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2023-03-31-accounts

Charity Number: 1037072

Company Number: 02673624 (England & Wales)

The nia project (A company limited by guarantee)

Annual Report and Audited Accounts For the year ended 31 March 2023

the nia project

Charity Information

For the year ended 31 March 2023

Management Committee A Terry
F Slater
L Campbell -resigned September 2023
S Antoniazzi
R Tweedale
M E Buxton
D Baldwin –resigned August 2023
Chief Executive Officer K Ingala Smith - Secretary
Registered Office Wenlock Studios
50 – 52 Wharf Road
London
N1 7EU
Auditors Simpson Wreford LLP
Wellesley House
Duke of Wellington Avenue
Royal Arsenal
London
SE18 6SS
Bankers Co-operative Bank
1 Islington High Street
London
N1 9TR
Company Number 02673624 (England & Wales)
Charity Number 1037072

the nia project

Annual Report and Accounts For the year ended 31 March 2023

Contents

1-10. Trustees’ report
11-13. Independent Auditors’ report
Accounts comprising
14. Statement of financial activities
15. Balance sheet
16. Statement of cashflows
17-29. Notes to the accounts

Page 1

the nia project

Trustees’ Report

For the year ended 31 March 2023

The Trustees present their report and the audited financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023 which are also prepared to meet the requirements for a directors’ report and accounts for Companies Act purposes.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 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) – (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006/Charities Act 2011.

The Trustees

The Trustees (who were also the directors for the purpose of company law), who served the charity as the Management Committee during the period were :

A Terry F Slater L Campbell S Antoniazzi R Tweedale M E Buxton D Baldwin

There have been no changes in the objectives since the last annual report. Day to day management is the responsibility of the chief executive officer, K Ingala Smith.

Objectives and activities

Charitable objectives:

nia’s aims are to prevent and reduce men’s violence against women and girls

In planning activities and delivering services the Trustees have regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.

Our mission delivering cutting edge services to end men’s violence against women and children.

Page 2

the nia project

Trustees’ Report

For the year ended 31 March 2023

Key themes of our work are

Our strategic aims are:

Our services

nia has been delivering services to women and children who have experienced domestic and sexual violence, including prostitution, since 1975. The organisation has three main aims, which are to provide services for women, children and young people who have experienced male violence, working to end male violence against women and girls, and to inform and influence policy and public awareness.

Presently, nia is delivering a range of services across London, primarily in the East and North of the city, the majority of which are delivered primarily in an outreach capacity. Our services are continually evolving in order to respond to the needs of women who face multiple disadvantage and barriers to accessing services, they currently include:

Page 3

the nia project

Trustees’ Report

For the year ended 31 March 2023

nia is part of ASCENT which is a partnership of 22 specialist organisations within the London Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Consortium, delivering a range of services for survivors of domestic and sexual violence.

Achievements and performance

Our Achievements

In the year between April 2022 and March 2023 , our incredible all-woman staff team provided one-to-one support to 1,476 women, girls and children subjected to sexual and domestic violence and abuse, including prostitution. This breaks down to:

In addition

Looking ahead

In the coming year, our CEO of 14 years, Karen Ingala Smith will step down from the post. She will become an Ambassador for the organisation and focus on building relationships to help secure resources for influence and funding. With her unwavering feminism and clarity of vision, Karen leaves nia confident of how we put our values into practice

Page 4

the nia project

Trustees’ Report

For the year ended 31 March 2023

with and for women today. In particular, we would like to recognise Karen’s leadership in developing nia’s Prioritising Women policy, the first of its kind in our sector.

We are delighted to welcome Jodie Woodward as our new CEO. Jodie brings extensive expertise and experience in the sector, including at nia , and we look forward to working with her in this new chapter for our organisation.

Strategic Plan 2023 – 2027

We will be launching our new strategic plan in the coming year. We will be re- affirming our values and our commitment to reflecting them in our practice, which, we believe, set us apart from most of our peers:

Our goals over the next five years, include to grow our influence, to increase our unrestricted income, to continue to take a clear and vocal feminist and rights-based approach ant to put anti-racism at the heart of what we do

Feedback from Service Users

"You are so amazing women here! You know drug use, the abuse and how to support women that are living together; you always advise me and know what to do. You are very caring about my necessities and appointments, very caring about me, reminding me about appointments and this making me feel special!

It makes me feel positive and loved! Sometimes workers in other places treat us like "junkies and second-class women"! This is the first time in my life I would like to have to start work even from home, and this is why I would like to have to change something in my life! "Thank you very much for your dedication! "I wanted to know that the staff in Emma is important, and the staff always positively handles this!"

“I wanted to say thank you for the wonderful shadow puppetry class you kindly referred me to. Kelly and Megan were just adorable and super supportive. This was, without a doubt, the very best activity I ever did. So grateful to all of you 🥰 ”

"I had a series of online weekly therapy sessions with Amanda. When I first came to access the services provided by Nia I was in a very low place mentally and emotionally, often feeling hopeless and unhappy. I was also experiencing these symptoms as physical pain. This was due to a traumatic experience that I had been unable to deal with.

