BASICS Devon Annual Report
- 2023 2024
BASICS Devon Annual Report 2023 - 2024 - Emergency Volunteers - www.basics devon.co.uk
by Rob Horton Chairperson Report
As I take a pause to reflect on this past year I begin by saying a huge thank you to the amazing BASICS Devon Team. Without these individuals and their hugely supportive family and friends, we would not have been able to deliver the impressive response to our communities throughout this year.
Volunteering is a truly rewarding action for everyone involved, not least seen by the impact we have on patient outcomes and their loved ones. This year has seen a challenge for everyone involved, being caught more than ever between a healthy balance of work, home, financial and volunteering time. We have felt this challenge across all roles in the charity and I wish to recognise this by personally thanking every single person for their precious time they have gifted the charity, their community and our patients.
The launch of the 5 year strategy last year was a proud moment for the Trustees, as it set out the path to grow and strengthen the charity, protecting it for the future. We have made significant steps in this first year despite the main aims being to research and define our plan. One of our priorities is to redesign the support structure of the charity to help empower and decision make outside of the Trustee meetings, this in turn helps to focus Trustees and deliver a more dynamic operational structure. I am delighted that we were lucky to secure Amie Bull for more hours per week in an aid to increase fundraising and to support with some additional administration duties. Amie brings her infectious energy in all she does and her role is critical to our financial and management sustainability.
One of our biggest desires has been to create a role which can further support our volunteer responders with operational needs and despite a few years of dreaming of this, we made it a mission of the strategy to deliver it. We were delighted to appoint Conor Calby as our Operations Manager in February 2024. Conor brings a wealth of volunteering experience and understanding of operational needs to the role and is already making huge improvements.
With the three committees Operational, Finance & Fundraising, Medical & Governance, all having a lead, we know that the next year will bring quite rapid developments as we
continue to firm up this new structure. I am sure you’ll agree that this summary document reflects some of the beneficial work of the charity in the past year and I hope that it will inspire you to continue supporting, volunteering, responding, fundraising and donating in whatever capacity you can as we develop this year.
BASICS Devon Annual Report 2023 - 2024
- Emergency Volunteers - www.basics devon.co.uk
Caring for Patients
----- Start of picture text -----
||||
|---|---|---|
|Caring for Patients - January 2023 - December|
|Count|%|
|2023|
|Number of Incidents|448|
|Number of times arrived on scene|381|85%|
|Incident Types|
|Number of stand downs/services not|
|67|15%|
|required|
|Number of times BASICS first on scene|135|3%|
|0%|
|16%|15%|
|0%|
|Incident Miles Travelled|6280|3%|
|4%|
|Volunteer Responding Hours with|19%|
|470|
|patients|
|1%|
|39%|
|1%|
|2%|
----- End of picture text -----
Burns Cardiac Arrest Drowning Medical Obstetric Other (Notes) Psychiatric RTC Stabbing / Shooting Telephone Advice Trauma (Other) (blank)
BASICS Devon Annual Report 2023 - 2024 - Emergency Volunteers - www.basics devon.co.uk
Patient Story - Barrington Sowden
BASICS Devon was called to an emergency in Plymouth, to which they were first on the scene, to find Barrington injured and unable to move on the floor.
Barrington explains what happened, ‘I spent 14 years in the Royal Navy and was an active member of the then Devonport Field Gun Crew where I sustained a back injury in 1978, which meant I had to be medically discharged from the Navy in 1986. I have continued to have major back problems since and underwent my first back surgery in 1995. At the beginning of 2022 I noticed loss of power in my right leg and by November I fell down the stairs.’ Dr Tony Golding- Cook and paramedic Conor Colby responded to the call out, whilst on duty in the BASICS Devon rapid response vehicle. Barrington relays those moments, ‘I called the ambulance, and this was my first contact with BASICS Devon as they came to my aid in a matter of minutes.’
‘I was so taken by their professionalism and caring attitude that I wanted to know more about the service which they explained while we waited for the ambulance, at the same time informing me that they will remain with me until the ambulance arrives no matter how long that was.’
The BASICS Devon volunteers were able to administer vital pain relief to get Barrington up off the floor and feel comfortable.
‘I felt at that moment that I wanted to do something for this voluntary organisation, so I decided there and then that as the Chairman of the Kingsmen Harmony Club, I would choose BASICS Devon as my Charity.’
Barrington decided to organise a concert Three Choirs – One Voice Concert for our cause. It had been a vision of Barrington’s the Chair of The Kingsbridge Barbershop Harmony Club aka the Kingsmen, whom organised the event. He wanted to bring about diversity and inclusivity which was achieved in abundance, not just from the three different genres of choirs but also through the audience, and this has been echoed by the number of written and verbal messages received from those that attended.
The concert demonstrated how the community can come together using their voices as a platform for raising awareness and much needed funds.
We were overwhelmed by the support shown at Plymouth Guildhall last September, it was a huge event for the community and us, raising an incredible £4,000, we really did appreciate everyone’s support and thoroughly enjoyed the event, memories we will keep.
) BASICS Devon Annual Report 2023 - 2024 >é) Emergency Volunteers - ~~a~~ www.basics-devon.co.uk
Fundraising
This year has marked a significant transition for both the team and the charity. Our primary focus has been on successfully completing long-term funding projects and continuing to raise vital funds and awareness for our cause.
We are proud to be a part of such a supportive community, with local Tesco stores promoting our voluntary services as part of their blue token scheme, numerous talks have taken place with local groups and organisations and families and friends supporting their loved ones in taking on exceptional challenges such as our very own David Hutchins Cycling the Trans Pyrenees!
The Big Give Christmas Challenge was supported again in its 4th year by local organisations and helped to raise vital funds for the team expansion. We also launched a Bauble for BASICS fundraiser for our Christmas tree displays across Devon to remember loved ones.
