Registered number: 02688742 Charity number: 1018750
Drive Forward Foundation
(A company limited by guarantee)
Trustees' report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024
Drive Forward Foundation
(A company limited by guarantee)
Contents
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Reference and administrative details of the charity, its Trustees and advisers | 1 |
| Trustees' report | 2 - 8 |
| Independent auditor's report on the financial statements | 9 - 12 |
| Statement of financial activities | 13 |
| Balance sheet | 14 |
| Statement of cash flows | 15 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 16 - 34 |
Drive Forward Foundation
(A company limited by guarantee)
Reference and administrative details of the charity, its Trustees and Directors and advisers for the year ended 31 March 2024
| Trustees and Directors | Tracy Lee (resigned 29 September 2023) |
|---|---|
| Sir Max Hill, Chair (appointed 1 February 2024) | |
| Maggie Collier | |
| Jordan Morgan | |
| Anthony Simpson | |
| Richard Johnston (appointed 7 June 2023) | |
| Shona Nichols (appointed 7 June 2023) | |
| Company registered number 02688742 Charity registered number 1018750 Registered office 14-15 Lower Marsh London SE1 7RJ Chief executive officer Anton Babey Independent auditor Kreston Reeves LLP Chartered Accountants Statutory Auditor Montague Place Quayside Chatham Maritime Chatham Kent ME4 4QU Bankers HSBC Bank PLC 69 Pall Mall London SW1Y 5EY |
Page 1
Drive Forward Foundation
(A company limited by guarantee)
Trustees' report for the year ended 31 March 2024
The Trustees present their Annual Report together with the audited financial statements of the Charity for the year 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024. The Annual Report serves the purposes of both a Trustees' report and a directors' report under company law. The Trustees confirm that the Annual Report and financial statements of the charitable company comply with the current statutory requirements, the requirements of the charitable company's governing document and the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) (effective 1 January 2019).
Since the charity qualifies as small under section 382 of the Companies Act 2006, the Strategic report required of medium and large companies under the Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Directors' Report) Regulations 2013 has been omitted.
Objectives and activities
a. Policies and objectives
Our Vision:
- A society where care-experienced people enjoy opportunity, empathy, and respect.
Our Mission:
- To enable care-experienced young people to achieve their full potential through sustainable and fulfilling employment.
Our plan for the next three years:
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To increase the number of young people we work with in London to 1200 per year by the end of financial year 2025-26 and to research, and then replicate our services outside the capital.
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To become the go-to organisation for all matters relating to employment for care-experienced young people.
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To increase the percentage of our young people securing employment from our partners.
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To build an inclusive community of care-experienced young people.
We are now one year into our three-year strategy and are on target to meet our objectives.
Our Values.
We are :
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Visionary - We explore, learn, and thrive. We ask bold questions seeking to expand our insight and knowledge to drive leading practice, reframe mindsets, and build better futures.
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People-Focussed - People are at the heart of everything we do. We lead with commitment, champion individuals with compassion, and nurture aspiration.
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Collaborative - We evolve together. We know our strengths and actively pursue opportunities to work with people who make us stronger; building a supportive community that strives to elevate one-another.
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• Empowering - We encourage honest reflection, cultivate self-belief, and enable our community to break down barriers to promote positive change within and around them.
Our policies are reviewed annually to assess their appropriateness for the Charity. This review also considers the relevant changes in legislation.
Page 2
Drive Forward Foundation
(A company limited by guarantee)
Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2024
Objectives and activities (continued)
The activities of Drive Forward have remained true to the core mission, vision and values, which is to empower care-experienced young people aged 16-26 in London to achieve their full potential, supporting them into sustainable and fulfilling employment, further education, or training. Our approach is unchanged: to provide tailored 1-2-1 support for the young people with whom we work and to form close relationships with employers and provide them with employability skills training. Underpinned by individual career guidance, our programmes cater for a broad spectrum of clients who have diverse needs and aspirations. Depending on the individual’s personal situation, experience and qualifications, we focus on building their motivation and confidence, developing their specific career-related skills and building professional networks to help them. Our corporate partners enable us to offer exclusive, ring-fenced work experience and employment opportunities to our clients, and these partners also understand the benefits of recruiting young people who bring diverse skills and experience to their workplaces.
In setting objectives and planning for future activities, the Trustees have given due consideration to general guidance published by the Charity Commission relating to public benefit including the guidance 'Public benefit: running a Charity (PB2)'.
Achievements and performance
a. Key performance indicators
Drive Forward continues to track engagement levels, young people into work, work placements, further education and training.
b. Review of activities
Drive Forward worked with 621 young people during the year. During this period, we have transitioned 211 into employment and another 68 into further and higher education or training.
