2024-03-31-accounts

Charity Registration No. 1024546

Company Registration No. 02832920 (England and Wales)

SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Trustees	Mr D Roscoe
	Mr P P Cummins
	Dr M Homfrey
	Ms P Lappin
	Mr D McGregor
	Mr M Sonne (Treasurer & Chair)
	Ms V Elson
	Mr B Thomas
	Mr R Mathew
Chair of the Board of	Mr M Sonne
Trustees
Treasurer to the Board of	Mr M Sonne
Trustees
Advisors to the board from	Councillor J Pugh
Sefton MBC	Councillor J Hardman
	Councillor D Robinson
Patrons	The Worshipful Mayor of Sefton
	Colonel Martin Amlôt OBE OStJ DL FRSA
President	Mr M Blundell, the Lord-Lieutenant of Merseyside
Chief Executive	Mrs A Carter (née White) OBE FRSA
Secretary	Mrs A Carter (née White) OBE FRSA
Charity number	1024546
Company number	02832920
Registered office	3rd Floor, North Wing
	Burlington House
	Crosby Road North
	Waterloo
	Liverpool
	L22 0LG
Auditor	Mitchell Charlesworth (Audit) Limited
	Suite 5.1
	Tempest
	12 Tithebarn Street
	Liverpool
	L2 2DT
Bankers	HSBC Bank PLC
	99-101 Lord Street
	Liverpool
	L2 6PG

SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Solicitors

Solicitors Brabners LLP Horton House Exchange Flags Liverpool L2 3YL Principal Insurers Edwards Insurance Brokers Stonebridge House Kenilworth Road Meriden CV7 7LJ Investment advisors Rathbones Port of Liverpool Building Pier Head L3 1BW

SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE CONTENTS

	Page
Trustees' report	1 - 23
Statement of trustees' responsibilities	24
Independent auditor's report	25 - 27
Statement of financial activities	28 - 29
Balance sheet	30
Statement of cash flows	31
Notes to the financial statements	32 - 63

SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

The Charity

Sefton Council for Voluntary Service is constituted as a Company Limited by Guarantee and not having a share capital. The company is registered in England and Wales, No 2832920. The principal governing document is the company Memorandum and Articles of Association. The charity is registered with the Charity Commissioners, No 1025456. Sefton CVS was founded in 1974 as an unincorporated charity and became a charitable company in 1993. Sefton CVS celebrates its 50th year in 2024.

The principal address and registered office of the company is the Suite 3B, 3rd Floor, Burlington House Crosby Road North, Waterloo, Liverpool, Merseyside L22 0LG.

The Trustees report for 2023/24 has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act, 2016 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice and the charity’s governing document.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006 and "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)".

Objectives and activities

The charity’s objects, as described in the CVS Memorandum and Articles of Association, and amended in 2023, are:

To promote any charitable purposes for the benefit of the community in the Borough of Sefton and in such other areas as the Trustees determine from time to time and in particular (but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing):

• The advancement of education;

• The advancement of health;

• The prevention and relief of poverty;

• The relief of those in need, by reason of youth, age, ill health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage.

To promote and organise cooperation in the achievement of the above purposes and to that end to bring together representatives of the statutory authorities and voluntary organisations engaged in the furtherance of the above purposes within the Borough of Sefton and in such other areas as the Trustees determine from time to time.

The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.

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SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Mission, Vision and Values

Mission

To promote and assist voluntary, community and faith sector activity.

Vision

A vibrant voluntary, community and faith sector that encourages and supports independent resilience and sustainable communities.

Values

The CVS guiding principles:

• Put Sefton people, places and organisations at the heart of what we do.

• Be open and fair in our transactions.

• Take responsibility and be accountable for our actions.

• Promote equality, diversity and cohesion through our activities.

• Support the most vulnerable people in our communities.

• Seek solutions, not problems.

• Be prepared to listen and learn.

• Operating ethically, honestly and with the highest standards of integrity.

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SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Sefton CVS has six overarching activities:

• Providing support services to the voluntary, community and faith (VCF) sector.

• Promoting partnerships within the sector and between the voluntary sector and other sectors.

• Providing a channel through which the sector is represented.

• Developing new ideas, strategies and organisations.

• Supporting and developing volunteering opportunities.

• Promoting equality of opportunity and access and promoting the value of diversity

Governance and Management

The Board of Directors as Trustees are responsible for setting the strategic direction and over-seeing the financial sustainability of the organisation; establishing policy, priorities and forward planning through the governance structures of the charity. The Trustees have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit in deciding what activities the charity should undertake. An annual board programme to track progress is produced.

Board meetings and sub-committees have operated face to face and digitally. The sub committees of CVS, which includes the Corporate Management Group, Information Governance Group and Finance Group, met on a regular cycle with actions reported back to each Board meeting.

Key activities include:

• The Information Governance framework IG Toolkit was updated in June 2023

• Undertook an annual equality and diversity survey of Trustees, staff and volunteers

• Continued to work to the principles contained with the Liverpool City Region Race Equality Combined Authority statement adopted in 21/22. This work was taken forward by the staff Equality and Diversity Task Group reporting into the Board.

• Ongoing review of policies including introduction of a new Code of Conduct for Trustees.

• Rathbones Investment Managers reported on the performance of CVS investments to the July 2023 Board

• The Board continued to review its practice using the Charity Governance Code modules for larger charities.

• Brabners LLP were asked to review the CVS governance document and proposed changes were being put for consideration by the Charity Commission in June 2023.

Appointment of Officers

At the Board meeting in Feb 2024, Mark Sonne was appointed Chair and Paulette Lappin Vice Chair with Brian Thomas acting as Treasurer. Sincere thanks was given to Liz Barnett retiring as Chair.

President and Patrons

Mr Mark Blundell, the Lord-Lieutenant of Merseyside, continued to act as President. Colonel Martin Amlôt OBE FRSA DL and the office of the Mayor of Sefton continued as Patrons. President and Patrons provided unstinting support to the organisation during the year.

Sefton CVS AGM 2023

The 30th Annual General Meeting as a charitable company was held at Sefton CVS office on 18th October 2023, where the accounts and annual report were adopted. BWM Accountants Limited were appointed as Auditors for the following year. Four Trustees were reappointed: Paul Cummins, Paulette Lappin, Mark Sonne and Brian Thomas. The CVS President and Patrons were present and spoke at the meeting.

Nicola Ronan and Pete Spiers were not seeking re-election due to work commitments and were duly thanked for their continued support during their terms of office.

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SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Professional Advisers

EBS Law act as CVS’s external Human Resource advisers. WRM are CVS’s external Health and Safety advisers. Brabners LLP Liverpool continued as our specialist advisers on charity governance and law.

Use of Buildings

CVS has a 6-year lease with Bruntwood Properties, now Tracey Investment Ltd at Burlington House, from which the charity headquarters operate, which was renewed in December 2018.

CVS manage Southport Community Centre in a partnership with the Parochial Church Council of St Simon and St Jude’s. CVS and Brighter Living Partnership hold a joint lease until 2039 with the Diocesan Board of Finance.

CVS has a licence to operate a community health shop, Strand by Me in the Bootle Strand Shopping Centre. Due to the repurposing of the Strand, at the end of the financial year, Strand by Me was preparing to move to a new location designated in the Strand.

Reserves

The Trustees have determined the reserve levels of the charity giving consideration to the income and expenditure streams, the need to match variable income with fixed commitments and the nature of the reserves. The Trustees have concluded that, to allow the charity to be managed efficiently and to provide a buffer for uninterrupted services, a general reserve equivalent to approximately 3 months of all core expenditure should be maintained.

Therefore, the General Reserve has been set as £282,892.

There has been a review of designated funds in the light of forecast activity for the year ahead, and these are included in note 27.

Sefton CVS Investment Policy

Rathbones act as Investment Managers and manage a portfolio investment of £500,000 in line with the ethical investment intentions of Sefton CVS. This portfolio performance is reviewed on a regular basis to ensure a satisfactory return that can contribute to the furtherance of the objectives of the Charity. Some funds are still held on a short-term investment basis with HSBC, which enables the charity to have access to the funds to ensure liquidity.

The Trustees regularly review the performance of these funds with consideration to the investment of the organisation’s reserves and an investment strategy in line with the organisations ethical and environmental values. The lasting impact of the pandemic on the world-wide economy and international conflicts had affected the shortterm performance of CVS portfolio investments which has been considered by the Trustees on a regular basis.

Quality Assurance

Sefton CVS hold the following quality assurance marks and training accreditations:

• Volunteer Centre Quality Assurance.

• Navajo (LGBTIQ friendly) Charter Mark (renewed in the year)

• Workplace Wellbeing Charter

• Disability Confident Employer

• Open Awards Approved Centre

• Recognised Centre Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH)

• Social Value Quality Mark Level 1 (achieved in the year)

• Living Wage Employer (achieved in the year)

• LCR Fair Employment Charter

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SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

CVS as a Strategic Partner

Sefton CVS is involved as a key agency in strategic partnerships and interventions addressing local priorities through the work of the key partnership Boards, Health and Wellbeing Board and Children’s Board. CVS is also recognised as a key non-statutory partner with Sefton Local Safeguarding Children’s Board and Sefton Safeguarding Adults Board.

CVS works closely with Sefton Council and its Departments, the local NHS Integrated Care Partnership (ICP) via Sefton Partnership Board, the Primary Care Networks (PCN’s), and thematic planning groups supporting local commissioning priorities. Sefton CVS is also a partner in developing initiatives and sector engagement in the City Region with VS6 engaging with the Combined Authority and Metro Mayor’s Office and within the North West working with Voluntary Sector North West and engaging with the Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Partnerships.

During 23/24 CVS continued to engage with the Council and NHS partners to support a variety of workstreams and programmes including:

• Our involvement in the ongoing workstreams relating to community resourcefulness, NHS transformation, integration and advocating the vital role that both the funded and unfunded sector undertakes in providing services and support to Sefton residents in addressing the priorities of statutory partners and the Sefton Partnership.

• Facilitated sector networks and forums, involving both groups and individuals, as a consultation and engagement conduit, participating in public policy and developing and shaping local services.

• Participated in a range of Sefton Council work programmes including the Health and Wellbeing Board and Sefton Partnership Board.

• CVS is also engaged in the work of the People and Communities Group, Community Safety Partnership, Sefton Leadership Collaborative Multi-Agency Group, Sefton Adult Forum, Sefton Domestic Abuse Partnership and Sefton’s Combatting Drug’s Partnership.

• In relation to children, young people and families, representation was maintained at the Corporate Parenting Board, SEND Continuous Improvement Board, Children and Young Peoples Partnership Board, Youth Offending Service Management Board, Early Help Partnership Board, Emotional Health and WellBeing Board, and Sefton Safeguarding Children Partnership Forum.

• CVS is engaged in the Local Safeguarding Children’s and Sefton Safeguarding Adults Board, representation is provided at the appropriate sub-groups.

• Continued involvement as Chair in the multi-agency Welfare Reform and Anti-Poverty Partnership (WRAP) and significant contribution to the new Child Poverty Strategy for Sefton.

• Continued engagement in developing the Sefton’s Partnership’s Place Plan, supporting relevant integrated workstreams and providing leadership to the ‘Community First’ priority.

• Delivery of MECC (Making Every Contact Count) training to the wider workforce, inclusive of Elected Members, Council staff, GP’s, DWP and the VCF sector.

• Facilitated participation and engagement mechanisms with equalities groups, Young Advisers, SYMBOL and the Youth Cabinet as conduits to our public sector partners.

• Supported VCF sector organisations and enterprises to manage change, reshape services to meet need and demand through business and financial planning support and customised interventions to individual groups.

• Facilitated the New Realities Steering Group and supported key areas of work which demonstrate innovative working across public and voluntary sector agencies.

• Provided VCF sector representation and input to the NHS Leading for System Change Groups.

• The CEO participated as a member of the Sefton Lieutenancy Panel with the Deputy Lieutenant’s of Merseyside covering Sefton providing advice and updates on the local VCF sector.

• Continued to support and develop the Merseyside Charity Mentoring Service as a pilot in creating mentoring placements working with Financial and Professional Services Advisory Board, the Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside and CVS’s in the Liverpool City Region.

• Continued delivery and coordination of VCF sector services delivering under ‘Living Well Sefton’, an integrated wellness service commissioned by Public Health, including additional activities delivered by Strand By Me – a local community and health services shop.

• Engaged in stakeholder groups regarding the proposed re-development of the Strand, with particular emphasis on CVS/VCF participation in the development of a proposed health hub.

• In partnership with VOLA, CVS continued to deliver a programme of digital inclusion interventions through a Liverpool City Region collaborative of VCFSE organisations funded from 1st April by the Shared Prosperity Fund through the LCR Combined Authority.