Through the course of these sessions, Amanda was able to help me in several ways; I was able to change my perspective, Amanda coaxed me into a more positive space, and I started to believe in, and like myself, for the first time in my life. By the end of my sessions with Amanda I felt empowered.

Because of my experience with the services provided by NIA, and because of Amanda, I was able to put in the hard work of recovering from my traumatic experience and in turn improve my wellbeing and outlook on life.

The word that most describes my experience is that I was ‘transformed’. When I reflect back to the start of the sessions, my head was full and swimming with difficult images, self-doubt and uncertainty. Now, I am clear-minded and confident in myself that I can live a happy and fulfilled life.

Page 5

the nia project

Trustees’ Report

For the year ended 31 March 2023

Thank you to Amanda and the important services that NIA provided for me - I'm not sure what I would have done without access to this."

“Thank you for listening to me even when I’m stressed out. You make me laugh A LOT and I always have a good and fun time talking to you. You are a very kind person and have one of those nice and calm feeling ways of being. Thank you so much for being a positive part of my journey and another role-model for me. I will miss you.”

“I loved meeting up altogether . Fiaz & Natasha are the best. I am so touched to have been made to feel so welcome. They have restored my faith in institutions supporting women. They always strike the tone perfectly in sessions and create such a friendly, open environment. They clearly put their hearts into their work and its inspiring to see”

“The police referred me to counselling, I was pretty devastated and in a difficult place. Nia got in touch, and even though I didn’t have much information about the workshops. I really wanted some support. Getting to know Fiaz, Natasha and other young women, has been really important to me, even though (or maybe precisely because) we don’t talk about our experiences. Just knowing there are people who take what happens to women seriously, and are committed to educating & preventing violence against women & girls has made these sessions incredibly useful and therapeutic. I have learnt about the law and resources out there and I am encouraged by what I have learnt. I have been so impressed by the warmth, dedication and professionalism of Natasha and Fiaz and am so grateful for the workshops. I’d recommend them to anyone”

“My experience in the self-care workshops has been really positive, although the content was very useful, I found the first session a little stressful and I wasn’t as clear as to what they were about, having being referred without prior knowledge. I’m really glad I stuck with them and having access to the slides was useful to me in processing the content too. I feel like I learnt a lot, and has put me in a reflective place having access to that structure. I have been able to direct others to nia services, as I found them to be useful. I feel a lot more grounded after the sessions, and am keen to know how I can become more involved in the future. This has been the only support I have managed to get access to since the assault 5 months ago. Thank-you for proving this support. I feel like it’s made a positive difference to the way I have been processing things. My only note would be for there to be more workshops”

“The facilitators are lovely, very welcoming and make you feel comfortable (especially in person). The presentations were very clear and useful. I think a further reading optional sort of sign could have also been useful for those who are interested or links to where the information came from, as I found some topics very interesting”

“I truly believe that I wouldn't be alive if it were not for your support and ELRC... the endless phone calls with you and you standing in my corner and fighting on my behalf... I don't have any fight in me any more to do it myself and I am very grateful to you, the checking up on me when you were on annual leave, the perpetrator was released from prison and someone called to check in... I was a mess and it saved me that day. Plus the incredible woman who I speak to each week for counselling... she has been a lifeline... understands me completely and is incredible.”

The prosecutor, Mark Milligan-Smith QC commented on how well all the ISVA’s did and pitched themselves at the right level for the girls. You and the role are invaluable for victims of crime. Please share this message far and wide, credit where credit is due!

Page 6

the nia project

Trustees’ Report

For the year ended 31 March 2023

Thank you

We would like to say thank you to our partners, funders and to individuals and organisations who have supported nia including:

Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse (AAFDA) LB Redbridge Ashiana Network LB Tower Hamlets BBC Children-in- Need LB Waltham Forest Big Lottery Fund Linc Community Centre Brookhill Children’s Centre London Councils Centre for Women's Justice Luminaire Bakery Comet at Thomas Fairchild Children’s Centre Making Herstory City & Hackney PCT Mapledene Children’s Centre Deloitte M & J Ethical Luxury Edith Eligator MOPAC Freshfields, Brickhaus, Deringer Onjali Rauf Garfield Weston Public Health Hackney and City of London Greenwich Housing Rights Rape Crisis England and Wales Hackney Migrant Centre Rights of Women Indigo Trust Rape Crisis South London Jean Hatchet Samworth Foundation LB Barking and Dagenham Solace Women's Aid LB Camden Southall Black Sisters LB Enfield Trust for London LB Hackney Women's Aid LB Greenwich Women and Girls Network LB Haringey Women's Resource Centre LB Havering Woodberry Down Children’s Centre, Hackney LB Houslow Woodside Children’s Centre, Haringey LB Islington Women for Refugee Women LB Newham Zonta - London Club 11

Financial review and reserves

The Trustees aim to have unrestricted funds not committed or invested in tangible fixed assets (‘the free reserves’) held by the charity between 3 and 6 months of resources expended. At this level, the Trustees feel that they would be able to continue the current activities of the charity in the event of a significant drop in funding. At the 31 March 2023 the free reserves amount to a surplus of £445,590. Whilst 3 to 6 months of resources expanded is the desired level of free reserves, the Trustees recognise that this is often difficult as the majority of income the charity receives is restricted. Restricted reserves at 31 March 2023 total £1,323,112, these are not available for general purposes. Designated funds at 31 March 2023 total £44,436.

