## Annual Report 2022 Walsall Black Sisters Collective info@walsallbsc.co.uk www.walsallbsc.co.uk 01922 616996 ## **Introduction** **Walsall BSC** is a registered charity that was established in July 1986 by a group of young Black women from Walsall. The group met to discuss the racial disparities that affected the Black Community; identify areas that were of concern and how they can help to address the inequality that existed at the time. From their initial meeting they continued to meet regularly and out of this was formed the “Walsall Black Sisters Collective”. In the early years the group worked to highlight specific discriminations experienced by Black Women. The organisation grew and its aims and objectives became specific around education, training, welfare, self- help and child provision. Our main aim is to provide a community-based provision for BME and the wider community within the borough of Walsall. Having been established for over 35 years now, we have a proven track record and play an integral role in meeting the health and social needs of local people; ensuring that services are appropriate and sensitive to meet their identified needs. We work in partnership with statutory agencies and other voluntary organisations; ensuring that the services we provide demonstrate equality and that cultural needs are being met. We are an organisation that is led by the community for the community. We advocate and ensure that local people are directly involved in the decision-making processes that affects their lives. ## **U.S.P.** WBSC provides community activities to empower and develop deprived BME communities from various ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds in Walsall; addressing inequality and bringing longlasting change to encourage community cohesion, cultural respect and a diverse community we can all be proud of. ## **Our Vision** **A Walsall that values diversity, is caring, supporting and addresses the needs of communities** ## **Mission Statement** **To successfully provide an open quality service to the wider community of Walsall, enabling a better quality of life** . ## **CHAIR – Wendy Angus-Bovell** I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself, I am Wendy Angus-Bovell and was elected as Chair at our previous AGM in April 2021. It is an honour and privilege to be part of Walsall Black Sisters Collective (WBSC). I am continually impressed and amazed by the invaluable work we do for some of the most disadvantaged, vulnerable and marginalised individuals and communities in Walsall. I am in awe of our creativity, resilience, flexibility, adaptability and robustness, in delivering our services, aims and objectives. This has been tested to the extreme over the past eighteen months with some of the challenges we have had to manage such as the impact of the Pandemic, risks to funding, the loss of several of our muchloved service users and now the threat of the economic crisis nationally. It cannot be overstated how difficult it was for WBSC and all those involved with us, during the Pandemic and the months of lock down. This period was challenging in ways we have never experienced before. Like many other organisations, we had no blueprint to guide us through this period. However, due to the brilliance of our committed staff and CEO, we were able to very quickly adapt our services to meet the new and complex presenting needs. We were able to deliver food parcels, provide telephone outreach and befriending support to our most vulnerable service users and the wider Walsall area throughout the Pandemic. In many cases, this was the only human contact some individuals received and it helped hugely in reducing feelings of anxiety, loneliness and isolation. As we come out the other side of Covid, we are rebuilding our services, however, it has also given us an opportunity to review what are service offer will be going forward. Whilst our current services will remain at the core of our activity, such as our Elderly Persons Day Service, After School Club, Befriending, Counselling support for example, we are now able to explore new opportunities and options for growth to achieve our strategic objectives. We have an ambitious and exciting Vision for the future and are in the process of creating our Business Strategy and Plan for where we want to be in the next 3-5 years and how we will get there. As part of this, we will be changing our legal organisational status, which will allow us to become more self-financing, we are also looking at new business development opportunities that will help us to generate income