions which take place at Wintercomfort.

Over the year we recorded 539 (2020/21: 223) instances of people taking part in games and sports. Activities have included the gym, swimming, cycling, walking, aerobics, circuits, and boxercise. Sessions are held outside on Jesus Green and inside at the centre. There are also some sessions exclusively for women, including a weekly yoga class.

“Wintercomfort has been that place to have essential needs met and someone to listen and offer support.” (Service user)

9

Annual Report and Financial Statements to 31 March 2022

Trustees’ report

Objectives and activities

How did we meet our objectives? (Continued)

NO RECOURSE TO PUBLIC FUNDS

During the year we provided (via IR Immigration Law), free legal advice to 65 service users who have NRPF. Project Workers along with our translator worked with this cohort to explain the rights that pre- settled and settled status provides, as well as the general conditions for acquiring settled status. Significant time has been spent acquiring the necessary paperwork such as passports and National Insurance numbers, and we have attended meetings with service users if we felt additional support was required. We have also worked closely with this group to secure paid employment as private rental is often their only housing option.

Wintercomfort’s Outcomes

“One guy was supported by Wintercomfort to get a job with Swiss Laundry which

helped him secure accommodation. Now he's got an even better job with more security. He's not drinking regularly anymore. He's much more stable. He's sustaining everything and doing really, really well.”

10

Annual Report and Financial Statements to 31 March 2022

Strategic Report

Achievements and performance

Attendance information

During this financial year Wintercomfort supported 456 (2020/21: 476) people who were homeless or vulnerably housed, a reduction of 4.2% from last year. Over the year, service users visited Wintercomfort 7,540 times (2020/21: 5,767). While bans on eviction remained in place, the number of people requiring support remained fairly static. Sadly, we are anticipating numbers to increase in the next few years. Service users were supported by a combination of staff from Wintercomfort as well as teams from, City Council Housing Advice, Cambridge Street Outreach and Jimmy’s Cambridge during the pandemic.

Statistic 2020/21 2021/22
Total number of individuals 476 456
Total number of visits 5,767 7,540
Statistic Q1
2021/22		 Q2
2021/22		 Q3
2021/22		 Q4
2021/22
Individuals attending centre in
eachquarter		 186 213 222 254
Visits to centre 1,858 1,995 2,012 1,675
Breakfasts & lunches served 1,629 1,910 1,841 1,438
Average dailyattendance 18 25 26 19

11

Annual Report and Financial Statements to 31 March 2022

Strategic report

Achievements and performance

Employees

Wintercomfort operates an equal opportunities recruitment programme. Over the year, 52.5% (2020/21: 49%) of Wintercomfort’s staff team reported having had experience of homelessness. All frontline staff are enhanced DBS checked and trained in safeguarding of vulnerable adults (SOVA).

Volunteers

Volunteers play an important role in providing Wintercomfort’s services for those who are homeless or vulnerably housed. As a charity, we know and appreciate the value, skills and experience that volunteers can bring. In the last year Wintercomfort has worked with 33 volunteers from the local community on a regular basis. All volunteers are recruited to the needs of the charity and the service users. They all have a comprehensive induction, training and on-going support from our volunteer coordinator.

We are so privileged to have such a wonderful team of committed and gifted volunteers who work tirelessly every week to support our service users and staff. We are committed to providing volunteers with a safe, fulfilling and rewarding experience, as well as offering the opportunity to meet new people, experience new things and help to make a real difference to the lives of homeless people in Cambridge. We could not deliver our services without our volunteers, and we are immensely grateful to them.

All volunteers are enhanced DBS checked.

12

Annual Report and Financial Statements to 31 March 2022

Strategic report

Fundraising aims and achievements

Wintercomfort could not provide the range of services that we deliver or help so many homeless and vulnerably housed people without the fundraising and communications work that raises our profile, increases awareness and raises funds. In 2021/22 our fundraising costs equated to 6.3% (2020/21: 7.5%) of our income which we believe is an excellent return on investment.

With the gradual easing of restrictions over the course of 2021 and into 2022, we have been delighted to have returned to some face-to-face engagement and fundraising opportunities. Our Christmas Appeal was a great success, benefiting from many in-person fundraising events within the community and raising just over £82,000. In February, we were delighted to be able to hold our flagship fundraising event, the United for Cambridge Sleepout, as an in-person event at The Abbey Football Stadium. The event was attended by more than 70 people from businesses across the region and raised almost £16,000 for Wintercomfort.

This year, fundraising especially around the area of trusts and foundations, has been highly competitive and we are extremely grateful and fortunate to have such a good level of regular and loyal supporters. Our Income Generation Strategy has always been to have a diverse number of income streams, to ensure we are never reliant on just one channel of funding. We will also continue to invest time and resources into our social enterprise, Overstream Clean & Garden, which we believe will be an invaluable source of income over the years ahead.

Wintercomfort’s fundraising team comprises of two part time consultants who specialise in major grants funding bids as well as a full-time Fundraising and Communications Manager who works with our corporate, community and individual donors. We honour communication preferences and make a single annual fundraising appeal prior to Christmas each year and otherwise issue a quarterly newsletter to supporters for information only. We strive to reflect the values we have for vulnerable people in our fundraising practices by providing guidance whenever possible. All our fundraising activities comply with the guidelines laid down by the Fundraising Regulator and we have not failed to adhere to the standards and nor have we received any complaints.

