Company registration number.. 02668971 Charity registration number= 1008190 Blackburn with Darwen Council for Voluntary Service (A company limited by guarantee) Annual Report and Financial Ststements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 KM Chartered Accountants 1st Floor, Block C The Wharf Manchester Road Burnley Lancashire BBI I IJG IMNWINWINIThI *ADIAQPP6' 1911W2024 COMPANIES HOUSE A37 Blackburn with Darwen Council for Voluntary Service Contents Reference and Administrative Details Trustees, Report 2(024 Statement of Trustees, Responsibilities 25 Independent Auditors, Report 26to28 Statemen( of Financial Activities 29to30 Balance Sheet Statement of Cash Flow5 32 Notes to the Financial Staternents 33to44 Blackburn with Darwen Council for Voluntary Service Reference and Administrative Details Trustees S C Ledbetter H L Allen-Robson A Abbas S Shah M T Sidat C Robinson N McGrath Secretary J G Hodgkinson Chief Executive Officer J G Hodgkinson Charity Registration Number 1008190 Company Registration Number 02668971 Registered Office Boulevard Centrc Cathedral Quarter Blackburn BBI IEZ Auditor KM Chartered Accountants 1st Floor, Block C The Wharf Manchester Road Burnley Lancashire BBII IJG Bankers Barclays Bank plc 72178 St JaTnes Street Burnley Lancashire BBI I INH Page I Blackburn with Darwen Council for Voluntary Se￿1¢e Trustees, Report The truscees, who are directors for the purposes of company law, present the annual report together with the rmancial staiements and auditors, report of the charitable company for ihe year ended 31 March 2024. Trustees S C Ledbetter H L Allen-Robson A Abbas S Shah M Tsidat N McGrath (appointed 2nd January 2024) C Robinson (appoinled 15th July 2024) P Mathauda (resigned 6th December 2023) R Duckworth (resigned 6th December 2023) T Fazal (resigned 25th January 2024) Objtclives 8nd 8cilvltles Policies and objectives The principal object of ihe charity is lo promote any charitsbl¢ purpose for ihe benefit of ihe community, in ihe local government districts of Blackburn with Danwen, Lancashire and its environs, and in particular ihe advancemeni of education, the proteciion of health and (he relief of poverty. distress and sickness. To build capacity of ihird sector organisaiions and provide them with the necessary infomation, support and services to enable them to pursue or contribute ro any charitable purpose within the area of benefit. To promote, organise and facilitate co-operation and partnership working between third sector, stanitory and other relevani bodies in the arhievement of ihe above purposes within the area of benefit. Activities for achieving the objectives The trustees receive a quarterly update on actions dcrived from the Slrategic plan and review progress iowards implementing (he strategy every year and review the strategy itself. The content of the plan is discussed ai the annual planning days for s(aff and rrusiees and the strategic plan will be formally reviewed by the trustees al its rirst Executive Committee of ihe financial year ¢arh year. Grant making policies All small grant prO￿ammeS managed by Community cvs are managed in accordance with guidance and rules set down by our external partners. They are for activities which confom 10 the objects of our charity and are distributed to eligible voluntary, community and faith sector organisations to undertake charitable activities. Fundraising disclosures Cornmunity CVS continue5 to seek grant funding. contracts and Service level agreements from national, regional and local partners to deliver service5 that ar¢ in keeping Wlth our objectives and meet identified needs of the local community within Blackburn with Darwen and Lancashire. Page 2 Blackburn with Darwen Council for Voluntary Service Trustees, Report Public benefit The trustees confirni that they have complied with the requirements of section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Structure. governance and management Nature of governlng document The charity is registered as a charttable company limited by guarant¢e and was set up by a Memorandum of Association on 6 December 1991, as amended by Special Resolution on 12 Feburary 1998, and on 16Decemb¢r 2014. The charitable company 15 a registered charity umber 1008190. Recruitment and appointment of trustees The management of the charity is the re5ponsibiliry of the Trustees who are elected and COwOPted under Ihe terms of the Article5 of Association. Induction and training of trustees A Trustee handbook, including roles and responsibili(ies, has been prepared for all new Trustees. All new trustees mee( with the Chair and Chief Executive as part of the induction process and go through the Trustee handbook. R¢sources are available to support Trust¢¢s to m¢¢t th¢ir individual training n¢eds to help them perfonn their duties as Trustees. Planning days are held with Tru5tee5 hnd staff on an annual basis. Organisational structure During the year, the charity employed on average 42 staff to deliver our 8Ctivities and projects. All staff are responsible lo the Chief Executive and uliima(ely, the trusteesldirectors. The trustees sel Ihe slralegic framework within which the Chief Executive and management team operate. The Irustees meet as a minimum six tim¢s per year a5 a Board of Trustees and more when required. The trustees receive regular reports on all aspects of the organisation, including finance. human resources, marketing & communications, healih & safety, service a¢iiviti¢s. quality & perfomiancc. ¢lc. Major risks and management of those risks The Trustee5 have a55essed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, in particular those related to the operations and finances of the charity. and are satisfied that systems and procedures are in place to mitigate our exposure to the major risks. These Major risks are the impact of short temi funding, changes in funding stream5, changes (o key personnel and changes in local and central government policy. STRATE Y REVIE OFA TIVITIE AND FUTUR EL PM NT Our strategic framework guides everything we do. We undertook a fundamental strategic review to detennine our future direction in a world totally transfornied by the impact of ihe COVID 19 Pandemic, over l O years of austerity, Brexit, the cost of living crisis, etc. The process started in September 2022. We used appreciative enquiry as a methodology to discover our core values and strengths, dream about our aspirations for the future. design the building blocks to get there and establish a clear road map to achieve our destiny and deliver our future. Extemal consultants were used to inteiview staff and volunteers, facililate a two day CVS team 'away day. and support trustees at an away day. We held a Together Everyone Achieve5 More Conference in May 2023 attended by over 300 local residents, volunteers and paid staff from the voluntary* community, failh and social enterprise groups and organisations across Blackburn with Darw¢n. Page 3 Blackburn with Darwen CouncAI for Voluntary Service Trustees, Report The outcome of ihe process has created a framework for the next 10 years which will develop. evolve and (ransfom as our communilie5, the VCFSE sector and all the stakeholders change over the same period. We will be responsive to the needs of the communities we serve, their aspirations. hope5 and fears, the opportunities thai present themselves but always focused on achieving positive impact socially, economically and environmentally. OUR STRATEGY: CONNECTING PEOPLE. GROWING COMMUNITIES Our Misslon: 'To support individuals. organisations and communities to achieve their full potsnlial" Our Vision: Foi. CVS io lead posilive social, economic and environmenial change Iransforpning how ¢he VCFSE Secioy works collaboralively wilh ihe public andprivale $eclors. Foi. CVS io be a valued commiinity parlner, recognized as ihe lead local infraslruclure supporl organisalionfor communilies wiihirt Blo¢kburn wilh Darwen and elsewhei'e. Our Values Community Stewardship: valuing service to rhe community over self-inlerest and believing everyone has a responsibility to support positive social change for our community now and in the ￿ture. To advocate on behalf of our communities, especially the most vulnerable. Co-opergtlon and Solidarity.. valuing mutual support with everyone helping each other to deliver positive social change. Equity and Fairness: valuing the well-being of everyone and striving to achieve social, economic and environmental justice for all. Non-Judgemental: valuing everyone for who they are without prejudice or judgement. Voluntary Action: valuing people and organisations giving their time freely to help other people within our communilies. Willingness to Listen, LeArn & Innovate: valuing trying new ideas and new approaches to tackling some of the deep seated socio-economic and environmental challenges that our communities face. Our Strategic Objeclive5 Taking Action: Leading and Advocating for Change on things that matter to our communities Support.. Creating collaborations and partnership5 CO tackle the challenges we face. Resource.. Building the capabilities of individuals. organisations and communilies to lead change Volunteer.. Creating an effective volunteer eco-5yStem to support our communities. Our Outcomes Socially.. To build fairer. more active, more connected and resilient comrnunities. Page 4 Blackburn with Darwen Council for Voluntary Service Trustees, Report Economically.. To build an inclusive and mixed economy with higher levels of entrepreneurial activity and a more creative, skilled and productive workforce. Environmentally: To mobilise our communities to take greater care of our natural world and our climate. REVIEW OF ACTIVITIES The review of activities over the past year is organised under our four strategic objectives. Action: Leading and Advocating for Change on things that matter to our communities BWD Community Network & the 6P VCFSE Strategy. During the year, at the Together Everyone Achieves More (TEAM) Conference (held in May 2023), the VCFSE Sec(or vored on setting up a new parmership lo co-ordinate aclivity across ihc VCFSE Sector and voted to call i( Blackburn with Darw¢n Community Network. Discussions from the workshop5 have fed into thinking about developing a new s(raiegic frdmework 10 guide and promote the work is being developed and co-produced with (he VCFSE Sector through workshops held a( the initial TEAM Conference and through th¢ 2nd Conf¢r¢nc¢ 'the 6P VCFSE