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SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

• The Sefton CVS Annual Conference 2023 “Funding For Impact”, took place on November 28th at the Linacre Mission Centre and was attended by 120 delegates. The focus of the event was to consider how organisations can enhance funding opportunities available. Speakers included Councilor Paul Cummins, Cabinet Member for Sefton Council, Phil Porter, Chief Executive for Sefton Council and Pete Hawkins, Founder of Windmill Foundation. Delegates participated in a variety of workshops which focused on; developing strategic priorities for Sefton Place Plan, Fundraising for the Future, Demystifying Social Value, Charity Law Updates and Shaping Sefton’s VCF Sector’s Manifesto. Information about the conference and workshop materials are detailed here.

• Continued to co-ordinate and develop Sefton’s Warm and Welcome Spaces provision, a network of safe and accessible venues which adopted a Warm Spaces Charter to provide warmth, food and social activities for people affected by the Cost of Living Crisis. Options were also explored to sustain the project beyond 2024. 1,938 sessions were delivered through our 39 community partners with 34,773 attendances over the year.

• Coordinated a collaborative of 15 organisations who provided vouchers and clothing to 1,616 residents in need.

• An active member of the Greater Merseyside VS6, which is a focal point for Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) infrastructure / support providers to debate, influence and shape policy at the Liverpool City Region (LCR) level. VS6 provides public and private sector partners working at the City Region spatial level, a formal point of contact to engage with the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector, through the infrastructure / support providers.

• Continued to develop an NHS Transformation work programme aligned to the work of the Sefton Partnership Board. Achievements included; two VCF organisations have achieved the Social Value Level 1 Charter Mark, researched and reported findings which consider the introduction of a Community Levy in Sefton, and, created and piloted a new VCF Social Impact Tool for VCF organisations in Sefton.

• Participated in the work plans initiated by VS6 which included; work to secure and invest Shared Prosperity Funding and ensuring the sector is engaged with ICB developments. Supported the delivery of LCR digital connectivity programmes and associated grant rounds, and, worked with VS6 partners and NHS Mersey Care NHS Trust to secure and allocation Place allocations for Community Mental Health Transformation investment.

• Provided representation on the Mental Health Transformation Oversight Group and the Marmot Community Advisory Board.

• Supported the delivery of activities for the Liverpool City Region Dementia Friendly Advisory Group, to raise awareness of dementia and services and support available to people it affects.

• Delivered supporting to the National Academy of Social Prescribing for the Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Care Partnership.

• Sefton CVS is affiliated to the National Council of Voluntary Organisations (NCVO), National Association of Community and Voluntary Action, (NAVCA) Social Value UK, Charity Finance Group, CLINKS, Institute of Certified Book Keepers.

• CVS works in partnership with the other 4 district CVS’s in Merseyside as part of a sub-regional network. This year we coordinated VCF engagement in the development of regional NHS structures to ensure appropriate representation and involvement of the VCF sector and local communities.

• Sefton CVS, through the CEO engages with Merseyside Resilience Forum and the VCS Emergencies Partnerships national monthly network.

Locality Working

Sefton CVS is aligned to Sefton Council’s locality based working model strategically and adopts a locality approach when working with Sefton’s communities.

Community Development Interventions

Organisation Development and Capacity Building

CVS deliver comprehensive organisation development and capacity building services in localities to support people and organisations to initiate, strengthen and renew social action and community led service delivery by:

• Supporting local people to set up and develop robust, sustainable and high impact groups, associations, organisations and social enterprises.

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SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

• By supporting established local community organisations and social enterprises to improve their effectiveness, reach and social impact.

• By bringing people together to network, share knowledge, operate creatively and collaborate more effectively and extensively.

• Supporting organisations to mitigate against, and respond to the Cost of Living Crisis.

Groups can access support in charity or social/community enterprise start up; acquiring/managing community assets; governance and leadership; achieving quality standards; social impact; project development and organisational growth; identifying and applying for funding; business planning; developing policies; skills development; accountancy services and payroll, disclosure and barring umbrella service, volunteering having a voice in local decision making.

Key activity undertaken in 2023/24 included:

• 1,505 intensive cases of capacity building and customised support were provided to 267 groups and 109 individuals. 29% of the groups worked with had an annual income between £10K and £100K and 31% had an annual income under £10K.

• The majority of support provided by CVS has been for services that have a focus on the following themes of work: Children, Young People & Families (9%). Adult Health and Wellbeing (15%), Faith/Place of Worship (14%), and Sports/Recreation/Arts and Culture (20%) and Education/Training/Employability (11. %).

• Groups who deliver services across the full geographical area of the borough accessed support from CVS, however the service demand has been greatest amongst those delivering services which operate across the borough (50%).

• Hosted six ‘Meet the Funder’ events, connecting 67 attendees with local, regional and national funders.

• Held two ‘Better Bid Writing Workshop’ which sought to improve the bid writing skills of 21 attendees.

• Five VCF organisations benefitted from attending a Charity Law Masterclass which was delivered in partnership with Brabners LLP.

Funding Advice and Information

The Funding Advice and Information function provides bespoke information and interventions to enable VCFSE sector organisations to access funding opportunities and support them to become more financial sustainable and build organisations’ capacity to prepare strong proposals to charitable trusts, funders and commissioners.

The Group Development Team work closely with local and national charitable trusts and grant makers to ensure that their criteria are widely understood and available to potential applicants through one to one advice sessions, Meet the Funder surgeries, the MFIP portal and customised mailings. CVS also brief local funders and Charitable Trusts as to local demands and impacts, which assists them having an increased understanding of needs on the ground.

The service provides detailed support in developing proposals to bid status, assistance in compiling evidence and data, final submission and bespoke advice in monitoring and managing the grants once awarded. It also provides a bid review service, which improves the quality of applications and the ability of the applicant for future submissions. CVS also provides a bespoke bid reading service on request.

Key activity undertaken in 2023/24 included:

Identifying funds and resources to support responses to the Cost of Living Crisis and supported the local VCFSE sector to submit just over £1,429,000 worth of funding applications, whilst securing just over £1,179,000 in known funding applications through bespoke advice and support.

• A further £241,351 worth of bids were awaiting funding decisions at the end of March 2024.

• Sefton CVS also administer Merseyside Funding Information Portal (MFIP) website on behalf of the VCF infrastructure bodies in the Liverpool City Region. During 2023/24 MFIP has attracted 60,000+ views from over 15,000 unique visitors to the website.

• Sefton CVS provides a bespoke service to organisations making submissions to the Big Lottery Programmes, specifically Reaching Communities and Awards for All. Throughout the year, we supported groups to secure £444,811 from the Reaching Communities Fund.

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SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

• Funding surgeries were facilitated for National Lottery Community Fund, Heritage Fund, PH Holt Community Foundation, Burbo Bank Community Fund and BBC Children in Need. Connecting 67 attendees with local, regional and national funders.

• Participated in the work of the Merseyside Charitable Trusts Group and the Merseyside Funders Advice Network.

Grants

Throughout the year, we secured and administered a range of grants from a variety of funders, which resulted in £411,897 worth of grant funding being awarded to local community, voluntary and faith sector organisations.

• Living Well Sefton awarded, £83,182 via Community Resilience Grants, £60,000 via Locality Grants and £8,889 via Workplace Wellbeing Grants, meaning LWS awarded a total of £111,948 in grants to the sector.

• Working in partnership with Sefton Council, grant funding totalling £120,000 was awarded to 39 organisations to deliver Warm and Welcome Space sessions across 40 sites in Sefton.

• Winter Clothing, in partnership with Sefton Council, £45,760 was administered via 15 VCF sector organisations to reach 1,616 recipients to provide winter clothing and essentials.

• The King’s Coronation Fund (developed in partnership with The Duchy of Lancaster’s Benevolent Fund, local fundraising platform Sefton 4 Good and Living Well Sefton) awarded 43 grants totalling £37,632 to local community groups to deliver social and community activities as part of activities to mark the King’s Coronation.

• Administered £53,038 on behalf NHS Cheshire and Merseyside (Sefton) to 23 organisations from Ageing Well Funding to support initiatives which aim to keep people well during the Winter period.

The funds we supported organisations to secure, alongside the grants we administered and our grant allocation carried out by VOLA, means we facilitated £2,311,874 worth of investment into the VCF sector.

Heritage

Sefton at 50, Hearts of Gold Heritage Lottery Project aims to; involve a wider range of people in heritage; identify and better explain Sefton’s rich and diverse heritage; help people and organisations to develop skills; educate people about heritage and make the local area a better place to live work or visit. The project aims to achieve these outcomes by: awarding community grants for heritage projects, celebrating special people places and events from the last 50 years in Sefton and creating three locality-based heritage trails with research and local knowledge from volunteers.

• Awarded Community Grants totalling £26, 956 to 17 VCF organisations . Funded activities included; intergenerational projects in community centres, sewing and art groups, organisations working with children from a wide range of communities in Sefton and groups featuring horticulture and coastal biodiversity.

• Facilitated a ‘Sefton at 50 Hearts of Gold Steering Group’.

• Recruited volunteers for the South Sefton Heritage Trail.

• Appointed an Independent Evaluator for the project.

Community Accountancy

The Community Accountancy Service provides a range of services including payroll management, bookkeeping, preparing annual accounts, budgets and forecasts, as well as offering advice and guidance in areas such as VAT and Gift Aid. The Team provide training to staff and trustees either on a one-to-one basis or in group sessions and offer support to VCF sector groups in financial crisis.

Key Activity undertaken in 2023/24 included:

• Provided accountancy services to 103 groups; 57% of groups had incomes under £100k.

• Annual accounts prepared for 90 groups.

• Independent Examinations carried out for 46 groups.

• Provided Payroll Bureau Service to 25 groups and Pensions Service to 15 groups.

• Contracted to undertake bookkeeping for 45 groups.

• Provided VAT return support to 1 group.

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SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

SEFTON4GOOD

Sefton4Good supports philanthropy and local giving, primarily through an online presence. The project encourages local people and organisations to donate their time, skills, money or resources to support Sefton-based good causes. There are a range of options through which donors can donate (payroll giving, Just Giving through Virgin Money and text giving). Local good causes also have the opportunity to maximise their fundraising by channelling it through Sefton 4 Good, who can claim gift aid on their behalf. Sefton 4 Good works with the Private Sector, the Public Sector, the VCF sector and the general public to empower them to support the good causes on their doorstep.

Key activity undertaken in 2023/24 included:

• Continued to grow our social media presence on X (Twitter) and Facebook and launched Instagram and LinkedIn for Sefton 4 Good

• Fundraising activity involved: an Easter raffle, silent auction, Liverpool Cathedral abseil, Harry Potter quiz, raffle at the Volunteer Celebration Event, launched Sefton 4 Good craft group making pink hearts which will be sold

• There have been three Citizens 4 Good awards held at Southport, Bootle and Maghull Town Halls. 55 local people, groups or educational establishment teams who have gone above and beyond for their local community were nominated. The Mayor of Sefton thanked the nominees, handing out certificates and recognising their selfless contributions to Sefton.

• Raised the profile of Sefton 4 Good by attending events and holding promotional stands, for example Black Norman solicitors networking evening.

• Supported the Winter Warm packs for vulnerable citizens in the borough

Training and Skills

The Training and Skills Programme builds the skills and knowledge of individuals from the VCF sector workforce, thereby strengthening the capability and competence of organisations to sustain and grow by:

• Providing capacity building to community-based organisations to ensure they are legally compliant and working to good practice.

• Ensuring a professional and up-to-date workforce within the VCF sector.

• Ensuring organisations are fit for purpose / tender / commission ready.

• Developing opportunities and supporting health and wellbeing.

Key activity undertaken in 2023/24 included:

• A total of 498 individuals benefitted from formal training opportunities provided via Sefton CVS. This included e-learning packages which offer 40 online courses in total delivered by TES online learning platform - https://www.educare.co.uk/tes-develop

• Provided TES Development online training package to 155 individuals.

• 8 Individuals completed Mental Health First Aid Training.

• 22 different training courses / masterclasses were delivered including courses accredited by organisations such as TES Development online training package, Making Every Contact Count and RSPH Understanding Health Improvements.

• Training courses and Master Classes have been delivered both in person and remotely, which have included: TES Development online training package, MOM’s Volunteer Mentoring Training, Mental Health First Aid Training, Debt and Mental Health Training, Better Bid Writing, Recruiting, Retaining and Motivating Volunteers, Equality & Diversity Training, Safeguarding Policy & Procedures, MECC Level 1 and 2, Recruiting and Managing Volunteers with Team Kinetic, Dementia Friends, Hate Crime Awareness Training, Understanding a Personality Disorder training, Racial Cultural Awareness, Training, Cyber Security Training, MECC for Mental Health, Volunteers and the Law Training, Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery, and, Racial Cultural Awareness

Volunteering and Citizenship

Volunteer Centre Sefton supports volunteers and the organisations that recruit volunteers by providing a brokerage service that matches local people to organisations with volunteering opportunities.

