2021-03-31-accounts

REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 02791788 REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1032298

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

FOR

BLACK COUNTRY WOMEN'S AID

BLACK COUNTRY WOMEN'S AID

CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

		Page
Reference and Administrative Details		1
Report of the Trustees	2	to	16
Report of the Independent Auditors	17	to	19
Statement of Financial Activities		20
Balance Sheet		21
Cash Flow Statement		22
Notes to the Cash Flow Statement		23
Notes to the Financial Statements	24	to	34

BLACK COUNTRY WOMEN'S AID

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

TRUSTEES Karen Elizabeth Dowman Bozena Benton Melvena Morton Salma Parween Ali Victoria Rebecca Harris COMPANY SECRETARY Sara Jane Ward BSc (Hons) PG Dip Hou REGISTERED OFFICE Landchard House Victoria Street West Bromwich B70 8HY REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER 02791788 REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1032298 AUDITORS Copia Wealth & Tax Limited Chartered Accountants Statutory Auditors 8 Pendeford Place Pendeford Business Park Wobaston Road Wolverhampton WV9 5HD

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BLACK COUNTRY WOMEN'S AID

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2021. The trustees have adopted the provisions of 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

Objectives and aims

Black Country Women's Aid's (BCWA) objectives are:

• i) to relieve the physical and mental distress of women who are homeless and/or have been gravely or persistently mistreated by their husbands, the men with whom they are living, the fathers of their children or any other members of their family; and

• ii) to relieve the physical and mental distress of children affected by the disruption in the home.

Significant activities

The main objectives and activities of the year have continued to focus on the development of quality support services for victims of violence, abuse and exploitation both in and out of refuge. The strategies employed to assist the charity in meeting these objectives included the following:

• Delivery of high quality services that include emergency accommodation as well as community based support for both adult and child victims of violence and abuse including victims of modern slavery

• Sustaining and further development of services to meet victim's needs across the Black Country area and where necessary further afield.

• Identifying and applying for additional funds to sustain existing services and develop new responses to meet victim's needs.

• Developing systems that capture, cope and recover outcomes for victims. This information is used to demonstrate the effectiveness and impact of support services and evidence the need for additional services via commissioning/tendering.

• Responding to the changing and complex needs of victims, making sure there is greater reach to victims and that BCWA create opportunities to engage through increased partnership work and better coordination.

Public benefit

These essential services provide a valuable public benefit to the citizens of the Black Country, West Midlands and throughout the UK.

The trustees have complied with their duty to have due regard to the commission's public benefit guidance when exercising any powers or duties to which the guidance is relevant.

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BLACK COUNTRY WOMEN'S AID

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE

Development, Activities and Achievements for 2020/21

This report cannot be written without acknowledging the impact the Coronavirus Pandemic had on the experiences of victim's services and operations of Black Country Women's Aid. This announcement altered the course of the year as all services had to immediately respond to the pandemic and strategic plans were reworked.

On 23 March 2020, the Government announced measures requiring people to stay at home to reduce the spread of Covid-19. The domestic abuse charity Refuge has warned that although the lockdown itself "does not cause domestic abuse", the measures can "aggravate pre-existing behaviours in an abusive partner".

In April 2020, the Government published guidance on support for victims of domestic abuse during the Covid-19 pandemic. The guidance stated that for anyone at risk, the household isolation instruction "does not apply" if they need to leave their home to escape abuse. It also provided information on support services for those being abused or worried that they may commit abuse.

On 27 May 2020, the national domestic abuse charities were reporting an increase of calls and access to websites to the national helpline as many victims were confined to their home

In addition, data gathered by the organisation Counting Dead Women suggests that the number of domestic abuse killings has increased during lockdown. It found that in the first three weeks of lockdown (23 March to 12 April 2020), the number of women killed by men was 14. This is the highest rate for at least eleven years and "double that of a hypothetical average 21 days over the last 10 years".

The Child Poverty Action Group in their briefing paper Domestic Abuse is an economic issue - for its victims and society (December 2019) highlight:

• Gender norms, inadequate public services, the gender pay gap and downright discrimination all contribute to women's disadvantaged position in the economy. Women do more unpaid work around the house and by taking care of children and frail adults. This means they earn less, own less and are more likely to be poor.

• Women are therefore more likely to be financially dependent on someone else or on the state. The erosion of the state's welfare safety net and increasingly stringent access rules have a disproportionate impact on women. Women are placed in a precarious economic position that has a knock-on effect on their safety.

• Poverty is associated with domestic abuse as both a cause and a consequence. It prolongs women's exposure to abuse by reducing their ability to leave and it makes women poorer on leaving the relationship.

• Poorer households show higher rates of domestic abuse. Women in households with low incomes are 3.5 times more likely to experience domestic violence than women in slightly better-off households. The links are complex but one thing is certain: poverty exacerbates the abuse because it increases or prolongs women's exposure to it as it reduces their capacity to leave.

• Women have less opportunity to seek help and "just leave" where there is abuse within the home. For the vast majority of women, economic abuse happens alongside other forms of domestic abuse. This may include coercive control of finances (97% of domestic abuse victims), sabotage - such as the abuser showing up at the woman's workplace or making her late to undermine her job - (89%), and financial exploitation (87%). There are many reasons why women do not leave violent relationships, and fear for their safety and their children's is one of the biggest. But financial insecurity also looms large in women's decision-making.

• Even when a women attempts to leave her economic situation is still poor and often gets worse. She may need to leave the area and therefore lose her job. If she was on working-age benefits or housing benefit, she will need to make a new claim and will be transferred to universal credit, which takes five weeks to process before she receives payment. How can she support herself and her children in the meantime?

Issues may be compounded for certain groups of women. Disabled women have even fewer resources due to their lower rates of employment and wider gender pay gaps compared to disabled and non-disabled men. Cuts to benefits since 2010 and stringent eligibility criteria, including sanctions, have made it harder for disabled women (and men) to have a liveable income. Disabled women will face additional barriers to leave due to inaccessible services, transport and available adapted homes, but also because their abusive partner is often their carer.

Many migrant women have what's called 'no recourse to public funds'. This means they cannot use the social security, housing or women's refuge services available to other women. Women with no recourse to public funds by virtue of their migration status are a group that is economically very vulnerable to domestic abuse. Their options on leaving are even worse than for other women, as they cannot access benefits and only a reduced number of refuges and shelters can accommodate them.

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REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

The impact of domestic abuse on women's - and children's - lives is devastating and should be addressed on that basis alone, on the violation of women's human rights that it is. By the government's own admission, domestic violence also has an alarming negative impact on society as whole: domestic violence costs England and Wales £66bn every year through things like lost productivity, health and criminal justice costs, and harm to victims.

The Institute of Fiscal Studies in their Briefing paper (June 2020) COVID 19: the Impact of the pandemic on inequality, set out some key findings that may relate to victims of violence and abuse include:

• The specific nature of the economic shock associated with COVID-19 has interacted with many old and deep inequalities. Excluding key workers, most people in the bottom tenth of the earnings distribution are in sectors that have been forced to shut down, and 80% are either in a shut-down sector or are unlikely to be able to do their job from home - compared with only a quarter of the highest-earning tenth. Young people and those of Pakistani, Bangladeshi or black ethnicity are also more affected than others in these respects. Londoners are the most likely people in the country to be able to do their jobs from home.

• About 30% of low-income households (many households living with domestic abuse) pre-crisis said that they could not manage a month if they were to lose their main source of household income. They spend a high fraction of their budgets on necessities that are hard to scale back.

• Pre-COVID, female employment was at record highs, but school and nursery closures removed the childcare provision that had made much of that possible. The additional childcare and housework has fallen far more on mothers than fathers, especially among working parents. There must be a risk that this inhibits work and career progression for mothers, when progress in closing the gender wage gap had already stalled.

• School shutdowns are likely to accentuate the socio-economic divide in educational attainment. The schools that children from better-off families attend are more likely to provide learning activities that involve active engagement between teachers and students than the schools attended by children from the most deprived families. These activities are not only expected to be best suited for supporting home learning; they are also less reliant on parental time and ability to be completed. Many families without the facilities to undertake home learning experienced delays in getting equipment to recommence their education. Many victims shared that the home environment was not conducive to home learning as tensions were heightened with some mothers living within abusive relationships. Home-schooling whilst in their car or at the supermarkets, was considered to be their only respite.

