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2024-03-31-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 2024

the nia project

Charity Information

For the year ended 31 March 2024

Management Committee A Terry
F Slater –resigned 12 February 2024
L Campbell -resigned 30 September 2023
S Antoniazzi
R Tweedale
M E Buxton
D Baldwin –resigned 31 August 2023
A Garner –appointed 1 June 2023
Chief Executive Officer J L Woodward – Secretary –appointed 1 October 2023
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 2024

Contents

1-11. Trustees’ report
12-14. Independent Auditors’ report
Accounts comprising
15. Statement of financial activities
16. Balance sheet
17. Statement of cashflows
18-30. Notes to the accounts

Page 1

the nia project

Trustees’ Report

For the year ended 31 March 2024

The Trustees present their report and the audited financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 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 A Garner

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, J L Woodward.

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 2024

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 2024

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.

nia holds the following Quality Standards

Achievements and performance

Our Achievements

In the year between April 2023 and March 2024 , our incredible all-woman staff team provided one-to-one support to 1,497 women, girls and children subjected to sexual and domestic violence and abuse, including prostitution. This breaks down to:

Page 4

the nia project

Trustees’ Report

For the year ended 31 March 2024

In addition

Leadership

In September 2023 CEO Karen Ingala Smith stood down as CEO. Karen held the role of CEO for 14 years. Karen stays on at nia as an Ambassador for the organisation focussing on building relationships to help secure resources for influence and funding. Karen consistently acted to secure nia ’s future, and we are grateful to Karen for her leadership and clarity of vision.

We were delighted to welcome Jodie Woodward as our new CEO. Jodie previously held the position as Director of Operations at nia , most recently leading our Rape Crisis and Exiting Prostitution projects. Jodie joined nia in 2008, setting up the Emma Project, our pioneering specialist service for women escaping male violence who use substances problematically.

We were able to ensure a smooth handover between outgoing and incoming CEO, there was no disruption to the organisation’s operations.

Looking ahead

This year we launched our new four-year Strategic Plan 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.

Our five-year service development goals include growing and developing services for:

Page 5

the nia project

Trustees’ Report

For the year ended 31 March 2024

In the coming year we are anticipating some of our largest projects/services being recommissioned. We will also be planning for celebrating our 50[th] year of operation in 2025.

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

“It has been fantastic and phenomenal, I feel like a different person, I think having talked to the therapist was better than speaking to family as there was no bias. It has helped make me feel like even though family said I wasn’t to blame I couldn’t believe it but hearing this from the therapist made the difference. I didn’t think I was able to get to this point in my life again, so I am so grateful to [my counsellor]. I am now happy and safe in my own company. I have moved from being nothing to something”

“It’s been an amazing experience and it has helped me. It has taken me out of a chaotic lifestyle. It’s the one place I can go to where all that matters is me and I don’t have to worry about anyone else, and there were not a lot of places like that. I don’t now have to anchor my life with other people. I can review how I feel, reflect and do this safely. Dealing with the loss of my baby, father and cat has been exhausting and therapy has kept me from despair, I credit it for helping me have the fortitude to get a job. I was very scared and lonely and have been able to grieve at my pace. I am no longer surviving and have through therapy begun learning how to thrive. I want to thank my therapist for all these gifts, I am going forward being more reflective and making good decisions for my future.”

“Thank you for doing this. It really takes a lot of anxiety from me so i really appreciate it. I hope I never experience this again. It makes me want to make change in the world”

“I feel like I have been able to better recognise my support groups and as a result feel less isolated. I also know feel reassured that I have a right to take up spaces, and that I don't have to explain myself to anyone.”

“Thanks to the YWG advocacy service I have been to identify healthy and non-healthy relationships. I’ve also had great conversations that focus on empowerment and exploring what womanhood is to me. As a result I feel more confident and can reflect on the content during our sessions such as the services available or how to manage my self-care and what that looks like.”

“It has helped me to open my mind and has given me a safe place to talk about my feelings, I feel like I am able to let out what I feel in a comfortable place.”