13

Annual Report and Financial Statements to 31 March 2022

Strategic report

Fundraising aims and achievements

We would like to thank the following trusts and grant makers for their generous support:

The Albert Hunt Trust The Barr Foundation The Batterson Chivers Foundation The Beatrice Laing Trust The Betty Lawes Foundation The Blunt Trust The Britford Bridge Trust Cambridgeshire Community Foundation Cambridge City Council Cambridgeshire County Council Cambridge Street Aid Cambridge United Youth & Community Trust The City & University Masonic Trust The Cole Charitable Trust Foundation The CPF Trust The Dorcas Trust Ernest Hecht Charitable Foundation The February Foundation Garfield Weston Foundation Gwyneth Forrester Trust The Hamish Ogston Foundation The Headley Trust

Highway One The Holliday Charitable Trust The Henry Smith Charity The Hunting Horn General Charitable Trust John Coates Trust Sir Jules Thorne Charitable Trust Lloyds Bank Foundation for England & Wales Mathworks The Newby Trust The Northwick Trust The Oley Foundation The Pilgrim Trust The Polonsky Foundation The Pye Foundation The National Lottery Community Fund The Sobell Foundation The Twigden Trust

and the following companies and organisations for kind donations, goods and services:

Amazon Europe Arnold Clark ASDA Birketts LLP The Barnes Group Crash (Construction Charity) Facebook Fine & Country The Firepit Company Hexcel

Intrasonics Ltd John Lewis plc The Rotary Club of South Cambridgeshire Sainsbury’s Speechmatics Tendring Pacaific Waitrose Ltd William Cook Holdings Ltd Z Tech Control Systems

14

Annual Report and Financial Statements to 31 March 2022

Financial review and results for the year

Wintercomfort achieved a breakeven outcome for the year, a surplus of £384 (2020/21: £162,243).

Income

Income was £1,049,009 for 2021/22, which is a decrease of £185,391 on the previous year (£1,234,400). Of this, £452,736 (2020/21: £525,955) was given for specific projects whilst the remaining £596,273 (2020/21: £708,445) was given or raised for unrestricted use. The outcome for the year is in line with expectations which anticipated a much more challenging year than 2020/21, which was characterised by Covid related emergency funding, public generosity as well as the Furlough scheme. The Budget for 2021/22 anticipated increased competition for a smaller pool of funds as well as upwards pressure on costs. It should be noted that in 2022/23 this trend is expected to continue, especially in respect of expenditure where there is considerable inflationary pressure in the system. Employers National Insurance contributions increased by 1.25% from April to the 6[th] November 2022, and the cost of food and fuel has risen considerably. Wintercomfort is redoubling its efforts to raise additional funds, as well as taking stringent measures to reduce our cost base. A deficit is now anticipated for the financial year 2022/23.

Expenditure

Total expenditure reduced by £28,960 over the previous year (£1070,573) to £1,041,613. Whilst there was an increase in payroll costs (see note 5b below), there was a reduction of expenditure in several areas including the impact of Covid 19 emergency purchases made in 2020/21:

15

Annual Report and Financial Statements to 31 March 2022

Strategic report

Financial review and results for the year

Review of investment performance

At the end of the year the value of the corporate bond investments (in the Invesco Perpetual Corporate Bond Fund and the M&G Gilt and Fixed Interest Fund) stood at £109,593 (2021: 116,605). These investments reduced by £7,012 in value over the year.

Funds and Reserves

The charityheld the followingfunds at 31 March(£’s) 2022
2021
Restricted funds 37,334
31,025
Designated funds: 255,713
265,536
-
Designated strategic fund		 90,000
90,000
-
Designated fixed assets fund		 151,792
161,615
-
Designated building fund		 13,921
13,921
Remainingfree reserves 608,592
604,694
Total 901,639
901,255

Restricted funds are used only for the purposes specified by the donor or grant giver. Designated funds are funds set aside by the Trustees for specific purposes according to the needs of the organisation.

The designated strategic reserve provides for major changes to funding and operational matters anticipated in the foreseeable future. The Trustees agreed this could be used as required during the Covid-19 pandemic for future proofing the organisation against the impact of the virus, or on reduced giving levels from individuals.

The designated fixed assets fund represents the cost of the building owned by Wintercomfort and from which its services are run, and the equipment used by the charity. This is because these assets are essential to the running of the charity and the funds cannot be spent elsewhere.

The designated building fund remains to assist in funding building works and improvements to the premises.

Free reserves are held by the Trustees to ensure continuity of service should the charity experience any unexpected changes in circumstances. The Reserves Policy was increased from six to nine months in 2020/21 to reflect the uncertain and increasingly competitive environment in which Wintercomfort now operates. It is planned to bring the fund up to target value in the next five financial years, and this goal will be balanced against the likelihood of continued increasing demand for our services and hence increased expenditure over the same period. This will be achieved by attracting corporate giving to cover current activities, freeing up unrestricted income to build reserves and protect services.

The Strategic Report is continued on page 40.

16

Annual Report and Financial Statements to 31 March 2022

Statement of trustees’ responsibilities

The trustees (who are also directors of Wintercomfort for the homeless for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the directors have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). Under company law the directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Insofar as the trustees are aware at the time of approving our trustees’ annual report:

The Trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the charity and financial information included on the charity’s website in accordance with legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements.

Auditors

Price Bailey LLP were reappointed as auditors in the year in accordance with Companies Act 2006.

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies’ regime and in accordance with FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (effective 1 January 2015).

Signed on behalf of the Trustees on 6[th] December 2022:

Christine Leonard (Secretary)

17

Annual Report and Financial Statements to 31 March 2022

Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of Wintercomfort for the homeless

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Wintercomfort for the homeless (the ‘charitable company’) for the year ended 31 March 2022 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet, the Statement of cash flows and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion the financial statements:

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

18

Annual Report and Financial Statements to 31 March 2022

Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of Wintercomfort for the homeless

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the trustees’ annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the directors’ report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the trustees’ responsibilities statement, the trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the

financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

19

Annual Report and Financial Statements to 31 March 2022

Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of Wintercomfort for the homeless

In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charitable company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using

the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:

We gained an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework applicable to the charity and how it operates and considered the risk of the charity not complying with the applicable laws and regulations including fraud in particular those that could have a material impact on the financial statements. This included those regulations directly related to the financial statements. In relation to the charity this included financial reporting.