No one could have estimated the devastating impact that it would have on victims/ survivors of violence and abuse as they were forced into lockdown and further inequality as this unfolded throughout the year. With early indication that victims living within households that experienced violence and abuse felt trapped and lockdown, for many, became a harsh sentence on the movement, freedom and access to support for survivors of domestic and intimate partner violence; it was vital that BCWA responded making sure victims and stakeholders knew where to get help.

The policy of lockdown did not realise the detrimental outcomes for victims/ survivors of domestic abuse. The imposition of stay-at-home orders confined them to precarious, violent private spaces for the sake of public safety. This has made it very difficult for victims/survivors to get the care they need. Those that perpetrate violence and abuse were able to weaponise these restrictive measures to further subordinate, control and overpower women and survivors who have been isolated and are unable to seek help during the lockdown. The rationing of medical care and the risk of acquiring COVID-19 through outside exposure may have prevented survivors from pursuing medical assistance. Further, the lockdown and stay-at-home orders may have enabled abusers to engage in more psychological violence based on power, control and denigration of the victim while utilising the virus as leverage. All of these factors coincide to create a dire situation for victims/survivors in these conditions.

It was vital that BCWA remained highly visible and responsive to victims.

During the year BCWA received 12018 referrals into all services an overall 21% increase on last year. This includes;

Domestic Abuse	8043
Refuge	388
Rape and Sexual Abuse (Adults)	657
Rape and Sexual Abuse (Children)	104
Stalking	709
Women's Justice	483
Children affected by domestic abuse	798
Modern Slavery (outreach and accommodation)	299
Counselling	537

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BCWA swiftly developed a new model of service delivery to ensure that no one was left alone, no one was unsafe and all victims knew where to get help. BCWA doors were not closed to any victim of abuse.

Trustees, senior management and all staff worked together to devise operational plans. These plans included;

Maintaining a contact centre - it was vital that victims of violence knew that we were still here and providing services in ways that connected with victims including and especially where risk escalated. For many victims we were their single point of contact, they shared their experiences with skilled support staff and shared any plans to challenge or leave. BCWA knows that a victim making the choice to leave is at significant risk of serious hurt and harm at the point of leaving so connecting the contact centre and access to safe accommodation was vital. BCWA worked with local councils, strategic partnerships and the business community to promote the service, this included connecting with supermarkets, pharmacies and places where the general public could access. All the usual spaces to get help and support such as schools, children centres, community venues etc. were now closed. It was vital that the message went out that we were still here. BCWA became a regular feature on local radio and maintained a high social media presence for greater reach. Support staff worked on and offsite maintaining high levels of communication with victims/ survivors, assessing risk and safety at all times. All our support offices were deep cleaned and sanitized to minimise spread of the virus whilst connecting with victims.

Strengthening the IT infrastructure to remote work - The Home Office made available COVID infrastructure funds that enabled BCWA to remodel and strengthen the IT infrastructure to manage on and offsite model of working. Upgrading the existing server, purchase of equipment (laptops etc.) as well as assessing the home as a safe and confidential space to work from meeting health and safety requirements was undertaken. BCWA experienced minor supply chain issues as all businesses increased demand on technology for business continuity. This work has continued to progress as BCWA work towards standards such as Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus that we will continue to work toward in 2021/22. Plans were realised and regularly reviewed with little disruption to service delivery plans a nd regular review enabled all support staff to undertake their essential function.

Mobilising the support staff - New operational models were devised and all staff were fully trained and briefed to enable them to safely work from home without compromising support to victims. Health and Safety risk assessments were undertaken to ensure homes were safe and confidential spaces to deliver our specialist service. In line with government guidance, the teams worked in "bubbles" and responded well to the new technology. A vital part of mobilising the staff was ensuring that this "new way" of working maintained high levels of support whilst understanding the impact of COVID on their home and family life. Regular review and impact assessment took pl ace to ensure that issues were immediately addressed.

Making sure we responded to victims and their children - the operational models guaranteed victims support in whichever way they felt would assist them. BCWA introduced email, chat functions, text and mobile support to ensure those that had minimal access to the phone or private spaces could still communicate. Feedback from victims/ survivors was extremely positive and many commented on the positive engagement they were able to maintain with their support worker. Throughout the year BCWA undertook surveys with those accessing the service and summary conclusions indicated that 97% would recommend BCWA to others and 97% were satisfied with BCWA support. In relation to support outcomes 98% felt confident with knowing what to if another incident occurred and 81% saw an improvement in safety at home/work. We will continue to seek victim/ survivor views as we return to "normal" and review pre COVID ways of wor king.

BCWA continued with support from the Home Office Children Affected by Domestic Abuse fund (CADA) to deliver Our Future. This service supports children identified via reporting to West Midlands Police (WMP) and school safeguarding teams. The service was redesigned as schools closed and children were sent home. The strengthened IT infrastructure enabled the team to use technology to connect with children and young people as they developed online packages to assess safety and risk. This was considered an essential lifeline for children and young people and supported the school in their safeguarding responsibilities. Working together was highly effective and dynamic as circumstances changed. Despite the end of lockdown the schools continued to promote the online support as they struggled to maintain COVID levels within their school. BCWA offered continuity of support and assistance throughout. The impact of COVID on young people's wellbeing as well as educational attainment will be felt for many years. It will be vital moving forward for strategies to be developed that recognises this inequality and impact on child development.

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Supporting victims when legal proceedings were delayed and suspended - The Covid-19 pandemic has had a major impact on the operation of the criminal justice system and the support available to victims. Many victims in BCWA services supported by Independent Domestic Advisers (IDVA's) and Independent Sexual Violence Advisers (ISVA's) that were preparing for court proceedings to commence were devastated when notified of delays and suspensions preventing them from moving forward and/or recovering and seeking justice. For the services this has meant that many have felt re- traumatised by such decisions and have needed further support and counselling as a result. For BCWA support staff, this has meant that victims are within the service longer than previously recorded, trauma levels higher and an increasing volume of new referrals into the service to support, creating genuine pressure points in the service. Despite other statutory services increasing their use of technology this did not provided solutions to enable trials to go ahead both in the magistrates' courts and Crown Court at anything close to normal levels. The number of outstanding cases may be leading to crisis in the criminal justice system where victims/ survivors will have to wait longer to know whether they will get justice. BCWA are concerned that this will impact upon victim confidence to seek justice. Locally BCWA were already facing challenging with the closure of a local courts and scheduling of cases at court. There is no doubt that this will have a lasting impact on victims and will challenge resour ces into the next financial year.

Maintaining positive partnerships - the strength of the partnerships established with BCWA were evident when all partners developed responses to the pandemic. Whilst BCWA mobilised its own response, this was not without working with strategic and community partners to connect and support each other. It was everyone's immediate priority to respond to individuals in the community. Together we identified vulnerable people and responded by connecting and supporting in emotional and practical ways. Partnership media campaigns using all platforms available to reach people are used and make a significant impact on communities wanting to help support this vital work. The Community Fundraising team was expanded during the year to work with the many committed people and organisations who support the work. Our supporter's generosity comes in both financial support as well as essential items such as clothing, toiletries, start-up kits for new mothers and any call outs for help when someone we support has very little on arrival into refuge. Our links with local foodbanks, other charities and the community voluntary organisations enabled food, clothing and essential for distribution as families told us how they were struggling to survive during this time. Our excellent fundraising team linked with local businesses to raise funds, source essential items, educational materials, and equipment to support the family working and learning. Weekly meetings, data collection and impact reporting meant that there was a shared understanding of the vulnerabilit ies and needs of the victims/ survivors we were supporting.

BCWA continues to makes a significant contribution to the partnerships across the 4 Black Country authorities (Sandwell, Dudley, Walsall and Wolverhampton) influencing strategic and operational development. These include vital partnerships such as the Sandwell Crime Reduction Partnership/ Safer Sandwell, Sandwell Domestic Abuse Strategic Partnership (DASP) Dudley Domestic Abuse Strategic Partnership and Forum (DDAF) and Dudley Safe and Sound, Walsall Domestic Abuse Strategic Group ( DASG) and Violent Leads Group as well as operation groups focusing on young people at risk of exploitation, Local Safeguarding Children's and Adults Board, West Midlands Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO) Board, Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) Board and local Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferencing (MARAC) and Multi Agency Safeguarding Hubs (MASH) as well as taking thematic leads on domestic abuse, modern slavery and stalking at the Office of the Police Crime Commissioner's Victim's Commission. The Victims Commission is the PCC's advisory body on the provision of specialist services. The role of the Victim's Commission is to ensure that services have a positive impact on victims, improving the circumstances of individuals affected by crime, to cope with the effects of their experiences and recover from the harm they have experienced. In addition, the Victim's Commission has succeeded in building a culture of collaboration and ownership for victim care through the voluntary and community sector so that victims experience quality support from the first point of contact. This approach enables the voice of the victims to be represented in all strategic spaces and develop new opportunities for victims of violence and abuse to access services. Much of the year the BCWA Chief Executive worked hard to ensure that services across the Black Country were represented and funding secured. This approach remains integral to the future of specialist services as we continue to face challenges.