We have worked with young people from all London boroughs, and have collaborated with around 45 corporate partners.
c. Fundraising activities and income generation
During the financial year, Drive Forward has successfully delivered service contracts for local authorities in Lambeth, Achieving For Children in Kingston and Richmond and Haringey, along with commencing new contracts for services with local authorities in Bromley and Lewisham. The Charity also continues to be funded by Trusts & Foundations, and by an increasing number of corporate and private donations.
d. Review of operations
At Drive Forward Foundation, we believe in the potential for all young people to achieve their career goals and succeed in life. Our staff and partners are dedicated to creating opportunities for care-experienced young people that support their professional and personal growth, ensuring that they gain the skills and tools needed to fulfil their career ambitions.
This is why we put such an emphasis on 1-2-1 work with our young people and promote a relational working approach based on trust and understanding. We aim to create a real connection with the young people with whom we work, allowing us to better comprehend their needs, desires and aspirations.
Page 3
Drive Forward Foundation
(A company limited by guarantee)
Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2024
Achievements and performance (continued)
We understand how important it is to acknowledge and understand the entirety of a person’s character and circumstances in order to be able to give them the most effective form of support. By creating and developing connections, our Careers Specialists can harness their energy and time into pathways and opportunities that can lead to substantial outcomes.
With the commitment to provide the best possible support to each young person, our Careers Specialists take the time to identify suitable training and employment opportunities that match everyone’s personal and career aspirations. That could be anything from taking part in one of Drive Forward’s community activities to helping with an application to university.
Employer Partnerships
Strong employer partnerships have always been a fundamental element of Drive Forward’s approach to helping care-experienced individuals successfully move into sustainable and fulfilling employment. While our Careers Specialists can provide young people with the knowledge and the tools they need to get a foot in the door, it is the tremendous efforts and support of the employers working with us that truly enable individuals to succeed in the world of work.
By providing quality work experience and exclusive job opportunities for beneficiaries, our partners enable them to experience diverse workplaces and environments, as well as gain exposure to a range of different career paths available across industries.
We are proud to have established a highly diverse network of partnerships spanning a wide range of sectors and industries, and our network continues to grow. The opportunities this network provides - from work experience to full time jobs, to skilled volunteer support and industry insight days - are pivotal in helping individuals succeed in their careers.
We know that all our partners are eager to provide young people with the best quality experience and support as they enter the workplace. To help them achieve this, we provide training and ongoing support aimed at increasing their understanding of care experience and what measures they can put in place to provide the best possible support to young people entering employment. Furthermore, to support our goal of creating a shift in how employers approach recruitment and enable a more diverse range of talent to access opportunities, we deliver a calendar of networking and learning events every year.
In an effort to deliver more ring-fenced opportunities for our young people, we collaborate with the Civil Service through the DFF Civil Service Internship Scheme, and with the NHS and several local authorities. All these organisations have the ambition to become the most inclusive and diverse employers in the UK, and to make these opportunities more accessible, individuals don’t need to have any previous qualifications or experience to apply.
Last year, 48 young people working with Drive Forward were offered 12-months paid internship opportunities within the Civil Service, up from 30 in the previous year, 6 were employed by the NHS and a further 6 joined the new Camden Council Internship Scheme for care-leavers. While some of these are recent graduates, the majority have limited or no qualifications. These young people have succeeded not because of their outstanding grades, above-average talent or distinguished connections, but because they put in the time and energy to understand the opportunity in front of them, tailor their written applications to the job and to practise their interview skills in order to impress a critical panel. They succeed because they have the drive to succeed and progress in their lives.
Page 4
Drive Forward Foundation
(A company limited by guarantee)
Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2024
Achievements and performance (continued)
Policy Forum
The Policy Forum was established in 2016/17. This year, as planned, we hired a full-time Political Engagement and Policy Officer and our work to support the efforts of our young people to change external perceptions of care-experience has gained considerable momentum since then. Our Care-Experienced Policy Forum has 10-15 regular members along with an additional group of young people who provide insight and input on a project-byproject basis. Their commitment involves attending monthly meetups, speaking engagements, providing insight and training to institutions and organisations, taking part in consultations and providing evidence to key civil servants and decision makers.
Throughout 2023, the Policy Forum group continued its focus on ending the unnecessary criminalisation of careexperienced young people, working with youth justice experts to create a practical guide for solicitors and barristers representing young people. The result of this work is a guide, completed in collaboration with the Transition to Adulthood Alliance, Child Rights & Youth Justice, Garden Court Chambers and the Youth Justice Legal Centre, and launched at an event in the Palace of Westminster, hosted by Emily Thornberry MP and attended by over forty interested parties.