The risks were discussed with the audit team and we remained alert to any indications of non-compliance throughout the audit. We carried out specific procedures to address the risks identified. These included the following:

20

Annual Report and Financial Statements to 31 March 2022

Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of Wintercomfort for the homeless

Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.

A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https://www.frc.org.uk/Our-Work/Audit/Audit-and-assurance/Standards-and-guidance/Standards-andguidance-for-auditors/Auditors-responsibilities-for-audit/Description-of-auditors-responsibilities-foraudit.aspx. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charitable company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and the charitable company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Helena Wilkinson BSc FCA DChA (Senior Statutory Auditor) for and on behalf of

PRICE BAILEY LLP

Chartered Accountants Statutory Auditors Tennyson House Cambridge Business Park Cambridge CB4 0WZ

Date: 13 December 2022

21

Annual Report and Financial Statements to 31 March 2022

Statement of financial activities for the year ended 31 March 2022 (Incorporating an Income and Expenditure Account)

Unrestricted Unrestricted Unrestricted Unrestricted Unrestricted Unrestricted
general
designated		 Restricted Total Total
Notes funds funds funds funds funds
2022 2022 2022 2022 2021
Income from: £ £ £ £ £
Donations 3a 431,968 - 6,309 438,277 586,087
Charitable activities
Welfare service 3b - 148,949 148,949 156,192
Learning & Development activities 3b - 242,888 242,888 265,180
Social enterprise 3b 101,998 - 54,590 156,588 135,353
Other trading activities 3c 58,644 - 58,644 25,830
Other income 3d 3,584 - - 3,584 65,247
Investment income 79 - - 79 511
────── ────── ────── ──---──── ──────
Total Income 596,273 - 452,736 1,049,009 1,234,400
────── ────── ────── ────---── ──────
Expenditure on:
Raising funds 65,765 - - 65,765 92,546
Charitable activities
Welfare Service 206,176 - 148,950 355,126 365,462
Learning & Development activities 203,243 - 242,888 446,131 425,989
Social Enterprises 120,002 - 54,589 174,591 186,576
────── ────── ────── ────--── ──────
Total Expenditure 4&5 585,186 - 446,427 1,041,613 1,070,573
────── ────── ────── ───---── ──────
Net income before investment gains 1,087 6,309 7,396 163,827
Net losses on investments 7 (7,012) - - (7,012)
(1,584)
────── ────── ────── ────── ──────
Net (Expenditure)/income for the year (5,925) - 6,309 384 162,243
Transfers between funds 15 9,823 (9,823) - - -
────── ────── ────── ────── ──────
Surplus for the year being net movement in funds 3,898 (9,823)
6,309		 384 162,243
Total funds at 1 April 604,694 265,536 31,025 901,255 739,012
─-───── ──-──── ────── ──-──── ──-────
Total funds at 31 March 608,592 255,713 37,334 901,639 901,255
═════ ═════ ════ ═════ ═════

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities. The attached notes form part of these financial statements.

22

Annual Report and Financial Statements to 31 March 2022

Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2022

Company number 02615905 Notes 2022 2021
£ £ £ £
Fixed assets
Tangible assets 6 151,792 161,615
Investments 7 109,593 116,605
────── ──────
261,385 278,220
Current assets
Debtors 8 58,352 25,327
Cash at bank and in hand 651,816 762,550
────── ──────
710,168 787,877
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
9		 (31,958) (63,916)
Creditors: deferred income 10 (37,956) (100,926)
────── ──────
Net current assets 640,254 623,035
──--──── ──---───
Net assets 14 901,639 901,255
═════ ═════
Unrestricted funds
General funds 15 608,592 604,694
Designated funds 15 255,713 265,536
────── ──────
864,305 870,230
Restricted funds 15 37,334 31,025
──--──── ──--────
Total funds 15 901,639 901,255
═════ ═════

The attached notes form part of these financial statements.

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies’ regime.

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees on 6[th] December 2022 and signed on their behalf by:

R Cantrill (Chair of Trustees)

J Dominey (Trustee)

23

Annual Report and Financial Statements to 31 March 2022

Statement of cash flows for the year ended 31 March 2022

Notes
2022
£
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash (used by)/provided by operating activities
(92,120)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment
-
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
6
(18,613)
Net cash used in investing activities
(18,613)
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the reporting period
(110,734)

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the reporting
period
762,550
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting period
651,816
Reconciliation of net income to net cash flow from operating
activities
Net income for the reporting period (from SOFA)
384
Adjustments for:
Depreciation charges
6
28,437
Losses/(Gains) on investments
7
7,012
Losses/(Gains) on disposal of tangible assets
-
Decrease/(increase) in debtors
(36,714)
Increase/(decrease) in creditors
(91,239)
Net cash (used by)/provided by operating activities
(92,120)


2021
£
162,469
843
(7,085)
(7,085)
156,227
606,323
762,550
162,243
26,914
1,584
(214)
26,368
(54,426)
162,469
Analysis of changes in net debt At start of Cashflows At end of
year year
£ £ £
Cash in hand 661,777 (110,777) 551,000
Notice deposits 100,773 43 100,816
Total 762,550 (110,734) 651,816

24

Annual Report and Financial Statements to 31 March 2022

Notes to the accounts

1. Accounting Policies

Accounting convention

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019) – (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.Wintercomfort meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy. Wintercomfort’s legal status is shown on page 40

Going concern

The trustees consider that despite the increased competition for funds and pressure on costs, given the levels of income already secured for the following financial year together with the existing reserves and robust control of costs, they have secured the immediate future of the charity. The budget for 2021/22, based on a conservative view of prospects for the year, was revised in May 2021. The budget for 2022/23 takes the same view of the environment in which Wintercomfort will be operating. The Management Accounts including actual results, forecast trading and cashflows, are reviewed on a bi-monthly basis by the trustees to ensure Wintercomfort remains operational and a going concern.