BCWA continued to work with other specialist services across the region to ensure that services are coordinated and meet the highest standards. The organisation has continued its partnerships work with other specialist providers and is now integral to the following consortia: National Stalking, Specialist Domestic Violence and Abuse, Rape and Sexual Violence Consortium, The Women's Justice Partnership and other voluntary sector partnerships supporting vulnerable people. This approach continues to demonstrate that agencies cannot work in isolation but are always stronger together.

BCWA listens and hears the voices of those that we provide services to. This is done in ways that enable a dialogue, feedback and impact; their voice is vital to the future direction of services. Where gaps in service are identified BCWA aim to respond. The integrated abuse support vision aims to offer help and support to anyone who has experienced abuse and for that service to be under one roof and easily accessible.

BCWA continues to be proactive in the implementation of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 and is supporting partners implement their statutory responsibilities. Much of this work will commence in 2021/22. The Act will;

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REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

• create a statutory definition of domestic abuse, emphasising that domestic abuse is not just physical violence, but can also be emotional, controlling or coercive, and economic abuse

• establish in law the office of Domestic Abuse Commissioner and set out the Commissioner's functions and powers

• provide for a new Domestic Abuse Protection Notice and Domestic Abuse Protection Order

• place a duty on local authorities in England to provide accommodation- based support to victims of domestic abuse and their children in refuges and other safe accommodation

• prohibit perpetrators of abuse from cross-examining their victims in person in the civil and family courts in England and Wales

• create a statutory presumption that victims of domestic abuse are eligible for special measures in the criminal, civil and family courts

• clarify the circumstances in which a court may make a barring order under section 91(14) of the Children Act 1989 to prevent family proceedings that can further traumatise victims

• extend the controlling or coercive behaviour offence to cover post-separation abuse

• extend the offence of disclosing private sexual photographs and films with intent to cause distress (known as the "revenge porn" offence) to cover threats to disclose such material

• create a new offence of non-fatal strangulation or suffocation of another person

• clarify, by restating in statute law, the general proposition that a person may not consent to the infliction of serious harm and, by extension, is unable to consent to their own death

• extend the extraterritorial jurisdiction of the criminal courts in England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to further violent and sexual offences

• provide for a statutory domestic abuse perpetrator strategy

• enable domestic abuse offenders to be subject to polygraph testing as a condition of their licence following their release from custody

• place the guidance supporting the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme ("Clare's law") on a statutory footing

• provide that all eligible homeless victims of domestic abuse automatically have 'priority need' for homelessness assistance

• ensure that, where a local authority, for reasons connected with domestic abuse, grants a new secure tenancy to a social tenant who had or has a secure lifetime or assured tenancy (other than an assured short hold tenancy), this must be a secure lifetime tenancy

• prohibit GPs and other health professionals in general practice from charging a victim of domestic abuse for a letter to support an application for legal aid

• provide for a statutory code of practice relating to the processing of domestic abuse data for immigration purposes.

BCWA continues to work with the Salvation Army and the England and Wales delivery partners on challenging local responses, improving systems and services for victims of modern slavery within the National Referral Mechanism.

Sustaining Services

BCWA have worked hard to secure contracts, identify new areas of funding and work in collaboration with partners to secure regional funds. Services continue to be available through open tender processes however they are tendered with reduced budgets and often demanding specifications.

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Despite this ongoing pressure, BCWA continues to experience success via tendering opportunities, joint bids with partners, funding applications to a variety of sources and maintains a good knowledge of external funders' interests and priorities. Funders/ commissioners continue to express satisfaction with the standards of service delivery, performance as well as BCWA's ability to be responsive, innovative and dynamic in its solutions for victims. At all times BCWA maintain a meaningful dialogue with clients across all services ensuring that they remain central to the core values and influence the response. During the year, BCWA received additional support from the Home Office and Ministry of Justice to manage during COVID as well as additional support from local authorities.

BCWA were faced with a challenge during the year to realise the capital bid awarded in the previous year by the Heart of England Community Trust; these challenges were due to the construction industry ceasing trading/operating during COVID with limited supply chains and significant price increases in building materials. With a target of completion for the end of the financial year (March 2021) BCWA worked with project managers E3Cubed to tender for the work against a tight budget and timescales. BCWA were pleased that the scheme was purchased and the additional build and refurbishment was completed on time. The "official opening "is scheduled during 2021/22 and will be shared with all the partners that made it possible. This valuable resource will help many female victims of exploitation receive the care and support they need after being rescued.

BCWA remains committed to the delivery of high quality services that assure funders of the standards that BCWA adopt across all services and demonstrates value for money. Regular internal strategic and operational review enables all services to remain relevant, victim focused and of high quality. Internal and external performance management and review ensure that services are delivered in accordance with contract or funder requirements maximising the resources available. BCWA will be moving towards working within the framework of ISO 9001 for Quality systems, an external standard that ensures that BCWA utilises all systems and funds as effectively and efficiently as possible.

Community Services - Domestic Abuse

Whilst operationally the service faced challenges, BCWA continues to provide commissioned services for Sandwell, Dudley and Walsall local strategic partnerships and continue to provide domestic abuse support services. High risk victims continue to be supported by an Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) who provide immediate support and minimise risk linking with local Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC). BCWA is integral to the Walsall Strengthening Families model and the Black Country Family Drug and Alcohol Court (FDAC) where highly vulnerable children are identified and support around the family is provided. Both specialist areas will be independently evaluated.

High risk victims continue to be supported by an independent domestic abuse adviser (IDVA). Volumes are increasing and further support has been made available by the West Midlands Office of the Police Crime Commissioner (OPCC) to support this increase and strengthen the regional Multiagency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARAC) that take place across the Black Country.

BCWA is now embedded in local operational spaces. This has enabled victims to access services easily and works with partners to advise on identification and referral to our services. BCWA continued with operate within the following structures during COVID albeit via IT platforms:

• Multi agency Safeguarding Hubs (MASH) - many referrals are received through this route as partners share information, jointly risk assess and provide a multi-agency response.

• GP Practices - delivering the national Identification and Referral to Improve Safety (IRIS) programme; a GP practice based model that provides training and education, clinical enquiry, care pathways and an enhanced referral pathway to specialist domestic violence services.

• Accident and Emergency Departments -- Based within Russell's Hall Hospital Trust, specialist advocates identify victims presenting with multiple injuries as a result of abuse. BCWA continue to triangulate support for victims in both primary and acute services to reduce risk and increase safety

• Substance misuse commissioned services. Working particularly within the Sandwell Blue Light Project BCWA is part of the multi-agency operational group to ensure a joint identification and ownership of the highest impact clients both as victims and perpetrators of domestic abuse.

• Early help hubs. Working at a local level with a range of professional's supporting victims and working to keep them safe.

• Schools where children have been identified through police notifications. BCWA has worked with West Midlands Police, Walsall MBC and the Home Office to secure funds to support children and young people.

• Drive & DVPP Drive (Sandwell) and DVPP (Sandwell and Dudley) are two projects in which we provide parallel support to victims and children where the offender is engaging in a perpetrator programme. Our support helps to ensure safeguarding is central, the voices of victims and children are heard, and they receive the emotional and practical support they need

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BCWA continues to develop its Stalking service. Stalking is an extremely complex, area, requiring an in-depth understanding of a perpetrator's behaviour patterns and motivations to make clear the risk victims face. Our team are trained to use a number of specialist tools, including the SRP (Stalking Risk Profile), SASH (Screening Assessment for Stalking and Harassment) and Dr Jane Monckton-Smith's Homicide Timeline to profile perpetrators. This expertise is invaluable in our advocacy with agencies such as police and probation, to help them manage offenders, address stalking behaviour directly and safeguard victims. This service continues to be supported by the Office of the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner.