The trading results for the year and the charity’s financial position at the end of the year are shown in the attached financial statements. The net surplus for the year is £213,518.

Page 7

Trustees’ Report

the nia project

For the year ended 31 March 2023

Risk review

The Trustees monitor the major risks to which the company is exposed through their own risk register, in particular those related to the operations and finances of the company, these are reviewed annually by members of the Board of Trustees and staff.

The main risks identified at the last review were:

Risk identified Controlled measures
Unable to successfully forward plan in long-term due to
the uncertainty of income streams.		 The Trustees try to forecast financial planning for at least
2 years. There is also an annual board strategy away-day
to ensurefocusis onthe directionandfuture plans.
Insufficient project funding achieved. There will be an increased focus on core costs and full
cost recovery in fundraising.
CE has the authority to decline projects/tenders on
grounds ofunrealistic costings.
Loss of key staff and board members. Succession planning is carried out and information of
systems, plans and projects is documented. Policies for
recruitment andretentionofstaffareinplace.
Overstretched management structure could result in key
tasks/services not being delivered to target levels.		 The Trustees regularly review the structure and
organisation chart, which details roles and duties of each
member of staff. The use of volunteers to provide
additionalsupport.
Loss/turnover/long-term absence of frontline staff and
direct line management leading to service delivery, case
management and staff management gaps		 The organisation has efficient recruitment practices,
robust staff absence procedures, staff retention practices
and has addressed communication issues.
Agency staff are used where there are vacancies which
must be filled urgently.
Inability to compete for contracts with larger
organisations.		 Regular monitoring of our performance and service
delivery to maintain a quality service. Strong emphasis is
placed on maintaining good relationships with funders
and increasing public awareness of profile.
Change in government policy affects our service
delivery.		 Regular monitoring of legal and regulatory changes.

Volunteers

A huge thank you to our incredible volunteers who gave 306 hours of their time to help women and girls through the East London Rape Crisis Information & Support Services.

Structure, governance and management

Governing document

The company is a charitable company limited by guarantee (company number 02673624) and was set up by a Memorandum of Association which is its constitution on 20 December 1991, amended on 1 May 2013. The full name of the registered charity is ‘the nia project’, the charity also refers to itself as just ‘nia’.

Page 8

the nia project

Trustees’ Report

For the year ended 31 March 2023

The registered office is Wenlock Studios, 50 – 52 Wharf Road, London, N1 7EU which is the principal office. The company is a registered charity, number 1037072.

Organisational structure and decision making

The Board of Trustees are responsible for overseeing the management of the Charity and delegates this responsibility on a day to day basis to the Chief Executive Officer.

The Chief Executive is supported by a Senior Management Team of two who are responsible for the projects.

The Chief Executive and Senior Management Team are supported by a staff team of over 50 paid (full and part time) staff.

A strategic plan is prepared every three periods. The plan is developed by the Chief Executive with input from service users, staff members, the Management Team and the Board. Final approval of the plan rests with the Board. Once approved, the plan is executed with any deviations being subsequently approved. Strategic decisions are routed through the Chief Executive.

Appointment of trustees

The management of the company is the responsibility of the Trustees who are elected and co-opted under the terms of the Articles of Association.

the nia project is committed to having a Board of Trustees that reflects both the service users and the community in which it provides a service. It is also committed to attracting Board members with a wide variety of skills and attributes.

The board is also required to have at least one ex-service user member.

The Chair of the Board, in conjunction with the Chief Executive, is responsible for developing a recruitment strategy for the board. This includes identifying skills and representational gaps on the Board and then inviting appropriate people to join the Board in order to meet those gaps.

Induction and training of new trustees

All new board members are inducted into the company during their first three months on the nia project . Current board members taking on new roles within the board (e.g. Chair, Secretary and Treasurer) will also be inducted into these positions

The aim of the induction is to assist the new board member in understanding both the role and tasks of their position and the company itself. This is achieved by providing essential information relevant to the position and by giving the

The company has developed a standardised package for induction of new board members. This package includes:

Page 9

the nia project

Trustees’ Report

For the year ended 31 March 2023

Induction includes the following elements:

New board members are also provided with information on relevant training courses and are encouraged to attend these within the first twelve months of their membership of the board. the nia project will cover the cost of board members attending training courses.

After six months, the board member will meet with the Chair and the Chief Executive in order to review the induction process. This is an opportunity for the new board member to ask questions regarding their role and to gain further information about both their role and the charity itself.

the nia project is committed to supporting Trustees in their development. The company recognises that an effective board is essential for the functioning and development of the Charity. To this end the company invests in on-going training for Trustees which includes governance-specific issues (e.g. charity and employment law) as well as other relevant areas e.g. domestic violence awareness, general gender violence awareness and public-speaking.

Employees

Employees have been consulted on issues of concern to them through team meetings and focused away sessions. The recognised union within the company is Unite. The union negotiates on behalf of staff on issues relating to terms and conditions.

The Charity carries out exit reviews for all staff resigning from the company.