Financial instruments

The charity only has financial assets and liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value. Fixed assets are recorded at depreciated historical cost and investments are recorded at fair value, being the closing market value rate as shown in note 7. All other assets and liabilities are recorded at cost which is their fair value.

Funds

Unrestricted funds are donations and other income receivable or generated for the objects of the charity without further specified purpose and are available as general funds. Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the Board of Trustees for particular purposes. Restricted funds are to be used for specific purposes as laid down by the grant providers and donors. Expenditure which meets these criteria is charged to the fund together with a fair allocation of management and support costs.

Income

Voluntary income received by way of donations from fundraising activities and unsolicited gifts is included in full in the Statement of Financial Activities when receivable. Performance related grant income is recognised in accordance with performance conditions, while Income for non-performance related grants is recognised when received. Income from social enterprise sales is recognised when the service is performed. Legacies are accounted for when received or when receipt is probable, can be estimated and has been notified before the balance sheet date. Income is analysed according to the activity that produced the resources.

25

Annual Report and Financial Statements to 31 March 2022

Notes to the accounts

1. Accounting Policies (continued)

Donated goods and services

Donated professional services are recognised as income when the charity has control over the item, any conditions associated with the donated item have been met, the receipt of economic benefit from the use by the charity of the item is probable and that economic benefit can be measured reliably. In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102), the time contribution of our volunteers is not recognised.

On receipt, donated professional services are recognised on the basis of the value of the gift to the charity which is the amount the charity would have been willing to pay to obtain services of equivalent economic benefit on the open market; a corresponding amount is then recognised in expenditure in the period of receipt.

Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised in the period in which it is incurred and includes attributable VAT which cannot be recovered. Expenditure is allocated to the particular activity where the cost relates directly to that activity. However, the cost of overall direction and administration, comprising the salary, governance and overhead costs of the central function, is apportioned on the basis of time spent on each activity.

Pension

Contributions to employees' personal pension plans are charged to the statement of financial activities in the year in which they become payable. The assets of the scheme are held separately from the assets of the Charity.

Operating Leases

Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to the statement of financial activities on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease.

Fixed assets

Tangible assets are measured at depreciated historical cost. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost of assets over their expected useful life as follows:

Freehold property 2% on cost Property improvements 5% on cost Equipment 15% - 25% on cost

Investments

Quoted investments are valued at the balance sheet date, at market value. Revaluation gains or losses are recognised in the statement of financial activities and attributed to the fund for which the investments are held.

Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due and prepayments are valued at the invoice amount which relates to future periods after the year end date.

Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.

26

Annual Report and Financial Statements to 31 March 2022

Notes to the accounts

1. Accounting Policies (continued)

Creditors and provisions

Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

Creditors and provisions

Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

Taxation

The Charity is exempt from taxation on its income and gains falling within the Corporation Tax Act 2010 as all income and gains are applied to charitable purposes.

In common with many other charities, Wintercomfort is unable to recover the majority of value added tax incurred on expenditure.

2. Critical accounting judgements and accounting estimates

In application of the Charity’s accounting policies which are described in note 1, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions. Estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors considered relevant and are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Critical judgements having the most significant effect on amounts recognised in the financial statements are as follows:

3. Income

The following grant providers are considered government grants: Cambridge City Council and Cambridgeshire County Council. Further detail on the nature and scope of these grants is given in Note 16. All grants relate to revenue expenditure and are recognised in the periods over which the related costs are recognised. At 31 March 2022 there were no unfulfilled conditions and no amounts were carried forward. Further assistance

27

Annual Report and Financial Statements to 31 March 2022

Notes to the accounts

3a.
Income from donations
Restricted
Sleeping Bags
Donated goods: food, second-hand clothing & consumables
Donated services: professional services & advice
Total restricted
Unrestricted
Donations from individuals
Donations from companies and other organisations
Unrestricted income from trusts and foundations
Appeal donations
Gift Aid
Total unrestricted
Total Donation Income		 2022
£
nil
5,964
345
6,309
205,457
25,359
75,966
85,241
39,945
431,968
438,277





2021
£
5,000
13,002
345
18,347
263,475
32,155
158,667
84,616
28,827
567,740
586,087


3b. Income from charitable activities

Income from charitable activities is disclosed according to the various programmes for which it is given. Income from local government is restricted and was £145,531 (2021 - £171,341) including a one-time Infection Control Funding Grant of £13,627 (2021 - £12,536), and a discretionary covid grant of £nil (2021 - £10,000).

3b. Income from charitable activities

For the year ended 31 March 2022
Learning & development
programme
Pathways & progression projects
Housing support
Financial Support
Foodbank
Moving forward project
Access & outreach project worker
SE supervision & training
Employment programme
Catering Training
Women’s project
Service User Small Grants
Total restricted
Social enterprise
Total		 Learning &
Social
Welfare
development
enterprise
£
£
£
39,293
91,685
14,553
29,182
43,773
21,286
8,000
12,000
-
5,100
7,650
-
400
600
-
8,000
12,000
-
15,627
23,440
-
-
-
18,750
12,654
18,980
-
2,800
4,200
-
19,040
28,560
-
8,853
-
-
148,949
242,888
54,590
-
-
101,998
148,949
242,888
156,588		 Total
2022
£
145,531
94,241
20,000
12,750
1,000
20,000
39,067
18,750
31,634
7,000
47,600
8,853
446,427
101,998
548,425

28

Annual Report and Financial Statements to 31 March 2022

3b. Income from charitable activities

3c.
Income from other trading activities
2022

£
Fundraising Events
37,518
Internal Cleaning
18,303
Cambridge Half Marathon entry fees
-
Food Recharge to Cambridge City Council
2,033
Cambridge Housing Society
790
Total
58,644
Fundraising events for the year ended 31stMarch 2022 included Cambridge
United Youth and Community Trust Sleep Out proceeds (£15,823),
Christmas Carol Concert proceeds (£2,617), Rotary Club event (£2,400)
amongst others.
All income from other trading activities was unrestricted
3d. Other Income 2022
£
Furlough Reclaim
3,584
For the year ended 31 March 2021
Learning &
Social
Welfare
development
enterprise
£
£
£
Learning & development programme
46,262
107,945
17,134
Pathways & progression projects
48,272
72,409
21,286
Housing support
9,044
13,566
-
Financial Support
1,118
1,676
-
Foodbank
400
600
-
Moving forward project
8,000
12,000
-
Access & outreach project worker
3,667
5,500
-
SE supervision & training
-
-
25,000
Employment programme
4,000
6,000
-
Weekend welfare
-
-
22,816
Women’s project
24,322
36,484
-
Social Inclusion project worker
6,000
9,000
-
Service User Small Grants
5,107
-
-
Total restricted
156,192
265,180
86,236
Social enterprise
-
-
49,117
Total156,192
265,180
135,353		 2021
£
-
18,024
510
6,200
1,096
25,830
2021
£
65,247
Total
2021
£
171,341
141,967
22,610
2,794
1,000
20,000
9,167
25,000
10,000
22,816
60,806
15,000
5,107
507,608
49,117
556,725





29

Annual Report and Financial Statements to 31 March 2022

Notes to the accounts

4. Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities

For the year ended 31 March 2022
Charitable activities
Welfare
Learning & Development
Social enterprise
Raising funds
Total
For the year ended 31 March 2021
Charitable activities
Welfare
Learning & Development
Social enterprise
Raising funds
Total		 Direct
costs
£
68,361
36,831
9,082
65,765
180,039
Direct
costs
£
79,360
43,218
9,662
92,546
224,786		 Staff
costs
£
228,955
343,433
152,468
-
724,856
Staff
costs
£
198,610
297,915
159,801
-
656,326		 Support
costs
£
Deprec-
iation
£
Donated
Items
£
40,270
11,230
6,309
51,505
14,363
-
10,197
2,844
-
-
- -
101,972
28,437
6,309
Support
costs
£
Deprec-
iation
£
Donated
Items
£
58,240
10,905
18,347
71,473
13,383
-
14,413
2,700
-
-
-
-
144,126
26,988
18,347		 Total
2022
£
355,125
446,132
174,591
65,765
1,041,613
Total
2021
£
365,462
425,989
186,576
92,546
1,070,573

4a. Analysis of support costs

For the year ended 31 March 2022
Welfare
£
Learning &
development
£
Social
enterprise
£
Governance (note 4b)
2,429
3,106
615
Office costs
3,510
4,489
889
Finance
11,292
14,442
2,860
I.T. & Telephones
4,675
5,979
1,184
Professional advice
878
1,123
223
Premises and utilities
17,486
22,364
4,428
Total
40,270
51,503
10,199		 Total
2022
£
6,150
8,888
28,594
11,838
2,224
44,278
101,972

Support costs are allocated on the percentage of time spent by staff on each activity. Finance costs include irrecoverable vat amounting to £10,477 (2021: £14,473).

30

Annual Report and Financial Statements to 31 March 2022

Notes to the accounts

4b. Analysis of support costs (continued)

For the year ended 31 March 2021
Welfare
Learning &
development
Social
enterprise
£
£
£
Governance (note 5)
2,687
3,298
665
Office costs
5,425
6,658
1,343
Finance
20,139
24,715
4,984
I.T. & Telephones
4,906
6,020
1,214
Professional advice
4,215
5,173
1,043
Premises and utilities
20,868
25,609
5,164
Total
58,240
71,473
14,413
5.
Governance costs
2022
£
Audit fees
6,150
Trustee expenses
-
6,150
5a. Net movement in funds for the year
2022
£
This is stated after charging:
Depreciation on fixed assets owned
28,437
Profit on disposal of tangible fixed assets
-
Other operating leases - equipment (see note 12)
2,400
Audit fees
6,150
5b. Staff costs and numbers
2022
£
Staff costs were as follows:
Salaries, wages and other staff costs
660,186
Social security costs
48,884
Pension contributions
15,786
724,856		 Total
2021
£
6,650
13,426
49,838
12,140
10,431
51,641
144,126
2021
£
6,650
-
6,650
2021
£
26,914
(214)
3,600
6,650
2021
£
604,278
42,818
9,230
656,326

31

Annual Report and Financial Statements to 31 March 2022

Notes to the accounts

5c. Full-time equivalent number of employees during the year was as follows:
Charitable activities 19.6 17.5
Management and administration 3.5 3.7
23.1 21.2

The average headcount during the year was 38.0 (2021 – 34.0). No employee received emoluments of more than £60,000. Staff costs of the Senior Management Team (see page 44) during the year totalled £200,408 (2021 - £185,490) and £4,931 employer’s pension contributions (2021 - £2,813).