Community Services: Rape, Sexual Violence and Exploitation Services

ISVAs play a key role in helping survivors to access and engage with the criminal justice system. Police investigations and case progression have been significantly affected during COVID. Our service managers meet regularly with West Midlands Police to discuss issues affecting survivors, strengthen referral pathways, and gain clarity on police processes to keep survivors informed. Clients who are better informed are less likely to feel helpless or disengage from the criminal justice system. BCWA has a team of ISVAs (independent sexual violence advisers) who support both male and female survivors of rape and sexual abuse across the Black Country; in Sandwell, Dudley, Wolverhampton and Walsall. The service includes specialist advocates who support child and adult victims of childhood sexual abuse. BCWA continue to provide links from the regional Sexual Assault Referrals Centres (SARC) into local services and provides specialist therapeutic interventions. The ISVA continues to support at court and complete the Criminal Injuries Compensation administration with the victim. Where necessary the ISVA provides advice and guidance to colleagues within the criminal justice arena.

Since the male pilot supporting survivors of sexual abuse in 2019, we have been working with national leads to develop a service offer to male victims, however, COVID has hindered progress. Work will commence as soon as we can but this is likely to be in the next financial year.

Specialist Children's ISVA's (CHISVA) continue to support young people who have experienced rape and sexual violence. Our specialist children and young people's services support young victims of rape, sexual assault, child sexual exploitation (CSE) and domestic violence. This area of work continues to work as partnerships gain a greater understanding of the impact of abuse on children. Working with both adult and child will strengthen relationships and develop resilience and confidence in young people as they progress into adulthood.

Community Services: Women's Justice

During the year BCWA worked with Women's Justice Partners to develop the future shape of women's services in light of the renationalisation of the National Probation Services. As a provider in the Community rehabilitation Companies (CRC), BCWA supported lead partner Changing Lives (National Charity) to deliver the regional women's offer under the new probation arrangements. Existing contracts via the CRC were extended to ensure smooth transition from the CRC contracting arrangement to the new one. BCWA continues to provide a specialist early-intervention project, commissioned by the Office of the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, which provides diversion from custody for women in Sandwell and Dudley, called New Chance. Women access this service following arrest; they are referred by police to our service, which offers practical and emotional support aimed at helping them to move forward in their lives and avoid future offending. Changes to the model of working meant that the operating models of on and offsite working were adopted and client contact was made via phone or IT. The partnership will be notified during 2021/22 of its application.

BCWA were keen to retain the women's homelessness projects during COVID, realising the additional pressure on women.. Whilst the original funding source had ceased, BCWA were successful in obtaining funds via The Eveson Trust to continue. The work proved to be extremely challenging during COVID as many of the usual community links to identify had ceased during Lockdown. The team relied upon the wider partnership to respond. They were considered an essential lifeline for many women forced onto the streets or into prostitution during this time. Many felt unsafe, as the usual support networks were not around. BCWA is working with statutory partners to share this service and connect homeless women with services to ensure continuity of help and support.

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Accommodation and Outreach Service

Sandwell MBC continue to commission BCWA to provide a safe house where women and children who are experiencing domestic abuse can stay free from fear. Refuge services remained open and available throughout COVID. With high levels of occupancy the setting had to reorganise to reduce the risk of infection. Much of the "in refuge" community activity ended, however, the team were inventive and creative to ensure that families did not feel confined. The use of IT and the plentiful donations of food and equipment was generously shared amongst the children and families in refuge. Additional accommodation was sourced to manage an increase in demand funded by the Department of Housing and Local Communities. We await the impact of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, as the current contract comes to an end during the next financial year and a significant part of it focuses on the refuge provision and its commissioning arrangements.

BCWA continue to provide units of accommodation and outreach services spanning the West Midlands for victims of Modern Day Slavery (MDS) in partnership with the Salvation Army who hold the national contract with the Home Office. Each year sees an increase in victims accessing the service, demonstrating greater awareness and understanding of modern slavery and the extent of it within our communities. Risks are very high for the victims, as often the traffickers will make significant attempts to find them. Therefore, security needs to be high for both victims and staff providing this vital service.

The service works with a range of stakeholders to gather intelligence on locations and vulnerabilities where exploitation operates and takes an active part in the media highlighting the plight of victims. BCWA also contributes to national discussions, legislative changes and acts as expert consultants to the West Midlands Modern Slavery Strategy and West Midlands Police Multi Agency Policy and Procedures. We represent survivors on the West Midlands Anti-Slavery Network, Human Trafficking Advisory Foundation Forum, and PAN West Midlands Multi-Agency Group.

BCWA continues to work within local strategic partnerships as they increase their awareness of modern slavery and acknowledge the vital role that they play in identifying and coordinating rescue. The COVID crisis amplified some of the major drivers of modern slavery, such as poverty and financial crisis.

The UN Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Slavery recently warned that growing informalisation and casualisation of the labour force would heighten modern slavery risks. That risk has now been magnified hugely. The International Labour Organisation reports that the economic and labour crisis, created by COVID-19, may see global unemployment increase by almost 25 million. Working poverty rates will increase significantly, with a prediction that there will be between 20.1 million and 25 million more people in working poverty than in the pre COVID-19 estimate. As governments order non-essential business to close, millions of people employed in the gig economy-who for the most part are on precarious contracts, with little or low access to paid sick leave and no health insurance-are put in vulnerable situations and may turn to risky or exploitative employment.

COVID-19 also poses serious health risks. Healthcare crises are known to push people towards risky labour market decisions that can make them vulnerable to modern slavery because they lose their job as a result of the crisis. This can heighten risks of enslavement..

Legal restrictions on economic activity may be increasing risks of exploitation in other contexts. Concerns have been raised for sex workers as nightclubs shut, and sex work is pushed underground, making workers increasingly vulnerable to trafficking.

Counselling and Therapeutic Services

Counselling and specialist therapeutic interventions underpin the support services and are an essential component of a holistic approach to addressing trauma. During the year, the counsellors remodelled to deliver sessions via platforms such as Teams and Zoom. Whilst this suited some victims it didn't suit others and a growing waiting list emerged. Support remained with the ISVA however with increasing numbers and increasing trauma this has caused many to remain highly vulnerable and look towards other coping mechanisms. BCWA were swift to open its doors to counselling, having redesigned counselling facilities to ensure they were fully COVID risk assessment compliant. Funding for this additional need has been sourced via the Ministry of Justice who identify with the impact of COVID and victims/survivors seeking justice.

Business development and finance

Strategic and partnership working remains a vital part of our work. The corporate centre continues to strengthen following investment into key positions in finance, human resources, business and operational development and communications. BCWA produce regular newsletters, use social media, and articles in national press on related issues to highlight the plight of victims of abuse and the impact of national policy on victim's lives.

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BLACK COUNTRY WOMEN'S AID

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

Quality, Learning and Enterprise

BCWA have robust internal audit functions auditing the standards and quality of service against national standards. Reports, analysis and trends to strategic partnerships, funders and commissioners are available on a regular basis outlining the performance of the service against specification/commission. Training and development of employees, all increased in the last 12 months and employees recognise the impact of training on their practice. Regrettably during COVID, BCWA were unable to host student placements and or take on any additional volunteers as it prioritised the employed workforce onsite.

BCWA during COVID explored many online learning opportunities and has since developed a Workforce development team to focus on the continual professional development of all its workforce, matching the national standards against practice. Managers and teams worked hard during COVID to further develop their operating procedures and review the case management systems to ensure that standards of good practice were delivered within services. The appointment of 2 Project Officers located within the Executive team has enabled BCWA to pursue an internal audit function to assess standards and quality. BCWA will strength this function in the next financial year as it looks towards specialist roles focused on contract/ standard compliance, data management and quality management.

Employees are developed through an organisational training plan and encouraged to pursue external qualifications as part of their Professional Development Plan (PDP). This will be further strengthened as we move towards Employment Competency Frameworks to further develop our employee skills and talents. The organisation continues to support the Home Office standards for Independent domestic violence and sexual violence advocacy services as defined by SafeLives, Lime Culture, Women's Aid Federation of England and Wales and Respect. In addition BCWA is working within the ISO frameworks for IT Security, Quality, and Environmental and will work to achieve industry standards in cyber security.

BCWA remains an organisation recognised for its expertise in both policy and practice. The senior management team have been involved in the development of national policy, national accredited training courses and the continuing professional development of health and other professionals. During 2020/21, BCWA remained lead trainers within the Local Safeguarding Children's, Adult Safeguarding Board and other strategic forums providing expertise on interpersonal violence, abuse and exploitation.