Page 6

the nia project

Trustees’ Report

For the year ended 31 March 2024

“It has really helped to have someone like [ISVA] fighting for me. She has really made a difference and has been a source of unconditional positive regard. Nia is a great service and I had a similarly excellent experience with my old ISVA.”

“All the support I need I've got it. Without it I don't how I would have managed. I got all the support I need and more.” (Exiting Prostitution)

"I like it here so much I don't want to leave. Never in my life have I met sisters like you. No one has cared about me like the sisters here. I finally feel comfortable and safe. I'm scared to move to Sheffield but I feel braver because you helped me."

“[the refuge workers are] my sisters forever. I may never see them again but I will hold them in my heart forever. I have always been afraid to tell people about my life – I was ashamed. But I learned to trust them and I’m so glad that I did. I’ve never been able to talk about FGM and now I feel I’m able to see a doctor. I wouldn’t have been able to do that without these beautiful women and I am so grateful. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. They saved me.”

“I have been in and out of therapy since I was 15 years old. Every therapy service I received was through NHS, meaning the amount of sessions I received was not enough to properly support me. Because of this, I'd always felt as though therapy wasn't suitable for me and that I'd never really progress with it.

However, using NIA has been my first extremely positive experience with therapy. Sharon was absolutely amazing and I loved every second of therapy with her. As a black woman, this was my first time being with a black therapist and it made such a difference. To talk with someone who sees the world through your eyes is truly priceless. [counsellor]was always so calm, so level headed and so insightful.

Being sexually assaulted was something that took years to come to terms with, and when I reached out to NIA, it was at a stage where it was deeply affecting my day to day life. I was scared of men, scared of being intimate again and I felt like my body didn't belong to me anymore. But, since therapy with Sharon, I have been able to quiet down intrusive thoughts and better navigate through life. I can feel myself healing more and more everyday, I have started to date again and feel more hopeful for my future.

I'll be honest, I do miss my sessions with [counsellor], but I can wholeheartedly say, that she provided me with many tools to continue getting by in my day to day life. These last few months have been really difficult for me for a variety of reasons, and I have struggled but I am okay. I do believe that I am okay right now because of almost a year with [counsellor]Without the sessions and the coping strategies she taught me, I would not be doing as well as I am right now.

I just want to end this by saying thank you so much NIA and [counsellor] , for all the support I've received from you - it has truly been life changing and I am so grateful for it all.”

Page 7

the nia project

Trustees’ Report

For the year ended 31 March 2024

Thank you

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

Ashiana Network BBC Children in Need Centre for Women’s Justice Comet at Thomas Fairchild Children’s Centre Deloitte Edith Eligator FiLiA Freshfields, Brickhaus, Deringer Garfield Weston GLA Indigo Trust IRISi LB Brent LB City and Hackney LB Haringey Linc Community Centre London Councils

Making Herstory MOPAC Ocean Children and Family Centre Onjali Rauf Public Health City & Hackney Queensbridge & Mapledene Children’s Centre Rape Crisis England and Wales Rape Crisis South London Samworth Foundation Sisters Trust Solace Women’s Aid Southall Black Sisters Treebeard Women’s Aid Women and Girls Network Women’s Resource Centre

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 2024 the free reserves amount to a surplus of £549,655. 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 2024 total £1,087,747, these are not available for general purposes. Designated funds at 31 March 2024 total £105,795.

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 deficit for the year is £69,940.