6. Tangible fixed assets

6.
Tangible fixed assets
Land and Plant and
buildings
machinery
Cost
£
£
At 1 April 2021
378,390
136,976
Additions
-
18,613
Disposals
-
-
At 31 March 2022
378,390
155,589
Depreciation
At 1 April 2021
262,974
90,777
Charge for the year
7,026
21,411
Disposals
-
-
At 31 March 2022
270,000 112,188
Net book value at 31 March 2022
108,390
43,402
Net book value at 31 March 2021
115,416
46,199
7.
Investments
2022
£
Corporate bond fund investments:
Market value as at 1 April
116,605
Revaluation
(7,012)

Market value as at 31 March
109,593
Investments are UK based and comprise:
Invesco Perpetual Corporate Bond
50,739
M&G Gilt and Fixed Interest Fund
58,854
109,593
Historical cost
100,000



Total
£
515,366
18,613
-
533,979
353,751
28,437
-
382,188
151,792
161,615
2021
£
118,189
(1,584)
116,605
54,006
62,599
116,605
100,000

32

Annual Report and Financial Statements to 31 March 2022

Notes to the accounts

8.
Debtors

Trade debtors

Other debtors

Prepayments
 2022

£
27,778
24,809
5,765
58,352		 2021
£
17,721
3,824
3,782
25,327

Other Debtors at the 31[st] March 2022 include current onetime invoices for Wintercomfort’s share of the Cambridge United Youth and Community Trust Sleep Out proceeds (£15,823), as well as a grant invoice to Mathworks (£3,700)

9.
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
Trade creditors
Taxation and social security
Other creditors and accruals
10. Creditors: Deferred income
At 1 April
Received during the year
Released to income during the year
At 31 March		 2022

£
8,521
21,418
2,019
31,958
2022

£
100,926
286,636
(349,606)
37,956		 2021
£
9,044
19,663
35,209
63,916
2021
£
142,400
218,084
(259,558)		 2021
£
9,044
19,663
35,209
63,916
2021
£
142,400
218,084
(259,558)		 2021
£
9,044
19,663
35,209
63,916

100,926

Deferred income relates to performance-based trust and foundation grant income given for the delivery of specific projects.

11. Pension commitments

The Charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in an independently administered fund. The pension charge represents contributions payable by the charity to the fund.

Total employer contributions paid for the year were £15,786 (2021 - £9,517). Contributions totalling £1,394 (2021 - £933) were payable to the fund at the balance sheet date.

12. Operating leases

2. Operating leases

The Charity has commitments under non-cancellable operating
leases for office equipment which are payable:
Within one year

In two to five years		 2022

£

1,200
1,200
2,400		 2021
£
1,200
2,400
3,600

13. Related parties

Trustees received no remuneration in the year (2021- £nil). During the year expenses amounting to £nil were paid to trustees (2021 - £nil). In the same period the trustees donated a total of £7,500 including gift aid (2021- £7,500). Sarah Foreman, previously Chair of Trustees, became the Interim Services Manager effective 8[th] December 2021.

33

Annual Report and Financial Statements to 31 March 2022

Notes to the accounts

14. Analysis of net assets between funds

14. Analysis of net assets between funds
As at 31 March 2022
Fixed assets – tangible assets
Fixed assets – investments
Net current assets
As at 31 March 2021
Fixed assets – tangible assets
Fixed assets – investments
Net current assets		 General
Designated
Restricted
funds
funds
funds
£
£
£
-
151,792
-
109,593
-
-
498,999
103,921
37,334
608,592
255,713
37,334
General
Designated
Restricted
funds
funds
funds
£
£
£
-
161,615
-
116,605
-
-
488,089
103,921
31,025
604,694
265,536
31,025		 Total
funds
£
151,792
109,593
640,254
901,639
Total
funds
£
161,615
116,605
623,035
901,255

34

Annual Report and Financial Statements to 31 March 2022

Notes to the accounts

15a. Movement of funds in year to 31 March 2022

Learning & development
programme
Progression project
Moving forward project
Housing support service
Women only service
Tenancy Advisor
Foodbank
Access & outreach project
worker
Social enterprise supervision &
training
Financial support
Catering Training
Employability programme
Support activities
Driving lesson fund
Donated goods & services
Total restricted funds
Designated funds
Designated strategic fund
Designated fixed assets fund
Designated building fund
Total designated funds
General funds
Total unrestricted funds
Total funds		 1 April
2021
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
12,201
477
18,347
31,025
90,000
161,615
13,921
265,536
604,694
870,230
901,255		 Income
£
145,531
94,241
20,000
5,000
47,600
15,000
1,000
39,067
18,750
12,750
7,000
31,634
8,854
-
6,309
452,736
-
-
-
-
596,273
596,273
1,049,009		 Expenditure
£
Transfers
/Gains &
Losses
£
31 March
2022
£
(145,531)
-
-
(94,241)
-
-
(20,000)
-
-
(5,000)
-
-
(47,600)
-
-
(15,000)
-
-
(1,000)
-
-
(39,067)
-
-
(18,750)
-
-
(12,750)
-
-
(7,000)
(31,634)
-
-
(8,854)
-
12,201
-
-
477
-
24,656
(446,427)
-
37,334
-
-
90,000
-
(9,823)
151,792
-
-
13,921
-
(9,823)
255,713
(595,186)
9,823
615,604
(595,186)
(7,012)
864,305
(1,041,613)
(7,012)
901,639

Local government income is shown under note 3b

35

Annual Report and Financial Statements to 31 March 2022

Notes to the accounts

15b. Movement of funds in year to 31 March 2021

Learning & development
programme
Progression project
Moving forward project
Housing support service
Women only service
Foodbank
Access & outreach project
worker
Social enterprise supervision &
training
Social inclusion project worker
Financial support
Employability programme
Support activities
Covid Emergency & Weekend
Service
Driving lesson fund
Donated goods & services
Total restricted funds
Designated funds
Designated strategic fund
Designated fixed assets fund
Designated building fund
Total designated funds
General funds
Total unrestricted funds
Total funds		 1 April
2020
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
12,202
-
477
-
12,679
90,000
182,072
13,921
285,993
440,340
726,333
739,012		 Income
£
171,341
141,967
20,000
22,610
60,806
1,000
9,167
25,000
15,000
2794
10,000
5,107
22,816
-
18,347
525,955
-
-
-
-
708,445
708,445
1,234,400		 Expenditure
£
(171,341)
(141,967)
(20,000)
(22,610)
(60,806)
(1,000)
(9,167)
(25,000)
(15,000)
(2,794)
(10,000)
(5,107)
(22,816)
-
(507,608)
-
-
-
-
(562,964)
(562,964)
(1,070,573)		 Transfers
£
31 March
2021
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
12,202
-
-
-
477
-
18,347
-
31,026
-
90,000
(20,457)
161,615
-
13,921
(20,457)
265,536
18,873
604,694
(1,584)
870,230
(1,584)
901,255		 Transfers
£
31 March
2021
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
12,202
-
-
-
477
-
18,347
-
31,026
-
90,000
(20,457)
161,615
-
13,921
(20,457)
265,536
18,873
604,694
(1,584)
870,230
(1,584)
901,255