BCWA has also registered with the Open College Network to develop and provide accredited courses covering a range of specialist areas. BCWA has developed its first accredited course and will look to expand the college and provide a whole range of accredited courses for agencies and professionals.

The organisation continues to receive gifts in kind, including toys, food and toiletries from a variety of women's organisations, religious groups, and individuals and other organisations, as well as hours of volunteer time amounting to over 250 hours.

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BLACK COUNTRY WOMEN'S AID

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Our income increased from £5,433,287 to £6,207,209 an increase of 14% whilst expenditure rose from £4,468,787 to £5,135,979. The increased income is a reflection of the increase in funds to support the direct service delivery. The organisation continues to realise its longer term plan to diversify funds away from the statutory funding and has been able to attract new funding streams to support existing services and take on new projects.

Expenses and overheads have been tightly controlled and new contracts reflect the savings shown. The increase in expenditure is due to a response to service increase where new office premises were obtained and staff costs increased in line with our provision of extra services.

The Statement of Financial activities shows an increase in funds of £1,071,230. Our reserves now stand at £3,365,135 of which £981,983 is restricted and £2,383,152 is unrestricted. The balance of unrestricted reserves includes £401,632 related to fixed assets and £699,018 is designated to meet the future commitments. Therefore the balance of free reserves is £1,282,502.

Reserves Policy

The Board of Trustees has examined the charity's requirements for reserves in light of the main risks to the organisation.

The Board of Trustees has agreed to support a 3-year strategy that includes:

• Strategic Development Fund - where the organisation undertakes research and development to inform future service provision and secure additional funds for longer term service delivery costs of £102,000.

• Service Continuity Fund - where the organisation maintains costs for closure as well as 6 months' running costs of £522,018.

• Property Contingency Fund- where the organisation has to ensure sufficient funds to maintain the properties to a high standard, ensure routine repairs and maintenance and be prepared in the event of major structural damage - £75,000.

FUTURE PLANS

Future plans include:

1. Development of regional working opportunities for joint working and tender opportunities.

2. Implementation of new policies ensuring that the systems are fit for purpose. 3. Securing work currently provided via tendering and commissioning.

3. Improving integration across all services addressing the increasing complexities of victims presenting into service. 5. Identifying new opportunities for funding to sustain and continue essential work.

4. Contributing to strategic and operational plans with a range of partners to create a "whole systems approach" to supporting victims wherever they present ensuring that victims remain supported, risks identified and protected.

5. Continuing to influence strategy at a local, regional and national level. 8. Ensuring consistency and quality of services for victims. 9. Reviewing services; evaluating cost effectiveness, efficiency and operational delivery. Reviewing governance arrangements and strengthening corporate services meeting the need of a growing organisation.

6. Further development of the training and educational programmes and developments working within local educational partnerships and academic institutions and continuing to explore formal accreditation such as Open College Network.

7. Establishing improved solutions to victims of violence and abuse that have little or no access to public funds and ensure that this issue remains high on the strategic agenda.

8. Ensuring that all services meet nationally recognised quality standards. 13. Creating different and new strategic partnerships and joint working to meet the needs of vulnerable people with complex and diverse issues.

9. Increasing the property portfolio by purchase and other legal arrangements. 15. Developing a "Women's Centre" approach, widening the opportunities for women. 16. Exploring the implementation of gendered spaces in line with national standards

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BLACK COUNTRY WOMEN'S AID

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

This is a company limited by guarantee and its operations include:

• The provision of supported accommodation for individuals leaving violence, abuse and exploitation.

• Outreach and resettlement support services for children, young people and women moving back into the community after leaving refuge and/or within a safe home.

• The provision of a community based support and advocacy service for victims of abuse in and out of the criminal justice system.

• Community engagement/involvement and peer support for victims of violence and abuse.

• Delivery of training and awareness raising to both statutory and non-statutory agencies, work with schools, colleges and other educational establishments outlining the effects/ impact of abuse explaining models of interventions.

• Working in partnership both at a strategic and operational level with the statutory and voluntary sector to develop a co-ordinated response to tackling domestic abuse.

Governing Document

The organisation is a charitable company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales, incorporated in 1993 and registered as a charity in 1994. The company was established under a Memorandum of Association which established the objectives and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its Articles of Association. In the event of the company being wound up members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £1.00

Recruitment and Appointment of Management Committee

The Directors of the Company are also Charity Trustees for the purpose of charity law and under the Articles are known as the members of the Management Committee. Under the requirements of the Memorandum and Articles of Association the members of the management committee must be re-elected each year.

Co-opted members are also elected representing key funders or partner agencies, for example Sandwell MBC.

The Management Committee where possible seek to ensure that the needs of victims of abuse both adults, children and young people are appropriately reflected though the diversity of the Trustee body. To enhance the potential pool of Trustees promotions take place to attract skilled individuals from all sectors to contribute their skill, knowledge and commitment. This is regularly discussed at Board meetings to ensure good representation.

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BLACK COUNTRY WOMEN'S AID

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

Trustee Induction and training

Trustees are familiar with the operational work of the charity and are supported by the Executive Director through a Trustee information pack and the opportunity to visit the various services, as part of an optional induction.

Strategic Structure

Black Country Women's Aid has a Management Committee/Board of 5 members who meet as a full Board every 8 weeks. The meeting dates are set as part of an annual calendar and the Annual General Meeting scheduled in advance.

In addition there are sub-committees:

• Finance Sub Committee

• Quality Sub Committee

• Workforce Development Sub Committee

• Facilities management Sub Committee

Each Committee has its own Terms of Reference and all work to achieve the main objectives of the organisation. Each meeting is organised to discuss new policies, procedures, issues identified and quality standards. Each subcommittee feeds into the main board for final discussion and ratification. During the year many of the meetings have been held via the Teams platform. This has proven an effective ways to hold business meetings and as the organisation works toward new models of working such as hybrid working, will look towards this being included in its planning. All minutes and decision making is circulated and presented to the full board for recommendation, further discussion and final approval.

Where necessary E-reports and extraordinary meetings are called and reported to the next Board meeting for full ratification.

Members come from a variety of related professional backgrounds and are responsible for the strategic direction and policy of the Charity. A skills audit takes place of Board members to ensure that the organisation is equipped with the right skills to reach its full potential. Where practicable the Trustees undertake an annual business planning event to discuss organisational progress, strategic direction and agree future projections. Co-opted members have no voting rights but are considered an important part of the discussion and debate.

The Trustees delegate responsibility to the Chief Executive who also acts as Company Secretary. In addition, the Chief Executive holds the lead responsibility for policy and performance, financial management, employee recruitment and management as well as operational service delivery. The Chief Executive delegates tasks to appointed Heads of Service who report back on a regular basis.

The Chief Executive, working with her team of Heads of Service, managers and corporate colleagues take the lead for developing employees, apprentices and volunteers ensuring that their learning experience is translated into operational practice in line with good practice.

Senior Management Structure

BCWA is led by a senior management structure compromising of the Chief Executive Officer, Deputy Chief Executive/ Director of Finance, Regional Head of Domestic Abuse Community Services, Head of Refuge Accommodation, Head of Rape and Sexual Violence and Abuse support services incorporating Therapeutic services, Head of Modern Slavery (x2), Head of Workforce Development and the Executive Officer. The total salaries of the Senior Management team were £346,314, (2019/20 337,642). This represents 10% of the total salary cost to the organisation.

The senior management remuneration approach is generally adopts the following principles:

• Internal job evaluation taking into account the distinct elements of the role

• Internal job evaluation against comparative positions within the organisation

• External benchmarking based on market factors

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BLACK COUNTRY WOMEN'S AID

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

Risk management

The management committee has conducted a review of the major risks to which the charity is exposed and this is outlined in its Strategic Plan. A risk register has been developed and will be updated annually to assess the risks to services and funds and any other changes that the charity faces.

BCWA has assessed the impact of BREXIT, however, the COVID pandemic superseded any risks identified and risks reassessed. Funders assured BCWA that funding agreed for 2020/21 would not be affected as we discussed alternative arrangements to deliver services. At the time of discussions it was not known how long the organisation and the areas that we work within would experience the disruption. It was agreed that weekly data and risk assessments would be shared with commissioners and the wider partnership to ensure services maximised funding available. Discussions predicted an increase in the volume of victims and BCWA were required to prepare for this increase BCWA swiftly responded to the risks to its service model by redesigning and reorganising the way it delivered services.