Page 8

Trustees’ Report

the nia project

For the year ended 31 March 2024

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 72 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 9

the nia project

Trustees’ Report

For the year ended 31 March 2024

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 10

the nia project

Trustees’ Report

For the year ended 31 March 2024

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 11

the nia project

Trustees’ Report

For the year ended 31 March 2024

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 11 December 2024 and signed on its behalf by:

………………………………….. R Tweedale - Trustee

Page 12

Independent Auditors’ Report

To the Trustees of the nia project

For the year ended 31 March 2024

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of the nia project (‘the charity’) for the year ended 31 March 2024 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 13

Independent Auditors’ Report

To the Trustees of the nia project

For the year ended 31 March 2024

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 14

Independent Auditors’ Report

To the Trustees of the nia project

For the year ended 31 March 2024

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: 23 December 2024

Page 15

the nia project

Statement of Financial Activities

(Including Income and Expenditure account) For the year ended 31 March 2024

----- Start of picture text -----
£ £ £ £
INCOME
Donations and legacies 5.1 115,093 - 115,093 122,202
Charitable activities 5.2 422,695 2,988,240 3,410,935 3,229,690
Investments 944 - 944 8
TOTAL
538,733 2,988,240 3,526,973 3,351,900
EXPENDITURE ON:
Raising funds 48 514 562 562
Charitable activities 228,215 3,358,008 3,586,223 3,128,302
Other 864 9,265 10,128 9,517
TOTAL 6 229,126 3,367,787 3,596,913 3,138,382
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) 309,607 (379,548) (69,940) 213,518
Transfers between funds (144,183) 144,183 - -
NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS 165,424 (235,365) (69,940) 213,518
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS 13
Total funds brought forward 490,026 1,323,111 1,813,137 1,599,619
Total funds carried forward 655,450 1,087,746 1,743,196 1,813,137
----- End of picture text -----

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 30 form part of these financial statements.

Page 16

the nia project

Balance Sheet at 31 March 2024

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		 £
£
£
£
28,815
39,353
1,105,719
1,376,489
1,096,371
653,838
2,202,090
2,030,327
(487,709)
(256,543)
1,714,381
1,773,784
1,743,196
1,813,137
655,450
490,026
1,087,746
1,323,111
1,743,196
1,813,137
2023
2024
2,202,090
(487,709)

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 11 December 2024

…………………………………….. R Tweedale - Trustee

Approved on behalf of the board on

Company number - 02673624 (England & Wales)

Page 17

the nia project

Statement of cashflows

For the year ended 31 March 2024

----- Start of picture text -----
Notes 2024 2023
£ £
Cash used in operating activities
Net cash (used in) operating activities 19 440,789 (60,430)
Cash flows from investing activities
Interest income 944 8
-
Purchase of tangible fixed assets (47,504)
Disposal proceeds received 800 -
Cash provided (used)/by investing activities 1,744 (47,496)
Increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents in the year 442,533 (107,926)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year 653,838 761,764
Total cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year 1,096,371 653,838
----- End of picture text -----

the nia project

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2024

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 2024 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.

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the nia project

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2024

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.

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Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2024

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.

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 2024 31 Mar 2023
Depreciation 9,605 9,951
Auditors’ remuneration 9,300 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 21

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Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2024

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 2024
2,284,171
203,138
78,116
2,565,425		 Year to
31 Mar 2023
2,061,167
190,310
53,458
2,304,938

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

Year to Year to
31 Mar 2024 31 Mar 2023
Projects 72 70
Administration 3 3
75 73
The number of higher paid employees was:
In the band £70,001 to £80,000 – 1 (2023: £70,001 to £80,000 - 1).
In the band £60,001 to £70,000 – 2 (2023: £60,001 to £70,000) – 1)

5.1 Income

DONATIONS AND LEGACIES
Other donations
Grants received
Garfield Weston
Samworth Foundation
The Indigo Trust
TOTAL		 Restricted
Funds
Unrestricted
Funds
Total Year to
31 Mar 24
Total Year
to 31 Mar 23
£
£
£
£
-
40,093
40,093
72,202
-
40,093
40,093
72,202
-
25,000
25,000
-
-
-
-
50,000
-
50,000
50,000
-
-
75,000
75,000
50,000
-
115,093
115,093
122,202

Page 22

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Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2024