265,536
604,694
870,230

901,255

36

Annual Report and Financial Statements to 31 March 2022

Notes to the accounts

15c. Movement of funds:

Restricted funds Explanation
Social Inclusion Project Worker To provide support for vulnerable adults.
Driving lesson fund The provision of driving lessons for Service Users
Employability programme To enable project workers to providing job skills workshops.
Employment & volunteering Project To help individuals who have experienced homelessness to undertake
Worker volunteering and work placement opportunities.
Women only service A variety of support services focused on women.
Housing support service Housing advice service supporting people to maintain their tenancies
and provide assistance to those moving from homelessness to housing.
Learning and development To support delivery of welfare, learning and personal development
programme activities. Our agreement requires us to:
Offer a welfare and learning and development service a minimum of 5
days or 35 hours per week, of which 10 hours must be welfare-based.
Offer activities aimed to build self-esteem, and a strong focus on
preparation for employment with annual targets for employment.
Moving forward project This project supports migrant service users with outcomes around
employment and training, legal advice, language skills and
accommodation.
Progression and Pathways projects The Pathways project ended in September 2018 and in January 2019 it
was replaced by the Progression Project. The Progression Project
focuses on outcomes on basic skills, volunteer work experience,
employment and substance misuse. The Pathways project supported a
structured pathway of learning, volunteering and work experience
opportunities leading to employment.

37

Annual Report and Financial Statements to 31 March 2022

Notes to the accounts

15c. Movement of funds: (continued)

Restricted funds Explanation
Support activities The provision of small grants (generally under £250) to individuals for
specific items from various sources such as CCF, CEA, MEAM, Staywell,
Street Aid.
Designated funds Explanation
Designated building fund This represents funds accumulated towards the cost of significant
building improvement works required to be undertaken in the next
three to five years.
Designated fixed assets fund This fund represents the book value of Overstream House and the
equipment owned by the charity
Designated strategic fund This fund provides for major changes to funding or operational
challenges, such as a pandemic/Covid resurgence.

38

Annual Report and Financial Statements to 31 March 2022

Notes to the accounts

16. Analysis of statement of financial activities figures to 31 March 2021

Unrestricted Unrestricted Unrestricted Unrestricted Unrestricted Unrestricted Unrestricted Unrestricted
general designated Restricted Total Total
Notes funds funds funds funds funds
2021 2021 2021 2021 2020
Income and endowments from: £ £ £ £ £
Donations 3a 567,740 - 18,347 586,087 416,799
Charitable activities
Welfare service 3b - 156,192 156,192 132,947
Learning & Development activities 3b - 265,180 265,180 209,032
Social enterprise 3b 49,117 - 86,236 135,353 270,421
Other trading activities 3c 25,830 - 25,830 16,098
Other income 3d 65,247 - - 65,247 -
Investment income 511 - - 511 4,023
────── ────── ────── ──---──── ──────
Total Income & Endowments 708,445 - 525,955 1,234,400 1,049,320
────── ────── ────── ────---── ──────
Expenditure on:
Raising funds 92,546 - - 92,546 99,101
Charitable activities
Welfare Service 209,269 - 156,193 365,462 263,836
Learning & Development activities 160,811 - 265,178 425,989 370,842
Social Enterprises 100,338 - 86,238 186,576 261,632
────── ────── ────── ────--── ──────
Total Expenditure 4&5 562,964 - 507,609 1,070,573 995,411
────── ────── ────── ───---── ──────
Net income before investment gains 145,481 18,346 163,827 53,909
Net losses on investments 7 (1,584) - - (1,584)
3,297
────── ────── ────── ────── ──────
Net income for the year 143,897 - 18,346 162,243 57,206
Transfers between funds 15 20,457 (20,457) - - -
────── ────── ────── ────── ──────
Surplus for the year being net movement in funds 164,354 (20,457) 18,346 162,243 57,206
Total funds at 1 April 440,340 285,993 12,679 739,012 681,806
─-───── ──-──── ────── ──-──── ──-────
Total funds at 31 March 604,694 265,536 31,025 901,255 739,012
═════ ═════ ════ ═════ ═════

39

Annual Report and Financial Statements to 31 March 2022

Strategic report (continued)

Financial management and policies

Reserves policy

The Trustees of Wintercomfort aim to oversee and manage a prudent level of reserves in order to meet the current and future needs of our beneficiaries, and to do this by establishing reserves for designated matters and free reserves as explained in the strategic report on page 16.

Investment policy

The Trustees have decided to retain short term funds in cash reserves which are risk free, provide for seasonal fluctuations in operating cash flows and cover nine months expenditure and to hold medium term investments in corporate bonds and gilt edged securities.

Governance and management

Governing document

Wintercomfort, a company limited by guarantee, is governed by its memorandum and articles of association. Liability of the members in the event of the company being wound up is limited to £1 each.

The Board

The board of trustees is responsible for the strategic governance of the charity and all act in their capacity as trustees as unpaid volunteers. Members of the board who are directors for the purpose of company law who served during the year are set out under legal and administrative details on page 46.