In accordance with the Charity’s equalities and diversity strategy, the nia project has long established fair employment practices in the recruitment, selection, retention and training of all staff. Full details of these policies are available from the Charity’s offices.

Remuneration is ultimately set by the board; the charity uses the London living wage rate and bandings set by local councils as benchmarks.

Related parties

the nia project is a member of Rape Crisis England and Wales and Women’s Aid Federation, England. The company is also a member of a range of local and wider partnerships that contribute to the furtherance of its aims and objectives.

Trustees’ responsibilities in relation to the financial statements

The trustees (who are also the directors of the nia project for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (UK GAAP).

Page 10

the nia project

Trustees’ Report

For the year ended 31 March 2023

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year that give a true and fair view of the state of the affairs of the charitable company as at the balance sheet date and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including income and expenditure, for the financial year. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for maintaining proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity 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 prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Statement of disclosure to our auditors

In so far as the trustees are aware at the time of approving our trustees’ annual report:

Auditors

A resolution to reappoint Simpson Wreford LLP for the ensuing year will be proposed at the annual general meeting.

This report has been prepared in accordance with the small company regime (section 419 (2)) of the Companies Act 2006 and the Financial Reporting Standard in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015).

The Trustees have complied with their duty in section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission.

Approved by the board of trustees/directors on 19 December 2023 and signed on its behalf by:

…………………………………..

R Tweedale - Trustee

Page 11

Independent Auditors’ Report

To the Trustees of the nia project

For the year ended 31 March 2023

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of the nia project (‘the charity’) for the year ended 31 March 2023 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, Statement of Cashflows, Balance Sheet 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 the United Kingdom accounting standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102: The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion the financial statements:

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the Charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the ISAs (UK) require us to report to you where:

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 auditor’s report 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 there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. 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:

Page 12

Independent Auditors’ Report

To the Trustees of the nia project

For the year ended 31 March 2023

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

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

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

Responsibilities of the trustees

As explained more fully in the trustees’ responsibilities statement set out on pages 9 - 10, the trustees 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 they determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the Charity’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the Charity 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 an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

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 auditor’s report.

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

Audit response to risks identified

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

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

Page 13

Independent Auditors’ Report

To the Trustees of the nia project

For the year ended 31 March 2023

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

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

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

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the Charityʼs 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 Charityʼs members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditorʼs 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 Charityʼs members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Kate Taylor FCA (Senior Statutory Auditor) for and on behalf of Simpson Wreford LLP, Statutory Auditors and Chartered Accountants

Wellesley House Duke of Wellington Avenue Royal Arsenal London SE18 6SS Dated: 21 December 2023

Page 14

the nia project

Statement of Financial Activities

(Including Income and Expenditure account) For the year ended 31 March 2023

Notes
INCOME		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Total Funds
Total Funds
Funds
Funds
2023
2022
£
£
£
£
Donations and legacies
5.1
Charitable activities
5.2
Investments
TOTAL
EXPENDITURE ON:
Raising funds
Charitable activities
Other
TOTAL
6
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
Transfers between funds
NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
13
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward		 122,202
-
122,202
213,140
243,850
2,985,840
3,229,690
3,093,762
8
-
8
4
366,060
2,985,840
3,351,900
3,306,907
43
519
562
562
134,453
2,993,850
3,128,303
2,857,349
730
8,787
9,517
8,848
135,226
3,003,156
3,138,382
2,866,759
230,834
(17,316)
213,518
440,148
(123,196)
123,196
-
-
107,638
105,880
213,518
440,148
382,388
1,217,231
1,599,619
1,159,471
490,026
1,323,111
1,813,137
1,599,619

The results for the year derive from continuing activities, and there are no other gains or losses other than those shown above.

The notes on pages 17 to 29 form part of these financial statements.

Page 15

the nia project

Balance Sheet at 31 March 2023

Notes
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible assets
10
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors
11
Cash at bank and in hand
CREDITORS:amounts falling due
within one year
12
NET CURRENT ASSETS
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT
LIABILITIES
THE FUNDS OF THE CHARITY
13
Unrestricted funds
Restricted income funds		 £
£
£
£
39,353
1,800
1,376,489
1,259,981
653,838
761,764
2,030,327
2,021,745
(256,543)
(423,925)
1,773,784
1,597,819
1,813,137
1,599,619
490,026
382,388
1,323,111
1,217,231
1,813,137
1,599,619
2022
2023
2,030,327
(256,543)

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act relating to small companies and constitute the annual accounts required by the Companies Act 2006 and in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015).

Signed on behalf of the board of trustees on 19 December 2023

…………………………………….. R Tweedale - Trustee

Approved on behalf of the board on

Company number - 02673624 (England & Wales)

Page 16

the nia project

Statement of cashflows

For the year ended 31 March 2023

----- Start of picture text -----
Notes 2023 2022
£ £
Cash used in operating activities
Net cash (used in) operating activities 19 (60,430) (96,750)
Cash flows from investing activities
Interest income 8 4
-
Purchase of tangible fixed assets (47,504)
Cash provided (used)/by investing activities (47,496) 4
(Decrease) in cash and cash equivalents in the year (107,926) (96,746)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year 761,764 858,510
Total cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year 653,838 761,764
----- End of picture text -----

the nia project

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2023

1. Accounting Policies

The principal accounting policies are summarised below. The accounting policies have been applied consistently throughout the year and in the preceding year.