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
MOPAC - Safer Accommodation - Refuge development
IDVA
Hackney MOPAC
DCLG Camden Partnership
LB Haringey - IDVA
MOPAC - Older Women Fund
ADVISE
LB Brent - ISVA
Other IDVA
Young Women's advocate
LB Haringey - YWA KIDVA
MOPAC - MoJ National IDVA
ELRC
MOPAC
London Councils, Ascent (via Solace Women's Aid) - Advice
MOPAC (via Women & Girls Network) - 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 Haringey - Haringey IRIS Programme
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 24
Total Year to
31 Mar 23
£
£
£
£
277,411
-
277,411
267,740
30,702
-
30,702
24,779
373,326
-
373,326
422,021
100,000
-
100,000
-
-
-
-
22,297
53,351
-
53,351
44,506
147,001
-
147,001
195,183
96,427
-
96,427
100,000
50,676
-
50,676
40,892
45,000
-
45,000
-
-
-
-
3,803
51,748
-
51,748
17,500
38,180
-
38,180
21,768
1,095,616
-
1,095,616
1,002,911
37,581
-
37,581
33,299
-
213,518
213,518
107,494
68,909
-
68,909
76,218
-
52,280
107,263
-
107,263
105,367
44,448
-
44,448
46,465
-
-
-
187,085
129,540
-
129,540
127,384
89,840
-
89,840
88,444
50,676
-
50,676
-
38,850
-
38,850
29,203
61,695
61,695
61,695
-
-
15,000
-
201,098
201,098
126,010
-
8,079
8,079
2,463
-
-
-
7,884
2,988,240
422,695
3,410,935
3,229,690

Page 23

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Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2024

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
Website update
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
Loss on disposal of fixed assets
Grants repaid
Other
Bank charges
Sundry
Audit fees
TOTAL		 Cost of
Activities
Support
Costs
Management
& Admin
Year to 31
Mar 2024
Year to 31
Mar 2023
£
£
£
£
£
-
562
-
562
562
205,309
2,875
-
208,185
162,193
68,286
248
-
68,534
80,285
17,140
230
-
17,370
29,438
2,329,565
235,860
-
2,565,425
2,304,938
219
-
-
219
1,500
31,494
90
-
31,584
15,738
24,853
737
-
25,590
26,129
-
(4,750)
-
(4,750)
-
4,993
1,357
-
6,350
5,320
9,551
-
-
9,551
21,634
46,890
186
-
47,076
53,217
64,331
5,119
-
69,449
49,035
16,798
2,678
-
19,476
21,674
23,419
2,890
-
26,309
14,921
-
2,452
-
2,452
2,046
-
907
-
907
1,339
926
7,803
-
8,729
7,476
37,343
-
-
37,343
22,277
56,890
-
-
56,890
43,106
172,754
27,723
-
200,477
208,815
157
527
-
684
8,675
-
282
-
282
3,962
3,020
-
-
3,020
7,491
-
10,262
-
10,262
(400)
-
9,605
-
9,605
9,951
134
-
-
134
-
165,072
-
-
165,072
27,544
3,279,143
307,080
-
3,586,222
3,128,303
-
-
828
828
1,104
-
-
-
-
13
-
-
9,300
9,300
8,400
-
-
10,128
10,128
9,517
3,279,143
307,641
10,128
3,596,913
3,138,382

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), £277,411 for the Emma Project. London Councils – Ascent (via Solace Womens Aid), £37,751 for Advice.

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Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2024

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

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

Restricted
IDVA & Community
ELRC
ELRC - Prostitution Services
IRIS
Young Women's Advocate
Refuge
Play Therapy
Designated
ELRC
Unrestricted
Unrestricted projects
Total		 Staff Costs
Other
Overheads
Management &
administration
Fundraising
expenses
2024
£
£
£
£
£
15,860
4,789
681
38
21,910
95,865
28,948
4,117
228
132,437
10,582
3,195
454
25
14,619
7,096
2,143
305
17
9,803
-
-
-
-
-
84,924
25,644
3,647
202
117,322
1,425
430
61
3
1,968
215,751
65,149
9,265
514
298,059
20,109
6,072
864
48
27,780
-
-
-
-
-
235,860
71,221
10,128
562
325,839