The board meets bi–monthly and receives written reports on all aspects of the charity’s work at each meeting. Trustees regularly review the skillsets that would strengthen the board’s overall effectiveness. The board operates an equal opportunities recruitment policy and trustees are recruited to provide specific or general skills. New trustees follow an induction process and are required to spend some time experiencing the different aspects of the charity’s activities to gain an understanding of all aspects of the work of Wintercomfort and to meet key members of staff. All trustees are required to understand their legal obligations in taking on the role of Trustee. All Trustees are SOVA trained.

At every annual general meeting (AGM) one third (or the number nearest to one third) of the trustees retire by rotation, being those who have been longest in office since their last appointment or reappointment. If at the meeting at which a trustee retires by rotation, the vacancy of the retiring trustee is not filled he /she shall, if willing to act, be deemed to have been reappointed unless at the meeting it is resolved not to fill the vacancy or unless a resolution for the reappointment of the trustees is put to the meeting and lost. At the AGM in December 2021, Sarah Foreman, Christine Leonard and Rod Cantrill were the longest in office since the election of trustees at the last AGM, they retired at this meeting and were duly re-elected. Sarah Foreman stepped down from the Board of Trustees on 7[th] December 2021 and was replaced in the role of Chair of Trustees by Rod Cantrill.

40

Annual Report and Financial Statements to 31 March 2022

Strategic report

Governance and management

Management

Decisions about matters of procedure, policies, finances and changes to the way the charity is run are made by the trustees at bi-monthly board meetings (on a majority vote with a quorum present of three or one third whoever is the greater). The board delegates certain areas of governance to the finance committee. This comprises of the chair and other trustees with relevant financial experience. The finance committee meets bimonthly or more often should the need arise.

The day to day running of the charity is delegated to the chief executive officer (CEO) who is responsible for the delivery of the agreed strategy and for ensuring that the charity’s policies are adhered to. The pay of the CEO and the other members of the senior management team (SMT) is reviewed by the chair and finance committee and benchmarked against equivalent roles in similar sized UK charities, taking into account geographical variations in cost of living. The CEO and SMT are listed in the legal and administrative section of these financial statements and their employment costs are disclosed in note 5 to the accounts.

Staff remuneration and the living wage

From 1 April 2021 all staff were paid a minimum of £9.50/hour.

Pensions

Wintercomfort provides pension arrangements for staff using the National Employment Savings Trust (NEST) plan which was chosen as it caters to small organisations such as ours and provides staff with flexibility and control over their arrangements. Wintercomfort contributes the equivalent of 3% of basic salary for all eligible members of staff.

41

Annual Report and Financial Statements to 31 March 2022

Strategic report

Risk and safeguarding

Risk

The trustees have a risk management process to assess risks to which the charity is exposed. This process identifies the types of risks the charity faces, prioritises them and identifies mitigation strategies. Risk management forms an integral part of all of the charity’s strategic management thinking and decisions. All projects and services are risk assessed at the outset as well as being regularly updated. Overall responsibility for ensuring that this process is carried out lies with the board of trustees and the chief executive officer. Each month progress against strategic objectives is measured and reviewed and the most significant risks to meeting strategic goals are identified and reported to the board.

The coronavirus pandemic has had a major impact on the way we provide services and impacts on the first two risks identified below. Initially, the income generated by the social enterprise activities was severely curtailed and subsequently the lockdown measures announced by the Government forced us to temporarily close our premises. In response to these challenges we adjusted our service delivery which has involved closer working relationships with the local authorities and other external agencies which is on-going. We launched a Covid-19 appeal and increased fundraising efforts to fund revised working practises, enabling both service users and support staff to maintain contact remotely by phone or electronically. We have continued to provide laundry services by appointment and to prepare nutritious food from our premises for delivery by volunteers to those in temporary accommodation or for collection by those sleeping rough and we will continue to develop our response in partnership with these agencies. In addition, Government assistance through the coronavirus job retention scheme has mitigated the financial impact of the loss of income from our social enterprises. The trustees consider that the most significant risks currently facing the charity and their mitigating factors remain as follows:

Risk Mitigating factors
Failing to raise the income required to deliver
services.		 Financial planning, scenario planning, management of
reserves, risk mitigation strategies.
Failure to provide appropriate care for service
users / abuse of service users.		 Safeguarding best practice, policy, procedures, training for
staff, volunteers and trustees.
Failure to comply with human resource
procedures and / or employment regulations.		 Ensure all policies and procedures reflect statutory
requirements and good practice and are regularly
reviewed.

42

Annual Report and Financial Statements to 31 March 2022

Strategic report

Risk and safeguarding (continued)

Safeguarding

Wintercomfort works with vulnerable adults and the policies and procedures that have been implemented to ensure the safety and protection of service users include:

43

Annual Report and Financial Statements to 31 March 2022

Legal and administrative details

Wintercomfort for the homeless (limited by guarantee)

Registered office Overstream House, Victoria Avenue, Cambridge, CB4 1EG. Company registration number 02615905 Charity registration number 1003083 Trustees Rod Cantrill (Chair – appointed 7[th] December 2021) Sarah Foreman (Chair – resigned 7[th] December 2021) Christine Leonard (Secretary) Joanne Crellen Jane Dominey Anne Pollintine Tim Tyndall Jo Kibble Chief Executive Officer Sarah Halls Senior management team Chris Goldsmith – Finance and Business manager Donna-Louise Cobban - Services Manager (left 21[st] January 2022) Sarah Foreman – Interim Services Manager (from 8[th] December 2021) Melody Brooker – Fundraising and Communications Manager Bankers Royal Bank of Scotland 21 Petty Cury Cambridge CB2 3NE Auditors Price Bailey LLP Tennyson House Cambridge Business Park Cambridge CB4 0WZ

44