Company information

The nia project is a company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales and registered as a charity with the Charity Commission. The registered office is Wenlock Studio, 50 – 52 Wharf Road, London, N1 7EU.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 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 (FRS102) (effective 1 January 2015) – (Charities SORP (FRS102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) and the Companies Act 2006.

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

The effects of events relating to the year ended 31 March 2023 which occurred before the date of approval of the financial statements by the Trustees has been included in the financial statements to the extent required to show a true and fair view of the state of affairs at 31 March 2023 and the results for the year ended on that date.

The nia project meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s).

The charity is considered a going concern. Adequate funding has been achieved to facilitate the charities objectives and activities for the next 12 months. There are no material uncertainties about the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern.

Voluntary income is received by way of donations and gifts and is included in full in the statement of Financial Activities when receivable. In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102), the general volunteer time of volunteers is not recognised please refer to the trustees’ annual report for more information about their contribution.

Page 18

the nia project

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2023

Accounting Policies (continued)

vi. Resources expended

Resources expended are recognised in the period in which they are incurred. Resources expended include attributable VAT, which cannot be recovered.

Costs of generating funds comprise the costs associated with attracting voluntary income.

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

Other costs include those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the charity and include audit fees and costs linked to the strategic management of the charity. All costs are allocated between the expenditure categories of the SOFA on a basis designed to reflect the use of the resource. Costs relating to a particular activity are allocated directly; others are apportioned as disclosed in (vii.) below.

viii. Tangible Fixed Assets

Depreciation is calculated so as to write off the cost of an asset, less its estimated residual value, over the useful economic life of that asset as follows:

Office equipment - 25% on reducing balance Computer equipment - 33.3% on cost Motor vehicles - 25% on reducing balance

All purchased fixed assets over £500 are capitalised at cost. There are no internally generated fixed assets.

ix. Unrestricted funds

Unrestricted funds - are donations and other incoming resources receivable or generated for the objects of the charity without further specified purpose and are available as general funds. Designated unrestricted funds – are unrestricted funds designated by the Trustees for a particular project or asset in the future. They may be undesignated at any time.

x. Restricted Funds

Restricted funds are to be used for specific purposes as laid down by the donor. Expenditure which meets these criteria is charged to the fund.

xi. Leases

Rentals payable under operating leases, where substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership remain with the lessor, are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities on an actual basis.

Page 19

the nia project

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2023

Accounting Policies (continued)

xii. Creditors and provisions

Are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

xiii. Pension contributions

The charity provides a defined contribution pension scheme for employees, the assets of which are held separately from those of the company in an independently administered fund. Contributions to this scheme are charged to the income and expenditure account as they become payable. The cost is allocated across the charity’s activities based upon the ratio of staff time spent servicing a particular activity.

xiv. Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.

xv. Trade debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered.

xvi. Financial instruments

The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value.

2. Net outgoing resources

Net outgoing resources
Year to Year to
This is stated after charging: 31 Mar 2023 31 Mar 2022
Depreciation 9,951 800
Auditors’ remuneration 8,400 8,400

3. Related party transactions

No remuneration was paid to any of the trustees. No trustee received reimbursement of expenses or benefits in kind during the year. There have been no other related party transactions in the year.

Page 20

the nia project

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2023

4. Staff costs


Staff costs for the year were as follows:
Wages and salaries
National Insurance costs
Employer pension contributions
(Defined contribution scheme)		 Year to
31 Mar 2023
2,061,167
190,310
53,458
2,304,938		 Year to
31 Mar 2022
1,660,709
127,051
36,388
1,824,148

The average number of employees during the year, was as follows:

Year to Year to
31 Mar 2023 31 Mar 2022
Projects 70 62
Administration 3 4
73 66

The number of higher paid employees was: In the band £70,001 to £80,000 – 1 (2022: £70,001 to £80,000 - 1). In the band £60,001 to £70,000 – 1 (2022: £60,001 to £70,000) – 0)

5.1 Income

DONATIONS AND LEGACIES
Other donations
Grants received
Garfield Weston
Samworth Foundation
TOTAL		 Restricted
Funds
Unrestricted
Funds
Total Year to
31 Mar 23
Total Year
to 31 Mar 22
£
£
£
£
-
72,202
72,202
188,140
-
72,202
72,202
188,140
-
-
25,000
-
50,000
50,000
-
-
50,000
50,000
25,000
-
122,202
122,202
213,140