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

Restricted
Emma Project
IDVA & Community
ELRC
Safe Choices
ELRC - Prostitution Services
IRIS
COVID related
Young Women's Advocate
Refuge
Funding & development
Play Therapy
LEA Project
Femicide
Designated
ELRC (MOPAC)
Unrestricted
Unretsricetd projects
Total		 Direct staff costs
Other direct
costs
Allocated
support costs
2024
£
£
£
£
275,609
161,408
-
437,017
292,570
58,696
21,910
373,175
636,471
457,959
132,437
1,226,866
-
22,877
-
22,877
106,368
20,356
14,619
141,343
171,446
96,513
9,803
277,762
-
-
-
-
86,755
13,558
-
100,313
268,134
126,257
117,322
511,712
5,144
496
-
5,640
27,305
4,752
1,968
34,025
11,527
136,360
-
147,887
66,189
22,979
-
89,168
1,947,517
1,122,211
298,059
3,367,787
181,977
18,542
27,780
228,299
-
827
-
827
181,977
19,369
27,780
229,126
2,129,494
1,141,580
325,839
3,596,913

Page 25

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Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2024

10. Tangible fixed assets

----- Start of picture text -----
Computer Leasehold Office Motor
Equipment Improvements Equipment Vehicles Total
£ £ £ £ £
Cost
At 1 April 2023 24,881 47,504 74,403 10,500 157,288
Additions - - - - -
Disposals - - - (10,500) (10,500)
At 31 March 2024 24,881 47,504 74,403 - 146,788
Depreciation
At 1 April 2023 24,881 9,501 73,988 9,565 117,935
Charge for year - 9,501 104 - 9,605
Eliminated on disposals - - - (9,565) (9,565)
At 31 March 2024 24,881 19,002 74,092 - 117,975
Net book value
31 March 2024 - 28,503 312 - 28,815
Net book value
31 March 2023 - 38,003 415 935 39,353
----- End of picture text -----

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Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2024

11. Debtors

----- Start of picture text -----
2024 2023
£ £
Trade debtors 27,887 21,085
Other debtors 25,532 18,546
Accrued income and grants 1,012,757 1,245,983
Prepayments 39,543 90,875
1,105,719 1,376,489
----- End of picture text -----

12. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

----- Start of picture text -----
2024 2023
£ £
Trade creditors 104,727 111,617
Taxation and social security 89,690 45,899
Other creditors 236,355 41,144
Deferred income 52,017 52,783
Accruals 4,920 5,100
487,709 256,543
----- End of picture text -----