and enable us to extend our range and reach of service provision. Therefore, whilst there remain challenges ahead, there are opportunities and new possibilities for us to take advantage of too. All of this is supported by the longevity of WBSC, we celebrated our 35[th] Anniversary with a Gala Ball in March 2022. It was a much-anticipated event having been delayed for nearly a year due to Covid. It was a spectacular evening and a fitting tribute to WBSC for its resilience and ability to survive and still be relevant after this length of time. None of this would have been possible without our very loyal, committed and hardworking staff team, under the leadership of our incredible CEO Maureen Lewis. I would thus like to say a heartfelt thank you to all our staff and volunteers on behalf of the Board, we appreciate all you do for WBSC. I would also like to thank our Funders and strategic partners for their on-going support, co-working and allegiance, that has helped us to remain the trusted, credible, respected and relevant organisation that we are locally. We have a huge agenda over the next 12 months for us to achieve our strategic ambitions, aims and objectives. However, I am extremely optimistic and confident that we will continue to be successful in the delivery of our services, and that we also have the energy, motivation, experience and ability to take WBSC to the next level of its evolving journey. **“Making a** **----- Start of picture text -----**
difference in
Walsall”
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## **CEO – Maureen Lewis** We have certainly had a busy year, with more work than ever before. Thanks to our staff team who have worked over a beyond to respond to the needs of service users. We have forged great partnerships, which has enabled us to engage with new and more needy user. WBSC has been highly recognised for the work we have done, especially during the pandemic, and is still being recognised as a trusted organisation that delivers to make a difference to the lives of local residence. The work of WBSC have spoken for itself and have been recognised, locally and regionally through the number of nominations of awards, one being the MBCC Community Award, and the BBC WM Make a Difference Community Award. ## **Future Planning** We have survived Covid-19 and is now on the road map of recovery, so it is important that the organisation strengthens itself, and establish ways in which the charity is sustained for the long-term. That we are financial sustainable, we work strategically, and what we do relates to what is happening in the borough of Walsall and the surrounding areas. To that aim we are now putting together or Development and Sustainability Plan as well as to transition from a charity to a Community Interest Organisation (CIO) which would also give us greater fund-raising potential. Services & Activities delivered: **----- Start of picture text -----**
Holiday and Food
Vulnerable Adults Mental Wellbeing
Programme
Project Counselling
Summer Holiday
Health & Social Care Coffee Mornings
Befriending Walking for Health programme
Provision of food for low-
Day Care Women Support
income families
Women
Community After School Club
Empowerment
Celebration Events
Stimulating Play
Programme
International Women’s Day Social Interaction in a Safe
Building confidence & Queen’s Platinum Jubilee environment
Self Esteem
Cultures of Walsall Supporting parents in work or
Employment & Training
Community Trip training
Opportunities
Black History Month
Community Housing Crisis Support Resetting Programme
Awareness Activities Emergency Energy & White Encouraging residents back
Health & Wellbeing good support into activities
Conferences Food Parcel/Bank Improve Confidence
Dementia Awareness Sign Posting Form Friendships
Managing Diabetes
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## **Spotlight on our Vulnerable Adults Project** WBSC’s vulnerable adults’ projects addressing issues that impact on the health, social care and mental well-being of residents The Be A Friend Project focuses on the long-term effects of COVID-19 as the country moved out the restrictions and into recovery. It provides an even greater emphasis on getting people through the effects of the pandemic, supporting recovery activities to re-engage communities. ## **1. Addressing Loneliness & Isolation** Everyone needs social connections to survive and thrive and being alone may leave older adults become more vulnerable to loneliness and isolation, which can affect their health and wellbeing. And statistically older adults are at higher risk for social isolation and loneliness due to changes in health and social connections that comes with growing older. ## **1.1: Day Centre** To address these concerns our Tree of Life Day care provides a vibrant and holistic support for older adults who are lonely and isolated. We provide a pickup and drop off service to enable older adults to access our service and engage in activities such as art and craft, games & quizzes, trips and outings, bingo, chair and stand-up exercise, celebration events and lots more. We provide a hot nutritious meal freshly cooked on site and for some people this is the only hot nutritious meal they have in a week. The day care has all relevant policies/procedures and is more structured to the needs of service users, staff and volunteers. During the pandemic some of our members passed away which caused a reduction in membership and due to more publication via the media our membership is being to increase. ## **1.2: Befriending** Our befriending service provides face to face and telephone befriending service to lonely and isolated older adults within their homes, hospitals, and residential settings. The demand for befriending has increased greatly and we are receiving more and more referrals from local authority, voluntary and community organisations, and we face the challenge of keeping up with the high demand. Currently we have three paid befrienders who provide 20 hours of face-to-face befriending visits per week, this also included telephone calls. Our Support worker is also providing weekly befriending calls. In total there are 85 individuals receiving befriending support. Befrienders provides companionship and stimulating conversation, and in some cases, this could be the only contact a person has. Our befriending support service helps to improve connections to the local community and wider social networks and is an opportunity in making a valued and valuable contribution to people’s lives. ## **1.3: Engagement Partnerships** We are proactive in planning activities which reengage the community in social activities. This is demonstrated by building authentic connections with community groups and organisations such as Health Watch, Bloxwich Community Partnerships, Manor Farm Association, Ahmadiyya Muslim Association, Walsall Council, One You Walsall, WHG, Accord Housing, Nehemiah Court and many more. As partner organisations we can recognise and communicate the needs and interest of all communities and work together on joint initiatives to encourage re-engagement of communities. ## **2. Addressing Mental Well-being** ## **2.1: Well-being Activities** We are addressing mental health through the provision of our Mental Wellbeing Project which encompass coffee mornings, walking for health, mental awareness sessions, health and nutrition, exercise sessions, and counselling. These initiatives are mainly accessed by women from varied ages and culture; however, men are not excluded. Our Mental Wellbeing project enables women with mental health to come together and forge new friendships and gain knowledge about other cultures and norms. It also helps to build the confidence of women where they can support each other and develop better coping mechanisms to tackle issues in their life. ## **2.2: Counselling Service** We supported many vulnerable people who have experienced trauma, domestic violence, low self-esteem and lack of confidence through counselling/therapeutic sessions. To date we have helped 79 people who needed an outlet to clear their minds. We have had positive feedback from clients on how much our counselling service has helped them. ## **3. Improving Peoples Quality of Life** ## **3.1: Housing Crisis Support** Due to the cost-of-living crisis many people are struggling to cope with bills etc, therefore 123 people have benefitted from our Crisis Support Funds, which supports utility payment, food and white goods. We have also supported the community to claim their council tax rebate. We still provide food parcels when requested and ensure that our food bank is stocked up. We have facilitated many activities for the sole purpose of improving the quality of life for service users and the wider communities. Some of the activities are: **----- Start of picture text -----**
Dementia
Awareness
Introduction to Better
Health
Falls Prevention
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We constantly liaise and advocate on individual’s behalf to ensure that they are receiving the care and support they are entitled to within their homes and, ensure that assessments are carried out by social services to improve the quality of life of our service users. ## **3.2: Health & Wellbeing Event** Our Health & Wellbeing event was a great success. Approximately 53 people attended. The day consisted of keynote speakers presenting their services i.e., Street Team, Sickle Cell & Thalassemia, Inequality in children birth outcomes, Mental Health and Self-Care Management. Also, we had 13 organisations showcasing their services via information stalls. The event was very well attended and there was opportunity to network and obtain valid information for people to take away with them. Also, the food was excellent. **Evadne Lewin** Vulnerable Adults Co-ordinator ## **Finance** ## **Income & Expenditure Account 2021-2022** |**Income**|| |---|---| |Accumulated fund|£2,987.56| |Making Connections Walsall (MCW Walsall)|£1,333.35| |Walsall Council|£2,034.34| |ASC fees|£6,466.65| |Day Care- Elderly|£8,475.80| |WMBC - Daycare|£588.60| |Walsall Women Empowerment|£13,284.88| |Big Lottery|£91,796.00| |Near Neighbours|£1,015.33| |Repayments|£825.01| |Charges|£5,878.60| |Government Funding|£24,000.00| |Walsall MBC|£23,267.69| |Loan|£10,000.00| |Community Development|£3,750.00| |Job Retention Scheme|£8,537.42| |Resetting Grant|£4,158.64| |Repayments|£2,630.00| |Housing Support|£5,000.00| |Mental Wellbeing|£5,500.00| |Kickstart|£10,030.11| |**Total Income:**|**£231,559.98**| |**Expenditure**|| |Payroll|£146,580.23| |Rent & Rates|£503.53| |Utilities & Service charges|£2,283.54| |Heat & Light|£0.00| |Stationery|£1,364.63| |Insurance|£5,987.94| |Transport & Travel|£3,889.70| |Repairs & Maintenance|£4,720.59| |Repayments|£10,000.00| |Activities & Events|£14,443.00| |Postage|£255.75| |Professional fees|£10,822.65| |Telephone|£2,596.81| |Building & Maintenance|£332.80| |Food|£7,285.76| |---|---| |Materials & Resource|£5,033.82| |Volunteers Expenses|£1,603.33| |Petty Cash|£12,400.00| |Capital|£1,448.92| |Lease agreement|£1,901.33| |Counselling Service|£3,560.00| |Training|£2,283.97| |Women Empowerment|£43.65| |Charges|£390.46| |T.V. Licence|£159.00| |Room Hire|£4,600.00| |Care Costs|£876.00| |Marketing|£398.00| |Housing Support Funding|£3,660.00| |Membership|£50.00| |Bookkeeping Services|£183.75| |Fees|£645.00| |Miscellaneous|£358.02| |**Total Expenditure:**|**£250,662.18**| |**Balance:**|**-£19,102.20**| |Balance Brought Forward:|44,816.00| £25,713.80 Wa15all lack Sisters Collective WALSALL BLACK SISTERS COLLECTIVE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2022 CHARITY NUMBER . 1009687 WALSALL BLACK SISTERS COLLECTIVE CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the Year Ended 31 Marth 2022 I Incorne and Expenditure Account 2 Schedule of Expenditure 3 Balance Sheet 4 Independent ExamSner's Report WAiSAiLBLACK SISTERS COLLECTIVE INCOME & EXPENDITLIRE ACCOUNT Yearended 31 March Z021 2022 INCOME ReSt￿tted 8ig Lottery 8rant 91,796 150,318 Walsall Cuunril 8rant5 Makin8CoThnections Wa15all grant Xitkstart 8rant Community DevelopmentBrant Adult social Care 8rani Housin8 Support Fund & FL￿d Bank grant 4,833 LO,030 2,667 CE Reset Grant Neighbourhood Natters grant Baron Davenport gr311t Winter Grant Womens Empowermentworkshop Police Crime Commission Heart of England 4,159 2,642 8,934 2533 131,686 177,593 Unre5trlcted Mon4 Manager Interest w￿¢AcCUmM￿l3ted Fund After School Club Fee5 Room Hlre and Charges Daycare- Eldedey HMRCCJRS Krants Walsall Council COVID-19 grants Government Apprentice Grant CharitlesAid Foundation irant 17,910 5.357 11.396 6.865 7.037 39.500 1,500 4,453 8,218 14,4LKI 55.538 8,454 89,571 94,672 2ZI.257 272265 Less: Expetyjiiiire 230.417 168.449 EXCE55 OF EXPENOITURE OVER INCOME 9,160 103A17 WALMLL BLACK SISTERS COLiEcfNE EXPENDITURE Yearended 31 March 2022 2022 2021 149,070 305 111,191 305 Rent and Rates Heat and Li8ht Stationery Printirig Postase Computer Costs Insurance Motor expenses & fravèl Repairs and Maintenance Event5 Profess￿>nal Fees Membership Telephone Trainin HEalth and Safety Food Materials and Resource Volunteers Expenses Sundries Marketing Lease Agreement TV & Zoom Liten£e Room Hire & char8es Be55 Care Women Empowerment Bank Charges Counselling Crisis support Project 530 2.790 174 545 419 4.359 6.583 5,269 16.952 9.853 85 2,763 2,284 354 7.087 2,098 1,538 541 1.448 4,140 97 346 4,811 2,614 11,589 3,776 6.362 35 2,232 3,560 762 10,973 126 914 351 173 1.377 158 700 412 278 3,100 303 4,534 386 66 5,040 3.110 230,417 168,449 WALSALL BLACK SISTERSCOLLECTIVE 8AL4NCESHEET Yearended 31 March 1022 2022 2021 FIXEO ASSEf5 Moiorvehitles Office Equipment Computer Equipmont 32.016 2,738 8,021 32.016 2,738 7,322 42.775 42.076 CURRENT A5SET5 Bank Account Depos¢A¢¢oun¢ sh in hand 79,337 li 409 11,556 75.thJ5 310 79,757 86,871 TOTALASStrs 122,532 128.946 CREDrroRS HMRC- PAYE tQE5T Pension Attachment of Earnlngs Ac¢ruals J.196 L862 26 2.370 5.S92 2.846 14ETNSSETS 116.940 126.100 Represented by".- ACCUMULATED FUNO BalaTh￿ brought forward Excess ol expenditure over income:. 126.101 9,160 116.940 22.284 103,817 126.lUI The income fund5 of the chantyinclude £60.000 which have been set a￿de out of unrestricted fund5 by the trustees. It isthe charity'5 policy to regard a generèl reserve requirement equivalent to 3 monihs iuThnin8 Costsof the charlty'schariiade and adminstratwè Èxpènditure. Slqned•nbehollolthe trust¢￿.. Wendy M. ch￿rpe Prte olApprowl IS F•brnary 2021 WAiSALL BLACK SISTERS COLLEcfivE FINANaAL STATEMEWtS YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2022 CHARITY NUMBER: 1009687 WALSALL BLACK SISTERS COLLECTIVE CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the Year Ended 31 March 2022 I Income and Expendlture Account 2 Schedule of Expendlture 3 Balance Sheet 4 Independent Examlner's Report 114COME & EXPENDlnlRÉ ACCOUNT Y04r end¢d 31 Marth 2022 114COME Restrkned BIE Lotterygr•nt 9L796 150.318 W¥lull Coundl8rnThts: MaklTrgConnettions W￿￿11 grant Klc*start 8rarit Commun6ty De¥*mftttran¢ Aduh S¢¢lil Qre 8rant NOU￿nI Support Fuhd & Food Bankar￿t 4.833 iomo I￿? 8,868 7,0th) ce Riset 8rnnt Nel8hbouthood N•tt•rs Irant Barom OawJnportqran¢ WlThterGr•r*i WornEn4 Empowemilntworkthop Poll¢è CrlmeCommlssh)n Hebrt of En¢l•nd 4,159 1642 51)) &934 2,533 1,fj86 I77￿93 Moftey Man•8er Interest WBSC A¢cummu14ted Fknd After5(hool Club Ftts Room Hlr• •nd Ch4f8es DIY ￿re. Elderl•y HMRccI￿￿￿￿nt￿ W•lsillCoundl cov1￿19￿4fitI Go¥ernmentAppMntke Grant charfll￿Ald FoundDtlon ir•nt 17.910 5.357 11,396 6A65 7M37 4.453 ,Z18 14,4QO 55,558 89,571 94,672 221,157 271265 Lw., Ewndlturn 210A17 EXCESSaFÉXPENDITUNEOVEft INCOME 9.160 103,817 Vearended 31 M•rth 2012 Payroll Rentand Rttes Meat Lltht Stsllonery Prlntl 149.070 305 530 17x1 174 $45 419 4,359 IIL191 305 4,140 97 Computercasts Insurance M¢XoreYper￿¢s &Tra¥tl Repalrs and malnieiiw￿e Events Professlonil Fe Membetshlp T*lepP•Me Tralnl Healthand Salety Food Materlils •nd Re￿￿r¢+ 1811 2.614 11.589 3.776 6,362 35 2,231 3,$60 762 10.973 126 914 351 173 1.377 158 700 412 16.952 9￿53 85 1763 284 354 7m7 L538 541 278 3.IlX) Sundrles Marketl Lease A8reemert TV& Zoom Ll¢en¢• Ac￿rn & ch•r8•s 8ess C• Women Empow•mi•rt 8aTrk Charges Coun5ellln6 Cv1515 support ProJ•¢i 4.534 3,110 23Q417 168,449 MotorV•hldtt. 41r15 ,3J7 Shth￿nd 7% HMRC-PAIT NEsfper*p AcaiMUIAIEftrFUND J2& INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REpoKfTO ThE TRiISTEES OF WALSALL BLACK SISTERS COLLECTIVE YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH 2012 CHARITY NUMBER 1009657 I report on the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2022 set Otrt on pages 1-3. Respe¢ti¥e responslblllties of tn￿eeS and examiner The charl￿5 trustee5 are responsible for the preparation of the accounts In accordance with the requirements of the Charities Art 20111.the Acfl. The charitvs tnJstee5 consider that an audit is not required for this year under sectlon 144 of the Act and that an independent examination is needed. It is my reswnslbllity to: examine the accounts under sectlon 145 ofthe Charities Art to follow the applicable dlrections given by the Charity Commisslon (under Sertion 14515llbl and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basls of the Independent examlnerfs ryrt My examination was carried out in accordance with the general DirettK)ns glven by the Charitv Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity aFxI comparlson of the accounts presented wlth those records. It a150 includes conslderation of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanatlons from the trustees Con￿rning any such matters. The procedures undertaken th) not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whetherthe accounts present a 'true and fair Vie￿ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the ststements below. Independent examlnerfs Statement In connettion with my examination. no material matters have come to my attention whith gives me cause to believe that in. any material respert: accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charitles Act or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records I have no con￿M5 and have come across no other matters In connection wlth the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reach Mrs SD Cooke FCCA Director Rice & Co (Brownhillsl Ltd 90 High Street Brovmhills Walsall W58 6EW Date: 15 February 2023