Page 21

the nia project

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2023

5.2 Income (continued)

Grants and contract income
Refuge Provision
London Councils, Ascent (via Ashiana Project) - Emma Project & Daria House
Solace women's aid (CASA Project)
MOPAC - Safer Accommodation
IDVA
Hackney MOPAC
DCLG Camden Partnership
LB Haringey - IDVA
LB Haringey - Advocacy IDVA
LB Haringey - Mental health IDVA
MOPAC - Older Women Fund
MOPAC - DA Caseworker & call handler
LB Haringey - Hardship fund
ADVISE
Other IDVA
Young Women's advocate
LB Haringey - YWA KIDVA
MOPAC - MoJ National IDVA
ELRC
London Councils,Ascent (via Tender) - Schools Engagement
MOPAC
London Councils, Ascent (via Solace Women's Aid) - Advice
Home Office - Young people's advocate
MOPAC (via Women & Girls Network) - ISVA
Comic Relief - BME ISVA
WGN Mopac community engagement
ELRC - Prostitution services
LB Brent
WGN NHS England
Solace Women's aid Non Crisis Support
MOPAC - Anita Project
IRIS
SBS MOPAC NRPF
LB Hackney - IRIS Hackney
LB Barking & Dagenham - IRISI
LEA Project
Big Lottery Fund
Funding & Development
Sisters Trust
Play Therapy
BBC Children In Need - Child Therapist
Femicide Research Project
E D Eligator
Treebeard Trust
Housing benefits received -
Designated - Refuge Provision
Housing rents
Service charges
Other income
Other
TOTAL		 Restricted
Funds
Unrestricted
Funds
Total Year to
31 Mar 23
Total Year to
31 Mar 22
£
£
£
£
267,740
-
267,740
267,740
24,779
-
24,779
17,936
422,021
-
422,021
22,297
-
22,297
49,000
44,506
-
44,506
40,269
195,183
-
195,183
176,000
-
-
-
35,000
-
-
-
40,000
100,000
-
100,000
81,450
-
-
-
76,958
-
-
-
12,500
40,892
-
40,892
-
3,803
-
3,803
-
17,500
-
17,500
-
21,768
-
21,768
-
-
-
-
10,121
1,002,911
-
1,002,911
850,789
33,299
-
33,299
36,849
-
-
-
54,503
-
107,494
107,494
98,487
-
-
-
30,000
76,218
-
76,218
78,570
52,280
-
52,280
57,033
105,367
-
105,367
150,170
46,465
-
46,465
47,744
187,085
-
187,085
202,915
127,384
-
127,384
125,315
88,444
-
88,444
88,444
-
-
-
44,619
-
-
-
164,207
-
-
-
16,667
29,203
-
29,203
20,062
61,695
-
61,695
93,767
15,000
-
15,000
22,500
-
126,010
126,010
92,815
-
2,463
2,463
3,392
-
7,884
7,884
7,940
2,985,840
243,850
3,229,690
3,093,762

Page 22

the nia project

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2023

6 Expenditure

Raising funds
Fundraising expenses
Charitable activities
Rent and rates
Premises maintenance
Repairs and renewals
Salaries and national insurance
Legal and professional
Recruitment expenses
Computer maintenance
Equipment hire
Security costs
Light and heat
Telephone
Travel and subsistence
Printing, postage and stationery
Cleaning
Training
Subscriptions
Welfare
Client welfare
Consultancy fees
Sundry
Insurance
Motor expenses
Bad debts
Depreciation
Grants repaid
Other
Bank charges
Sundry
Audit fees		 Cost of
Activities
Support
Costs
Management
& Admin
Year to 31
Mar 2023
Year to 31
Mar 2022
£
£
£
£
£
-
562
-
562
562
156,481
5,712
-
162,193
146,386
80,255
30
-
80,285
30,905
29,150
288
-
29,438
37,261
2,067,144
237,794
-
2,304,938
2,056,281
1,500
-
-
1,500
-
15,738
-
-
15,738
8,870
25,549
580
-
26,129
15,364
2,879
2,441
-
5,320
6,282
21,634
-
-
21,634
-
53,050
166
-
53,217
29,260
45,002
4,033
-
49,035
54,520
18,432
3,243
-
21,674
21,283
12,694
2,227
-
14,921
3,290
-
2,046
-
2,046
-
-
1,339
-
1,339
890
454
7,022
-
7,476
6,794
21,924
353
-
22,277
52,678
43,106
-
-
43,106
113,006
183,752
25,063
-
208,815
165,213
7,998
678
-
8,675
8,701
-
3,962
-
3,962
3,430
7,491
-
-
7,491
8,260
-
(400)
-
(400)
-
-
9,951
-
9,951
600
27,544
-
-
27,544
88,072
2,821,776
306,527
-
3,128,303
2,857,349
-
-
1,104
1,104
388
-
-
13
13
60
-
-
8,400
8,400
8,400
-
-
9,517
9,517
8,848
TOTAL 2,821,776
307,089
9,517
3,138,382
2,866,759

Page 23

the nia project

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2023

7. Section 37 Statement

The following grant aid was received from London Councils in regard to the following projects.

London Councils – Ascent (via Ashiana Project), £267,740 for the Emma Project. London Councils – Ascent (via Solace Womens Aid), £36,966 for Pan London Casework.

8. Allocation of support costs, management & administration (refer Note 6)

The basis of allocation is set out in accounting policy vii.