Page 27

the nia project

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2024

13.1 Reconciliation of funds

3.1 Reconciliation of funds
Balance Incoming Resources Balance
B/Fwd Resources Expended Transfers C/Fwd
£ £ £ £ £
Refuge Provision
London Councils, Ascent (via Ashiana Project) - 277,411 409,308 132,210 313
Solace women's aid (CASA Project) 8,183 30,702 23,019 - 15,866
MOPAC - Safer London Accommodation Fund 162,355 373,326 488,693 - 46,988
MOPAC - Safer Accommodation - Refuge development - 100,000 27,709 72,291
IDVA
Hackney MOPAC 11,574 - - - 11,574
DCLG Camden Partnership 220 53,351 28,395 - 25,176
LB Haringey 15,949 147,001 146,544 - 16,406
MOJ - London Community Fund 3,056 - - - 3,056
ADVISE 10,028 50,676 60,029 675
MOPAC - Older Women Fund 69,534 96,427 93,209 - 72,752
MOPAC - DA Caseworker & call handler 15,170 - - - 15,170
LB Brent - ISVA - 45,000 45,000 -
Young Women's Advocate
LB Haringey- YWA KIDVA 8,537 51,748 60,417 - (132)
MOPAC - MoJ National IDVA - 38,180 39,896 1,716 -
ELRC
MOPAC - ELRC 331,734 1,095,616 1,103,535 - 323,815
Home Office 55,894 - - - 55,894
London Councils, Ascent (via Advice) 62,968 37,581 39,696 - 60,853
OPCNN- Info and support worker 17,559 - - - 17,559
Matrix 1,070 - - - 1,070
London Councils, Ascent (via Tender) 11,558 - 11,558 - -
Violence reduction unit 5,444 - - - 5,444
WGN Mopac community engagement - CouRAGEus project 19,866 68,909 72,077 - 16,698
ELRC - Prostitution services
LB Brent 13,897 - 1,422 - 12,475
WGN NHS England 74,800 107,263 83,502 - 98,561
Solace Women's aid Non Crisis Support - Ascent Plus 6,537 44,448 50,985 - -
MOPAC - Anita Project 27,563 - 5,435 - 22,128
Brent ISVA (662) - - - (662)
Safe Choices
Children's Society 22,877 - 22,877 - -
IRIS
Health Foundation (via Next Link) 395 - - - 395
SBS MOPAC NRPF 50,749 129,540 129,918 - 50,371
LB Hackney - IRIS Hackney - 89,840 89,840 - -
LB Haringey - IRIS Haringey - 50,676 58,004 7,328 -
Huggetts Womens Centre
Big Lottery 40,065 - - - 40,065
Problematic Substance Abuse
LB Hackney 767 - - - 767
LEA Project
Big Lottery - LEA Project 132,268 - 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 28

the nia project

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2024

13.1 Reconciliation of funds continued

----- Start of picture text -----
Balance Incoming Resources Balance
B/Fwd Resources Expended Transfers C/Fwd
Funding & Development £ £ £ £ £
- - -
The Henry Smith Charity 6,912 6,912
London Community Foundation - Survivor 351 - - - 351
- - -
London Borough of Hackney - Survivor Involvment 1,391 1,391
Sisters Trust 2,711 - 5,640 2,929 -
-
Play Therapy
Children in Need 37,226 38,850 34,025 - 42,051
Femicide Research Project
E D Eligator 61,695 -
55,865 89,168 28,392
Treebeard Trust -
Other 18,424 - - 18,424
Restricted 1,323,111 2,988,240 3,367,787 144,183 1,087,747
Designated
Emma Project - 209,177 - (132,210) 76,967
-
MOPAC (via Women & Girls Network) 20,615 213,518 228,299 5,834
Samworth Foundation 23,821 - 827 - 22,994
44,436 422,695 229,126 (132,210) 105,795
Unrestricted 445,590 116,038 - (11,973) 549,655
TOTAL FUNDS 1,813,137 3,526,973 3,596,913 - 1,743,196
----- End of picture text -----

14. Analysis of net assets between fund

----- Start of picture text -----
Tangible Current
assets assets/(liabilities)
Total
£ £ £
Restricted funds - 1,087,747 1,087,747
Unrestricted funds 28,503 626,947 655,450
28,503 1,714,694 1,743,196
----- End of picture text -----

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 29

the nia project

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2024

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 2023
Amount released to income earned from charitable activities
Amount deferred in the year
Balance as at 31 March 2024		 Deferred
Grants
£
52,783
(766)
-
52,017

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 30

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Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2024

17. Leasing commitments

Operating leases

The charity’s total commitments for rental payments under non-cancellable operating leases at 31 March 2024 were set out as below:

2024 2023

Total commitments £97,309 £48,796

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.

----- Start of picture text -----
2024 2023
£ £
Net movements in funds (69,940) 213,518
Add back: Depreciation 9,605 9,951
Add back: Loss on disposal of tangible fixed asset 133 -
Deduct: Interest shown in investing activities (944) (8)
Decrease / (increase) in debtors 270,770 (116,508)
Increase / (decrease) in creditors 231,166 (167,383)
440,789 (60,430)
----- End of picture text -----

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

21. Remuneration of key management personnel

Aggregate total 2024
2023
£
£
219,847
197,877