Changes to legislation e.g. Domestic Abuse Act 2021 is likely to have an impact on BCWA however as statutory partnerships emerge and detailed needs assessment emerge, BCWA is likely to see a clearer picture of the strategic response. BCWA are however considered an essential and vital partner in the implementation of the Act.

The Immigration and Borders Bill may have an impact on the legal status of people in need of help and support, however, the senior management team is already linking in to discussions at a national level to share the impact and concerns.

Financial procedures are adhered to and regularly reviewed with regard to authorisation of transactions for all project expenditure.

BCWA are scoping its Environmental Policy with partners and will look to further development and implementation during 2021/22.

All contracted services work within relevant contractual timescales, quality standards and are monitored externally on a quarterly basis and internally on a monthly basis, in accordance with the organisation's performance framework. This ensures a consistent quality of service for all operational aspects of services.

All Service Level Agreements (SLA's) have agreed targets and outcomes and are performance monitored on a quarterly basis. Services aim to work within nationally recognised standards of practice and seek external accreditation e.g. Women's Aid Federation of England and Wales, Safe Lives, The Survivors Trust, Rape Crisis England and Wales and the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP).

All grants/funds/contracts awarded are for specific time periods and have project plans and milestones to ensure work is monitored and meeting required standards. Regular contact with commissioners ensures that the work is on target and achieving its expected outcomes.

Board meetings take place every 8 weeks as part of an annual plan and a subcommittee structure that enables ongoing reporting and risk management across the organisation.

Related Parties

The work of the organisation sits within a number of strategic frameworks both locally, regionally and nationally. The Chief Executive and relevant Heads of Service play a significant role across all areas of business including developing and influencing strategy, continuous improvement of services and developing new opportunities to support victims, ensuring financial plans are sustainable and guaranteeing that the victims voice remains at the centre of all decision making.

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES

The trustees (who are also the directors of Black Country Women's Aid for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

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BLACK COUNTRY WOMEN'S AID

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES - continued

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 charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to

• select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

• observe the methods and principles in the Charity SORP;

• make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

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

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

In so far as the trustees are aware:

• there is no relevant audit information of which the charitable company's auditors are unaware; and

• the trustees have taken all steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the auditors are aware of that information.

AUDITORS

The auditors, Copia Wealth & Tax Limited, will be proposed for re-appointment at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting.

This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

Approved by order of the board of trustees on 15 December 2021 and signed on its behalf by:

Karen Elizabeth Dowman - Trustee

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REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO THE MEMBERS OF BLACK COUNTRY WOMEN'S AID

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Black Country Women's Aid (the 'charitable company') for the year ended 31 March 2021 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet, the Cash Flow Statement and 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 (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 2021 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 Auditors' responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the 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 charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

The trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the Annual Report, other than the financial statements and our Report of the Independent Auditors thereon.

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.

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, 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 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 the audit:

• the information given in the Report of the Trustees for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and

• the Report of the Trustees has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

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REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO THE MEMBERS OF BLACK COUNTRY WOMEN'S AID

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Report of the Trustees.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where 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 take advantage of the small companies exemption from the requirement to prepare a Strategic Report or in preparing the Report of the Trustees.

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities, the trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Our 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 a Report of the Independent Auditors 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.

The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:

• We gained an understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks within which the charitable company is required to operate and focussed on those that have a direct effect on the determination of material amounts and disclosures within the financial statements - primarily theses were the Companies Act 2006, the Charities Act 2011 and the Charities SORP (FRS102). We assessed compliance with these laws and regulations as part of our audit procedures in respect of related items within the financial statements. Our audit procedures in this regard were limited to enquiry of Trustees and other management and inspection of any regulatory and legal correspondence, if any.

• We identified items within the financial statements at greatest risk of a material impact from irregularities, including fraud, which were considered to be the recognition of grant income and overriding of controls by management. We undertook audit procedures to respond to these risks, including enquiries of management, sample testing on the posting of journals, review of the basis of accounting estimates and a review of the timing of recognition of grant income.

• • Due to the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we may not have detected some material misstatements within the financial statements despite properly planning and performing our audit in line with auditing standards. This could be due to a number of factors such as collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations or the over-ride of controls. We point out that we are not responsible for preventing non-compliance and cannot be expected to detect non-compliance with all laws and regulations.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website at www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our Report of the Independent Auditors.

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REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO THE MEMBERS OF BLACK COUNTRY WOMEN'S AID

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 auditors' 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.

S D Philpott

Shaun Philpott (Senior Statutory Auditor) for and on behalf of Copia Wealth & Tax Limited Chartered Accountants Statutory Auditors 8 Pendeford Place Pendeford Business Park Wobaston Road Wolverhampton WV9 5HD

15 December 2021

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BLACK COUNTRY WOMEN'S AID

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCORPORATING AN INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

Notes INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies 2 Charitable activities 4 Refuge based support Community based support Modern day slavery Capital projects Other trading activities 3 Other income 5 Total EXPENDITURE ON Raising funds 6 Charitable activities 7 Refuge based support Community based support Modern day slavery Total NET INCOME Transfers between funds 19 Net movement in funds RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD	Unrestricted funds £ 107,115 772,697 1,145,301 1,292,703 - 34,673 27,852 3,380,341 438 870,712 866,318 936,901 2,674,369 705,972 42,070 748,042 1,635,110 2,383,152	Restricted funds £ - 118,334 2,424,280 - 284,255 (1) - 2,826,868 - 120,595 2,331,461 9,554 2,461,610 365,258 (42,070) 323,188 658,795 981,983	2021 Total funds £ 107,115 891,031 3,569,581 1,292,703 284,255 34,672 27,852 6,207,209 438 991,307 3,197,779 946,455 5,135,979 1,071,230 - 1,071,230 2,293,905 3,365,135	2020 Total funds £ 96,649 774,807 3,017,626 1,021,361 477,702 45,142 -
				5,433,287 540 753,473 2,827,886 886,888
				4,468,787
				964,500 -
				964,500 1,329,405
				2,293,905

The notes form part of these financial statements

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BLACK COUNTRY WOMEN'S AID

BALANCE SHEET 31 MARCH 2021

Notes FIXED ASSETS Tangible assets 14 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors 15 Cash at bank and in hand CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year 16 NET CURRENT ASSETS TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES NET ASSETS FUNDS 19 Unrestricted funds Restricted funds TOTAL FUNDS	2021 £ 1,145,331 1,367,719 1,466,839 2,834,558 (614,754) 2,219,804 3,365,135 3,365,135 2,383,152 981,983 3,365,135	2020 £ 875,624 996,030 697,956 1,693,986 (275,705) 1,418,281 2,293,905 2,293,905 1,635,110 658,795 2,293,905

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

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 15 December 2021 and were signed on its behalf by:

Karen Elizabeth Dowman - Trustee

The notes form part of these financial statements

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BLACK COUNTRY WOMEN'S AID

CASH FLOW STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

Notes Cash flows from operating activities Cash generated from operations 1 Net cash provided by operating activities Cash flows from investing activities Purchase of tangible fixed assets Net cash used in investing activities Change in cash and cash equivalents in the reporting period Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the reporting period Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting period	2021 £ 1,075,262 1,075,262 (306,379) (306,379) 768,883 697,956 1,466,839	2020 £ 835,360 835,360 (477,702) (477,702) 357,658 340,298 697,956

The notes form part of these financial statements

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BLACK COUNTRY WOMEN'S AID

NOTES TO THE CASH FLOW STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

1. RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME TO NET CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 2021 £ Net income for the reporting period (as per the Statement of Financial Activities) 1,071,230 Adjustments for: Depreciation charges 36,141 Loss on disposal of fixed assets 530 Increase in debtors (371,689) Increase in creditors 339,050 Net cash provided by operations 1,075,262 2. ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET FUNDS	2020 £ 964,500 30,386 - (233,420) 73,894
	835,360

Net cash Cash at bank and in hand Total	At 1.4.20 £ 697,956 697,956 697,956	Cash flow £ 768,883 768,883 768,883	At 31.3.21 £ 1,466,839
			1,466,839
			1,466,839

The notes form part of these financial statements

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BLACK COUNTRY WOMEN'S AID

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

Income

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Charitable activities

Charitable activities are as follows:

Refuge based support Community based support Modern slavery Equipment grants

Resources expended

Staff costs and overhead expenses are allocated to activities on the basis of staff time spent on those activities.