The focus of the Policy Forum has now moved to disseminating the guide as widely as possible, and also to beginning work in the areas of care-leaver mental health, education provision and corporate parenting. We have strengthened our relationship with the National Leaving Care Benchmarking Forum and recently launched a Community of Practice, bringing health specialists and practitioners as well as social service leads and department head to together to share best practice, discuss challenges, and ultimately work towards improving specialist mental health services for care-experienced children and young people across the country. Our members value collaboration with other organisations, because of the way this can amplify our voice and bolster our influence on policy development.
Counselling, Advocacy and Mentoring
Our service providing access to low-cost counselling services continues. During the year 45 young people have taken advantage of this provision. In addition, 55 young people were matched with mentors in their chosen employment field.
Page 5
Drive Forward Foundation
(A company limited by guarantee)
Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2024
Financial review
a. Financial
The Charity continues to generate funding from a wide range of sources. Grants from Trust & Foundations continue to provide the majority of funds, but a renewed focus on providing services to local authorities under statutory contracts means this is the fastest growing area of our revenue.
We enter the next financial year in a strong position, and now have considerable cash reserves to protect the Charity from market and environmental uncertainty. During the year we added staff to our Partnership, Fundraising and to our Careers teams, as well as in Policy, and plan to recruit another Careers Specialist to increase further the numbers of young people we are able to support.
b. Going concern
After making appropriate enquiries, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, they continue to adopt the Going Concern basis in preparing the financial statements. Further details regarding the adoption of the Going Concern basis can be found in the accounting policies.
c. Principal risks and uncertainties
The principal risks to the Charity over the next 12 months continue to centre on economic uncertainty and the effect that this can have both on quantum and timing of grant and local authority income, and more directly on the disadvantaged client group with whom we work. We believe the pressures on recruitment have eased, and find an increasing appetite among existing and new corporate partners to join in offering employment opportunities for this group.
The Charity has so far navigated successfully the potential payment timing risks inherent as we increase our provision of services under statutory contracts, with both renewals of existing contracts and new contracts coming on stream with no disruption to cashflows.
d. Reserves policy
Drive Forward has a diversified funding base. To minimize further the risks of potential funding shortfalls, the Trustees believe the reserves should be maintained at the equivalent of at least 6 months of operating costs. During this financial year and ongoing, reserves levels have been considerably in excess of this. The level of reserves is calculated and monitored every month by the Board and CEO; the policy is reviewed annually will be whenever there are significant changes.
Page 6
Drive Forward Foundation
(A company limited by guarantee)
Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2024
Structure, governance and management
a. Constitution
Drive Forward Foundation is registered as a charitable company limited by guarantee and was set up by a Memorandum of Association on 18 February 1992. The Charity is a registered Charity, number 1018750.
The principal object of the Charity is to assist young people leaving the care system to achieve sustainable living through sustainable employment.
b. Methods of appointment or election of Trustees
The governance of the Charity is the responsibility of the Trustees who are elected and co-opted under the terms of the Memorandum of Association. A regular audit is carried out to ensure that the Charity maintains the correct skills in order to gain maximum benefit. During the financial year, Tracy Lee resigned as Chair, and was replaced by Sir Max Hill. In addition, Shona Nichols and Richard Johnston joined the Board of Trustees.
c. Organisational structure and decision-making policies
The Governance of the organisation is broken down into two core bodies, the Board of Trustees and the Senior Leadership Team.
Core functions of the Board of Trustees are:
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To ensure that the Charity remains true to its mission and values
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To support the determination of its strategy
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To act as the point of final accountability for its actions and those of its representatives and staff
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To safeguard its assets
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Liaison between the organisation and the outside world: providing a conduit for information and ideas, representing it and acting as an ambassador for it
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Act as a pool of expertise and advice, making this available to staff and volunteers
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Line-manage the CEO
In the exercise of this responsibility, the authority for day-to-day management and control of the Charity, and the establishment of policies and procedures and other operations of the organisation, are delegated to the CEO and Senior Leadership Team. This delegation of authority requires that the Board relies on the judgement and decisions of those who operate under its authority.
In order that we are able to continue to increase the number of young people and employers with whom we work, and the number of Boroughs in which we operate, we will continue to add to our Careers team resource, and over the medium term, our Partnership Team.
Page 7
Drive Forward Foundation
(A company limited by guarantee)
Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2024
Statement of Trustees' responsibilities
The Trustees (who are also the directors of the charity for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice) .
Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under company law, the Trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles of the Charities SORP (FRS 102);
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make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards (FRS 102) have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charity's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Disclosure of information to auditor
Each of the persons who are Trustees at the time when this Trustees' report is approved has confirmed that:
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so far as that Trustee is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the charity's auditor is unaware, and
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that Trustee has taken all the steps that ought to have been taken as a Trustee in order to be aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the charity's auditor is aware of that information.
Auditor
The auditor, Kreston Reeves LLP, has indicated his willingness to continue in office. The designated Trustees will propose a motion reappointing the auditor at a meeting of the Trustees.
Approved by order of the members of the board of Trustees and signed on their behalf by:
Sir Max Hill KC Chair of Trustees
Date: 28 October 2024
Page 8
Drive Forward Foundation
(A company limited by guarantee)
Independent auditor's report to the Members of Drive Forward Foundation
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of Drive Forward Foundation (the 'charity') for the year ended 31 March 2024 which comprise the Statement of financial activities, the Balance sheet, the Statement of cash flows and the related notes, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
In our opinion the financial statements:
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give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company's affairs as at 31 March 2024 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure for the year then ended;
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have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
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have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.
Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the United Kingdom, including the Financial Reporting Council's Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
Conclusions relating to going concern
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the Trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the Trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
Page 9
Drive Forward Foundation
(A company limited by guarantee)
Independent auditor's report to the Members of Drive Forward Foundation (continued)
Other information
The other information comprises the information included in the Annual report other than the financial statements and our Auditor's report thereon. The Trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the Annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
Opinion on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:
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the information given in the Trustees' report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements.
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the Trustees' report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
Matters on which we are required to report by exception
In the light of our knowledge and understanding of the charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Trustees' report.
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
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adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
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the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
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certain disclosures of Trustees' remuneration specified by law are not made; or
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we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or
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the Trustees were not entitled to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the small companies regime and take advantage of the small companies' exemptions in preparing the Trustees' report and from the requirement to prepare a Strategic report.
Responsibilities of trustees
As explained more fully in the Trustees' responsibilities statement, the Trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the Trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the financial statements, the Trustees are responsible for assessing the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
Page 10
Drive Forward Foundation
(A company limited by guarantee)
Independent auditor's report to the Members of Drive Forward Foundation (continued)
Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an Auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:
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Discussions with management and assessment of known or suspected instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations (including health and safety) and fraud; and
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Assessment of identified fraud risk factors; and
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Challenging assumptions and judgements made by management in its significant accounting estimates; and
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Performing analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships, including related party transactions, that may indicate risks of material misstatement due to fraud; and
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Confirmation of related parties with management, and review of transactions throughout the period to identify any previously undisclosed transactions with related parties outside the normal course of business; and
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Reading minutes of meetings of those charged with governance; and
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Review of significant and unusual transactions; and
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Identifying and testing journal entries with the use of data analytics, in particular any manual entries made at the year end for financial statement preparation.
Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.
As part of an audit in accordance with ISAs (UK), we exercise professional judgment and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also:
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Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.
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Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion of the effectiveness of the charitable company's internal control.
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Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures made by the Trustees.
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Conclude on the appropriateness of the Trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in my Auditor's report to the related disclosures in the financial statements or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of my Auditor's report. However, future events or conditions may cause the charitable company to cease to continue as a going concern.
Page 11
Drive Forward Foundation
(A company limited by guarantee)
Independent auditor's report to the Members of Drive Forward Foundation (continued)
- Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the financial statements, including the disclosures, and whether the financial statements represent the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.
We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.
Use of our report
This report is made solely to the charitable company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company's members those matters we are required to state to them in an Auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and its members, as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
James Peach BSc FCA (Senior statutory auditor)
for and on behalf of
Kreston Reeves LLP
Chartered Accountants Statutory Auditor Chatham Maritime
Date: 28.10.2024
Page 12
Drive Forward Foundation
(A company limited by guarantee)
Statement of financial activities (incorporating income and expenditure account) for the year ended 31 March 2024
| Note Income from: Donations and legacies 3 Charitable activities 4 Other income 5 Total income Expenditure on: Raising funds 6 Charitable activities 7 Total expenditure Net income before other recognised gains/(losses) Net gains / (losses) on investments Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward Net movement in funds Total funds carried forward |
Unrestricted funds 2024 £ 581,120 221,761 1,428 804,309 53,160 708,375 761,535 42,774 - 42,774 1,026,839 42,774 1,069,613 |
Restricted funds 2024 £ 228,682 - - 228,682 - 302,881 302,881 (74,199) - (74,199) 74,199 (74,199) - |
Total funds 2024 £ 809,802 221,761 1,428 1,032,991 53,160 1,011,256 1,064,416 (31,425) - (31,425) 1,101,038 (31,425) 1,069,613 |
Total funds 2023 £ 910,638 117,671 4,366 1,032,675 52,134 869,756 921,890 110,785 (94) 110,691 990,347 110,691 1,101,038 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
The Statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
The notes on pages 16 to 34 form part of these financial statements.
Page 13
Drive Forward Foundation
(A company limited by guarantee) Registered number: 02688742
Balance sheet as at 31 March 2024
| 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Note | £ | £ | ||||
| Fixed assets | ||||||
| Intangible assets | 11 | 16,269 | 22,185 | |||
| Tangible assets | 12 | 2,105 | 3,802 | |||
| Investments | 13 | - | 820 | |||
| 18,374 | 26,807 | |||||
| Current assets | ||||||
| Debtors | 14 | 74,478 | 57,098 | |||
| Cash at bank and in hand | 1,008,957 | 1,167,942 | ||||
| 1,083,435 | 1,225,040 | |||||
| Creditors: amounts falling due within one | ||||||
| year | 15 | (32,196) | (150,809) | |||
| Net current assets | 1,051,239 | 1,074,231 | ||||
| Total net assets | 1,069,613 | 1,101,038 | ||||
| Charity funds | ||||||
| Restricted funds | 16 | - | 74,199 | |||
| Unrestricted funds | 16 | 1,069,613 | 1,026,839 | |||
| Total funds | 1,069,613 | 1,101,038 |
The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and preparation of financial statements.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to entities subject to the small companies regime.
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:
MeareNe Sir Max Hill KC Chair of Trustees
Date: 28 October 2024
The notes on pages 16 to 34 form part of these financial statements.
Page 14
Drive Forward Foundation (A company limited by guarantee)
| Statement of cash flows for the year ended 31 March 2024 Note Cash flows from operating activities Net cash used in operating activities 19 Cash flows from investing activities Purchase of tangible fixed assets Proceeds from sale of investments Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year 20 The notes on pages 16 to 34 form part of these financial statements |
2024 £ (159,805) - 820 820 (158,985) 1,167,942 1,008,957 |
2023 £ 288,022 (1,343) - (1,343) 286,679 881,263 1,167,942 |
|---|---|---|
Page 15
Drive Forward Foundation
(A company limited by guarantee)
Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024
1. General information
Drive Forward Foundation is registered as a charitable company limited by guarantee and was set up by a Memorandum of Association on 18 February 1992. The charity is a registered charity, number 1018750. The Charity's objectives are set out in the Trustees Report, on page 2.
2. Accounting policies
2.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) - Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.
Drive Forward Foundation meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy.
2.2 Going concern
The Trustees assess whether the use of going concern is appropriate i.e. whether there are any material uncertainties related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the ability of the Charity to continue as a going concern. The Trustees make this assessment in respect of a period of at least one year from the date of authorisation for issue of the financial statements and have concluded that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and there are no material uncertainties about the Charity's ability to continue as a going concern, thus they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
2.3 Income
All income is recognised once the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.
Grants are included in the Statement of financial activities on a receivable basis. The balance of income received for specific purposes but not expended during the period is shown in the relevant funds on the Balance sheet. Where income is received in advance of entitlement of receipt, its recognition is deferred and included in creditors as deferred income. Where entitlement occurs before income is received, the income is accrued.
Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
Other income is recognised in the period in which it is receivable and to the extent the goods have been provided or on completion of the service.
Page 16
Drive Forward Foundation
(A company limited by guarantee)
Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024
2. Accounting policies (continued)
2.4 Interest receivable
Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the institution with whom the funds are deposited.
2.5 Expenditure
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
Expenditure on raising funds includes all expenditure incurred by the charity to raise funds for its charitable purposes and includes costs of all fundraising activities events and non-charitable trading.
Expenditure on charitable activities is incurred on directly undertaking the activities which further the charity's objectives, as well as any associated support costs.
2.6 Taxation
The charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 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 categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.
2.7 Intangible assets and amortisation
Intangible assets are initially recognised at cost. After recognition, under the cost model, intangible assets are measured at cost less any accumulated amortisation and any accumulated impairment losses.
At each reporting date the charity assesses whether there is any indication of impairment. If such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is determined to be the higher of its fair value less costs to sell and its value in use. An impairment loss is recognised where the carrying amount exceeds the recoverable amount.
Amortisation is provided on intangible assets at rates calculated to write off the cost of each asset on a straight-line basis over its expected useful life.
Amortisation is provided on the following basis:
Computer software - 20 %
Page 17
Drive Forward Foundation
(A company limited by guarantee)
Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024
2. Accounting policies (continued)
2.8 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation
Tangible fixed assets costing £1,000 or more are capitalised and recognised when future economic benefits are probable and the cost or value of the asset can be measured reliably.
Tangible fixed assets are initially recognised at cost. After recognition, under the cost model, tangible fixed assets are measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. All costs incurred to bring a tangible fixed asset into its intended working condition should be included in the measurement of cost.
At each reporting date the charity assesses whether there is any indication of impairment. If such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is determined to be the higher of its fair value less costs to sell and its value in use. An impairment loss is recognised where the carrying amount exceeds the recoverable amount.
Depreciation is charged so as to allocate the cost of tangible fixed assets less their residual value over their estimated useful lives, on the following basis:
- Office equipment 5 - 10 years
2.9 Investments
Fixed asset investments are a form of financial instrument and are initially recognised at their transaction cost and subsequently measured at fair value at the Balance sheet date, unless the value cannot be measured reliably in which case it is measured at cost less impairment. Investment gains and losses, whether realised or unrealised, are combined and presented as ‘Gains/(Losses) on investments’ in the Statement of financial activities.
2.10 Debtors
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.
2.11 Cash at bank and in hand
Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short-term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.
2.12 Liabilities and provisions
Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the Balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably.
Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the charity anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provide.
Provisions are measured at the best estimate of the amounts required to settle the obligation. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the provision is based on the present value of those amounts, discounted at the pre-tax discount rate that reflects the risks specific to the liability. The unwinding of the discount is recognised in the Statement of financial activities as a finance cost.
Page 18
Drive Forward Foundation
(A company limited by guarantee)
Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024
2. Accounting policies (continued)
2.13 Financial instruments
The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
2.14 Pensions
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme and the pension charge represents the amounts payable by the charity to the fund in respect of the year.
2.15 Fund accounting
General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.
Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the charity for particular purposes. The costs of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Page 19
Drive Forward Foundation
(A company limited by guarantee)
Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024
3. Income from donations and legacies
| Unrestricted funds 2024 £ Donations 63,711 Grants 517,409 581,120 Total 2023 614,790 |
Restricted funds 2024 £ - 228,682 228,682 295,848 |
Total funds 2024 £ 63,711 746,091 809,802 910,638 |
Total funds 2023 £ 77,102 833,536 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 910,638 | |||
4. Income from charitable activities
| Income from charitable activities Total 2023 Other incoming resources Other incoming resources Total 2023 |
Unrestricted funds 2024 £ 221,761 117,671 Unrestricted funds 2024 £ 1,428 4,366 |
Total funds 2024 £ 221,761 117,671 Total funds 2024 £ 1,428 4,366 |
Total funds 2023 £ 117,671 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total funds 2023 £ 4,366 |
|||
5. Other incoming resources
Page 20
Drive Forward Foundation
(A company limited by guarantee)
Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024
6. Expenditure on raising funds
| Unrestricted funds 2024 £ Travel, accommodation and general expenses 417 Advertising and publicity including website 7,229 Recruitment - Wages and salaries 39,993 Social security costs 4,515 Pension costs 1,006 53,160 Total 2023 52,134 |
Total funds 2024 £ 417 7,229 - 39,993 4,515 1,006 53,160 52,134 |
Total funds 2023 £ 850 6,268 1,900 37,755 4,422 939 |
|---|---|---|
| 52,134 | ||
Page 21
Drive Forward Foundation (A company limited by guarantee)
Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024
7. Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities
Summary by fund type
| Unrestricted funds 2024 £ Charitable activities 708,375 Total 2023 454,434 Analysis of expenditure by activities Direct costs 2024 £ Charitable activities 899,828 Total 2023 760,162 |
Restricted funds 2024 £ 302,881 415,322 Support costs 2024 £ 111,428 109,594 |
Total 2024 £ 1,011,256 869,756 Total funds 2024 £ 1,011,256 869,756 |
Total 2023 £ 869,756 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total funds 2023 £ 869,756 |
|||
8. Analysis of expenditure by activities
Page 22
Drive Forward Foundation (A company limited by guarantee)
Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024
8. Analysis of expenditure by activities (continued)
Analysis of direct costs
| Staff costs Depreciation Youth programme Advertising and publicity Travel and entertainment General administrative expenses Telephone Consultancy and training Rent, rates and services Legal and professional fees Loss on disposal of asset |
Total funds 2024 £ 716,545 3,807 82,292 14,458 285 20,344 3,193 25,947 31,454 1,494 9 899,828 |
Total funds 2023 £ 565,974 4,532 92,976 12,536 801 15,233 3,833 36,361 27,800 116 - |
|---|---|---|
| 760,162 |
Analysis of support costs
| Staff costs Depreciation Rent, rates and services Storage charges Advertising and publicity Travel and entertainment General administrative expenses Bank charges and interest Telephone Insurance Auditor's remuneration Legal and professional fees Recruitment |
Total funds 2024 £ 38,372 3,806 31,453 2,054 2,410 380 20,485 61 563 1,508 9,600 736 - 111,428 |
Total funds 2023 £ 41,836 4,531 27,798 2,007 2,090 1,068 15,282 69 676 - 6,300 4,137 3,800 |
|---|---|---|
| 109,594 |
Page 23
Drive Forward Foundation (A company limited by guarantee)
Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024
9. Staff costs
| Wages and salaries Social security costs Pension costs |
2024 £ 712,333 73,921 14,177 800,431 |
2023 £ 580,433 57,564 12,929 |
|---|---|---|
| 650,926 |
The average number of persons employed by the charity during the year was as follows:
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| No. | No. | |
| Employees | 20 | 17 |
The number of employees whose employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) exceeded £60,000 was:
| 2024 | 2023 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| No. | No. | ||
| In the band £60,001 | - £70,000 | 1 | 1 |
The total employment benefits including employer pension contributions of the key management personnel were £172,828 (2023: £165,314).
10. Trustees' remuneration and expenses
During the year, no Trustees received any remuneration or other benefits (2023 - £NIL).
During the year ended 31 March 2024, no Trustee expenses have been incurred (2023 - £NIL).
Page 24
Drive Forward Foundation
(A company limited by guarantee)
| Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 11. Intangible assets Cost At 1 April 2023 At 31 March 2024 Amortisation At 1 April 2023 Charge for the year At 31 March 2024 Net book value At 31 March 2024 At 31 March 2023 |
Computer Software £ 29,580 |
|---|---|
| 29,580 | |
| 7,395 5,916 |
|
| 13,311 | |
| 16,269 | |
| 22,185 |
Page 25
Drive Forward Foundation (A company limited by guarantee)
| Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 12. Tangible fixed assets Cost or valuation At 1 April 2023 At 31 March 2024 Depreciation At 1 April 2023 Charge for the year At 31 March 2024 Net book value At 31 March 2024 At 31 March 2023 |
Office equipment £ 15,728 |
|---|---|
| 15,728 | |
| 11,926 1,697 |
|
| 13,623 | |
| 2,105 | |
| 3,802 |
Page 26
Drive Forward Foundation
(A company limited by guarantee)
Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024
| 13. Fixed asset investments At 1 April 2023 Disposals At 31 March 2024 Net book value At 31 March 2024 At 31 March 2023 All the fixed asset investments were held in the UK. |
Unlisted investments £ 820 (820) - - 820 |
|---|---|
The charity's investment was comprised of IM CAF Fixed Interest Fund B Income shares managed by Charities Aid Foundation. These were disposed of during the year.
Page 27
Drive Forward Foundation
(A company limited by guarantee)
Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024
14. Debtors
| Due within one year Other debtors Prepayments and accrued income Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year Other taxation and social security Other creditors Accruals and deferred income Deferred income at 1 April 2023 Resources deferred during the year Amounts released from previous periods Deferred income at 31 March 2024 |
2024 £ 12,750 61,728 74,478 2024 £ 19,279 3,317 9,600 32,196 2024 £ (70,908) - 70,908 - |
2023 £ 12,815 44,283 57,098 2023 £ 18,185 3,322 129,302 150,809 2023 £ (16,250) (70,908) 16,250 (70,908) |
|---|---|---|
15. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
Page 28
Drive Forward Foundation
(A company limited by guarantee)
Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024
16. Statement of funds
Statement of funds - current year
| Unrestricted funds General Funds - all funds Restricted funds CHK Foundation YFF John Lewis Foundation Baringa The Big Ask Total of funds |
Balance at 1 April 2023 £ 1,026,839 40,250 - - - 33,949 74,199 1,101,038 |
Income £ 804,309 40,000 101,858 50,000 32,750 4,074 228,682 1,032,991 |
Expenditure £ (761,535) (80,250) (101,858) (50,000) (32,750) (38,023) (302,881) (1,064,416) |
Balance at 31 March 2024 £ 1,069,613 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| - - - - - |
||||
| - | ||||
| 1,069,613 |
CHK Foundation - Funding for Strategic Partnerships Manager/Mentoring Coordinator salary. YFF - Funding for employment services as part of an evaluation Big Ask - Funding for mentoring programme
John Lewis Foundation - Contribution towards Partnerships team salaries Baringa - Contribution towards part of salary for a Careers Specialist.