Restricted Direct staff costs
Other direct
costs
£
£
Allocated
support costs
2023
£
£
Emma Project
IDVA & Community
ELRC
ELRC - Prostitution Services
IRIS
Young Women's Advocate
Refuge
Funding & development
Play Therapy
LEA Project
Femicide
Designated		 266,511
124,425
309,834
39,387
792,409
293,533
268,206
55,499
124,204
74,352
29,225
3,146
130,846
100,846
18,596
1,365
26,439
4,069
56,920
31,150
43,263
27,552		 -
390,936
42,870
392,092
134,695
1,220,637
19,174
342,879
3,830
202,386
5,068
37,439
52,207
283,899
2,000
21,961
852
31,359
6,633
94,703
837
71,650
2,066,452
755,323		 268,166
3,089,941
ELRC 9,334
9,334
Unrestricted
Unretsricetd projects
Total		 23,852
2,327		 12,928
39,107
2,090,304
757,650		 290,428
3,138,382

Page 24

the nia project

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2023

9. Breakdown of expenditure by activity (refer Note 6)

Restricted
Emma Project
IDVA & Community
ELRC
ELRC - Prostitution Services
IRIS
Young Women's Advocate
Refuge
Funding & development
Femicide Research Project
Play Therapy
LEA Project
Designated
ELRC
Unrestricted
Unrestricted projects
Total		 Staff Costs
Other
Overheads
Management &
administration
Fundraising
expenses
2023
£
£
£
£
£
-
-
-
-
-
35,101
10,146
1,405
83
42,870
110,284
31,878
4,414
260
134,695
15,699
4,538
628
37
19,174
3,136
906
126
7
3,830
4,150
1,199
166
10
5,068
42,746
12,356
1,711
101
52,207
1,638
473
66
4
2,000
685
198
27
2
837
698
202
28
2
852
5,431
1,570
217
13
6,633
219,567
63,465
8,787
519
268,166
7,642
2,209
306
18
9,334
10,585
3,060
424
25
12,928
237,794
68,734
9,517
562
290,428

10. Tangible Fixed Assets

Cost
At 1 April 2022
Additions
At 31 March 2023
Depreciation
At 1 April 2022
Charge for year
At 31 March 2023
Net book value
31 March 2023
Net book value
31 March 2022		 Computer
Equipment
Leasehold
Improvements
Office
Equipment
Motor
Vehicles
Total
£
£
£
£
£
24,881
-
74,403
10,500
109,784
-
47,504
-
-
47,504
24,881
47,504
74,403
10,500
157,288
24,881
-
73,849
9,254
107,984
-
9,501
139
311
9,951
24,881
9,501
73,988
9,565
117,935
-
38,003
415
935
39,353
-
-
554
1,246
1,800

Page 25

the nia project

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2023

11. Debtors

Trade debtors
Other debtors
Accrued income and grants
Prepayments		 2023
2022
£
£
21,085
37,317
18,546
19,103
1,245,983
1,124,887
90,875
78,674
1,376,489
1,259,981

12. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Trade creditors
Taxation and social security
Other creditors
Deferred income
Accruals		 2023
2022
£
£
111,617
135,876
45,899
51,864
41,144
37,456
52,783
192,910
5,100
5,820
256,543
423,925

Page 26

the nia project

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2023

13.1 Reconciliation of funds

Balance Incoming Resources Balance
B/Fwd Resources Expended Transfers C/Fwd
£ £ £ £ £
Refuge Provision
London Councils, Ascent (via Ashiana Project) - 267,740 390,936 123,196 -
Solace women's aid (CASA Project) 8,183 24,779 24,779 - 8,183
MOPAC - Safer London Accommodation Fund (546) 422,021 259,120 - 162,355
IDVA
Hackney MOPAC 8,516 22,297 19,239 - 11,574
DCLG Camden Partnership (559) 44,506 43,727 - 220
LB Haringey 8,369 195,183 187,603 - 15,949
MOJ - London Community Fund 2,443 3,803 3,190 - 3,056
ADVISE - 40,892 30,864 10,028
LB Haringey - Mental health IDVA 22,512 - 22,512 - -
MOPAC - Older Women Fund 50,992 100,000 81,458 - 69,534
MOPAC - DA Caseworker & call handler 18,669 - 3,499 - 15,170
Young Women's Advocate
LB Newham - IDVSA 6,708 17,500 15,671 - 8,537
MOPAC - MoJ National IDVA - 21,768 21,768 - -
ELRC
MOPAC - ELRC 352,644 1,002,911 1,023,822 - 331,733
Home Office 55,894 - - - 55,894
London Councils, Ascent (via Advice) 66,635 33,299 36,966 - 62,968
OPCNN- Info and support worker 17,559 - - - 17,559
Matrix 1,070 - - - 1,070
Comic Relief - BME ISVA 2,090 - 2,090 - -
London Councils, Ascent (via Tender) 11,558 - - - 11,558
Violence reduction unit 5,444 - - - 5,444
WGN Mopac community engagement - CouRAGEus project 14,660 76,218 71,012 - 19,866
ELRC - Prostitution services
LB Brent 3,943 52,280 42,326 - 13,897
WGN NHS England 60,595 105,367 91,162 - 74,800
Solace Women's aid Non Crisis Support - Ascent Plus 3,734 46,465 43,662 - 6,537
MOPAC - Anita Project 5,545 187,085 165,067 - 27,563
Brent ISVA - - 662 - (662)
Safe Choices
Children's Society 22,877 - - - 22,877
IRIS
Health Foundation (via Next Link) 395 - - - 395
SBS MOPAC NRPF 37,307 127,384 113,942 - 50,749
LB Hackney - IRIS Hackney - 88,444 88,444 - -
Huggetts Womens Centre
Big Lottery 40,065 - - - 40,065
Problematic Substance Abuse
LB Hackney 767 - - - 767
LEA Project
Big Lottery - LEA Project 226,971 - 94,703 - 132,268
LB Hounslow - LEA Project 3,950 - - - 3,950
Charles Hayward Foundation 11,669 - - - 11,669
Family Support
Hackney Community Partnership 4,657 - - - 4,657