Conference, held in June 2024. People Prosperity Planet Peace Place Participation The 6P strategy will thke forward community led work across all the themes. One example, is the Planel priority which will take forward actions from ihe People'5 Jury on Climate Change which reported in January 2023 and had education as ils number one priority to raise awareness and mobilise communities io be More active around climate change and the natural world. During the year, at the same lime as the above, a development group of +20 VCFSE groups developed the V15ion, values, principle5 and functions of the Community Network and developed a recruitment pack for appointing a Board for the Community Network. The application process started in January 2024, interviews held and places filled in February 2024, (he board mel in shadow forniat in March and held its I si fonnal Board meeting in April 2024 where the constitution was agreed. Lancashire LOCAL- VCFSE Community Manifesto During the year, our CEO supported LACVS to submit a successful grant application for £484,636 frorn the Naiional Lottery Community Fund to drive forward the implementation of ihe Manifesto which had been developed wilh the VCFSE Secior in ihe previous year. The LACVS team was recruited in Autumn 2023 and launch event was held on 06th March 2024. The nine priorities of the VCFSE Manifesto are- Equality and social justice for all.. lackling poverty in Lancashire VCFSE Sector as an equal partner EconoTiliC Model that works for Lancashire Community Well-Being and person and community centred public service models Green communities Pioneer a Lancashire Social Prescribing Model Page 5 Blackburn with Darwen Council for Voluntary Service Trustees, Report A Safer Lancashire Helping people into employment Adequate VCFSE Sector resources to play our fijll part in ihc future of Lancashire. The six P strategy within Blackburn with Darwen will align wilh and support the delivery of VCFSE Manifesto for Lancashire. For example, People will support the Equality. Communiry Well-Being, Social Prescribing Prosperity will support the Economic Model and Helping people in(0 employment themes Plane( will support (he Green Communities Theme Peace will support the Safer Lancashirc themc Place will support (he equaliiy theme especially focusing on our most deprived neighbourhoods and on housing and homelessness. Panicipation will support involving the VCFSE Sector as an equal partner, on volunleerin8 and on co-production amongst other Ihings. Support: Creating collaborations and parts]erships to tackle the challenges we face. Aetlon for Jobs: Strengthenlng Communities Passport to Healih and Employment Economic Inhciivity and Workle5sness remain persistent structural challenges within Blackburn with Darwen and the main urban cenlres of Lanca5hire Such as Blackpool. Bumley. Hyndburn. Pendle and Preston which feature amongsl the most deprived local authori(ie5 in the country. Comrnunity CVS lcd a partnership approach with LACVS partners across Lancashire to help Ihose furthest away from the labour markei. The project ended on th¢ 31 sl December 2023 and through its lifetime achieved the following.. Supported 859 people who were unemployed or economically inactive residents (1080/0 of our iarget). 285 par(icipants (33 %) achieved a positive outcome in tern15 of gaining employTnenl moving into educaiion or training or job search (for the economically inaclive). The majoriry of participants reported health and well-being improvements. The characieristics of the participants are as follows.. 830/0 lived in a joble55 household 55Q/o were males and 45 % females 540/0 have a level I qualification or lower (with 24 % having no qualification5 and 45 % not having an English qualification) 49 % Have a physical or mental irnpainnent or condition that has a long-tem negative irnpact on their ability to do normal activities 450/0 consider tha( (hey have a disabiliry that limits their ability to work 34% are in recovery from alcohol or substance misuse 310/0 are from an ethnic minority community 260/0 have dependent children 23Q/o are ex-offenders 19 % were aged 50 or over. 15 % are lone parents. Page 6 Blackburn witb Danven Council for Voluntary Service Trustees, Report Some of the people supported, who were facing multiple disadvantage also participated on the Changing Futures Programme that aimed lo support residents who were in recovery from addiction, had experience of the crirninal justice system, had a mental health conditions, were homeless or living in temporary accommodation, and had experience of domestic abuse either as a survivor or as a perpetrator. Community CVS has a rich history of supporting people who have experience of one or more of the above characieristics especially in tems of helping people with volun(eering and getting involved in communiry action. This 15 continuing through ihe work of the Community Network and ihe Spark Recovery Collaborative. Bowel Cancer Screening Programme Working alongside Blackpool NHS Foundation Trust, GPS across Lancashire and South Cumbria and charities and comrnunity group5 SUPPOrting the most vulnerable in our community, our health promotion team has delivered the following during 2023-2024: engaged with 4588 individual non-responders (patients who have not returned a sample when requested) 1368 of ihese were aged 53-60 (3￿/0)- 3220 were aged 6110 74 years old (700/0). Of these, 684 picked up the phone. (50% ) 659 accepted ihe invitalion for CFAK. (500/0) 327 attended the consultation. (500/0) 312 ordered a test kit. (95 % ) 250 returned a lest ki(. (800/0 Uptake rdte) 8 had a p051tive test result (2.411/0 posilivity rate) We continue to work closely with University College London and UCLAN to evaluate the success of our interventions. During the year we distributed a £1500 small grant to East Lanca5hire Community Action Project to raise awareness of bowel cancer. Play and Stay Teatlme Actlvltle5 (PASTA) On behalf of public health, we brought together a partnership of IMO, two local primary schools, a community group and dieticians from Easi Lancashire NHS Hospitsls Trust, to pilot a new approach to working wilh families with primary school age children living within our most deprived neighbourhoods to improve healthy eating and physical activity amongst these targeted populations in the hop¢ of tackling both child poverty. poor health and obesity Wlthin these communities. During the year, we piloled 3 cohorts of working with families for six weeks within St Lukes and St Philips Primary School, Wen51ey Fold Primary School and Roots and Wing5 Home Education Group. 16 familie5 With 25 children en8aged and completed (he PASTA programme with 3 families leaving early. 900/0 of the parents who completed the programme reported having a better understanding of the health benefits of certain food5 and Iheir ability (o use those foods in preparing meals. 35 % of families reported an increase in their well-being from participating in the programme. Feedback included- Parent: 'For the children, it has been a valuable experience and learned lots of stuff about healthy eating and has improved their overall wellbeing, Young Person. Had so much here making the food and doing sports, especially with the parents., Young Person.. 'Enjoyed sports and enjoyed making pasta and cutting the different vegetables and tasting different foods, Page 7 Blackburn with Darwen Council for Voluntary Service Trustees, Report Learning from the pilot- included the following.. l. Open and Transparent Communication-. The team maintained consistent openness and iransparency in communication, facilitating smooth session flows and effective collaboration. 2. Active Parental Participation.. Roots & Wing5, St Lukes and Wensley Fold parents all actively engaged in the project. demonstrating a strong commitment to involvement and contribution. This was lovely to witness as you could see the positive relationships between all which also contributed to the posilive experience. 3. Embracing Suggestions.. The project embraced suggestions from participants, fostering a collaborative environmenl where ideas were welcomed and considered, 4. Personalised Parenl Conversations.. One-on-one conversations with parents proved highly beneficial. enabling the sharing of life experiences and foslering deeper learning opportunilies. 5.Engaging Discussions on Food Habil5'. Stimulating conversations regarding cooking changes and food consumption patterns led (o valuable insights and raised awarene55 among participants. 6. Successful Introduction of New Foods.. The introduction of new foods like Gimbap (sushi) was wcll-received, with participants appreciating the opportunity lo expand their culinary horizons and develop new skills. 7. Skills Developmenl through Activiiies.. Activities embedded with skills d¢v¢lopm¢nl elements signifirantly contributed to participants, personal growth and competence in various areas. 8. Encouraging Family Involvement.. Young people became more involved in family shopping and kitchen tasks, showcasing their increased confidence and competence following (he learning opportunities provided by (he projec(. 9. Positive Feedback from Michelle's Visits (the dietician).. Visits from Michelle provided valuable feedback, recipes, and observations, fostering a supportive environment and. encouraging experimentation wiihout imposing views onlo children. 10. High Saiisfaction among Sessional Staff: Sessional staff thoroughly enjoyed the sessions, indicating a positive work environment and effective engagement with the project's objectives. I l. Addressing Nutritional Challenges.. Challenging conversations with parents re8arding certain food5, such 85 crisps, helped rdise awareness about their nutrilional impact on young people's health. 12. Community Bonding.. The project fos(ered community bonding, bringing families 108eiher and providing opportunities for muiual support and solidarity beyond the project'5 confines. Public Health agTeed to continue with the pilot into a 2nd year and CVS has .commifted to building the partnership approach and looking for other funding opportunilies to develop and expand the approach across all the deprived areas within Blackburn with Darwen. SENDIASS Working with families with children and young people with special educational needs andlor disabilities, local schools and colleges. Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council and the local integrated healthcare system, our team provides independent, impartial infomiation, advice and support to parents and carers, and professionals across the public and VCFSE sectors. In numbers and percentages, for 2023-2024, the service delivered the following.. Made 2583 contacts (or I I per working day) with parentslcarers, schools, professionals, etc. Received and supported 297 unique new referrals (in addition to anyon¢ supported frorn the previou5 year); Page 8 Blackburn with Darwen Council for Voluntary Serviee Trustees, Report 810/0 directly from parentslcarer5 60/0 from the local authority • 40/0 from schools 4 20/0 from charities or community groups • 70/0 unknowm Types of support provided includes: 230/0 inforniation sharing 200/0 E.mail support 170/0 impartial advice 140/0 contacting schools 120/0 conlacling professionals l O•/0 attending meelings and other fonns of support 4 % signposting Assistance in meetin85 - included support with 250/0 Common Assessment Framework meetings 18Q/o ECHP Submissions or Review Meetings 13Q/o Education Reviews I 00/0 Progress Meetings 90/0 Team Around the Family Meetings 80/0 Without Prejudice Meetings 60/0 Child in Need Meetings I l Q/0 Home Visits. Exclusions and other meelings The main support themes Ihat parentslcarers requested help with regarding iheir relarionship with schools was:. 40% school lack of support 160/0 transfer lo specialist provision 130/0 school refusal 120/0 transfer lo another school 70/0 transition 4 /0 exclusion . 4•/0 breakdown of communication 40/0 transport or another school i55ue The main disability or health condition of the children or young person supported {which was declared) was as follows'.- 300/0 L￿diagnOSed l awaiiing diagnosis • 240/0 autism 160/0 ADHD 50/0 Learning Need5 4 40/0 Anxiety 4 40/0 Mental Health 30/0 Global Development Delay 10/0 or le55 from each of the following ASD Non Verbal. Cerebal Palsy, Chromosome, Downs Syndrome, Dy51¢xia, Dyspraxia. Epilepsy, Hearing Impairnents. Speech ImpairnienL Visual Impainnents, ODD, Physical Disability. Social An.xiety, Social Communications Di50rder. The number of children and young people being undiagn05ed OT awaiting a diagnosis remains high and the general feeling of parents or tarer5 that their child and ihe family are insufficiently supported continues io rise and the complexity of the support required by their child or young person continues (o rise. Resource.. building the capabilities of individuals, organisations and communities to lead change Page 9 Blackburn with Darwen Council for Voluntary Se￿iCe Trustees, Report CAPACITY BUILDING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BWD Communities Team Throughout the year we have advised individua15 and community groups about selting up new VCFSE organisations, aboui improving governance, about grani funding, about recruiling and supporttng volunteers, about data protection, cyber security, and lots and lots of other things. In March 2024, we crealed a dedicated BWD Communities Team to focus on community action and helping communities to organise and help themselves. The team are hoping to deepen the involvement of local communities in collaborative efforts to improve their local areas and contribute to the Community Network's 6P strategy. We will be seeking funds from the NHS, Lottery, charithble trusts and other ￿nderS to take forward ihis important work. BWD Communliy Fund We continue to administer the BWD Community Fund on behalf of Brian Mercer Trust. During the year we held three rounds of the fund and approved granis as follows.. R9 (June 23)-16 gran(s approved worth £10,035. R10 (Oct 23)- 13 grants approved worth £11,082. Rl l (March 24)- 19 grants approved worth £16,316 Total Approved.. 48 small grants worth £37,433. The Community Fund supported the following 46 groups and organisations.. Arise Resioration Centre Arts to Heal Auiism Friends Group Ayub Sultan Trust Bastwell Buddies Ladies Group Belmont Village Residents Association Big Local Community Playgroup Blackburn Goalball Club Blackburn Over 50.5 Group Blackburn People's Choir Blackburn Road Runners Blackburn Syrnphony Orchestra BWD Diabetes Support Group BWD Youth Darts Academy Cook Well Community DARE Gecko Games Club Higher Croft Community Hub I Pole In Di Go Dedicated Care and Support CIC Interpro Football Club Page 10 Blackburn with Dariven Council for Voluntary Service Trustees, Report Ivy Street Community Centre Ladies To8e(her Lancashire Community Helpers CIC Little Hanwood Curry Club Mill Hill Community Trust Mill Hill Festival and Events Committee Mini Hitters Net Academy Play and Learn Scheme CIC Residents of Sunnyhurst Association Roots and Wings Ed Group Romney Voices Sisler 4 Sisters St Georges Mill Hill Scouts St James Ashgrove Community Space, Darwen St James Church. Blackburn St Stephen's Church, Little Harwood St Silas Church, Blackburn Sticky Fingcrs Toddler Group, St Andrews, Livesey s￿nb1051$ Health and Well-Being CIC Their Stories VOICE Willows Lodge Angling Club Words, Power, Collective Young People Together Spark Recovery Collaboratlve- Community Assets Fund Working with the Calico Group, Early Break, IMO, Red Rose Recovery, Roots Community, THOMAS and others, our BWD Communities Team manages Ihe Community Assets Fund on behalf of the Spark Recovery Collaborative to help the recovery community to play a meaningful role within our communities. Thi5 is part of our Asset Based Community Development approach to involving communities in their own transfonnalion. During the year we distributed £30,544 via the Community Assets Fund on behalf of the Spark Recovery Collaborative lo the following 15 groups and organisalions.. Arise Restoration Centre Bureau Centr¢ for the Arts CIC - Arts Recovery Group Offload North West Offload North West Women's Hub Phoenix Hub Prevent to Protect Page 11 Blackburn with Darwen Council for Voluntary Service Trustees, Report Red Rose Recovery Roots Community Secret Santa CIC Shad Chefs Shad Chefs Women's Group Sons of Anxiety SyThbiosis VOICE Willows Lodge Angling Club. More generally we WOTk across the Spark Recovery Collaborarive and the wider community to help people in recovery from alcohol or substance misuse to become active in the wider community, volunteering* joining activities and community groups, etc. The Spark Recovery Collaboralive takes an asset-based community developmeni approach to help the individual's recovery journey and we work closely with the Roots Community to join and connect people in recovery lo the wider community. BUSINESS TRAININC CENTRE Business Advice and Economic Developmenl a) DRIVE Community CVS was a partner to SELNET'S DRIVE project supporting residents, businesses and social enierprises within Blackburn wilh Dan¥en and East Lancashire to become more entrepreneurial. The project ended during the I si quarter of the reporting year and achieved the following results.. oftovfi 5016 797 101 Turnlni kniness plans Int• bu$ln•si l•rsMd Comploted ITh 28 months, Increasln8 Lanushlrè's entrepreneurship & busSnèssyowth Pv•fesslonal support Io¢ussinEOn areas wlth low enterprise I￿1¥1ty & underrepresented iroup$ *d¥le•S pp•rt Lan¢Jthlrn new lobs created wpported new buslnesses created 53/. ofnew buslnosses •r8ledby women 50/ olbuslnesse¥ w*r• so¢lo1 enteryyrtses £16 nerntsd •vory £18peftt Eufopean Unlon WW.s•lnet-u k.¢ornfdrip4e b) Boost Lancashire: Flying Start Page 12 Blackburn with Darwen Council for Voluntary Service Trustees, Report During quarter three, we started to deliver business advice through Boost Lancashire's Flying Start programme with our two qualified business advisors. During the period we provided business advice to 46 clients, who comprised individuals exploring new business ideas, to business start ups to businesses in their early years wanting to grow and expand their business. Businesses included sole traders. privaie businesses and social enterprises and spanned several sectors especially health, the creative industries and manufacturing. The majority of clients were based in Blackburn with Darwen, Bumley, Hyndburn and Pendle. Training a) Awareness Training for ihe Mental Health Workforce Across Lancashire and South Cumbria During the year, we Irained 160 staff and volunteers across the Menlal Health Workforce to raise iheir awareness of ihe issues thai ihe asylum seeker and refugee community faces in order to prepare them to provide more tailored 5UPPOrt to the asylum 5ccker and refugee comrnunity. Towards the end of the year- we Secured grant lo continue the work into 2024-2025. b) Up5killing the Health and Soelal Care Workforce Aeross Laneashire On the 31st December 2023, we compleled our Upskilling project, which focused on upskilling Small lo Medium Sized Enterprises in th¢ VCFSE or private sectors who contribute towards improved health and well-being in its widest sense (i.e. (he wider or social delemiinants of healih). All organisalions completed an or8anisational diagnostic to understand the business needs and priorities. From the diagn05tic we worked with the rnana8ement team to develop a training plan and (hen delivered training that meets the priorities of the orEanisation. Through the lifetime of the project we.. Recruited and trained 2064 employees 760/¢ were female. 