Page 29
Drive Forward Foundation
(A company limited by guarantee)
Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024
16. Statement of funds (continued)
Statement of funds - prior year
| Unrestricted funds General Funds Restricted funds City of London CHK Foundation YFF Big Ask CAF Total of funds |
Balance at 1 April 2022 £ 813,424 5,583 42,167 44,283 29,664 55,226 176,923 990,347 |
Income £ 720,077 16,750 48,300 177,132 40,739 29,677 312,598 1,032,675 |
Expenditure £ (506,568) (22,333) (50,217) (221,415) (36,454) (84,903) (415,322) (921,890) |
Gains/ (Losses) £ (94) - - - - - - (94) |
Balance at 31 March 2023 £ 1,026,839 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - 40,250 - 33,949 - |
|||||
| 74,199 | |||||
| 1,101,038 |
Page 30
Drive Forward Foundation (A company limited by guarantee)
Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024
17. Summary of funds
Summary of funds - current year
| General funds Restricted funds |
Balance at 1 April 2022 £ 813,424 176,923 990,347 |
Balance at 1 April 2023 £ 1,026,839 74,199 1,101,038 Income £ 720,077 312,598 1,032,675 |
Income £ 804,309 228,682 1,032,991 Expenditure £ (506,568) (415,322) (921,890) |
Expenditure £ (761,535) (302,881) (1,064,416) Gains/ (Losses) £ (94) - (94) |
Balance at 31 March 2024 £ 1,069,613 - |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,069,613 | |||||
| Balance at 31 March 2023 £ 1,026,839 74,199 |
|||||
| Summary of funds - prior year | |||||
| General funds Restricted funds |
|||||
| 1,101,038 |
Page 31
Drive Forward Foundation
(A company limited by guarantee)
Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024
18. Analysis of net assets between funds
Analysis of net assets between funds - current period
| Unrestricted funds 2024 £ Tangible fixed assets 2,105 Intangible fixed assets 16,269 Current assets 1,083,435 Creditors due within one year (32,196) Total 1,069,613 |
Total funds 2024 £ 2,105 16,269 1,083,435 (32,196) 1,069,613 |
|---|---|
Analysis of net assets between funds - prior period
| Tangible fixed assets Intangible fixed assets Fixed asset investments Current assets Creditors due within one year Total |
Unrestricted funds 2023 £ 3,802 22,185 820 1,150,841 (150,809) 1,026,839 |
Restricted funds 2023 £ - - - 74,199 - 74,199 |
Total funds 2023 £ 3,802 22,185 820 1,225,040 (150,809) 1,101,038 |
|---|---|---|---|
Page 32
Drive Forward Foundation (A company limited by guarantee)
Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024
19. Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash flow from operating activities
| Net income/expenditure for the period (as per Statement of Financial Activities) Adjustments for: Depreciation charges Amortisation charges Decrease/(increase) in debtors Increase/(decrease) in creditors Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities 20. Analysis of cash and cash equivalents Cash in hand 21. Analysis of changes in net debt At 1 April 2023 £ Cash at bank and in hand 1,167,942 1,167,942 |
2024 £ (31,425) 1,697 5,916 (17,380) (118,613) (159,805) 2024 £ 1,008,957 Cash flows £ (158,985) (158,985) |
2023 £ 110,785 |
|---|---|---|
| 3,147 5,916 38,935 129,239 |
||
| 288,022 | ||
| 2023 £ 1,167,942 |
||
| At 31 March 2024 £ 1,008,957 |
||
| 1,008,957 |
Page 33
Drive Forward Foundation
(A company limited by guarantee)
Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024
22. Operating lease commitments
At 31 March 2024 the charity had commitments to make future minimum lease payments under noncancellable operating leases as follows:
| Not later than 1 year Later than 1 year and not later than 5 years |
2024 £ 26,000 - 26,000 |
2023 £ 52,000 26,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 78,000 |
23. Related party transactions
The charity has relationships with a large number of organisations and individuals who contribute funds either to support objectives or as general funding to support the administration of the charity to enable it to carry out its charitable objectives.
There were no related party transactions during the year (2023: £Nil) and no balances outstanding with any related parties at the Balance sheet date (2023: £Nil).
24. Controlling party
In the view of the charity's legal status, the charity Trustees consider that there was no ultimate controlling party to be disclosed.
Page 34