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SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

The Centre also provides bespoke support to organisations deploying volunteers including good practice guides, policies and procedures, training and developing new initiatives. The Centre links with national and regional agencies in policy work relating to volunteering and was awarded the Volunteer Centre Quality Accreditation from NAVCA.

Key activity undertaken in 2023/2024 included:

• Launched Instagram and Linked In for Volunteer Centre Sefton and continued to grow our social media presence on X (Twitter) and Facebook

• Registrations of volunteers on Team Kinetic grew to 975

• Registrations of organisations on Team Kinetic grew to 485 with 650 opportunities

• Held four Volunteer Coordinator’s Forums covering a range of topics, attended by 58 people.

• Continued to update the Volunteer Centre Sefton website, offering pages to support volunteering in specific areas such as mental health support and young people

• Held training sessions covering a range of subjects including Social Media and volunteering, Recruiting

• and Managing Volunteers using Team Kinetic and Volunteers and the Law.

• A Volunteer Celebration Event was held during Volunteers’ Week, attended by the Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside, Mr Mark Blundell and the Mayor of Sefton, Councillor June Burns. The event was attended by 16 organisations and certificates were given out to over 237 volunteers through the week.

• Created and distributed monthly newsletters, one for organisations and one for to promote specific roles in

• specific locations which have yielded successful volunteer applications

• Provided one-to-one intensive support to 28 individual volunteers, signposting to relevant roles and introducing to organisations.

• Recorded 239 enquiries relating to volunteering such as volunteer recruitment, policies and procedures and best practice from 127 groups or individuals.

• Conducted a sector wide survey to groups and individuals around volunteering perceptions in the borough.

• Promoted volunteering at a number of events and networking including; LJMU, Edge Hill University and Liverpool Guild fairs, Hugh Baird College volunteering fair, Change Grow Live recovery fair, LCR Careers Hub, Sefton Economic Forum, Sefton Local Offer Live, and, Arden SEN College fair.

• Promoted the service on local radio stations, BBC Merseyside and Mighty FM

• Promoted volunteering as an avenue into employment, mental and physical wellbeing and community integration through our Ukrainian Support Project.

• Offered two, 10-week, work experience placements to Hugh Baird college students.

Southport Community Centre

Southport Community Centre in Norwood, Southport, works closely with the Brighter Living Partnership to provide access to VCF support across North Sefton. The centre welcomed over 15,000 visitors and users, in 2023/24.

Key activity undertaken in 2023/24 included:

• The centre continued to provide activities and groups for the local community based on their need. This included Warm and Welcome Spaces provision over the Winter and Summer periods. The Centre also acted as hub for local organisations and residents to hire which attracted a high number of users.

• IT Suite accessed by members of the public and used for regular training and support sessions ran by local providers.

• On-going safety checks and general maintenance continued to be carried out in accordance with the requirements of the risk schedule.

Information and Communication

Sefton CVS manage the ‘Here For You’ online directory of approximately 3,000 services offered by 1,000 VCF sector organisations, attracting 10,000+ visitors during the year.

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SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

• Sefton CVS continued to routinely update and review directory records and add newly-established voluntary, community and faith (VCF) sector organisations as well as the services and support they provide to Sefton residents. Where applicable, the Here For You directory also includes direct links to the organisation’s website, social media pages (Facebook and Twitter), and Companies House and Charity Commission pages. Throughout the year we undertook significant maintenance and updates of our Here For You Directory, carrying out quality checks of all entries.

Key activity undertaken in 2022/23 included:

• Shared 150+ separate website articles on seftoncvs.org.uk, including events, activities, job vacancies, policy updates and consultations. This garnered 94,000 views and 38,000 unique visits.

• 67 separate Sefton CVS email Updates, including information about funding opportunities, national/ regional news and policy, training and development opportunities sent to approximately 1,000 subscribers per update.

• Twitter @SeftonCVS has a total of 5,760 followers on its main account (as of 31st March 2023), which shows an increase in followers of 100 during the 12-month period. The @SeftonCVS account posted 234 Tweets during April 2022 – December 2022, gaining 85,000+ impressions and over 51,600+ profile views. Due to changes on X (formerly Twitter), as of December 2023, analytics became a paid for feature and due to consistent changes to the social network it was opted not to pay for this feature.

• Sefton CVS Facebook Page (facebook.com/SeftonCVS) has a total of 1,800 ‘Likes’ and 2,100 ‘Followers’.

• Sefton CVS currently manages over 23 additional social media accounts (Twitter & Facebook) for various projects and initiatives, which provide a total number of approximately 22,000+ followers.

• The CVS website continued to hosted a dedicated Warm Spaces Network web page, providing information on Warm Space Providers in Sefton. Sefton CVS have attracted over 4,600 views, between April 1st 2023 – March 31st 2024, from visitors accessing the location and opening information for Warm Space Providers across Sefton.

• Sefton CVS acted as a consultation and information conduit on a wide range of strategic and operational consultations, ongoing promotion of stakeholder engagement activities from partners including Sefton Council, Integrated Care Partnerships (ICP) for Cheshire and Merseyside and Cheshire & Merseyside NHS Trust.

Sefton Equalities

Sefton Equalities Team works with partners to reduce inequalities in the borough by supporting and enabling partners to meet their requirements under the Equalities Act 2010 legislation. It provides a conduit through which Sefton’s protected groups gain access to and participate in decision making, consultation and engagement.

Key activity undertaken in 2023/24 included:

• Supported delivery of the Combined Authorities Race Equality Strategy.

• Understanding Personality Disorder Training delivered to NHS and Local Authority staff.

• Supported Sefton Prevent, a multi-agency forum to consider extremist activity/indoctrination and intelligence across Sefton and alerted the forum to extreme right-wing activity within the borough.

• Supported the Local Authority Asylum seeker/refugee forum which is a multi-agency support form sharing intelligence and information on asylum seeker/refugees and support across the borough and LCR.

• Equalities Steering Group met to ensure implementation of the Navajo Action Plan enabling Sefton CVS to retain the Charter Mark.

• Participated in Sefton Hate Crime Joint Action Group meetings, providing advice and support to progress common areas of work.

• Participation in the Crown Prosecution Service Hate Crime Sub-Group Group.

• Asylum seeker surgeries with NHS GPs at Thornton and Netherton Health Centres and weekly migrant surgeries held in the North of the borough at Parenting 2000 and Holy Trinity school.

• Advocacy at DWP and Employment tribunals with extensive arrears recovered.

• Continued support for the ‘Show Racism the Red Card’ anti-racist educational work.

• Supported NHS partners to access DEBs communities in Sefton.

• Members of the Council’s Race Equality Strategy Group

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SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

DEB’s CDW Project (Diverse Ethnic Backgrounds Service)

This project provides intensive one to one support to vulnerable members of Sefton’s DEBs Communities experiencing mental health conditions.

• 2,477 interventions have been delivered for 565 people from DEBs / Migrant backgrounds from 48 different nationalities.

• The three priority presenting issues were mental health, legal issues with increased welfare/debt assistance and safeguarding which is roughly consistent with the priority issues for 2022 / 2023.

• The service worked with a total of 256 new clients during the year.

• Most referrals into the service came via NHS organisations.

• The Service continued to provide support to Ukraine and Russian clients in response to the ongoing conflict.

• Of the 565 clients supported 36 were asylum seekers with complex needs.

• Supported clients to obtain over £108,000 in DWP benefit arrears through representation at Social Security appeal tribunals.

Criminal Justice Interventions

Merseyside Offender Mentoring Project

CVS deliver an offender mentoring project working closely with HMP Liverpool and other prisons releasing men back into the Merseyside area. This project provides mentoring support to offender’s pre and post release from HMP’S Liverpool and Altcourse enabling them to resettle positively back into the community. A comprehensive tailored service is provided to assist offenders in overcoming barriers with the objective of reducing reoffending.

In 2023/24 the project was funded by a range of agencies and charitable trusts including the National Lottery Fund, John Armitage Charitable Trust and the High Sheriff of Merseyside’s Fund.

Key activity undertaken during 2023/24 included:

• 257 offenders have engaged with the project

• Of these 158 were matched with a Volunteer Mentor

• Our mentees benefitted from 3,204 one to one interventions

• The project recruited and trained 235 Volunteer Mentors.

• The project provided 2,644 volunteer mentoring support hours to mentees with an economic value of *£41,246.

• The Reducing Reoffending Rate for 2023 was just 8% compared to the national average of 33%.

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/proven-reoffending-statistics-july-to-september-2019

* Using the average wage paid by Sefton businesses in 2022. The average wage = £30,585 per annum, this equates to £586.70 per week and (assuming a 35-hour week) an hourly rate of £15.60 Source: ONS Crown Copyright Reserved (From Nomis on 17th March 2022).

Other related activity:

• Reviewed the volunteer recruitment and training programme to ensure compliance with government legislation and changes in safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults’ policies and procedures.

• Continued to deliver the Pathway for Assisting Life model (PAL) training to volunteers to encourage a greater awareness around suicide intervention.

• Attended employability events at Liverpool and Edge Hill Universities to promote the work of the Project and recruit volunteer community mentors.

• Delivered celebration events to recognise the invaluable contribution our community volunteers make in supporting the mentees to reduce re-offending.

• Membership of HMP Liverpool Partnership meetings, Integrated Offender Management meetings and local Resettlement Boards in both HMP’s Liverpool and Altcourse.

• Extended the service into HMP Hindley.

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SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Health and Wellbeing Interventions

From April 2023 to March 2024 the significant structural changes in the health and social care landscape continue to impact the VCFSE sector. The transformation agenda set out in the NHS Plan, made clear the strategic role of the VCFSE sector across the Integrated Care Partnerships (ICP) and the primacy of Place in driving that agenda forward. The work of the Health and Social Care Forum has aligned with the development of the Sefton Place Plan. Additionally, over the course of this year we have taken a leading role in the preparation for CQC assessment and the progression of the Mental Health Transformation Programme

Key activity undertaken in 2023/2024 included:

• Facilitated six Health and Social Care Forum (HSCF) meetings for its membership which stood at 186 at end of March 2024. Topics considered during meetings included; consultation on the Sefton Place Plan, (the consequence of which was the identification of the need for a Community First approach and the development of an easy read version of the Sefton Place Plan); Adult Safeguarding and Integrated Care.

• The HSCF became a community partner for Sefton’s Combat Drugs Partnership and Complex Lives Steering Group. We also hosted a White Ribbon Day event in November as part of Safeguarding Adults week, at which the Domestic Abuse Partnership outlined their new service developments.

• Speakers from a range of organisations have given forum members insight into the critical issues impacting the borough.

• The forums sub-groups that work on specific themes. Sefton In Mind is a Mental Health Forum, Sefton Partnership for Older People focusses on Ageing Well in Sefton and maintaining oversight of the Older Peoples Strategy. Dementia Friendly Sefton champions’ making Sefton a good place for people to live if they or someone they care about has Dementia.

• Sefton In Mind, has 145 members, who considered best practice across in terms of mental health service delivery across Cheshire and Merseyside. Bringing researchers and practice together with the voice of lived experience, Sefton In Mind has made links with the new Mental Health Research and Innovation Centre (MRIC) at Liverpool University with an intention of developing more opportunities for people in Sefton to be involved in research.

• Supported the work of the Collaborative Research and Engagements Network (CoREN) in Sefton. CoREN is part of ARC North West which aims to strengthen community engagement in research that impacts on health inequalities. A Collaboration Café was hosted in Liverpool and was attended by groups from across Sefton, Knowsley and Liverpool.

• Sefton Partnership for Older Citizens (SPOC) identified that the Older Peoples Strategy comes to an end in 2024 and have offered to work with Public Health in the next stage of developing a response to the Director of Public Health’s Annual Report Ageing in Sefton.

• Dementia Friendly Sefton (DFS) engaged with the lead commissioner from the ICP, to support the development of the Sefton Dementia Strategy. Speakers at the Forum covered topics including, House of Memories, a research project looking at an innovative eye test that has the potential to predict dementia, New Realities, Assistive Technology and the importance of hydration for vulnerable adults.

Living Well Sefton

Sefton CVS has coordinated the Living Well Sefton (LWS) Programme funded through Public Health to contribute towards the reduction of health inequalities experienced by vulnerable groups and those living in our most deprived communities in Sefton. The LWS service is a partnership between Sefton CVS, May Logan Centre, Netherton Feelgood Factory, Brighter Living Partnership, Citizens Advice Sefton, Sefton Carers’ Centre, SmokeFree Sefton and Active Lifestyles, in addition to 20+ Living Well Sefton Neighbourhood Partners. In addition, the Social Prescribing Link Worker service is overseen by the LWS Managers, subcontracted to Brighter Living Partnership in North Sefton and funded by the PCN’s.

The LWS Service went out to public procurement to deliver the services for next three years from 2024. Sefton CVS and its partners were successful.

Key activity undertaken in 2023/2024:

• 8,904 (With Active Sefton/Smoke Free) interacted with the service. 1,725 new clients interacted with Living Well Sefton, support for these clients included: being more active, support with mental wellbeing, healthy eating/cooking and social isolation.

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SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

• 68% of clients completed a Universal Consultation and 64% a Brief Intervention.

• 228 clients started/completed a course.

• 84% improved mental wellbeing (measured by The Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS)

• 1,991 individual goals completed.

• 20 Making Every Contact Count Training session took place, attended by 129 people from 30+ organisations.

• Delivered the following courses; Think Differently Cope Differently, Weigh Forward, Bereavement, Menopause Support, along with activities aimed at men.

• Attended community events, including: Sefton Local Offer Live, Waterloo Christmas Lights Switch On, Winter Wellbeing events, Sefton Pride and Windrush Celebrations and Sefton Equal Voices.

• Supported Lower My Drinking, Know Your Numbers, World Mental Health Day and the We’re Here Campaigns.

• Our partners offered ‘Mental Health Drop Ins’ based on need to support clients with their Mental Health (low level) along with establishing other programmes such as IBS support, Health Walks and Eating for Health.

• Provided wraparound support at Sefton’s Warm Spaces, helping to engage with those struggling due to the cost of living crisis. Our LWS Mentors provided support for all Warm Spaces.

• 33 groups and 1,702 beneficiaries were supported with £43,059.54 of funding from the Community Resilience Grants – rounds 12 (Mental health) and 13 (Movement in winter months)

• 30 SMEs supported through the Workplace Wellbeing grant with a total of £8,889.

• A Respiratory Parent Champion pilot began in Q4 of 2023/24 hosted by Parenting 2000 to offer support to families where children in L20/21 face respiratory issues.

Strand By Me

Strand By Me is an in-person addition to the service that Living Well Sefton provides. Located in Bootle Strand Shopping Centre, the service allows residents in Sefton access face-to-face support. Residents can receive advice on Living Well Sefton services, along with services from other organisations within the Sefton community to help improve general health, wellbeing and encourage positive lifestyles.

• 952 members of the public have experienced ‘Brief Interventions’ in Strand By Me throughout 2023.

• Strand By Me offers support through signposting to services and actively hosts Smoke Free Sefton, Healthwatch Sefton, Life Rooms, Include IT Mersey, May Logan, Sole Survivors and Galloways Support for sight loss on a weekly and monthly basis.

• Provided a digital hub for those without digital access to apply for jobs, fill out PPP/PIP/UC applications and housing applications.

• Provided a community venue for Social Prescribing Link Workers and Community Connectors to undertake one-to-one client work.

• Promoted the NHS led “Know Your Numbers” campaign by delivering dedicated events with key partners

Community Connectors

• 218 people were referred into the Community Connectors service during 2023/2024, who benefitted from one to one support and signposting information about groups and activities in their local area, carers advice, dementia support services, long-term condition support and mental health services.

• 888 signposting referrals were made during the year.

• Outreach attendance at The Maghull Advice Centre has offered a vital service to those visiting the centre.

• The services Maghull Memory Café has grown continuously, drawing in new members and carers on a monthly basis. Dementia support and awareness are consistently demonstrated, together with carer assistance through the Connectors service.

• Six locations in North Sefton now have Happy to Chat benches, which include scannable codes which encourage those who are feeling isolated or lonely to get in touch with the service.

• Participation in a wide range of forums, events, and open days, these include; Sefton Local Live events in North and South Sefton, MacMillan Wellbeing Clinic, Know your Numbers to name a few.

• Expanded the services digital offer to reach a larger audience by holding "Cuppa & Chat" zooms to explain the roles of connectors and the assistance and guidance we provide.

• Co-ordinated a Marketplace Event in Maghull for clients to find out more about services/groups available to them.

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SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

• Launched a successful Memory Café for those living with Dementia and their carers with the support of another local organisation.

• A team of Community Champion volunteers who support with the running of groups, Christmas Hamper deliveries to vulnerable local residents and offer ‘buddy’ support to clients who lack in confidence to attend activities for the first time.

Social Prescribing Service:

The Social Prescribing Team has developed into a team of 20 workers across Sefton, consisting of four Senior Social Prescribing Link Workers. The service works closely with local Primary Care Networks to improve the wellbeing of isolated and vulnerable people in the community, by supporting access to targeted and universal provision.

Over the last year, the service has received: 2,798 referrals

• Continued to build excellent communication partnerships with NHS mental health services across the borough, including APPs (Associate Psychological Practitioners), the Community Mental Health team, and ARRS (Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme) mental health practitioners and the ACES (Adverse Childhood Experiences) Programme.

• Established an additional “Think Differently Cope Differently” course for the service for the Maghull area, in partnership with the May Logan Centre LWS Mentors.

• Offered drop-in services in a variety of community venues for people who may wish to be supported by the Social Prescribing service, and an opportunity for staff running services to signpost clients to the service directly.

• Facilitated the introduction of extended access hours for the service in Litherland, enabling more people to access the service during the early evening.

Activity in the north of the borough, delivered by the Brighter Living Partnership.

• Launched ‘The Brighter Connections’ group in Southport. Funded by the Community Foundation for Merseyside, the group involves guest speakers, activities and a chance to chat and meet new people.

• Delivered training sessions on Social Prescribing in Southport and Formby to NHS staff as part of Protected Learning Time. The team also attended GP Registrar training and hosted a Q&A session about the service.

• Membership of the Complex Lives Group, a pioneering project in North Sefton looking at reducing barriers to support for those who meet the complex lives criteria and trying to reduce the impact of health inequalities.

• Developed links with Social Prescribing GP Champions to increase awareness and support communication.

Reablement Service

The Reablement service provides person-centred support to service-users with a wide range of health conditions and unmet social concerns, to enable them to regain independence, including interventions for avoiding unnecessary dependence upon more acute, long term services. The services are delivered through South Sefton Health and Wellbeing Trainers, High Intensity User service and Enhanced Care Social Prescribing Link Workers.

Key activity undertaken in 2023/24 included:

• Health and Wellbeing Trainers received 756 referrals into their service.

• 11,079 interventions were delivered by the team of Health Trainers.

• The most prevalent areas clients required support with were; finances, health, accommodation, and social inclusion. This was followed by confidence building, family and relationships, and lastly substance misuse.

• Clients have set a total of 1136 personal goals were set over the course of the year. 765 (67%) of these goals have been met through the support of Health Trainers.

• £47,590.25 has been awarded to patients claiming benefits and/or grants, supported by the team.

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SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Enhanced Care at Home Social Prescribing

During the second year of service, there was a greater demand for the service and a waiting list was created, and a third Enhanced Care at Home Social Prescribing Link Worker recruited. The service continues, now with 3 full time staff, working alongside South Sefton Primary Care Network to provide social prescribing support to older, housebound and/or frail individuals who had experienced a recent hospital admission. The service also expanded to accept referrals from a wider number of GP surgeries.

Key activity undertaken in 2023/24 included:

• 569 referrals received

• 250 support plans completed.

• 5,063 contacts recorded on EMIS

• 902 cases completed and closed.

• 638 signposting referrals to different services.

High Intensity User Service

This project is an initiative funded by NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Sefton Place, which aims to reduce inappropriate A and E attendances and admissions from individuals identified as frequent attenders. Through a strength-based person centred and solution focused approach, working closely with individuals, the project aims to help address the underlying causes for presenting at A and E.

Key activity undertaken in 2023/24 included:

• The service expanded into Liverpool University Foundation Trust (Aintree site).

• The service worked intensively with 113 people throughout the year, to reduce A&E attendances and hospital admissions. 95 people from Southport A&E and 18 people from Aintree A&E.

• 122 signposting’s to services (95 from Southport cohort and 27 from Aintree cohort).

• 25 people successfully completed the service and completed evaluations (21 from Southport cohort and 4 from Aintree cohort), all rating the service at 100% meeting their needs

• Representation is provided at the national High Intensity Users Support Group, to receive updates on relevant strategies and expertise from HIU leads across the country.

• This year the team attend a wide variety of MDT’s, including frequent attender MDTs at each hospital; Alcohol MDTs in for North and South of the borough; Complex Lives MDT in south of the borough.

Crisis Cafés

The service offers out of hours support to anyone experiencing a mental health crisis in Sefton. Drop-in sessions operate across two sites (in Crosby and Southport) between the hours or 5pm – 11pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday to give adults aged 18+ a place of safety as an alternative to attending A&E. One to one support and a social space with refreshments are offered in order to help reduce distress and better manage crisis situations. Support is also provided via phone, zoom or email if needed.

Key activity undertaken in 2023/24 included:

• Throughout the year, the Crisis Café’s recorded a total 2,400 attendances across both sites. Out of these visits, 261 where categorised as “crisis” attendance, 393 were “post crisis” attendance and “1,574” were to maintain wellbeing during a difficult time.

• Crosby site has had 57 new registrations and Southport site 56, meaning the service was accessed by 113 new clients during the year.

• Across the full year telephone support was provided on 1,062 occasions.

• The most commonly reported reason stated for interacting with the service was “to maintain wellbeing during a difficult time”.

• Worked in partnership with Parenting 2000 who provide a full time Peer Support Worker assigned to the Crisis Café project, one in Crosby and one in Southport. These provide additional support to service users who may require it during weekdays.

• Representation and partnership working is facilitated at the following meetings; Suicide Prevention Board, Southport and Aintree Hospital’s Frequent Attendee meetings, Sefton in Mind, Crisis Café Nation Network meetings and Southport Pride events.

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SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Community Cancer Navigators

Community Cancer Navigators offer support to people living with or affected by cancer who are over the age of 18 and registered with a South Sefton GP Practice.

The Navigators help people living with cancer identify physical, practical, financial and emotional concerns and assist them to contact the most appropriate person or service to help meet those needs. I.e. If physical concerns are identified, the Navigator will support the person to contact the appropriate service such as a GP or Clinical Nurse Specialist. In other cases, with consent, the Navigator may provide onward referral on the patient’s behalf, to the relevant service or professional such as with Adult Social Care, Occupational Therapy or Clinical Phycology. The Navigators provide emotional support and as an accessible community service to ensure that people living with or affected by cancer get the right support at the right time.

Key activity undertaken in 2023/24 included:

• 417 cases were referred to the project between April 2023 and March 2024.

• Active promotion of the service to professionals within Adult Social Care, Primary Care Nursing Teams, GP Practices and local support groups, to provide an overview of the support the Cancer Navigators can provide for people living with or affected by Cancer in South Sefton.

• Successfully supported individuals to access £16,250 in Macmillan grants and to complete 307 applications for benefits and other grants. This equates to a total annual financial gain for people in Sefton living with cancer of £348,167.00.

• Signposted to over 45 groups and support services 744 times and provided 462 onward referrals to services such as Occupational Therapy, Emergency Limited Assistance Scheme, Benefits Advisor and Clinical Psychology.

• Piloting of the “Navigating Cancer Together” (NCT) support group. The group meets weekly and has supported over 30 people, hosting guest speakers from 25 different local groups and services including Healthwatch Sefton, Active Lifestyles, Merseyside Fire and Rescue, Life Rooms and Macmillan Benefits Team.

Sefton Social Action Lead with Cheshire and Merseyside Cancer Alliance and CVS’s at place in the region

A new project adopted during the year, to improve knowledge of the signs and symptoms of cancer within local communities and encourage more people to go for NHS screening when invited. The service focuses on tackling inequalities in cancer outcomes across Sefton and work with local groups and organisations to empower people to seek advice in an informal and welcoming environment. Simple conversations during enjoyable activities have encouraged individuals to attend screening appointments and seek advice about any concerns that could be cancer related.

Key activity undertaken in 2023/24 included:

• Delivered Sefton Baby Baskets, an initiative which promoted Breast Cancer awareness month to new mums.

• Promotion at various community groups, including; People First, Venus, Stemcell Scousers, Myeloma Support Group, South Sefton Carers Support Group and May Logan Healthy Living Centre.

• Supported local group “Institches” hosted by Sefton Opera, to sustain the group who offer companionship and support whilst knitting/crocheting.

• Promotion at The Bowersdale Day Centre - Healthy lifestyle programme linking physical exercise and healthier eating.

• Hugh Baird Refreshers Event – Raised awareness of early signs and symptoms of cancer and the impact of lifestyle choices.

• Kindfulness Café - Snowdrop walk and talk event at Rode Hall.

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SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Hospital Discharge and Admission Avoidance Service (HDAAS)

The Hospital Discharge and Admission Avoidance Service (HDAAS) accept referrals from health and social care professionals as well as self-referral for any resident of Sefton aged 18+ who has: recently been discharged from hospital or similar health setting, or who is unwell at home and being supported by any team in the Sefton Urgent Community Response (UCR) as a part of admission avoidance support. The HDAA Service aims to provide free practical common-sense support for up to six weeks to support hospital discharge and help prevent unnecessary admissions or readmissions to hospital.

The service provides a range of support including ensuring patients have basic provisions in their home such as shopping, heating, help to access assistive technologies, functional assessment for aids and minor adaptations and basic risk assessments to ensure accommodation is appropriate and suitable to meet needs. The HDS Team also provide support to maximise income through signposting or referral for benefits check, help to complete forms and signposting to specialist debt management where needed.

Key activity undertaken in 2023/24 included:

• 499 cases were referred to the project between April 2023 and March 2024.

• Supported clients to achieve 2,237 goals/tasks.

• Support has been wide and varied including - providing essential shopping, assistance to complete benefit applications, functional assessments for low level aid and minor adaptations, as well as providing emotional support and empowering patients to build their confidence and self-esteem.

• Signposted 1,420 times to over 30 services including - Welfare Rights Benefit Advisors, local cleaning and home help services, local groups and support services, shopping services and Lifeline/assistive technology services.

• The team provided 744 home visits and 2,002 welfare telephone calls.

• All of the team are Trusted Assessor Level 3 trained and have been able to provide functional assessments for low level equipment such as perching stools, shower chairs and commodes, as well as assessing for minor adaptations such as internal and external grab rails.

• Facilitated the making purchases for items or goods required to expediate safe discharges from hospital using the One-Off Budget for Hospital Discharge via prepayment cards, in partnership with Sefton Carers Centre.

• Supported the completion of 189 applications for grants and benefits. In Attendance Allowance alone this is an annual financial gain for people in Sefton of £436,321.00.

• HDAAS, Sefton Carers Centre and Sefton Place representatives provided a presentation at the Manchester Central Convention centre for the NHS Confed Expo 2023. This has resulted in the work being published on the NHS England website as an example of excellent patient outcomes as a result of collaborative commissioning approach for hospital discharge and hospital avoidance.

REDI (Reablement Drives Independence)

This project is an expansion of the High Intensity User service, funding by Mersey Care’s Mental Health Transformation. The aim is to use the methodology of what works for HIU and embed this into community mental health. This element of work aims to help address the underlying causes for frequently calling NHS Community Mental Health Teams and Crisis Lines.

Key activity undertaken in 2023/24 included:

• The service worked intensively with 18 people throughout the year, to reduce the frequency of calls to CMHT and crisis lines. 9 from north CMHT & 9 from south CMHT.

• The caseloads are kept low due to the complexity of these cases, to ensure the service can provide high level quality of service, with a high level of interactions.

• 107 face to face interactions and 1050 non-face to face interactions.

• One client featured in the Mersey Care magazine in Summer 2023 to showcase the impact our support had on her life.

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SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Healthwatch

Sefton CVS employs the management teams to deliver both Sefton and Knowsley Healthwatch reporting to their boards. Each produces public annual reports. Healthwatch functions operate in each borough in England and were established to act as a consumer champion for health and social care.

Children, Young People and Family Interventions

The Strategic Lead for Children and Families facilitates the development of a coordinated, strategic approach to local services, seeking to embed best practice to deliver quality outcomes for children, young people and families with a focus on multi-agency working and the incorporation of integrated processes.

Every Child Matters Forum facilitates VCF representation enabling the sector to provide service solutions to the needs and priorities identified locally and nationally. 654 members participate in forums, policy briefing and receive information bulletins. There are additional sub groups including the Thrive Network, The Education and Mental Health Network, Perinatal Community of Practice and The Sefton Youth Voice Strategic Steering Group they enable members to focus on these priority areas of work and develop partnership approaches where possible.

Key activity undertaken in 2023/24 included:

• Every Child Matters Forum - Facilitated 3 meetings of Every Child Matters Forum and supported the VCF sector’s engagement in a range of themes which included: Child Exploitation, Family Health and Wellbeing and Complex Lives.

• The THRIVE Network brings together organisations in Sefton who are keen to support children and young people using the THRIVE model, which is featured in Sefton’s Children and Young People’s Emotional Health and Wellbeing Strategy. The meeting is chaired by the Sefton CVS Strategic Lead for Children and Families and has good attendance from a range of partners, including; Sefton Early Help, Acting Angels, SWAN, Sefton SEN & Inclusion, Samaritans, Parenting 2000, Sefton Young Advisors, Place 2 Be, RASA Merseyside, Sefton Carers Centre, Mersey Care, Sefton Local Offer, Mental Health Support Teams in Schools (MHST), Sefton Parent Carer Forum, Active Sefton.

• Education and Mental Health Network provides an opportunity for local schools to share good practice, partner agencies to share information about their offer, and an update from Mental Health Support Teams in Schools. Guests speakers for 23/24 have included: Smoke Free Sefton, MHST, RASA, Holy Family High School, Parenting 2000, Netherton Moss Primary School, SWACA and Thrive Network.

• Perinatal Community of Practice meetings take place quarterly and provide partners across Sefton working with families with children age 0 – 2 years an opportunity to share good practice and what is on offer in Sefton.

• Sefton Youth Voice Strategic Steering Partners include; Sefton CVS, Sefton MBC (Engagement, Youth Justice, Early Help, Social Care, SEND, Inclusion, Public Health) Mersey Care, Education, Career Connect. Bringing together youth voice and engagement in Sefton.

• Chaired the Early Help Champions Group. A partnership of agencies in Sefton linked to the Early Help Partnership Board.

• Delivered Thrive training to St John’s Primary School and the Youth Justice Team on line and to the Sefton Children’s Services Social Work Academy.

• Coordinated referrals for Southport and Birkdale Provident Society Trust grants for vulnerable families with 187 referrals being actioned through the year.

• Provided DBS checks for local VCF sector staff and volunteers processing 181 disclosures for 29 separate organisations.

• Coordination of the Sefton Emotional Achievement Service (SEAS), a partnership of charities working collaboratively to deliver bespoke emotional wellbeing support to children, young people, families and schools.

• Coordination of Buddy Up, a mentoring and befriending project for young people (13-18) with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities; reducing their social isolation, increasing their confidence and preparing them for a more independent adulthood. 64 young people accessed 2,157 hours of activities.

• Coordination of Buddy Up+@Alchemy is a social club for young adults aged 18 to 25 who have Special Educational Needs and Disabilities; reducing their social isolation, improving emotional health and wellbeing and increasing independence. 44 young adults’ access 3,050 hours’ worth of social opportunities.

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SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Sefton Young Advisors

9 Sefton Young Advisors aged 15 – 22 (25 with SEND) are employed to show community leaders and decision makers how to engage young people in community life. They help organisations ‘youth proof’ their practices, policies, strategies and commissioning. They engage directly with other young people to get them involved. Sefton Young Advisors have gained national and local recognition through awards and commendations for their work.

Sefton Young Advisors have representation at Healthwatch Sefton Steering Group, Sefton’s Children and Young People’s Board, Sefton’s Education and Mental Health Network, Every Child Matters Forum, The Public Engagement and Consultation Panel, The Youth Providers Network, The Thrive Network and the former Experience and Patient Engagement Group.

Key activity undertaken in 2023/24 included:

• Provided feedback on ‘Happy n Healthy Hub’ logo and social media.

• Contributed to Sefton’s Cultural Strategy Consultation.

• Planned and created a training video resource for the Youth Voice and Participation Toolkit.

• Designed and facilitated two face-to-face training sessions for Sefton MBC staff for the Youth Voice and Participation Toolkit.

• Attended the Sefton Parent Carer Forum event – Local Offer Live in Southport.

• Attended a Pre-Council Briefing Meeting at Southport Town Hall to discuss the Cost of Living.

• Designed and created a workbook for young people as part of the Children and Young People’s Plan.

• SYMBOL (Sefton Youth Making Better Opportunities with Leaders) meeting planned and facilitated by Sefton Young Advisors took place in June with the theme of Cost of Living.

• Youth-proofed a document about Long Covid for young people aged 16 and 17.

• Facilitated workshops with young people to design logos and posters for the Child Friendly Initiative.

• Created a Young People’s Mental Health Survey for the Sefton Emotional Health Partnership.

• Met with Liverpool City Region Combined Authority to discuss their ‘Future of Work’ consultation.

• Attended the Climate Change Conference at Salford University.

• Worked on the Merseyside Hope Hack and attended the event at Liverpool University.

• SYMBOL (Sefton Youth Making Better Opportunities with Leaders) Meetings planned and facilitated by Sefton Young Advisors took place in July and October. Themes were: Climate Change, Mental and Physical Wellbeing, Poverty and Inequality, Community Safety, Racism and Division.

Unemployment Interventions

Building Better Opportunities Include-IT Mersey Digital Inclusion Project

Sefton CVS, in collaboration with VOLA Consortium deliver the Include-IT Mersey Digital Inclusion Project across the Liverpool City Region. It is part of the Building Better Opportunities programme, co-financed by the National Lottery Community Fund and European Social Fund, which funds projects that tackle poverty and promote social inclusion.

Key activity undertaken in 2023/24 included:

The ESF-funded delivery phase of the project concluded in April 2023, having supported 2,109 adult learners to develop basic digital skills and get online; 53% of whom progressed to a positive destination of work, further training, or active job-search; exceeding contractual targets. A copy of the independent evaluation report is available here.

During its UKSPF extension phase, by March 2025, the project aims to support an additional 500+ people to develop their digital skills and get online with a primary focus on the development of basic digital skills, rather than job outcomes, as was the case previously through ESF; however, the project continues to provide employment support to those whose goal is finding a job.

• At the end of its first year of UKSPF funding, the project has supported a further 340 learners, exceeding year-1 recruitment targets.

• 85% of learners achieved their learning aims and completed their programme of study.

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SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

• 77 learners progressed to training/ education, paid employment, volunteering, or moved into active jobsearch.

• Feedback indicates high levels of satisfaction by those that completed their programme of study, with 100% of feedback forms reporting improved digital skills.

• 97% of respondents for whom it was relevant felt the course had made them more employable.

• 80% of those that previously didn’t trust the internet said they now do and feel that they can go online safely.

• 61% of people who didn’t previously have their own a computer device and access to the internet now do; and overall 95% of people said they now know where they can go in the community to get online should they need to.

• In addition to IT courses, the project facilitated a steadily growing network of volunteer-led digital drop-ins across the city region, located in a range of community buildings and libraries. Over the year, the drop-ins were accessed by a 741 people who received help with a range issues relating to tablets, laptops, smartphones and computers in general. We would like to thank the 37 volunteers who gave up their valuable time this year to support members of the public with their digital support needs.

The input of volunteers and donations in kind

13 volunteers have supported the Trustee Board and role of Patron this year. A further 207 volunteers have engaged through Sefton CVS projects and initiatives.

Disclosure of Trustees Remunerations Notes to the accounts

None of the Trustees have been paid any remuneration or received any other benefits from employment with the charity or related entity.

Disclosure of Trustees Expenses

Trustees were reimbursed travel costs to attend meetings on behalf of the charity totalling £nil.

Review of Finances

Use of assets

The Trustees consider the value of assets to be fairly stated.

Balance sheet in the light of future plans

The Trustees consider that the balance sheet is strong enough to fulfil the short-term plans of the core activities and that of the managed projects.

The extent of dependence of particular donors

Sefton CVS has, wherever possible, diversified its funding sources for the development of specific projects. The core services are highly dependent upon the continued support of Sefton MBC with their contribution of £419,315 (2023: £478,315).

Availability of assets

The current assets are available for the general purposes of Sefton CVS although some of its funding is restricted to specific core services and deferred income for services to be delivered in discrete and managed projects.

Fixed assets

The fixed assets of the company and major changes therein during the period are recorded in the notes to the accounts.

• 21 -

SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Structure, governance and management

The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:

Mr D Roscoe Mrs E Barnett (Resigned 21 February 2024) Mr P P Cummins Dr M Homfrey Ms P Lappin Mr D McGregor Mr M Sonne (Treasurer & Chair) Ms V Elson Venerable P Spiers (Resigned 22 November 2023) Mr B Thomas Ms N Speed (Resigned 22 November 2023) Mr R Mathew

Sefton MBC Representatives non-voting:

Sefton MBC Councillor John Pugh Councillor Judy Hardman Sefton MBC Councillor Dave Robinson Sefton MBC

Patrons The Worshipful the Mayor of Sefton Colonel Martin G C Amlôt OBE, OStJ DL FRSA

President The Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside Mr Mark Blundell

Company Secretary and Chief Executive Angela White (Carter) OBE FRSA

Chair of the Board of Directors Elizabeth Barnett

Auditor

In accordance with the company's articles, a resolution proposing that Mitchell Charlesworth (Audit) Limited be reappointed as auditor of the company will be put at a General Meeting.

Small company provisions

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions relating to small companies within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.

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SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Disclosure of information to auditor

Each of the trustees has confirmed that there is no information of which they are aware which is relevant to the audit, but of which the auditor is unaware. They have further confirmed that they have taken appropriate steps to identify such relevant information and to establish that the auditor is aware of such information.

The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.

.............................. Mr M Sonne (Treasurer & Chair) Trustee fuow™| .............................. Mrs A White (Carter), OBE FRSA Company Secretary to the Board of Trustees

2nd October 2024 Date: .............................................

• 23 -

SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

The trustees, who are also the directors of Sefton Council for Voluntary Service for the purpose 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 which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year.

In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

• select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

• observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;

• make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and

• prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.

The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that 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.

• 24 -

SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT

TO THE MEMBERS OF SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Sefton Council for Voluntary Service (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 notes to the financial statements, 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:

• 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;

• have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and

• have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

Basis 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 charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

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

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charity’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.

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.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

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

• the information given in the Trustees' Report, which includes the directors’ report prepared for the purposes of company law, for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and

• the directors' report included within the trustees' report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

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SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED) TO THE MEMBERS OF SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charity and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the directors' report included within the trustees' report.

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

• adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or

• the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or

• certain disclosures of trustees' remuneration specified by law are not made; or

• we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or

• 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 statement of trustees' responsibilities, the trustees, who are also the directors of the charity for the purpose 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 charity’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

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

Extent to which the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud

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.

Our approach to identifying and assessing the risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including

fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, was as follows:

• the engagement partner ensured that the engagement team collectively had the appropriate competence, capabilities and skills to identify or recognise non-compliance with applicable laws and regulations;

• we identified the laws and regulations applicable to the company through discussions with directors and other management

• we focused on specific laws and regulations which we considered may have a direct material effect on the financial statements or the operations of the company, including the Companies Act 2006, taxation legislation and data protection, anti-bribery, employment and health and safety legislation;

• we assessed the extent of compliance with the laws and regulations identified above through making enquiries of management and inspecting legal correspondence

• identified laws and regulations were communicated within the audit team regularly and the team remained alert to instances of non-compliance throughout the audit.

• 26 -

SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED)

TO THE MEMBERS OF SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE

We assessed the susceptibility of the company’s financial statements to material misstatement, including obtaining an understanding of how fraud might occur, by:

• making enquiries of management as to where they considered there was susceptibility to fraud, their knowledge of actual, suspected and alleged fraud; and

• considering the internal controls in place to mitigate risks of fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations.

To address the risk of fraud through management bias and override of controls, we:

• performed analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships;

• tested journal entries to identify unusual transactions; and

• assessed whether judgements and assumptions made in determining the accounting estimates were indicative of potential bias; and

• investigated the rationale behind significant or unusual transactions.

In response to the risk of irregularities and non-compliance with laws and regulations, we designed procedures which included, but were not limited to:

• agreeing financial statement disclosures to underlying supporting documentation;

• reading the minutes of meetings of those charged with governance; and

• enquiring of management as to actual and potential litigation and claims.

There are inherent limitations in our audit procedures described above. The more removed that laws and regulations are from financial transactions, the less likely it is that we would become aware of non-compliance. Auditing standards also limit the audit procedures required to identify non-compliance with laws and regulations to enquiry of the directors and other management and the inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any.

Material misstatements that arise due to fraud can be harder to detect than those that arise from error as they may involve deliberate concealment or collusion.

A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https:// www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.

Use of our report

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

Louise Casey ACA (Senior Statutory Auditor) for and on behalf of Mitchell Charlesworth (Audit) Limited

9 October 2024

.........................

Chartered Accountants Statutory Auditor

Suite 5.1 Tempest 12 Tithebarn Street Liverpool L2 2DT

• 27 -

SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Current financial year Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2024 2024 Notes £ £ Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies 3 524,333 10,777 Charitable activities 4 63,848 4,117,030 Investment income 5 21,641 - Other incoming resources 6 - - Total income 609,822 4,127,807 Expenditure on: Raising funds 7 7,677 - Charitable activities 8 655,960 3,959,036 Total resources expended 663,637 3,959,036 Net gains/(losses) on investments 16 50,353 - Net movement in funds (3,462) 168,771 Fund balances at 1 April 2023 761,070 1,050,508 Fund balances at 31 March 2024 757,608 1,219,279	Total 2024 £ 535,110 4,180,878 21,641 - 4,737,629 7,677 4,614,996 4,622,673 50,353 165,309 1,811,578 1,976,887	Total 2023 £ 552,000 3,905,158 13,334 23,951 4,494,443 7,033 4,711,342 4,718,375 (49,474) (273,406) 2,084,984 1,811,578

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

The statement of financial activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006.

• 28 -

SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (CONTINUED) INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Prior financial year

Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2023 2023 Notes £ £ Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies 3 548,477 3,523 Charitable activities 4 88,471 3,816,687 Investment income 5 13,334 - Other incoming resources 6 - 23,951 Total income 650,282 3,844,161 Expenditure on: Raising funds 7 7,033 - Charitable activities 8 632,326 4,079,016 Total resources expended 639,359 4,079,016 Net gains/(losses) on investments 16 (49,474) - Net (outgoing)/incoming resources before transfers (38,551) (234,855) Gross transfers between funds 34,694 (34,694) Net movement in funds (3,857) (269,549) Fund balances at 1 April 2022 764,927 1,320,057 Fund balances at 31 March 2023 761,070 1,050,508

Total 2023 £ 552,000 3,905,158 13,334 23,951 4,494,443 7,033 4,711,342 4,718,375 (49,474) (273,406) - (273,406) 2,084,984 1,811,578

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

The statement of financial activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006.

• 29 -

SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 MARCH 2024

		2024			2023
	Notes	£	£	£		£
Fixed assets
Tangible assets	14		13,101			14,555
Investments	15		613,234			561,877
			626,335			576,432
Current assets
Debtors	19	588,674		473,261
Cash at bank and in hand		1,093,237		969,438
		1,681,911		1,442,699
Creditors: amounts falling due within
one year	20	(331,359)		(207,553)
Net current assets			1,350,552			1,235,146
Total assets less current liabilities			1,976,887			1,811,578
Income funds
Restricted funds	26		1,219,279			1,050,508
Unrestricted funds
Designated funds	27	519,528		542,058
General unrestricted funds		238,080		219,012
			757,608			761,070
			1,976,887			1,811,578

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

2nd October 2024 The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on .........................

.............................. Mr M Sonne (Treasurer & Chair)

Trustee

Company registration number 02832920

• 30 -

SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Notes Cash flows from operating activities Cash generated from/(absorbed by) operations 29 Investing activities Proceeds from disposal of fixed asset investments Cash movement on investment portfolio Investment income received Net cash generated from investing activities Net cash used in financing activities Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	2024 £ £ 105,007 30,031 (32,880) 21,641 18,792 - 123,799 969,438 1,093,237	2023 £ £ (140,524) - (2,027) 13,334 11,307 - (129,217) 1,098,655 969,438

• 31 -

SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

1 Accounting policies

Company information

Sefton Council for Voluntary Service is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 3rd Floor, North Wing, Burlington House, Crosby Road North, Waterloo, Liverpool, L22 0LG.

1.1 Accounting convention

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's Memorandum and Articles of Association , the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the Charities SORP "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 charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

1.2 Going concern

At the time of approving the accounts, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the accounts.

1.3 Charitable funds

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.

Designated funds comprise funds which have been set aside at the discretion of the trustees for specific purposes. The purposes and uses of the designated funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.

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 cost 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 Trustees' Annual Report.

1.4 Income

Income is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.

Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid is recognised at the time of the donation.

• 32 -

SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

All income is included in the Statement of Financial Activities when the charity has entitlement to the funds, certainty of receipt and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability.

Income from donations and grants, including capital grants, and contract income is included in income when these are receivable, except as follows:

• When donors specify that donations and grants given to the charity must be used in future accounting periods, the income is deferred until those periods.

• When donors impose conditions which have to be fulfilled before the charity becomes entitled to use such income, the income is deferred and not included in income until the preconditions for use have been met.

• When donors specify that donations and grants, including capital grants, are for particular restricted purposes, which do not amount to preconditions regarding entitlement, this income is included in restricted funds when receivable.

Voluntary income includes discretionary grants for projects, goods and services where no service agreement or contract exists.

Other grants, which have particular service requirements and which are provided in accordance with a contract or service level agreement are included in the Statement of Financial Activities under the heading Charitable Activities.

1.5 Expenditure

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to that category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Management and governance costs are those incurred in connection with administration of the charity and compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements.

1.6 Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.

Tangible fixed assets costing more than £500 are capitalised and included at cost, including any incidental costs of acquisition.

Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost less estimated residual value of each asset over its expected useful life, as follows:

Leasehold improvements over the period of the lease Office equipment 33.3% per annum on a straight line basis

The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.

1.7 Fixed asset investments

Fixed asset investments are initially measured at transaction price excluding transaction costs, and are subsequently measured at fair value at each reporting date. Changes in fair value are recognised in net income/(expenditure) for the year. Transaction costs are expensed as incurred.

• 33 -

SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

1.8 Impairment of fixed assets

At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).

1.9 Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.

1.10 Financial instruments

The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.

Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Basic financial assets

Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

Basic financial liabilities

Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.

Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Derecognition of financial liabilities

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.

1.11 Employee benefits

The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.

Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.

1.12 Retirement benefits

The company operates a defined contribution scheme for employees. Contributions are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.

• 34 -

SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

1.13 Transfers between funds

Transfers between funds are restricted to agreed transfers to cover restricted fund deficits, or where other transfers have been agreed by the trustees or with donor organisations.

1.14 Group accounts

The charity has two wholly owned subsidiaries, Healthwatch Sefton Limited and Communities are People Limited.

Healthwatch Sefton Limited is commissioned by the local authority, Sefton MBC and operates under the control of its independent board. Consolidated accounts are not produced as these would not be materially different from the single entity financial statements and the control of the subsidiary is through its independent Board.

Communities are People Limited is currently dormant and consolidated accounts are not produced as these would not be materially different from the single entity financial statements.

1.15 Taxation

The charity benefits from various exemptions from taxation afforded by tax legislation and is not liable to corporation tax on income or gains falling within those exemptions. Recovery is made of tax deducted from income and from receipts under Gift Aid.

The charity is not able to recover Value Added Tax and expenditure is recorded in the accounts inclusive of VAT.

2 Critical accounting estimates and judgements

In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.

There are no critical estimates within the accounts.

Support costs are allocated against the projects of the charity on a percentage basis reflecting time spent in the appropriate areas.

• 35 -

SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

3 Donations and legacies

Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2024 2024 £ £ Donations and gifts - 10,777 Grants receivable for core activities 524,333 - 524,333 10,777 Grants receivable for core activities Sefton MBC 434,165 (120) NHS South Sefton CCG 52,606 - NHS Southport & Ormskirk CCG 27,552 - Sefton MBC - Health and Social Co-ordinator - - Sefton MBC - Youth Voice Worker - - Sefton 4 Good - Ukranian Fund - - Sefton 4 Good - 5,819 Other 10,010 5,078 524,333 10,777	Total Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2024 2023 2023 £ £ £ 10,777 - 3,523 524,333 548,477 - 535,110 548,477 3,523 434,045 478,315 - 52,606 28,422 - 27,552 22,390 - - 14,850 - - 4,500 - - - 1,844 5,819 - 1,535 5,078 - 144 525,100 548,477 3,523	Total 2023 £ 3,523 548,477 552,000 478,315 28,422 22,390 14,850 4,500 1,844 1,535 (3,379) 552,000

• 36 -

SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

4 Charitable activities

Grant income Grant monies to be redistributed Other income Analysis by fund Unrestricted funds Restricted funds	Health and Wellbeing Children, Young People and Families Community Development Programs 2024 2024 2024 £ £ £ 1,836,398 10,000 381,581 821,945 47,520 357,934 63,848 - - 2,722,191 57,520 739,515 63,848 - - 2,658,343 57,520 739,515 2,722,191 57,520 739,515	Digital Inclusion 2024 £ 495,047 - - 495,047 - 495,047 495,047	Criminal Justice Programs 2024 £ 154,345 12,260 - 166,605 - 166,605 166,605	Total 2024 £ 2,877,371 1,239,659 63,848 4,180,878 63,848 4,117,030 4,180,878	Total 2023 £ 2,962,025 854,662 88,471
					3,905,158
					88,471 3,816,687
					3,905,158

• 37 -

SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

4 Charitable activities

(Continued)

Grant income

NHS Cheshire & Merseyside ICB National Lottery Heritage Fund John Armitage Charitable Trust Southport & Formby PCN Big Lottery Sefton MBC South Sefton PCN Mersey Care NHS Foundation Other	Health and Wellbeing Children, Young People and Families Community Development Programs 2024 2024 2024 £ £ £ 454,680 - 211,459 4,200 - 52,573 - - - 276,639 - - - - - 256,138 - 85,728 498,462 - - 306,379 - - 39,900 10,000 31,821 1,836,398 10,000 381,581	Digital Inclusion 2024 £ - 432,977 - - 62,070 - - - - 495,047	Criminal Justice Programs 2024 £ - - 40,000 - 93,692 - - - 20,653 154,345	Total 2024 £ 666,139 489,750 40,000 276,639 155,762 341,866 498,462 306,379 102,374
				2,877,371

• 38 -

SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

4 Charitable activities

(Continued)

Grant monies to be redistributed

NHS Cheshire & Merseyside ICB Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Sefton MBC National Lottery Heritage Fund Duchy of Lancaster Benvolent Fund John Armitage Charitable Trust BBC Children in Need Southport & Formby PCN South Sefton PCN Mersey Care NHS Foundation Other	Health and Wellbeing Children, Young People and Families Community Development Programs 2024 2024 2024 £ £ £ - 47,250 76,000 - - 15,000 821,945 - 236,676 - - 27,258 - - 3,000 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 821,945 47,250 357,934	Digital Inclusion 2024 £ - - - - - - - - - - - -	Criminal Justice Programs 2024 £ - - 12,260 - - - - - - - - 12,260	Total 2024 £ 123,250 15,000 1,070,881 27,258 3,000 - - - - - -
				1,239,389

• 39 -

SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

4 Charitable activities

(Continued)

For the year ended 31 March 2023

Grant income Grant monies to be redistributed Other income Analysis by fund Unrestricted funds Restricted funds	Health and Wellbeing Children, Young People and Families Community Development Programs £ £ £ 1,599,407 48,000 383,612 726,162 - 128,500 88,471 - - 2,414,040 48,000 512,112 88,471 - - 2,325,569 48,000 512,112 2,414,040 48,000 512,112	Digital Inclusion £ 706,060 - - 706,060 - 706,060 706,060	Criminal Justice Programs £ 224,946 - - 224,946 - 224,946 224,946	Total 2023 £ 2,962,025 854,662 88,471
				3,905,158
				88,471 3,816,687
				3,905,158

• 40 -

SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

4 Charitable activities

(Continued)

Grant income

Grant income
Sefton MBC NHS South Sefton CCG NHS Southport & Formby CCG The Big Lottery HM Prision Service John Armitage Charitable Trust Southport & Formby PCN South Sefton PCN Mersey Care NHS Foundation Other	Health and Wellbeing Children, Young People and Families Community Development Programs 2023 2023 2023 £ £ £ 254,308 - 90,273 215,370 27,000 38,607 65,115 21,000 140,415 - - 10,000 - - - - - - 223,219 - - 562,391 - - 277,104 - - 1,900 - 104,317 1,599,407 48,000 383,612	Digital Inclusion 2023 £ - - - 706,060 - - - - - - 706,060	Criminal Justice Programs 2023 £ - - - 93,692 16,575 40,000 - - - 74,679 224,946	Total 2023 £ 344,581 280,977 226,530 809,752 16,575 40,000 223,219 562,391 277,104 180,896
				2,962,025

• 41 -

SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

• 4 Charitable activities

(Continued)

Grant monies to be redistributed

Health and Wellbeing Children, Young People and Families Community Development Programs 2023 2023 2023 £ £ £ Sefton MBC 726,162 - 67,500 NHS South Sefton CCG - - - NHS Southport & Formby CCG - - - The Big Lottery - - 36,000 HM Prision Service - - - John Armitage Charitable Trust - - - BBC Children in Need - - - Southport & Formby PCN - - - South Sefton PCN - - - Mersey Care NHS Foundation - - - Other - - (25,000) 726,162 - 128,500	Digital Inclusion Criminal Justice Programs 2023 2023 £ £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -	Total 2023 £ 793,662 - - 36,000 - - - - - - 25,000
		854,662

• 42 -

SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

5	Investment income
		**Unrestricted **	Unrestricted
		funds	funds
		2024	2023
		£	£
	Income from listed investments	8,101	10,585
	Interest receivable	13,540	2,749
		21,641	13,334
6	Other incoming resources
		Total	Restricted
			funds
		2024	2023
		£	£
	Other income	-	23,951
7	Raising funds
		Unrestricted	Unrestricted
		funds	funds
		2024	2023
		£	£
	Investment management	7,677	7,033
		7,677	7,033

• 43 -

SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

8 Charitable activities

Health and Wellbeing Children, Young People and Families Community Development Programs 2024 2024 2024 £ £ £ Staff costs 1,232,827 26,779 309,177 Activities undertaken directly 306,956 38,012 13,629 1,539,783 64,791 322,806 Grant funding of activities (see note 9) 751,486 1,500 324,951 Share of support costs (see note10) 393,156 14,969 318,268 Share of governance costs (see note 10) 69,380 2,642 56,165 2,753,805 83,902 1,022,190 Analysis by fund Unrestricted funds 282,663 25,215 246,076 Restricted funds 2,471,142 58,687 776,114 2,753,805 83,902 1,022,190	Digital Inclusion 2024 £ 113,204 337,488 450,692 - 62,413 11,014 524,119 48,256 475,863 524,119	Criminal Justice Programs 2024 £ 145,483 3,710 149,193 - 69,519 12,268 230,980 53,750 177,230 230,980	Total 2024 £ 1,827,470 699,795 2,527,265 1,077,937 858,325 151,469 4,614,996 655,960 3,959,036 4,614,996	Total 2023 £ 1,826,786 869,220
				2,696,006 1,045,171 824,639 145,526
				4,711,342
				632,326 4,079,016
				4,711,342

• 44 -

SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

8 Charitable activities

(Continued)

For the year ended 31 March 2023

Health and Wellbeing Children, Young People and Families Community Development Programs £ £ £ Staff costs 1,122,658 22,245 314,709 Activities undertaken directly 283,075 28,404 31,313 1,405,733 50,649 346,022 Grant funding of activities (see note 9) 842,825 - 202,346 Share of support costs (see note10) 325,519 11,762 168,453 Share of governance costs (see note 10) 57,445 2,076 29,727 2,631,522 64,487 746,548 Analysis by fund Unrestricted funds 245,486 27,259 120,157 Restricted funds 2,386,036 37,228 626,391 2,631,522 64,487 746,548	Digital Inclusion £ 167,020 521,715 688,735 - 187,348 33,062 909,145 145,585 763,560 909,145	Criminal Justice Programs £ 200,154 4,713 204,867 - 130,780 23,079 358,726 93,285 265,441 358,726	Covid-19 £ - - - - 777 137 914 554 360 914	Total 2023 £ 1,826,786 869,220
				2,696,006 1,045,171 824,639 145,526
				4,711,342
				632,326 4,079,016
				4,711,342

• 45 -

SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

9 Grants payable

Grants to institutions: Brighter Living Netherton Feelgood Factory Citizens Advice Sefton Onward Homes St Leonard's Youth & Community Centre Sefton Carers Centre Parenting 2000 Independence Initiative Light for Life Sefton Venus Compassion Acts Home - Start Southport & Formby Kindfullness Sefton Opera L30 Community Centre Woodvale & Ainsdale Other grants between £4,000 and £10,000 Other grants less than £4,000	Health and Wellbeing £ 120,530 177,460 167,000 168,956 - 37,040 5,000 - - 3,300 - 2,040 1,330 1,338 - 2,950 - 64,543 751,486	Children, Young People and Families Community Development Programs £ £ - 3,580 - 3,000 - - - - - 13,000 - 525 500 6,500 10,000 - 2,000 - 7,338 - 15,800 - 6,300 - 10,880 - 6,245 - 9,720 - 4,350 - 50,491 1,000 175,222 1,500 324,951	Children, Young People and Families Community Development Programs £ £ - 3,580 - 3,000 - - - - - 13,000 - 525 500 6,500 10,000 - 2,000 - 7,338 - 15,800 - 6,300 - 10,880 - 6,245 - 9,720 - 4,350 - 50,491 1,000 175,222 1,500 324,951	Criminal Justice Programs £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -	Total £ 124,110 180,460 167,000 168,956 13,000 37,565 12,000 10,000 2,000 10,638 15,800 8,340 12,210 7,583 9,720 7,300 50,491 240,765
			324,951		1,077,937

• 46 -

SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

9 Grants payable

(Continued)

The main grant programme is with Living Well Sefton, Sefton4Good is described in the Trustees' report.

Grants payable are recognised in the accounts when the grant is formally accepted by the receiving organisation. Any undistributed balances at the year end are included in the restricted fund balances for the appropriate theme.

• 47 -

SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

9 Grants payable

(Continued)

Prior year

Grants to institutions: Brighter Living Netherton Feelgood Factory Citizens Advice Sefton Onward Homes St Leonard's Youth & Community Centre Sefton Carers Centre Parenting 2000 Swan Women's Centre Light for Life Sefton Venus Compassion Acts Home - Start Southport & Formby Other grants between £4,000 and £10,000 Other grants less than £4,000	Health and Wellbeing £ 142,983 197,260 167,004 178,171 3,167 38,060 2,356 5,298 - - 2,500 - 45,199 60,827 842,825	Children, Young People and Families Community Development Programs £ £ - 3,508 563 550 - - - 500 - 18,500 - 2,000 563 8,500 10,914 - - - - - 27,450 - - 1,124 65,525 (2,750) 64,900 (500) 202,347	Children, Young People and Families Community Development Programs £ £ - 3,508 563 550 - - - 500 - 18,500 - 2,000 563 8,500 10,914 - - - - - 27,450 - - 1,124 65,525 (2,750) 64,900 (500) 202,347	Criminal Justice Programs £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -	Total £ 146,491 198,373 167,004 178,671 21,667 40,060 11,419 16,212 - - 29,950 - 111,848 122,977
			202,347		1,044,672

• 48 -

SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

9 Grants payable

(Continued)

The main grant programme is with Living Well Sefton, Sefton4Good is described in the Trustees' report.

Grants payable are recognised in the accounts when the grant is formally accepted by the receiving organisation. Any undistributed balances at the year end are included in the restricted fund balances for the appropriate theme.

• 49 -

SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

10 Support and governance costs

Management £ Health and Wellbeing 171,138 Children, Young People and Families 6,516 Community Development Program 138,540 Digital Inclusion 27,168 Criminal Justice Program 30,261 Covid-19 Projects - 373,623 Management £ Health and Wellbeing 141,697 Children, Young People and Families 5,120 Community Development Program 73,327 Digital Inclusion 81,552 Criminal Justice Program 56,928 Covid-19 Projects 338 358,962	Finance £ 106,383 4,051 86,120 16,888 18,811 - 232,253 Finance £ 88,082 3,183 45,581 50,694 35,388 210 223,138	Admin Governance £ £ 115,634 69,380 4,403 2,642 93,608 56,165 18,357 11,014 20,447 12,268 - - 252,449 151,469 Admin Governance £ £ 95,741 57,445 3,460 2,076 49,545 29,727 55,103 33,062 38,465 23,079 229 137 242,543 145,526	2024 £ 462,535 17,612 374,433 73,427 81,787 -
			1,009,794
			2023 £ 382,965 13,839 198,180 220,411 153,860 914
			970,169

11 Auditor's remuneration

The analysis of auditor's remuneration is as follows:

Fees payable to the charity's auditors: Audit of the charity's annual accounts Non-audit services All other non-audit services	2024 £ 9,000 1,800	2023 £ 8,415
		1,785

• 50 -

SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

12 Employees

Number of employees

The average monthly number of employees during the year was:

2024 Number Employees (excluding seconded and Sefton Healthwatch staff) 112 Employment costs 2024 £ Wages and salaries 2,065,006 Social security costs 242,097 Other pension costs 185,424 2,492,527 Included within payroll costs are redundancy and similar payments of £nil (2023: £1,294). The number of employees whose annual remuneration was £60,000 or more were: 2024 Number £60,000 to £69,999 1	2023 Number 94
	2023 £ 2,019,592 240,040 188,251
	2,447,883
	2023 Number 1

Contributions totalling £4,164 (2023: £4,080) were made to defined contribution pension schemes on behalf of employees whose emoluments exceeded £60,000

13 Trustees

None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration during the year and none of the trustees were reimbursed for expenses (2023: None).

• 51 -

SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

14 Tangible fixed assets Leasehold improvements Office equipment £ £ Cost At 1 April 2023 20,472 16,642 At 31 March 2024 20,472 16,642 Depreciation and impairment At 1 April 2023 6,552 16,006 Depreciation charged in the year 819 636 At 31 March 2024 7,371 16,642 Carrying amount At 31 March 2024 13,101 - At 31 March 2023 13,920 635 15 Fixed asset investments Listed investments Cash in portfolio £ £ Cost or valuation At 1 April 2023 556,003 5,874 Valuation changes 39,015 - Cash movement - 32,880 Disposals (20,538) - At 31 March 2024 574,480 38,754 Carrying amount At 31 March 2024 574,480 38,754 At 31 March 2023 556,003 5,874 16 Net gains/(losses) on investments

Total £ 37,114 37,114 22,558 1,455 24,013 13,101 14,555 Total £ 561,877 39,015 32,880 (20,538) 613,234 613,234 561,877

Revaluation of investments

**Unrestricted **	Unrestricted
funds	funds
2024	2023
£	£
50,353	(49,474)

• 52 -

SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

17 Subsidiaries

Market value at 1 April 2023 and at 31 March 2024 is £nil

Historical cost:

At 1 April 2023 and at 31 March 2024 is £nil

Communities are People Limited

The subsidiary, Communities are People Limited is a limited company registered in England and Wales, company number 06157031. The registered office is Burlington House, Suite 3B 3rd Floor, Crosby Road North, Merseyside, L22 0LG. The subsidiary is wholly owned by the charity, is currently dormant and has £1 ordinary share capital.

The subsidiary has been valued in the accounts at £nil as the trustees consider the value of the net assets to be immaterial and do not consider there to be any benefit in revaluing the investment.

Consolidated accounts are not produced as these would not be materially different from the single entity financial statements.

Healthwatch Sefton Limited

The subsidiary, Healthwatch Sefton Limited, is a limited company registered in England and Wales, company number 08453782. The registered office is Burlington House, Suite 3B 3rd Floor, Crosby Road North, Merseyside, L22 0LG. The subsidiary is limited by guarantee, the charity is the sole subscriber and the amount guaranteed is £1.

The subsidiary, Healthwatch Sefton Limited, was formed on 20 March 2013 and its objects are to carry on activities which benefit the community and in particular (without limitation) the operation of a Local Healthwatch organisation in Sefton with the aim of gathering people’s views on, and experiences of, the health and social care system and becoming a consumer champion for both publicly funded health and social care.

Healthwatch Sefton Limited is commissioned by the local authority, Sefton MBC and operates under the control of its independent board.

The activities are controlled by and reported in the accounts of Healthwatch Sefton Limited, the subsidiary company.

	2024	2023
	£	£
Funding	166,033	170,609
Expenditure	(174,548)	(153,263)
Movement in year	(8,515)	17,346
Balance brought forward	32,235	14,889
Balance carried forward	23,720	32,235

The investment has been valued in the accounts at £nil as the trustees consider the value of the net assets to be immaterial at 31 March 2023 and 31 March 2024 and do not consider there to be any benefit in revaluing the investment.

Consolidated accounts are not produced for 2024 as these would not be materially different from the single entity financial statements and the control of the subsidiary is through its independent Board.

• 53 -

SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

18 Financial instruments Carrying amount of financial assets Debt instruments measured at amortised cost Instruments measured at fair value through SOFA Carrying amount of financial liabilities Measured at amortised cost 19 Debtors Amounts falling due within one year: Trade debtors Other debtors Prepayments and accrued income 20 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Notes Other taxation and social security Deferred income 23 Trade creditors Other creditors Accruals and deferred income	2024 £ 1,704,876 574,480 160,394 2024 £ 573,531 (646) 15,789 588,674 2024 £ 57,139 113,826 38,281 99,363 22,750 331,359	2023 £ 1,419,967 556,003
		152,198
		2023 £ 441,678 2,976 28,607
		473,261
		2023 £ 55,355 - 34,195 90,024 27,979
		207,553

21 Funds held as agent

Sefton CVS holds funds for its subsidiary, Healthwatch Sefton Limited, of £51,540 (2023: £60,055), in a bank account operated by Sefton CVS. The amount payable to its subsidiary, Healthwatch Sefton Limited and an equivalent amount of the bank balance are excluded from these accounts.

• 54 -

SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

22 Retirement benefit schemes

Defined contribution schemes

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in an independently administered fund.

Contributions totalling £21,356 (2023: £17,569) were payable to the fund at the year end and are included in creditors.

The charge to the SoFA in respect of defined contribution schemes was £188,251 (2023: £171,192)

23 Deferred income

Arising from Deferred contract income Deferred income is included in the financial statements as follows: Deferred income is included within: Current liabilities Movements in the year: Deferred income at 1 April 2023 Resources deferred in the year Deferred income at 31 March 2024	2024 £ 113,826 2024 £ 113,826 - 113,826 113,826	2023 £ -
		2023 £ -
		- -
		-

24 Operating lease commitments

At the reporting end date the charity had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows:

Within one year Between two and five years	2024 £ 45,000 - 45,000	2023 £ 60,000 45,000
		105,000

• 55 -

SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

25 Related party transactions

Remuneration of key management personnel

The remuneration of key management personnel is as follows.

Aggregate compensation No remuneration was paid to any trustee during the year (2023: None).	2024 £ 261,599	2023 £ 252,306

No guarantees were given or received.

There were no other disclosable related party transactions during the year (2023 - none).

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SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

26 Restricted funds

The income funds of the charity include restricted funds comprising the following unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust for specific purposes:

Balance at 1 April 2022 £ Health and Wellbeing 543,372 Children, Young People and Families 40,637 Community Development Programs 340,470 Digital Inclusion 51,563 Criminal Justice Programs 244,041 Covid-19 99,974 1,320,057	Movement in funds Income Expenditure Transfers Balance at 1 April 2023 £ £ £ £ 2,325,569 (2,386,036) (9,706) 473,199 48,000 (37,228) (500) 50,909 515,635 (626,391) 88,034 317,748 730,011 (763,560) - 18,014 224,946 (265,441) (12,908) 190,638 - (360) (99,614) - 3,844,161 (4,079,016) (34,694) 1,050,508	Movement in funds Income Expenditure Transfers 31 £ £ £ 2,658,612 (2,471,142) (37,000) 57,520 (58,687) - 750,023 (776,114) 37,000 495,047 (475,863) - 166,605 (177,230) - - - - 4,127,807 (3,959,036) -	Balance at March 2024 £ 623,669 49,742 328,657 37,198 180,013 -
			1,219,279

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SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

26 Restricted funds

(Continued)

Health and Wellbeing

Health and Wellbeing encompasses a variety of funds that represents the various projects coordinated and facilitated by Sefton CVS which aim to develop the local VCF sector’s response to both local and national health priorities. This covers areas such as Reablement, health promotion and sexual health awareness.

Health and Wellbeing key funders include Sefton MBC, NHS Southport & Formby CCG and NHS South Sefton CCG, Merseyside Care NHS Foundation Trust, Southport and Formby PCN and Bootle, Crosby & Maghull PCN.

Children, Young People and Families

Children, Young People and Families projects centre on the development of a co-ordinated and strategic approach to local services, that seeks to embed best practice and deliver quality outcomes for children, young people and families, with a focus on multi-agency working and integrated processes.

Children, Young People and Families key funders include NHS Southport & Formby CCG and NHS South Sefton CCG.

Community Development Programs

The main aim of Community Development Programs is to support local people and organisations to initiate, strengthen and renew social action and community led service delivery in Sefton. This covers a variety of initiatives from the provision of financial services (via the Community Accountancy Service) to the management and coordination of a shopping service for older people in North Sefton.

Community Development Programs key funders include Sefton MBC, NHS Southport & Formby CCG, NHS South Sefton CCG, Big Lottery Fund and Children in Need.

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SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

26 Restricted funds

(Continued)

Digital Inclusion

Digital Inclusion mainly covers projects managed by the VOLA Learning Consortium. VOLA supports the Merseyside Voluntary and Social Enterprise in relation to learning, skills and employment support.

Digital Inclusion's key funders include Big Lottery Fund.

Criminal Justice programs

Sefton CVS work closely with local prisons including HMP Liverpool and HMP Hindley to promote voluntary, community and faith sector activity and opportunities to offenders and their families. From providing voluntary offender mentoring services to allowing access to information, advice and support for offenders, Sefton CVS is one of the leading organisations in prison and offender engagement.

Criminal Justice programs key funders include Big Lottery Fund, HM Prison Service, John Armitage Foundation, Achieve Northwest and Merseyside Police.

Covid 19

This fund represents a range of projects in response to the global pandemic this included the provision of shopping services, distributing PPE equipment and providing support to Sefton MBC in their co-ordinated response. The key funders include Sefton MBC.

The Trustees' Annual Report includes further detail in respect of these funds.

Information regarding individual funds and grants is shown in note 4.

Transfers

The trustees have reviewed the restrictions on funding, where available, and have concluded that any restrictions have been discharged.

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SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

27 Designated funds

The income funds of the charity include the following designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes:

Balance at 1 April 2022 £ Redundancy Contingency Fund 198,707 Southport Refurbishment Fund 10,000 IT Replacement Fund 10,000 Fixed Asset Fund 20,555 Business Transition Fund 11,055 HWOP Development Fund 124,373 ECM Development Fund 78,551 Collaboration Development Fund 10,147 Website Development Fund 4,302 Burlington House Accommodation Fund 20,000 487,690	Movement in funds Income Expenditure £ £ - - - - - - - - - - 752 (13,302) 953 (25,902) - (41) - - - - 1,705 (39,245)	Movement in funds Transfers Balance at 1 April 2023 Income Expenditure Balance at 31 March 2024 £ £ £ £ £ 50,000 248,707 - - 248,707 - 10,000 - - 10,000 10,000 20,000 - - 20,000 (6,000) 14,555 - - 14,555 - 11,055 - - 11,055 5,000 116,823 601 (10,023) 107,401 12,908 66,510 533 (13,641) 53,402 - 10,106 - - 10,106 - 4,302 - - 4,302 20,000 40,000 - - 40,000 91,908 542,058 1,134 (23,664) 519,528	Movement in funds Transfers Balance at 1 April 2023 Income Expenditure Balance at 31 March 2024 £ £ £ £ £ 50,000 248,707 - - 248,707 - 10,000 - - 10,000 10,000 20,000 - - 20,000 (6,000) 14,555 - - 14,555 - 11,055 - - 11,055 5,000 116,823 601 (10,023) 107,401 12,908 66,510 533 (13,641) 53,402 - 10,106 - - 10,106 - 4,302 - - 4,302 20,000 40,000 - - 40,000 91,908 542,058 1,134 (23,664) 519,528
			519,528

• 60 -

SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

27 Designated funds

(Continued)

The Redundancy Contingency Fund is designated to provide for the employee redundancy costs likely to be incurred should the charity cease to operate.

The Fixed Asset Fund represents the ring fencing of assets which are not available as part of the general liquid reserves of the charity.

The Business Transition Fund represents monies set aside to enable the charity to respond positively to the changing funding landscape.

The following development funds represent monies ring fenced by the Trustees to develop the local VCF sector's response to local and national issues.

• Health Well Being and Older Persons Development Funds

• Every Child Matters Development Funds

• Collaboration Development Funds

The Website Development Fund has been created by SCVS trustees in recognition of the need to maintain the charity website.

The Southport Renovation Fund has been established to undertake a program of renovations at All Souls Community Centre, Southport, Norwood Road, Southport PR8 6HQ.

The IT Replacement fund represents monies set aside to enable the Charity to replace the significant investment made in IT as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic, at the end of the current investments life cycle.

The Burlington House Accommodation Fund has been established to meet the terms of the current lease and restore the office at Burlington House back to their original state at the end of the tenure.

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SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

28 Analysis of net assets between funds

Analysis of net assets between funds
Unrestricted funds Designated funds Restricted funds 2024 2024 2024 £ £ £ Fund balances at 31 March 2024 are represented by: Tangible assets - 13,101 - Investments 106,807 506,427 - Current assets/(liabilities) 131,273 - 1,219,279 238,080 519,528 1,219,279	Total Unrestricted funds Designated funds 2024 2023 2023 £ £ £ 13,101 - 14,555 613,234 34,374 527,503 1,350,552 184,638 - 1,976,887 219,012 542,058	Restricted funds 2023 £ - - 1,050,508 1,050,508	Total 2023 £ 14,555 561,877 1,235,146
			1,811,578

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SEFTON COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

29	Cash generated from operations	2024	2023
		£	£
	Surplus/(deficit) for the year	165,309	(273,406)
	Adjustments for:
	Investment income recognised in statement of financial activities	(21,641)	(13,334)
	Fair value gains and losses on investments	(50,353)	49,474
	Depreciation and impairment of tangible fixed assets	1,455	3,000
	Movements in working capital:
	(Increase)/decrease in debtors	(115,413)	66,396
	Increase in creditors	9,980	27,346
	Increase in deferred income	113,826	-
	Cash generated from/(absorbed by) operations	103,163	(140,524)

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