Value added tax is not recoverable by the charity and as such is included in the relevant costs in the Statement of Financial Activities.

Charitable activities comprises of those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.

Governance costs include those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the charity and include the audit fees and costs linked to the strategic management of the charity.

Tangible fixed assets

Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.

Freehold property - 2% on cost Fixtures and fittings - 33% on cost

Taxation

As a charity, Black Country Women's Aid is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 466 to 493 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 to the extent that these are applicable to its charitable objects. No tax charges have arisen in the charity.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds are donations and other income received or generated for the objects of the charity without specified purposes and are available as general funds.

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

Expenditure which meets these criteria is identified to the fund, together with a fair allocation of management and support costs.

Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the Trustees for particular purposes.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

continued...

Page 24

BLACK COUNTRY WOMEN'S AID

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued

Donated goods and services

Donated goods and services are included at the value to the charity where this can be quantified. The value of services provided by general volunteers has not been included in these accounts.

Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits

The charitable company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charitable company's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.

Hire purchase and leasing commitments

Assets obtained under hire purchase contracts or finance leases are capitalised in the balance sheet. Those held under hire purchase contracts are depreciated over their estimated useful lives. Those held under finance leases are depreciated over their estimated useful lives or the lease term whichever is shorter.

Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to the statement of financial activity on a straight line basis over the period of the lease.

2. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES

3.

4.

Donations OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES Management and training fees INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES Activity Grants and contracts Refuge based support Accommodation charges Refuge based support Grants and contracts Community based support Grants and contracts Modern day slavery Grants and contracts Capital projects Grants received, included in the above, are as follows: Refuge: Sandwell MBC - Supporting People Refuge: Sandwell MBC - DCLG Refuge: Sandwell MBC - Play Scheme Grant Refuge: MHCLG COVID-19 Community: Sandwell MBC - Specialist DV and SV Support Community: Sandwell MBC - Safer Sandwell Partnership Community: Dudley MBC - DA Support Service Community: Dudley MBC - ED Advocacy Project Carried forward		2021 £ 107,115 2021 £ 34,672 2021 £ 471,967 419,064 3,569,581 1,292,703 284,255 6,037,570 2021 £ 305,979 59,378 - 106,610 321,297 40,000 123,424 58,848 1,015,536		2020 £ 96,649 2020 £ 45,142 2020 £ 362,176 412,631 3,017,626 1,021,361 477,702		2020 £ 96,649
						2020 £ 45,142
				5,291,496
				2020 £ 305,978 54,463 1,733 - 286,188 40,000 123,424 30,583
				842,369

Page 25

continued...

BLACK COUNTRY WOMEN'S AID

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

4. INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES - continued

Brought forward Community: Walsall MBC - DV/ Children Community: West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Community: West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner - DVPP Community: West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner - New Chance Community: West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner - COVID Community: West Midlands Police - VRU Community: West Midlands Police - Secondment Community: SWM Probation Trust - Female Service Users Community: Home Office - CSE and Our Future Community: Ministry of Justice - Rape and SA Support Fund Community: Ministry of Justice - COVID Community: Department for Culture Media and Sport - Tampon Tax Community: NHS Sandwell and West Birmingham - ED Advocacy Project Community: NHS Sandwell and West Birmingham CCG - IRIS Community: NHS Dudley CCG - IRIS Community: NHS Walsall CCG - IRIS Community: Birmingham & Solihull Mental Health and NHS Trust - Assist Community: Change, Grow, Live (CGL) - Early Help Service Community: Children in Need - Young People's Advocate Community: Comic Relief Community: Homeless Link Community: SCVO Modern Day Slavery: Salvation Army Modern Day Slavery: Capital Projects: Heart of England - Building Better Lives	2021 £ 1,015,536 335,403 863,075 108,455 45,000 240,095 12,664 33,520 291,657 358,183 226,486 46,228 - 88,622 73,843 76,113 76,113 - 40,516 30,757 - 74,282 5,000 1,292,703 284,255 5,618,506	2020 £ 842,369 259,577 704,314 100,000 35,000 - 7,573 27,411 270,507 459,630 118,545 - 114,250 88,623 96,256 58,000 75,360 37,907 40,516 31,551 12,413 - - 1,021,361 477,702
		4,878,865

5. OTHER INCOME

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

6. RAISING FUNDS

Raising donations and legacies

Fundraising

2021 £ 27,852 2021 £ 438	2020 £ -
	2020 £ 540

Page 26

continued...

BLACK COUNTRY WOMEN'S AID

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

7. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS

Refuge based support Community based support Modern day slavery 8. DIRECT COSTS OF CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES Staff costs Activity costs Office costs Property costs 9. SUPPORT COSTS Refuge based support Community based support Modern day slavery Refuge based support Community based support Modern day slavery	Direct Costs (see note 8) £ 902,706 2,751,392 809,694 4,463,792 Depreciation £ 3,628 18,280 14,763 36,671 Staff costs, travel etc £ 46,738 235,472 67,103 349,313	Support costs (see note 9) £ 88,601 446,387 136,761 671,749 2021 £ 3,462,063 206,517 246,183 549,029 4,463,792 Office costs £ 27,975 140,945 40,165 209,085 Governance costs £ 1,440 7,253 2,067 10,760	Totals £ 991,307 3,197,779 946,455	Totals £ 991,307 3,197,779 946,455
			5,135,541
			2020 £ 3,361,627 167,587 122,070 446,489
			4,097,773
				Property costs £ 8,820 44,437 12,663
				65,920
				Totals £ 88,601 446,387 136,761
				671,749

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BLACK COUNTRY WOMEN'S AID

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

9. SUPPORT COSTS - continued

Activity	Basis of allocation
Depreciation	Usage
Office costs	Usage
Property costs	Usage
Staff costs, travel etc	Usage
Governance costs	Usage

Support costs, included in the above, are as follows:

Depreciation of tangible fixed assets Office costs Property costs Staff costs & travel etc Auditors' remuneration	Refuge Community based based support support £ £ 3,628 18,280 27,975 140,945 8,820 44,437 46,738 235,472 1,440 7,253 88,601 446,387	Modern day slavery £ 14,763 40,165 12,663 67,103 2,067 136,761	2021 Total activities £ 36,671 209,085 65,920 349,313 10,760 671,749	2020 Total activities £ 30,386 134,189 69,813 127,086 9,000
				370,474

10. NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting):

	2021	2020
	£	£
Auditors' remuneration	10,760	9,000
Depreciation - owned assets	36,142	30,386

11. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2021 nor for the year ended 31 March 2020.

Trustees' expenses

There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 March 2021 nor for the year ended 31 March 2020.

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BLACK COUNTRY WOMEN'S AID

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

12. STAFF COSTS

	2021	2021	2020	2020
	£		£
Wages and salaries	3,178,022		2,853,015
Social security	270,630		239,654
Pension	124,527		103,682
	3,573,179		3,196,351
The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows: Direct charitable work Administration		2021 135 17 152		2020 121 15 136

The number of employees whose employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) exceeded £60,000 was:

£70,001 - £80,000 £80,001 - £90,000	2021 - 1 1	2020 1 -
		1

Black Country Women's Aid considers its key management personnel to be the Executive Director . The total employment benefits including employer pension contributions of the key management personnel were £84,389 (2020: £78,280).

The company operates a Group Personal Pension Plan to which the charitable company contributes 5% and employees contribute 3%.

13. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies Charitable activities Refuge based support Community based support Modern day slavery Capital projects Other trading activities Total EXPENDITURE ON Raising funds Charitable activities Refuge based support	Unrestricted funds £ 96,649 718,610 653,508 1,021,361 - 45,142 2,535,270 540 694,932	Restricted funds £ - 56,197 2,364,118 - 477,702 - 2,898,017 - 58,541	Total funds £ 96,649 774,807 3,017,626 1,021,361 477,702 45,142
			5,433,287 540 753,473

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BLACK COUNTRY WOMEN'S AID

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

13. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - continued

Community based support Modern day slavery Total NET INCOME Transfers between funds Net movement in funds RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 14. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS COST At 1 April 2020 Additions Disposals At 31 March 2021 DEPRECIATION At 1 April 2020 Charge for year Eliminated on disposal At 31 March 2021 NET BOOK VALUE At 31 March 2021 At 31 March 2020	Freehold property £ 919,707 285,105 - 1,204,812 55,270 18,393 - 73,663 1,131,149 864,437		Unrestricted funds £ 601,355 886,372 2,183,199 352,071 97,362 449,433 1,185,677 1,635,110 Fixtures and fittings £ 151,547 21,274 (34,698) 138,123 140,890 17,749 (34,698) 123,941 14,182 10,657		Restricted funds £ 2,226,531 516 2,285,588 612,429 (97,362) 515,067 143,728 658,795 Motor vehicles £ 1,060 - (1,060) - 530 - (530) - - 530		Total funds £ 2,827,886 886,888
							4,468,787
							964,500 -
							964,500 1,329,405
							2,293,905
							Totals £ 1,072,314 306,379 (35,758) 1,342,935 196,690 36,142 (35,228) 197,604 1,145,331 875,624

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BLACK COUNTRY WOMEN'S AID

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

15. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

16.