240/0 were male 500/0 achieved a full qualification or a unit of a qualification 40/0 cpmpleted an entry level English qualification 740/• ¢ompleted a vocational topic at level 2 or below 220/0 comple(ed a vocational topic ai level 3 or higher 500/0 participated in non-accrediied Iraining 350/0 were aged 50 or over 330/9 did not have basic skills ( l in 3) 18 % were from an ethnic minority background ¢) Bootcamp Skills: Aspiring Leader5 in Health and Soclal Care In September 2023, we started to deliver a l O wcek Bootcamp Skills training programme for Aspiring Leader5 in Health and Social Care. Due lo the success of the first two cohorts, which started in Sepi¢mber, Ihe Lanca5hire Ski115 and Employment Hub commissioned a third cohort to s￿rt in January 2024. Throughout the 3 cohorts - we trained 40 employees from the health and social care sector wilh the majority of them progressing to take on more responsibility or new role5 Wlthin their busine55es. The provision has been designed to meet business needs and is non-accrediled but participants are given the option lo register wilh CMI and pursue a unit of a management qualification if they wish to pursue it. There are plans to grow the provision in future years to meet the rising demand arnongst businesse5 Within the health and social care 5ecror and other sectors to invest in their existing workforce and 'grown iheir own, leaders. Volunteer- creating an effective volunteer eco-system to support our communities. Page 13 Blackburn with Darwen Couneil for Voluntary Serviee Trustees, Report LEAD VOLUNTEER ORGANISATION In October 2023, Community CVS was the I st in the countsy to be awarded Lead Volunleer Organisation status for our Volunteer Centre within Blackburn with Darwen. We ¢onlinu¢ io lead on the straiegic development of a Strong volunieer ecowsystem within Blackburn with Darwen. We support residents io volunteer, train existing volunteers for Volunieer Involving Organisations (VIOS) across BWD and support VIOS 10 recruit volunteers, .10 provide fraining io their volunteer organisers an help them develop their systems and procedures lo ensure the volunteer expericncc 15 a good one. During the year. we introduced an on-line system - Volunteer Plus - to promote volunteering, we worked with V105 to co-produce a new volunteer quality Standards and worked with partners across Lanca5hire to develop a Volunteering for Health bid (mentioned later on). We opened an office in Darwen at the Jubilee Tower Credii Union so that volunteers and community groups in Darwen can access our supporl more easily. CHtP IN PARTNERSHTP Led by ihe Bureau Centr¢ for the Arts, CVS and the Council, Blackburn with Darwen was one of 19 partnerships rtaiionally to be successful in securing £299.624 to support young adults aged 16 to 30 years old io volunteer within the arts & culture, heritage & the environment or sports and physical aclivity. We are the only pannership in the North West. The partnership of 19 organi5ations across the public and VCFSE Sectors offers volunteering opportunities with mentoring support for young people. During the year, parthers supported 201 young people to volunteer ( I more than the initial target). 61 Q/• of ihe volunteers lived in the most deprived l 00/0 of wards in ihe country. 420/0 were from the Global Majority community, 20 % had a disability and 31 % had 3 or more intersectionality baThiers making it more difficult to access volunteering opporlunities. The partnership has engaged young people throughout in designing and choosing a name for th¢ partnership, in designing the volunteer opportunities and the mentoring programme and in developing a digitsl platform 10 make volunieering easicr. An ¢xternal ¢valuator judged 'th¢ l¢aming and developmenl in Chip In has been a success,. We are looking to continue io develop the partnership and secure new sources of fwiding going forward from the Arts Council, Lottery, NHS, charitable trusts, elc. PRESTON VOLUNTEERS In October 2023, Communiry CVS secured a contraci worth £140,000 to set up a new Volunte¢r Centre in Preston which became known as Preston Volunteers. We are working closely with Preston City Council, Preston Community Network, LACVS and Volunteer Centres across Lancashir¢ to develop an integrated and consistent approach to providing volunteer infrastructure acros5 Lancashire. During the initial six months, we have delivered the following.. Sel up our Volunteer Plus system that can promote volunteering opportunities on-line We have held 30 'drop ins, or volunteer events - including 12 at Pres(on Job Cenlre and 12 at Preston Town Hall 161 residents have been recruited onto our Volunteer Plus system for volunteering and referred to the appropriate partner 92 people have been placed by 31 st March 2024 570/0 are from ethnic minorities 23 % are disabled 330/0 are unemployed or not able io work Page 14 Blackburn with Darwen Council for Voluntary Service Trustees, Report 169 groups and services have been supported to find volunteers Delivered a Volunteer Esseniials Toolkit training to 12 attendees to get them ready for volunteering Delivered quality mark training 10 28 atiendees from VCFSE organisations Launched the Preston Volunteers Fornm with 39 attendees Provided guidance on volunteering to 83 VCFSE groups COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER AWARDS 2023 Our Community Volunteer Awards, which we put on in partnership with the local aulhority and 18 sponsors, continue to go from strengih to strength. We reccivcd 713 nominations from residents, VCFSE organisations, public and private sector partner5 across Blackburn with Darwen for the 20 awards. The winners for 2023 are as follows'.- Heallh and Well Belng Award Individual - Si Donnelly Group- Shad Chefs Environment Award Individual Roy Parker Group - Blackburn Volunteer Lock-Keepers Grassroots Communiiy Aetion Award Individual - Sarah Bemasconi-Parsons Group- Clifton Arnis Page 15 Blackburn with Darnen Council for Voluntary Se￿1¢e Trustee5' Report Pr05perlty, Learning and Employment Award Individual- Vicky McGurk Group- Community and Business Partners CIC Young People's Award Individual - Becky Shaw Group- Blackburn with Darwen Parents in Partnership Culture, Leisure and Sporting Life Award Individual - John Clucas Group - Blackburn Pride Committee Lindsay Dunn Award (for supportlng people wlth complex needs) Individual - Sarah B¢rnas¢oni-Parsons Group- Ayup Sultan Trust Renee Black Award {for Supporting community Cohesion) ARC, Blackburn (Asylum Seeker and Refugee Community) Community Involvemenl Award Clifton Anns Good Neighbour Award Roy Parker Volunteer of the Year Award Sarah Bernasconi.Parsons Lifetime Achievement Award Gordon Fairweaiher CVS Special Award for Oulslanding Service John East. Thanks go to our 18 sponsors (below). Wi(hou( their support we could not put on this important event. Page 16 Blackburn with Darwen Council for Voluntary Serviee Trustees, Report PARtl+tr Z Jolin ARTE Ef U¥BORE AFrfE E LA80 Interfaith For J 1114p¥ HIVE Wumraaz Support Sefyices uco Bladthurn RItIGToI* ROAD LIYTLe +¢AAWOO '*. PMm>Mho althwètch Blackburn wlth DaTweD J Blackburn carerservice college IHEMALL VOLUNTEERING FOR HEALTH In February 2024, Conununity CVS brought together a partnership of Cumbria CVS, Lancashire A550ciation of CVSS, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Charity. Spring North and Volunteer Centre Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde to submit a proposal for nearly £0.5million to invest in volunteer infrastruciure across Lancashire and South Cumbria. In July 2024, we were notified that we are l of 12 partnerships nationally to be successful and we have entered a development phase to set up the programme. We plan to develop and roll out a consistent approach to promoting, recruiting. training and 5UPPOrting volunteer health champions across the integrated health system and to provide quality volunteer infrastructure support to volunteer involving organisalion5 that Use volunteers within the integrated health system. Thi5 initiate aims to embed volunteering within our health and social care system and support VCFSE and public sector organisations more widely to use the power of volunteering io tackle ihe social detenninants of health and well-being. FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS Taking Action: Leading and Advoca(ing for Change on things that matter to our communities Page 17 Blackburn Jvith Danven Council for Voluntary Service Trustees, Report KB RN WITH DARWEN rnwi h Darwen OMMUNITY NETWORK AND T FSE Strate Taking forward suggestions from the 2023 TEAM Conference and 2024 6P Conference and the workshops to develop a more collaborative approach across the VCFSE Sector People Prosperity Planet Peace Place Participalion To lead in the co-produ¢tion of collaborative a¢lions and bids for resources under the six headings lo tackle identified local priorilies and need within Blackburn with Darw¢n. LAN HIR ifes or hir To support LACVS. to deliver the Lancashire LOCAL project across Lancashire and advocate for change on behalf of local communities and the VCFSE Sector with sub regional bodies such as (he forthcoming Lancashire Combined Authority, the Lancashire and Souih Cumbria Integrated Care Board, the Office of Ihe Police and Crime Commissioner. Through our a¢iive membership5 of Voluntary Sector North West, NAVCA and NCVO 10 advocate for change a( the regional and naiional levels for the things thai matter to the VCFSE Sector and our ¢omrnuni(ies within Blackburn with Darwen. Support: Creating collaboralions and parts]erships to tackle the challenges we face. To develop collaborative and partnership approaches to meet the following 9 priority population groups- Asylum seekers. refugees and ethnic minorities Carers Disabled people and people with long ierm physical or mental heal(h conditions Faith communities People with learning disabililies or autism People experiencing one or more causes of multiple disadvaniage (homelessness- alcohol. substance rnisuse, gambling or other addictions. mental health- experience of the criminal justice system. survivor or perpetrator of domestic abuse) Older people especially the frail elderly or older people experiencing social isolation. Young People- especially Care leavers, children living in povcrty or children and families wilh SEND Women - especially those experiencing oiher disdvantages men(ioned above Page 18 Blackburn Ivith Darwen Council for Voluntary Service Trustees, Report Bowel Cancer Screening Programme Health Promotion and tackling wider health inequalities Working with health professionals, GP practices and the VCFSE Sector, to develop collaborative and partnership approaches to enhance our approach to Bowel Cancer Screening Programme Heal(h Promotion and widen our approach to other health inclusion groups and health issue5 that are part of programmes such as Core 20 Plus 5. Population Health. social deteminants of health, eic. PASTA (PLAY AND STAY TEATIME ACTIVITIES) Working with health professionals, schools and the VCFSE Sector, to develop collaborative and partnership approaches to encouraging children, young people and families to pursue healthier lifestyles (eaiing, food growing, physical activiry, outdoor activities, elc.). SPECIAL EDUCATION NEEDS ANDIOR DISABILITIES, INCLUDING SENDIASS Working with health professionals, schoo15 and the VCFSE Secior, to develop collaborative and partnership approaches to helping children. youn8 people and families wirh special educational needs andlor disabil ities in all aspects of iheir life. PR PERITY To develop collaborative and parthership approaches to meet the following priorities.. Employment Enterprise Eradicating Poverty, Household Income and the Real Living Wage Workforce Development and Skills Developing and sustaining Civil Society organisations and the VCFSE Sector as part of the foundational economy for BWD. AN To develop collaborative and parth¢rship approaches to meei the following prioriiies.. Mobilising people. communities and ihe VCFSE Sector - especially ihe Population Group previously agreed in the People theme Protecting and enhancing Parks, op¢n space5 and the natural world Recycling. reuse and the circular economy Developing BWD a5 a Sustainble Food Place Developing a sustainable VCFSE Sector The above will forn) part of a wider response lo climate change and builds on previous engagement through the People's Jury on Climate Change and the two Conferences CVS has held in parthership with the BWD Community Network. PEACE Working with local authorities, Ihe criminal justice system and the VCFSE Sector, to develop collaborative and partnership approaches to meet the following priorities.. Community safety. community resilience and security Domestic abu5¢ Page 19 Blackburn with D2rwen Council for Voluntary Serviee Trustees, Report Eradicaiing violence hgainst women and girls Safeguarding children and vulncrdble adults Celebrdting diversity and bridging and conneciing communities PART IPATION Working across the Public, Commercial and VCFSE Sectors, to develop collaborative and partnership approache5 to meet the following priorities.. Co-Production wilh the thrgeted population groups and the VCFSE Sec(or Digilal Inclusion Participation in Arts & Culture. Herilage & the Natural World. Physical Activity, Recrcalion & Sport- combating social isolation> participating in social activitie5 & mutual support. Volunteering and Social Aclion PLA Working acr05S the Public. Commercial and VCFSE Sector5, to develop collaborative and partnership approachcs to meet (he following prioritics.. Deprived neighbourhoods (I l of the 17 wards in Blackbum with Darwen are amongs( the most deprived 200/0 Wlthin England). Heritage Housing and homelessness Improve our Towm Centre5 Resource.. building the capabilities of individuals, organisations and communities to lead change BUSINESS AND TRAINING CENTRE Continue to develop our role in providing business advice and assisthnce with economic development with Boos( Lancashire, local auihorities, SELNET Continue to develop our thinking around new economic models that develop the role of civil society I the social economy as part of the foundational economy. Continue to develop our growing reputation in leadership and management training especially focused on aspiring leaders and aiiiongs¢ population groups that are under represented in leadership position5. Continue to develop and widen the provision within our Training Centre to meet the workforce needs of the VCFSE Sector and complementary sectors such as Health and Social Care, Creative Industries, the Environmental SecioT, etc. CAPACITY BUILDING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Continue our work to get rnore embedded at the nei8hbourhood level helping local communities to develop Iheir response5 to what matters to them. As well as communities of place, also support communities of identity, inceresi andlor circumstsnces to develop pa(hways and solu(ions ihat meet their needs and aspirations. COMMUNITY GRANTS Continue to develop our relationships with local auihorities, charitable trusts, the NHS and other commissioners and funders to widen the range of grants we can help them distribute to the VCFSE Sector. Volunteer.. creating an effective volunteer eco-system to support our ¢ommunitl¢5. Page 20 Blackburn with Darwen Council for Voluntary Service Trustees, Report LEAD VOLUNTEERING ORGANISATION I VOLUNTEER CENTRES Continue to develop volunteer infrastructure in Blackbum with Darwen ('Blackburn Volunteers, and 'Da￿en Volunteers,) and Preston ('Preston Volunteers,) to provide supporr across the area to residents seeking volunteering opportunities, existing volunteers and volunteer involving organi5ations (VIOS) across the VCFSE and Public Sectors. Continue to advocate for the use volunteering as a stepping-stone towards ernployment and better healih and wellbeing and as a way of supporting people experiencing multiple disadvaniage or other forms of disadvantsge to develop Iheir confidence, skills and experience to improve their life opportunities. BWD CHIP IN PARTNERSHfP Continue to develop and grow the BWD Chip in Partnership as a way of getting more young people aged 16 10 30 years old volunleering and participating in the Creative arts sector; herilage and environmenl sectors. or recreation. 5POrts and physical activity sectors. COMMUIYITY VOLUNTEER AWARDS Continue to develop and grow our Community Volunteer Awards in partnership wilh the local authority and our spon50rs to celebrate and raise the profile of volunteering within Blackburn with Darwen. VOLUNTEERING FOR HEALTH To establish and embed volunteering generally and volunteer healih champion roles in particular within and across the iniegraied health system ai ihe Blackburn with Darwen and Lancashire and south Cumbria levels. THANK YOU A BIG Thank you to everyone who Supports us We would like to thank our Commissioners, grani funders, sponsors, public sector, VCFSE Sector and Private Seclor partners. Commissioners, Grant Funders and Partners Arts Council Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council Blackburn with Darwen Community Network Boost Lancoshire Brian Mercer Trusl Bureau Centre for the Arts CIC Department for Work and Pension5 (European Strucrural Funds) Eric Wright Charitable Trusl Lancashire Association of Councils for Voluntary Service - LACVS Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale CVS Hyndburn & Ribble Valley CVS Inclusive North (Lancashire BME Network) Lancaster District CVS Preslon Community Neiwork Volunteer Centre Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde Page21 Blackburn with Darwen Council for Voluntary Service Trustees, Report West Lancashire CVS Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Integrated Care Board Lancashire Skills and Employment Hub National Lottery Community Fund NA VCA NHS England and Blackpool NHS Teaching H05Pitals Trust Preston City Council SELNET Spark Recovery Collaborative Calico Group, Early Break, IMO, Red Rose Recovery Lancashire, Roots Community Spring North Voluntary Sector North West Page 22 Blackburn with Darwen Council for Voluntary Service Trustees, Report 2024 Community Volunte¢r Awards Sponsors thecAAAA> group To9other Deaf Village ,IOflTHWEST CIC Chubb uco FT LA8OAe POWERED BY API GROUP aCClllNfjTQN RQ40 LifTLE 114RWOOD newground ether PM•>M Interfaith For 114447 Room to eward *bam J Blackburn Cdlege carerservice Iwi cen with Oar ageuK Qsue2 Telegraph re Active Lanca5hire Financial review The financial s(atementS Show incoming resource5 of £1.7rn (2023.. £2m), with resource5 expended of £1.5m (2023.. £2.1rn). A surplus was generated on the unrestricted fund of £316k. The significan( financial change in the year was the ending of the two ESF funded proj¢cts. Incorne and expenditure for 2024125 are expected to be circa £ I m. The trustees are pleased with (he perforn)ance in (he year. Page 2i Blackburn with Darwen Council for Voluntary Service Trustees, Report Poliey on reserves Community CVS aims to hold free reserves of between 3 and 6 months of the resources expended on the core costs of the charity excluding funding which is primarily passed directly on in granls and specific service level agreements. This will enable current activities and liabilities to be met in the event of a significani drop in funding. The free reserves amounl to £652k at the year end. The CVS Board of Trustees recognise the good progress that is being made in building our reserves and will look to strengthen Ihem during the forthcoming year. At the year end the following designat¢d fund5 ar¢ held: Strategic Inveslment Fund £250,000 - set aside for futur¢ recruitment of senior staff Business continuity £150.000 - set aside to cover poiential redundancy cosrs for changes in operations Buildings Fund - for future capital works on the Boulevard Centre and the Community Hub Restricted funds at the year end.. Buildings- £374,146 - Boulevard Centre acquisition and works underthken and funded in previous year5 less impairnient less secured mortgage. Principal funding sources During the period, the principal funding wa5 received from Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, the NHS and European Social Fund io undertake charilable activities, which are dcscribcd in (he Review of Activities. The European Social Fund granis are due to end on the 3 1st December 2023. As part of the Strategic Review process, Ihe Senior Management Team are devising strategies, in consultation with staff. and to pui before the CVS Board of Trustees for approval to replace these funding source5 ai the appropriate level to undertake future charitable activities thai are linked to our strategy going forward. Diselosure of information to auditor Each trustee has iaken steps that they ought to have taken as a trusiee in order to make themselves aware of any relevant audit infonnation and to establish that rhe charity's auditor is aware of that inforniation. The Irustees confirni ihat there is no relevant infomiation thal they know of and of which ihey know the auditor is unaware. The annual report was approved by the truslees of the charity on 16 December 2024 and signed on its behalf by.. M T Sidal Trustee Page 24 Blackburn with Darnen Council for Voluntary Service Statement of Trustees, Responsibilities The trustees (who are also ihe directors of Blackburn wilh Darwen Council for Voluntary Service for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the trustees, report and rhe financial ststements in accordance wirh applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accoun(ing Practice), including FRS 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" Company law requires (he trusices io prepare financial ststements for each fmancial year. Under company law the trustces must nol approve the financial slatements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the slale of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resource5 and applicaiion of resources, including its income and expendilure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial staiements, the trnstees are required to.. select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently. observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP. make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent. state whether applicable accouniing sthndards, comprising FRS 102 have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in ihe financial statements. and prepare th¢ financial statement5 on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will conlinue in business. The trustee5 are responsible for keeping proper accounling records that can disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitsble company and enable them to ensure that the financial siaiemenis comply with the Companies Act 2006. They arc also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitsble company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other l￿egularLtIe5. Page 25 Blackburn with Darwen Council for Voluntary Service Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Blackburn with Darwen Council for Voluntary Service Opinion We have audited the financial statements of Blackbum with DaTwen Council for Voluntary Service (the 'charity') for the year ended 31 March 2024, which comprise the S(a(ement of Financial Activilies, Balance Sheet, Siaternenl of Cash Flows, and Notes to the Financial Statements, including a summary of significanl accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is Uniied Kingdom Accounting Standards. comprising Charities SORP - FRS 102 'The Financial Reporting S(andard applicable in the UK and R¢public of Ireland, and applicable law (United Kingdom Generally Accep(ed Accounting Practice). In our opinion th¢ financial siatemenls.. give a true and fair view of the stat¢ of ihe charity's affairs as al 31 March 2024 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including ils income and expenditure, for the year then ended. have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice. and have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. Basis (or 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 (he auditor responsibilities for the audit of the financial siatemenls section of our report. We are independent of the chariry in accordance with the ethical requirements ihat are relevant to our audii of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC'S Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with (hese requirements. We believe thai ihe audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. Conclusions relating to going concern In audilin8 the financial SLitcrnents, we have concluded (hat 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 perfornied, we have not identified any marerial uncertainties relating to events or conditions ihat, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on ihe charity's ability to conlinue as a going concern for a period of ai least twelve monfhs from when the original financial staternents were authorised for issue. Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the rrustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant seciions of this report. Other informalion The trusiees are responsible for the other inforniation. The other inforniation comprises the inforniaiion included in the annual report, oiher than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. Our opinion on the financial slaiements does not cover the other infonnation and. except lo (he extent otherwise eypliciily stated in our report, we do not express any fomi of assurance conclusion thereon. In connection with our audit of the financial statements. our responsibility is to read the oiher inforniation and, in doing so, consider whether the other information 15 materially inconsistent wilh ihe financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appear5 to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatemenl5. we are requircd io deierniine whether there is a material misstatement in Ihe financial slalement5 or a material misstatement of the other infomaiion. If, based on the work we have perfornied. we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. Page 26 Blackburn with Darwen Council for Voluntary Service Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Blackburn with Darwen Council for Voluntary Service We have nothing to report in this regard. Opinion on other matter prescribed by the Companies Act 2006 In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit: the inforniation given in the Trustees, Report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared t5 consistent with the financial statements; and the Truslees, Report has been prepared in accordance with applicabl¢1¢8al requir¢m¢nlS. M2tters on whlch we are requlred to report by exception In the light of our knowledge and understanding of the chariry and its environment obtained in the course of the audir, we have not identified material misstatements in the Trustees, Report. We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006 requires us io report to you if, in our opinion.. adequate accounling records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us. or the financial statement5 ar¢ not in agreement with ihe accounting records and returns,. or certain disclosures of trustees remuneration specified by law are not mad¢. or we have not received all the inforniation and explanations we require for our audit. Responsibillties of trustees As explained more fully in the Statemen( of Trustees. Responsibilities (set out on page 25), the trustees are responsible for the preparalion of the financial $￿ternents and for being salisfied that they give a Irue and fair view, and for such internal conrrol as the trusiees detemine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial $￿tements (hat are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. n preparing the financial statemenls, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charity's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, mallers related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charity or to cease operaiions, or have no realistic alternaiive but to do so. Auditor responsibllities for the audSt of the flnancial statements Our objectives are lo obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due 10 fraud or error. and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance. but is nol a guarantee thai an audit conducted in accordance with ISAS (UK) will always delect a material rni5Statement when li exists. Misstatemenis 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 staiements. Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, lo deiecl material misstatements in respect of i￿egular1tie5. including fraud. The specific procedures for this engagement and the extent to which these are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below. Our approach to identifying and assessing the risk5 of material misstatement respect of irregularities. including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, was as follows: We assessed the susceptibility of ihe charity's financial slatemcnts to material misstatement, including obtaining an understsnding of how fraud might occur, by.. Page 27 Blackburn with Darwen Council for Voluntary Service Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Blackburn with Danven Council for Voluntary Service making enquirie5 of management as to where they considered there was susceptibility (o fraud, their knowledge of actual, suspected and alleged fraud,. and considering the internal controls in place to mifigate risks of fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations. To address the risk of fraud through management bias and override of controls, we.. perforn)ed ana1￿1¢al procedures on material balances for which robusi substantive analyrical procedures have been undertaken lo identify any unusual or unexpected relalionships. tested journal entrie5 to identify unusual transactions. and invesligated the rationale behind significant or unusual transactions. Ther¢ are inherenl limitation5 in our audil procedures described above. The more removed that laws and regulations are from financial iransactions, (he less likely it is Ihat we would become aware of noncomplianc¢, Auditing standards also limit the audit procedures required to identify non-compliance with laws and regulations to enquiry of the directors and other managemen( and the inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any. Material misstatements that arise due to fraud can be harder lo detect than those thal arisc frorn e￿or as they may involve deliberate Concealment or collusion. A further descripiion of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statement$ is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website at: www.frc.or8.uldaudilorsrespon5ibililics. This descriplion fornis part of our auditor's report. Use ofour report This report is made solely to the charitable company's trustees. as a body, in accordance wtth Chapter 3 of Part 16 of ihe Companies Act 2006. Our audil work has been undertaken so thal we might state to the charity's trustees ih05e matters we are required to stale to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent Pe￿Ilted by law, we do nol accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and ils Irusiees as a body, for our audif work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed. Mark R Heaton FCCA (Senior Statutory Auditor) For and on behalf of KM. Statulory Auditor I st Floor, Block C The Wharf Manchester Road Burnley Lancashire BBI I IJG 16 December 2024 Page 28 Bl#tkburn with Darwen Countll for Volutstary SeTVif¢ t4temeTht of Fin*n¢lal Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 (Including lThcome Expertditure Aeeount and St#tement of Tot*1 Recogni5ed G4ing Lo$se5) Unr¢strlct¢d funds Rmtricttd Totll 2024 Unre51rlcle funds Rtitrlcttd 2023 Nott Income from.. Dona110n5 and Ic8aCi¢5 742.115 48 149,903 817,585 1,559.700 48 149.903 642,007 40 1,276,636 1,918.643 40 Investmtni income Oiher income Tolpl Income 892,066 817,5KS 1,709,651 744,J70 1276,636 2,021,006 EYp¢ndltyrt on.. 1376,02S) 1939,3491 1551,7241 Oih¢r ex￿ndlIU Tol41 ¢xp¢ndiiur¢ 1,002.571 1.002,571 576,025 939,349 551724 2,742,409 Nei in¢omell¢xpendilur¢l Tyansfery beiween fvndy 316,041 153,0341 194,277 192,646 98,240 1914,0491 198,2401 1721,4031 53,034 Oihtr rtcoinigtd i*lni and losses GJinsllos5cs on rtvAlualion of fixed #s$tts N¢1 movement In funds 263,007 168.7301 194,277 408,064 {6Q4,2251 R¢conclliatlon uf lunds To181 funds brought forwjrd 993,761 442,876 1,436,637 585,697 1.455.165 2,040,862 Total funds c4rri¢d forward 1,256,768 374,146 1,630,914 993.761 442,B76 ,436,637 The ioles on pages 33 10 44 forrn an iniegral part of Ihtse financial sthiemtni$. Past 29 Blatkburn with D8rweTh Council for VoluThtxry S¢rvl¢e Slalement of Fin4ncial Activities for the Year Ended 31 MAreh 2024 (Includlng Income and Expenditure Actount Stat¢rnenl of Total Recognised Gains and Losses) All ol'ihe ehaiiiy's aciiviiies derive from eonisnuing operaiions during ihe above two perlods. Th¢ funds breakdown for 2023 is shown in noie 19. Th¢ noieg on pa￿$ 33 to 44 foym an intesNI parl of Iht$e financial siaiemeni$. Ppgc 30 Blackburn with Darwen Council for Voluntary Service (Regtstration number: 02668971) Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2024 2024 2023 Note Fixed assets Tangible assets 980,000 1,000,000 Current assets Debiors Cash ai bank and in hand 16 138.516 1.062.590 541,955 596.375 1,201,106 1,138,330 Credilors". Amounts falllng due within one year (85.516 221,513) Net current assets 1,115,590 916,817 Total assets less current liabililiei 2,095,590 1,916,817 Creditors: Amounts falllng due *fter more than on¢ year (464,676 (480.180 Net a55ets 1.630,914 1.436,637 Funds of the charity: Reslricted income funds Resiricied funds 374,146 442,876 Unreslrieted ineome funds Unrestricted funds 1256 768 993,761 Total funds 1,630,914 1436,637 The financial stalcments on pages 29 10 44 were approved by the trustees, and au(horised for issue on 16 December 2024 and 5igncd on their behalf by.. M T Sidat Trustee The notes on pages 33 to 44 forn an inlegral part of these financial statements. Page31 Blackburn with Darwen Council for Voluntary Service Statement of Cash Flows for the Year Ended 31 Mareh 2024 2024 2023 Note Cash flows from operaling a¢livitie$ Net cash incomel{expenditure) 194,277 (604,225) Adjustments to cash flows from non-cash items Depreciation Investment income Revaluation of land and buildings 20,000 (48) (533,221) (40> 1,468.608 214,229 331,122 Working capital adjustments Decrease in debtors (Decrease)lincrease in creditors 16 403,439 135 997 233,993 Net cash flows from operatin8 activities 481.671 592,713 Cash flows from Investing activities Interest receivable and similar income 48 40 Cash flow5 from financirbg activities Repayment of loans and boTrowings (15.504 (18,802) Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 466,215 573,951 Cash and cash equivalents at l April 596.375 22.424 Cash and cash equivalenis at 31 March 1,062,590 596,375 All of the cash flows are derived from conlinuing operations during the above two period5. The notes on pages 33 to 44 fom an integral part of these financial statements. Page 32 Blackburn with Darwen Council for Voluntary Service Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 I Charity status The charity is limiied by guarantee, incorporated in and consequently does not have share capital. Each of the trustees is liable to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 towards the assets of the charity in the event of liquidation. The address of its registered office is= Boulevard Centre Cathedral Quarter Blackbum BBI IEZ These financial statements were authorised for issue by ihe trusiees on 16 December 2024. 2 Accounting pollcles Summary o(significan¢ accounting policies and key accounting estimates The principal accounting policies applied in the preparalion of these financial slatemenis are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied io all the years presented, unless oiherwise Sthled. Siatement of compliance The financial statcmenls have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statemeni of Recommended Practice (applicable to charities preparing fheir accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)) (issued in October 2019) (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006. Basis of preparallon Blackburn with Darwen Council for Voluntary Service meets the definition of a public benefit entiry under FRS 102. Assets and liabililies are inilially recogni5ed at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy nole5. Going concer The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity'5 ability to continue as a going concern nor any significant areas of uncertainty fhat affecr the carrying value of assets held by the charity. Income All income is recogni5ed once the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of the income receivable can be measured reliably. Expenditure All expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation lo ihat expenditure, it is probable settlement is required and Ihe amount can be measured reliably. All costs are allocated to the applicable expenditure heading rhat aggregate similar costs to that category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated on a basis consistent wilh the use of resources, with central staff costs alloca(cd on the basis of lime spenl, and deprecialion charges allocated on the portion of the assct's use. Other support costs are allocated based on the spread of staff costs. Page 3i Blackburn with Darwen Council for Voluntary Service Notes to the Finanei21 Statements for the Year Ended 31 Mareh 2024 Charitable aclivities Charitable expendilur¢ comprise5 those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of lis activities and services for irs beneficiaries. It includes both costs ihat can be allocated directly to such aciivilies and (hose cos(s of an indirect nature necessary to support (hem. Support costs Support costs include central functions and have been allocated to activity cost categories on a basis consistent with ihe use of resources. Governance ¢osls These include ihe costs allributhble to the charity'5 compliance with ¢onslitutional And statutory requirements, including audil, strategic management and trus1¢¢5 meetings and r¢imbursed expenses. Taxation The charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph I Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the charity is Potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categoric5 covered by Chapter 3 Part I l of the Corporaiion Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, lo the exlent thai such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes. Tangible fixed assets Individual fixed assets are inicially recorded at cost, less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairmen( losses. Depreciation Depreciation is provided on tangible fixed assets so as to write off the cost or valuation. less any estimated residual value. over their expecled useful economic life as follows.. Trade debtors Trade debtors are amounts due from customers for merchandise sold or services perfonned in the ordinary course of busine55. Trade debtors are recogni5ed initially at the transaction price. They are Subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, les5 provision for impairment. A provision for the impaimient of Irade debtors is established when there is objective evidence thai the charity will nol be able io collect all amounts due according to the original ternis of the receivables. Trade ereditors Trade crediiors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Accounts payable are classified as current liabilities if ihe charity does not have an unconditional right. at the end of the reporting period. to defer settlement of the creditor for at least twelve months after the reporting date. If there 15 an unconditional right to defer settlement for ai least twelve months after the reporting date, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trdde creditors are recognised initially at the transaction price and subsequently measured ar amortised cost using the effective interest method. Page 34 Blackburn with Darwen Council for Voluntary Service Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 Borrowings Interest-bearing borrowings are initially recorded at fair value, net of transaction costs. Intere5t-bearing borrowings are subsequently carried at amortised cost, with the difference between the proceeds. net of transaction costs, and the amount due on redemption being recognised as a charge to the Statement of Financial Activities over the period of ihe relevant borrowing. Interest expense is recognised on the basis of ihe effective interest method and is included in interest payable and similar charges. Borrowings are classified as current liabilities unles5 the charity has an unconditional right to defer settlemen( of the liability for at least twelve months after the reportin8 date. Fund strueture Unrestricted income funds are general fvnds Ihat are available for use at the trustees discretion in furtherance of the objeciives of the charity. Designated funds are unrestricted funds set aside for specific purposes at the discretion of the trustees. Restricted income funds are those donated for use in a particular area or for specific purposes, Ihe use of which is restricted to Ihac area or purpose. Pensions and other p05t reliremenl obligations The chariry operates a defined contribution pension scheme which is a pension plan under which fixed contributions are paid into a pension fund and the charity has no legal or constructive obligation lo pay further contributions even if the fund does not hold sufficient assets to pay all employees the benefit5 relating to employee service in ihe current and prior period5. Contributions to defined contribution plans are recognised in the Statement of Financial Activiries when they are due. If contribution payments exceed the contribution due for service, the excess is recognised as a prepaymenl. 3 Judgements and key sources of estimallon uneerlalnty Judgement5 In the application of the charity's accounting policies, Ihe direclors are required io make judgements. estimates and assumptions about the carying amount of assets and liabilites that are not readily apparent from other . sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimales. The estimates and underlying assurnption5 are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both periods. Key sources of estimation uncertainty The e5timatcs and assumptions which have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amount of asseis and liabilities are as follows. Depreciation The depreciation expens¢ 1$ th¢ recognition of the decline in thc value of the asset and allocation of the cost of the asset over the periods in which ihe asset will be used. Judgements are made as to the estimated useful life of the assets. These judgements are regularly reviewed to reflect the changing environment. Page 35 Blaekburn with Danven Council for Voluntary Serviee Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 M2reh 2024 mpairment of fixed a55ets The charity assesses the impaiment of lan8ible fixed assets subject lo depreciation whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying valu¢ may not be recoverabl¢. These judgments arc r¢gularly reviewed to reflect the changing cnvironmenl. 4 Income from charitable activities Unrestrieled funds General Restricted funds Total 2024 Total 2023 Contracts and grants 742,115 817,585 1,559 700 1,918643 5 Investment income Unrestricted funds General Total 2024 Total 2023 Interest receivable on bank deposits 48 48 40 6 Other income Unrestricted funds General Total 2024 Total 2023 Training, miscellaneous income Rental income 59,328 90,575 59.328 90,575 8,202 93,980 149,903 149,903 102,182 7 Expenditure on charitable activitie5 Unrestricted runds General Restricted fund5 Total 2024 Total 2023 Note Operational costs, paynents to partners Depreciation Granls paid Staff costs Governance costs 230,512 240,600 20,000 37,433 603,786 37,530 471.112 20.000 50,761 932,471 41.030 579.351 49,993 62,641 1,017,094 30,759 13,328 328,685 3.500 576,025 939,349 ,515.374 1,739,838 Support costs including staff costs amounted to £1 00.000 in the year. Page 36 Blackburn with Darwen Council for Voluntary Service Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 8 Other expenditure Total 2024 Total 2023 Impairnient of freehold building ,002.571 ,002,571 9 Analysis of governance and support cosls Governance eosts Unreslrlcted funds General Restrlcted funds Total 2024 Total 2023 Audit fees Audit of (he financial statements Bank loan interest 3,500 3,500 37,530 5,818 24,941 37,530 3,500 37,530 41,030 30.759 10 Net incomingloutgoing resources Net Incomin￿{Outgolng) resources for the year include.. 2024 2023 Audit fees 3.500 5.818 Trustees remuneration and expenses No truslees, nor any persons connected with them, have received any remuneration from the charity during the year. No trustees have received any reimbursed expenses or any other benefits from the charity during ihe year. Page 37 Blackburn with Darwen Council for Voluntary Service Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 12 Staff costs The aggregate payroll cost5 were as fol lows.. 2024 2023 Sla(f cosls during the year were: Wages and salaries Social security Costs Pension cos(s 807.669 69,434 55,368 932.471 884,240 78,779 54.075 1017.094 The monthly average number of persons (including senior management I leadership team) employed by the charity during the year expressed a5 ful I time equivalen15 was as follows.. 2024 2023 Charitable activities 35 54 During the year, the charity made redundancy andlor terrnination paymen(s which toialled £11,078 (2023 £Nil). No employee received emoluments of more than £60,000 during the year, The total employee benefits of the key mana8emenl personnel of ihe chhrity were £210,173 (2023 - £222,066). 13 Audi¢ors' remuneration 2024 2023 Audit of the financial 51alements 3.500 5,818 Page 38 Blackburn with Darwen Council for Voluntary Service Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 14 Taxation The charity is a registered charity and is therefore exempt from taxation. 1 S Tangible fixed asset5 Land and buildings Total Cosilvaluation Ai l April 2023 1,000,000 1,000 000 At 31 March 2024 1,000 000 1,000.000 Deprecialion Charge for the year 20,000 20.000 At 31 March 2024 20.000 20,000 ]Yet book value At 31 March 2024 980,000 980.000 At 31 March 2023 1.000,000 1,000,000 Revaluation The fair value of the company's Land and buildings was revalued on 31 March 2023 by an independent valuer. Had thi5 class of a55ei been measured on a historical cost basis, their carrying amount would have been £Nil (2023 - £Nil). 16 Debtors 2024 2023 Trade debtors Prepayments Accrued income Other debtor5 68,251 9,432 59,973 860 72.970 10.926 458.059 138,516 541.955 Page 39 Blatkburn with Darwen Council for Voluntary Service Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 Mareh 2024 17 Creditor5: amount5 falling due within one year 2024 2023 Bank loans Trade creditor5 ()ther taxation and social security Accruals 24,000 18.288 24,000 61,682 7,656 128.175 43.228 85,516 221.513 Creditors due within one year includes the following liabilities, on which security has been given by the chariry.. 2024 2023 Bank loan - Barclays Bank 24.000 The bank loan is secured on the properties owned by the charity. 18 Creditors: amounts falling due after one year 2024 2023 Bank loans 464,676 480,180 Creditors amounis falling due after more than one year includes the following liabilities, on which security has been given by the charity.. 2024 2023 Bank loan - Barclays Bank 464.676 480,180 The bank loan is secured on the properties owned by the chariry. Page 40 Blackburn with Darwen Council for Voluntary Service Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 19 Fund5 Balance at 31 March 2024 Balance at I April 2023 Incoming resources Resources expended Transfers Unrestricted fund5 General General Funds 594,977 892,066 (562,697) (271,428) 652,918 Designdied Strategic Investment Fund Business continuity Buildings fund Revaluation reserv¢ 101,436 130,170 50,000 117 178 148,564 19,830 50,000 250,000 150,000 i 00.000 117.178 398,784 218394 617,178 Total unrestrlcted funds 993.761 892,066 1,270,096 562,697 53,034 Re$lrict¢d funds Fixed assets ESF- Action for Jobs ESF- Upskilling Brian Mercer Charitable Trust 378,642 {57.530) (240,600) (603,786) 53,034 374,146 240,600 539.552 64,234 37.433 37,433 442,876 817,585 (939,349 53.034 374.146 Total funds 1,436,637 1.709.651 1,502,046 1,644,242 Page 41 Blackburn with Darwen Council for Voluntary Service Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 Other recogni5ed gainsl(105ses) Balance at I April 2022 Incoming resources Resources expended Transfers Unrestricted funds General General Funds 277,738 744,370 (52.0.010) 92.879 DesigNaled Fixed assets Maich funding projects Business continuity Boulevard cenlre Revaluation reserve 131,103 66,856 100,000 i 0.000 {31,714) (99,389) 34,580 30,170 40,000 117,178 307,959 5,361 117.178 Total unr¢strlc¢ed funds 585,697 744,370 551,724 98,240 117,178 Restrieted funds Butldings Big Local Trust ESF- Action for Jobs ESF- Up5killing Brian Mercer Charitable Trust 1,281.302 2.363 (1,045,791) 143,131 (2,363) 603,666 685,995 (396,258) (685,995) (207,408) (40,892) 105,126 66.374 (10,662 6,929 1455 165 1,276 636 2 190,685 98,240 Tolal funds 2,040.862 2021006 2 742.409 .117.178 Page 42 Blackburn with Darwen Council for Voluntary Service Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 Balance at 31 Mareh 2023 Unrestrieted funds Géneral General Funds 594.977 Desigiialed Fixed assets Match funding projects Business continuity Boulevard centre Revaluation reserve 101,436 130,170 50,000 117.178 398,784 Total unrestricted funds 993,761 Re51ricted funds Buildings Big Local Trust ESF- Action for Jobs ESF- Upskilling Brian Mercer Charitable Trust 378,642 64,234 442,876 Total funds 1,436,637 20 Analysis of net assets between funds Total funds at 31 March 2024 Unrestrlcted funds General Designated Restricted funds Tangible fixed assets Current assets CU￿ent liabilitie5 Creditors over l year 117,178 281,606 862.822 2,988 (26,988) {464,676 980,000 1,201.106 (85.516) (464,676 916,512 {58,528) Total net a55ets 857,984 398.784 374,146 1,630.914 Page 43 Blackburn with Danven Council for Voluntary Service Notes to the Financial Statenjents for the Year Ended 31 Mareh 2024 Total fund5 at 31 March 2023 Unrestricted funds General DesignAted Restricted funds Tangible fixed assets Current assets Current liabilities Creditors over l year 400,000 281,606 (24,000) (258,822 600.000 219,763 (155,530) (221,358) 1,000,000 1,138,330 (221.513) 480.180 636,961 (41,983) Total net assets 594,978 398,784 442.875 1,436,637 21 Related party transacllons Blackbum with Darwen Council for Voluntary Service is a corporale trustee of three charitsble incorporated organisations, Blackbum Community Foundation, Darwen Community Foundation and Neighbourhood Community Action. During ihe financial year, the following transactions were undertaken between the organisations.. Blackburn Communiry Foundation Nil (2023 £nil)' Darwen Community Foundation received a donation of £100 (2023 £100). Neighbourhood Community Action £nil (2023 £Nil). The three charitable incorporated organisations are managed at arnis, length of Blackburn with Darwen Council for Voluntary Service. Roger Duckworth, who was a trustee of Blackburn with Darwen Council for Voluntary Service and was also trustee of the Brian Mercer Trust. Blackbum with Darwen Council for Voluntary Service manage a grani fund called the Blackburn with Darwen Community Fund that is supported by the Brian Mercer Trus(. Roger Duckworth sat on the grant panel that makes decision on how (he grants are allocated. Roger Duckworth resigned as a trustee of Blackbum with Darwen Council for Voluntary Service on the 6th December 2023 and has also resigned from the Brian Mercer Trust. Following those resignations - Roger Duckworth no longer sits on the granls panel. Sajida Shah. who is a trusiee of Blackburn with Darwen Council for Voluntary Service is also a committee member of the Kiran Ladies Group. During Ihe year, the Kiran Ladies Group did not receive a grant but in the previous year they received two grants £nil (2023 £925) from the Community Fund. Saj ida was not involved in the 8rant panel that made that award. Garth Hodgkin50n, CEO of Blackburn with Darwen Council for Voluntary Service is also a trustee an(Vor director of Blackburn Community Foundation, Darwen Community Foundation and Lancashire Association of Councils for Voluntary Service. During the year. Blackburn with Darwen Council for Voluntary Service received Kickstart payments for the young people we have supported from Lancashire Association of Counci15 for Voluntary Service lotalling £3961(2023 £15,878). received payTnent5 for VOICE engagement work around the impact of COVID 19 on behalf of NHS England froTll Lancashire A550ciation of Councils for Voluntary Service tolalling £nil (2023 £5601). and, received payments for support of Lancashire Association of Councils for Voluntary Service for iheir Lancashire LOCAL project worth £5420 (2023 £nil). Page 44