We have been fortunate to be chosen as charity of the year last year for The Plympton Gardeners Association, Sir Joshua Reynolds Women’s Institute, South Devon Athletics Club and Dartmoor Border Morris (which is now into its second year of support) We are also thrilled to start a new year as one of the Coop Local Causes running until October 2024, and are also chosen charity of ParaSoc, University of Plymouth Student Society. We also had some corporate donations including Awcock Ward Partnership.
Trusts and Foundations are still our largest income receiving funds from Devon County Council, The Hospital Saturday Fund, NHS Charities Together and Plymouth Hospitals Charity, Batsworthy Wind Cross Farm via Devon Community Foundation and the HELP Appeal via the British Association for Immediate care propelling us into 2024-2025.
Regular training and educational sessions have been conducted monthly to exchange knowledge, enhance patient outcomes throughout the county, and provide mutual support in their voluntary positions. The volunteers have encouraged and hosted lifesaving skill workshops together with their communities and with other emergency personnel.
We also attended public events to promote our cause and share basic life support skills, attending the Mid Devon Show and Torbay Velo Park Race Course.
In memory fundraising is a significant source of income for BASICS Devon, and a campaign for Legacy Giving through Make a Will is set to be introduced in Autumn 2024. Individual donations remain a robust revenue stream, with collection cans placed throughout the county.
NHS Charities Together funding was finalised and the project proved to be a learning curve for us as a team, but ultimately was a huge success with the introduction of new team members.
The media have been supportive sharing our stories on BBC Radio Devon, Exmouth Journal, Plymouth Live and Plymouth Chronicle.
Social media remains a solid marketing tool with our reach, Facebook 1980, Instagram 377, X 1900 and LinkedIn 104 connections and 121 followers.
A highlight from the last year in fundraising was the Three Choirs – One Voice that Barrington Sowden organised to raise funds. It was an incredible event that was a thoroughly amazing evening and helped raise our profile, we are extremely grateful to everyone that took part, for their hard work and commitment. Special thanks to Barrington, all members of The Kingsmen Harmony Chorus, Plymouth Rock Choir and Callington Community Gospel Choir for organising and performing such emotional performances. Huge thanks also to all the generous sponsors & to the Deputy Lieutenant of Devon, Plymouth Lord Mayor & Mayoress & David FitzGerald for joining them on the night.
Training and education is essential for equipping our volunteers with the skills and knowledge needed to fulfil their roles effectively, improve service quality, enhance volunteer satisfaction, and contribute to better outcomes for our community.
BASICS Devon Annual Report 2023 - 2024
- Emergency Volunteers - www.basics devon.co.uk
Achievements
NHS Charities Together final year spend
Successful HELP Appeal & British Association for Immediate Care Award
Launched our 5 year strategy
Successful award from Devon Community Foundation for North Devon responders
Increase to Fundraising Managers Hours
Significant Dashboard Improvements
Recruitment of an Operations Manager
Supported by a major fundraising event - The Kingsmen Three Choirs Concert
BASICS Devon Annual Report 2023 - 2024
- Emergency Volunteers - www.basics devon.co.uk
Summary of Financial Position
| 2023 - 2024 Summary of Financial Position | Amount (£) | |
|---|---|---|
| Income Total Income |
Unrestricted Restricted Interest £12,130.50 £44,617.50 £1,854 £58,602 |
£12,130.50 £44,617.50 £1,854 £58,602 |
| Expenditure Total Expenditure |
Responder Costs, Education & Equipment Scheme Vehicle Charity Admin Fundraising £37,603 £1,247 £4,173 £21,503 £64,526 |
£37,603 £1,247 £4,173 £21,503 £64,526 |
| Current Account | £53,727 | £53,727 |
| Reserve Account | £153,265 | £153,265 |
| Closing Balance | £206,992 | £206,992 |
BASICS Devon Annual Report 2023 - 2024 - Emergency Volunteers - www.basics devon.co.uk ~~a,~~
BASICS Devon Annual Accounts 2023 - 2024
Volunteer emergency doctors - www.basics devon.org.uk
Accounts prepared and presented at BASICS Devon AGM 15/05/2024 – by Glenda Cooper, treasurer
| Opening Balance |
£212,916.24 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Income | Unrestricted Individual donations and grants including |
£ 12,130.50 | ||
| Restricted grants and bids |
£ 44,617.50 | |||
| interest | £ 1,854 | |||
| Total Income | £ 58,602 | |||
| Expenditure | Responder costs, education and equipment |
£ 37,603 | ||
| Scheme vehicle | £ 1,247 | |||
| Charity Admin | £ 4,173 | |||
| Fundraising | £ 21,503 | |||
| Total Expenditure |
£ 64,526 | |||
| Amount held in Current account |
£ 53,727 | |||
| Amount held in Reserve account |
£ 153,265 | |||
| Closing Balance | £ 206,992 |
From: Clive Heaton heaton.mcso@ntlworld.com
Subject: Independent examiners report to the trustees of Basics Devon Date: 24 January 2025 at 14:37
To: Glenda Cooper glenda.cooper@basics-devon.org.uk
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Basics Devon ( the trust) for the year ended 31/3/24. Responsibilities and basis of report.
As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (The Act)
I report in respect of my examination of the Trusts accounts carried out under Section 145of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable directions given by the charity commission under Section 145 (5) (b) of the Act. Independent Examiners Statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
1 Accounting records were not kept in respect of the trust as required by Section 130 of the Act or,
2 the accounts do not accord with those records.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report to enable proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed. C Heaton. Date 24/1/25 Clive Heaton HM Inspector of Taxes (retired) 8 Malvern Close High Crompton , Shaw Oldham OL2 7RE
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