Trade debtors Rent Receivable Other debtors Prepayments CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Trade creditors Social security and other taxes Deferred income Accrued expenses	2021 £ 901,266 18,211 356,409 91,833 1,367,719 2021 £ 261,677 156,518 160,011 36,548 614,754		2020 £ 481,715 6,847 464,743 42,725
			996,030
			2020 £ 92,581 111,093 56,907 15,124
			275,705

17. SECURED DEBTS

A charge has been secured on the freehold property known as Karen House on 16 March 2020, in favour of the Heart of England Community Foundation, by way of a legal mortgage.

18. ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS

Fixed assets Current assets Current liabilities	Unrestricted funds £ 401,632 2,596,274 (614,754) 2,383,152	Restricted funds £ 743,699 238,284 - 981,983	2021 Total funds £ 1,145,331 2,834,558 (614,754) 3,365,135	2020 Total funds £ 875,624 1,693,986 (275,705)
				2,293,905

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BLACK COUNTRY WOMEN'S AID

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

19. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS

At 1.4.20 £ Unrestricted funds General fund 1,004,088 Service Continuity Fund 493,022 Strategic Development Fund 88,000 Property Contingency Fund 50,000 1,635,110 Restricted funds Refuge Based Support 1,742 Community Based Support 179,351 Heart of England Capital Grant 477,702 658,795 TOTAL FUNDS 2,293,905 Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted funds Refuge Based Support Community Based Support Heart of England Capital Grant TOTAL FUNDS	Net movement in funds £ 705,972 - - - 705,972 (2,261) 92,819 274,700 365,258 1,071,230 Incoming resources £ 3,380,341 118,334 2,424,280 284,254 2,826,868 6,207,209	Transfers between funds £ (25,926) 28,996 14,000 25,000 42,070 519 (33,885) (8,704) (42,070) - Resources expended £ (2,674,369 ) (120,595) (2,331,461 ) (9,554) (2,461,610 ) (5,135,979 )	At 31.3.21 £ 1,684,134 522,018 102,000 75,000 2,383,152 - 238,285 743,698 981,983 3,365,135 Movement in funds £ 705,972 (2,261) 92,819 274,700 365,258 1,071,230

continued...

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BLACK COUNTRY WOMEN'S AID

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

19. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

Comparatives for movement in funds

Unrestricted funds General fund Service Continuity Fund Strategic Development Fund Property Contingency Fund Restricted funds Refuge Based Support Community Based Support Heart of England Capital Grant TOTAL FUNDS	At 1.4.19 £ 622,587 427,245 85,845 50,000 1,185,677 4,087 139,125 516 143,728 1,329,405	Net movement in funds £ 352,071 - - - 352,071 (2,345) 137,588 477,186 612,429 964,500	Transfers between funds £ 29,430 65,777 2,155 - 97,362 - (97,362) - (97,362) -	At 31.3.20 £ 1,004,088 493,022 88,000 50,000
				1,635,110 1,742 179,351 477,702
				658,795
				2,293,905

Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted funds Refuge Based Support Community Based Support Heart of England Capital Grant TOTAL FUNDS	Incoming resources £ 2,535,270 56,196 2,364,119 477,702 2,898,017 5,433,287	Resources expended £ (2,183,199 ) (58,541) (2,226,531 ) (516) (2,285,588 ) (4,468,787 )	Movement in funds £ 352,071 (2,345) 137,588 477,186
			612,429
			964,500

The general fund is to meet the day to day cash flow requirements of the charity.

The Service Continuity Fund provides for the costs of closure as well as 6 months running costs in the event of withdrawal of funding.

The Strategic Development Fund provides for the organisation to undertake research and development to inform future service provision and secure additional funds for long term service delivery.

The Refuge Based Support Fund provides welfare and activities for women and children residing in our refuges.

The Property Contingency Fund provides sufficient funds to maintain the Charity's properties to a high standard and to ensure routine repairs and maintenance are carried out.

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BLACK COUNTRY WOMEN'S AID

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

19. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

Community Based Support provides home based support, including support and counselling to women and children who are victims of sexual violence and a helpline for Asian women. Part of this service was previously treated separately as 'Rape Support Service' but as services have changed over the years, it is now more appropriate to encompass these services under one umbrella.

Heart of England Capital Grant is a restricted fund for a capital project, the balance represents the net book value of the assets relating to that fund.

20. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 March 2021.

Page 34

Issuer

Copia Wealth & Tax

Document generated Wed, 22nd Dec 2021 14:06:28 UTC

Document fingerprint ccb12ab49c979998d276c2599ea1a633

Parties involved with this document

Document processed

Party + Fingerprint

Wed, 22nd Dec 2021 18:32:31 UTC Wed, 22nd Dec 2021 19:07:29 UTC Wed, 22nd Dec 2021 19:07:29 UTC

Ms Karen Elizabeth Dowman - Signer (946c4cf248bda3c2c2ef92fb5791a97a) Shaun Philpott - Signer (07b1fab14dd7d70236c522ade469ef3b) Mrs Victoria Rebecca Harris - Copied In (6bf7c38885b1c37d6eaaeea1c6e21f98)

Audit history log

Date

Action

Wed, 22nd Dec 2021 19:07:29 UTC Wed, 22nd Dec 2021 19:07:29 UTC

Wed, 22nd Dec 2021 19:07:29 UTC Wed, 22nd Dec 2021 19:05:41 UTC Wed, 22nd Dec 2021 18:32:32 UTC Wed, 22nd Dec 2021 18:32:31 UTC Wed, 22nd Dec 2021 18:32:31 UTC Wed, 22nd Dec 2021 18:28:24 UTC Wed, 22nd Dec 2021 14:06:46 UTC Wed, 22nd Dec 2021 14:06:32 UTC

Wed, 22nd Dec 2021 14:06:32 UTC

The envelope has been signed by all parties. (109.73.121.1) Sent a copy of the envelope to Mrs Victoria Rebecca Harris . (109.73.121.1)

Shaun Philpott signed the envelope. (109.73.121.1) Shaun Philpott viewed the envelope. (109.73.121.1) Document emailed to party email (13.40.51.30)

Sent the envelope to Shaun Philpott for signing. (86.168.15.232) Ms Karen Elizabeth Dowman signed the envelope. (86.168.15.232) Ms Karen Elizabeth Dowman viewed the envelope. (86.168.15.232) Document emailed to party email (18.135.13.92) Sent the envelope to Ms Karen Elizabeth Dowman for signing. (3.8.177.85)

Mrs Victoria Rebecca Harris has been assigned to this envelope. (3.8.177.85)

Wed, 22nd Dec 2021 14:06:32 UTC Shaun Philpott has been assigned to this envelope. (3.8.177.85) Wed, 22nd Dec 2021 14:06:32 UTC Ms Karen Elizabeth Dowman has been assigned to this envelope. (3.8.177.85) Wed, 22nd Dec 2021 14:06:32 UTC Envelope generated. (3.8.177.85)

Wed, 22nd Dec 2021 14:06:32 UTC Document generated with fingerprint 6f1b7a258d1540f77fdf42724b231054. (3.8.177.85) Wed, 22nd Dec 2021 14:06:32 UTC Document generated with fingerprint bae0a58c24b3db26aadf4d794795b86e. (3.8.177.85) Wed, 22nd Dec 2021 14:06:32 UTC Document generated with fingerprint ccb12ab49c979998d276c2599ea1a633. (3.8.177.85) Wed, 22nd Dec 2021 14:06:32 UTC Document generated with fingerprint fd316884f90ba9af853bf3c257849169. (3.8.177.85) Wed, 22nd Dec 2021 14:06:28 UTC Envelope generated with fingerprint 7f00537d86d7132e30cadf21bbbb2463 (18.133.63.166)