Page 27

the nia project

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2023

13.2 Reconciliation of funds continued

13.2 Reconciliation of funds continued
Funding & Development
The Henry Smith Charity
London Community Foundation - Survivor
London Borough of Hackney - Survivor Involvment
Sisters Trust
Play Therapy
Children in Need
Femicide Research Project
E D Eligator
Treebeard Trust
Other
Restricted
Designated
Emma Project
MOPAC (via Women & Girls Network)
Samworth Foundation
Unrestricted
TOTAL FUNDS		 Balance
B/Fwd
Incoming
Resources
Resources
Expended
Transfers
Balance
C/Fwd
£
£
£
£
£
6,912
-
-
-
6,912
351
-
-
-
351
1,391
-
-
-
1,391
24,672
-
21,961
-
2,711
-
39,345
29,203
31,322
-
37,226
61,695
15,000
18,424
-
-
-
18,424
55,865
50,820
71,650
-
1,217,231
2,985,840
3,003,156
123,196
1,323,111
-
128,473
-
(128,473)
-
9,203
107,494
96,082
-
20,615
-
50,000
26,179
-
23,821
9,203
285,967
122,261
(128,473)
44,436
373,185
80,093
12,965
5,277
445,590
1,599,619
3,351,900
3,138,382
-
1,813,137

14 Analysis of net assets between fund

Restricted funds
Unrestricted funds		 Tangible
assets
£
935
38,418
39,353		 Current
assets/(liabilities)
Total
£
£
1,322,176
1,323,111
451,608
490,026
1,773,784
1,813,137

Emma Project

The Emma Project provides refuge and outreach services to women with problematic substance use who have experienced domestic and sexual violence, including prostitution.

IDVA & Community

The Independent Domestic Violence Advocacy Service supports women who have been identified as "high risk" of domestic violence through risk assessment and referral from the Police or any other agency referring into the Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC).

East London Rape Crisis

MOPAC is to provide advocacy, support and counselling after rape and sexual assault.

Page 28

the nia project

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2023

IRIS

The IRIS Project improves the quality of care given by GP surgeries to women experiencing domestic violence through a national implementation programme and also local delivery in Hackney.

Play therapy

Play therapy is a therapeutic service for children and young people affected by domestic violence to help them understand and deal with confusing and/or powerful feelings and painful events.

London Exiting Advocacy (LEA Project)

This is a project funded for 3 years by the Big Lottery which came over to Nia from Eaves. The project is two-fold: Direct support to women in that it provides specialist support and advocacy to women involved in prostitution who are wishing to exit prostitution.

Training, education and awareness to deliver enhanced responses to women involved in prostitution from other services and practitioners.

Research, development and fundraising

This post came over to nia from Eaves and was funded by Lankelly Chase and now will be partially funded by Trust for London.

This post adds capacity to the senior management team. It is intended that the post holder, in discussion with the CEO and SMT, will identify attend and participate in relevant strategic and policy focussed initiatives. The post holder should also work with colleagues to identify possible opportunities for fundraising with a view to contributing to the organisation’s aim of diversifying funding sources. However, the post includes a legacy of existing work to complete, publish, disseminate and campaign on research areas (criminal records of women involved in prostitution, indoor prostitution in Redbridge). In addition, the new funder is keen to see a substantial component of time still directed at working specifically on women in prostitution and exiting.

15 Deferred income

Deferred income relates to money received in advance for services which have yet to be delivered at the year end. Income is deferred based on the length of the contract.

Balance as at 1 April 2022
Amount released to income earned from charitable activities
Amount deferred in the year
Balance as at 31 March 2023		 Deferred
Grants
£
192,910
(192,910)
52,783
52,783

16 Limited liability

The Trustees of the company guarantee to contribute an amount not exceeding £10 to the assets of the charity in the event of winding up.

Page 29

the nia project

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2023

17 Leasing commitments

Operating leases

The charity’s total commitments for rental payments under non-cancellable operating leases at 31 March 2023 were set out as below:

2023 2022

Total commitments £48,796 nil

18 Fund Transfers

Transfers have been made from designated funds to restricted projects to make up for the shortfall in income for certain projects. This ensures that the restricted funds are not in deficit. These have been authorised by the management committee.

19 Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash flow from operating activities.

Net movements in funds
Add back: Depreciation
Deduct: Interest shown in investing activities
(Increase) in debtors
(Decrease)/increase in creditors		 2023
2022
£
£
213,518
440,148
9,951
600
(8)
(4)
(116,508)
(625,841)
(167,383)
88,347
(60,430)
270,542

20 Corporation Tax

The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section 252 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects