BE FREEYC Supporting Young Carers in Oxfordshire Annual Report & Accounts 2023- 2024 Registered Charity Number: 1042708 / Company No: 2989722
BE FREEYC Be Free Young Carers Charitable Non-Profit Organisation No: 1042708 SupportiVOA#carefSInoXlOr&1k• Company No: 2989722 Harwell Innovation Centre 173 Curie Avenue idcot . xfv.rdshire Contents A Message from our CEO 34 reeyc.org.uk Chair of Trustees, Statement Structure, 0VernanCean09ement- David Wells, Loretta Light (Wi Laurie Cooper Colin Mitchell Angus Horner Roger Eccleston ir hair) Our Vision, Mission & Objective A Case Study - Trials and Challenges Programmes & Projects 10-11 BFYC Service Delivery 2023- 2024 12-15 HY R05s Brooke uite mdrush Court don Business Park A Case Study- Networks of Support 16 Social Return On Investment 17 Finance & Fundraising Strategy 18 Solicito Osborne 3 Forbury 23 Forbury R Reading RG13JH Looking Forward - Future Developments 19 Trustees, Responsibilities 20 21 Independent Examiner's Report Iwe would like lo thank Osb support with providing vs pro -tyrk for their (onlinued rt and advice.} Statement of Financial Activities 22 Bankers CAF Bank 25 Kings Hill Avenve Kings Hill West Malling Kent ME19 4JQ Balance Sheet 23 Notes to the Accounts 24-31
A Message from our CEO "Our last 12 months have seen o PaFiod of Substantial growth, development and moluralion for our organis¢Jtion. ekning back on the Iu5t year fills me with pridq iration for the in¢redible work that Be Free Yound%qrers have achieved. I would like to thank our $upp•rters, from funders, to corporates, for their gen¢rbus,donations be it financial or expertise A spla1 t to our hardworking staff from frontline Youth er5, Fundraisers ond Voluntee Coordinator. A spe thanks to our volunteers wh have svpported us witmw respite and befriending prfjvisions. stlY, Iv otinlodicated Trustees who loan their skills, talents and n•tworks to supporting and steering Be Free Yowsarers." Growt ervices The last year has seen vs reo¢t to the Ire demand for our services by increasing our d••y.'. channels to support this development. Our tea.,. low Youth Clubs for teenage young car. s have been able to increase the amount for respite continued to grow in all our geographfe rfJreos. As adivitie5 that we offer our young carers in all our èstr.have become more established overth.e lost current geographi¢al areas. r we have utilised the young carers voi¢ii t Our mental health services have risen to the b.lIa on,our Young Curer Youth Panel. We increase in demund and through our Youth Worker$ beco •f,i•ur young corers from our Youth P . th'.Chlldrens Commissioner Of England and Counsellor, we have been able to run more 121 emotional support and counselling sessions than Ambussqdori givkng o voice to young carer5 akn.¥' national I ever before. Demand has been significant, l am proud that we have kept our waiting lists to a minimum, supporting the gap between statutory services and demand. Amongst all o ',¢¥rtervices, we ore incredibly, additional service tackle digital, food, hygiene and period ¥0,. Our team have Our Mindfulness Movement progromme, established achieved this by providl.ng olli.rising years 7s that to address the yovng carers well-being Specifically at primary school age, has l>een a success in require a laptop with onefvthrthJ9h offering period, preventing the declining mental health ¢rf young hygiene provisions from our •ffirA and on our respite triPs. We have also ,vur commitment corers by using this programme as an ear to provide our young carers throughout preventative measure. our Youth Clubs and Respite pr Our teams have established more young carer groups in schools, working with teachers to help identify young carersi establishing a network fi>r young carers in schools. This has enabled yovng carers to experience being purt of a social group and build a peer Support group within school. Our stufF remain passionate about c landKape for young carers in Oxfords sincere thank you to all of them for their nti dedication and hard work in leading and ecu our core services. They all should be incredibly proud of what they have helped to achieve for young ¢urers.
The Year ahe
Every year. l om thankful fi>r &&generosity of our
The year ahead is one expansion again forour
supporters who have donated ov•r
OOK to Be Free charity as we l¢>ok to e$tal>lish Be Free Young Carers
Young Carers in the post year.
as a countywide organisation. After the success of
our recent Oxford City expansion, we look to West
Oxfordshir¢ to continue this growth and reach more
young carer5 in the more rural west of the County.
We are delighted to have received funding from our
friends at Step Change, to set us off in this direction
September 2024. We will build on this fipnding to
re more, so that we can establish our services in
fordshire.
n every income stream we saw gro
Supporters excelled across the board in g
ancially to Be Free Young Carer5. We saw
ease in the number of businesse5 ond
cor7ointes, choosing vs as their Chority of the Yeap
whithvmics the trend for businesses getting
involve&wh smaller, agile, community based
charitie5, to buve maximum impact. A special
thanks to Said.4ysioess Sch¢>ol for continuing their
Support both firianciolly and with volunteerin99 we
are excited aboutlkn'ng our third year of thi5
partnership.
Weurea
,looking to deepen our services into
more rural
s that we cover in Sovth
Oxfordshire•"Wale and Oxford, in particular
Henley and Faring4n, where we know the need is
high.
I would like to pay a special mention to David
Wilson for their annual Partner4P which 50w them We will strengthen and:,&d on the area$ that we
raise an incredible amount of mo
through. sky
are estublished in, looking ty.liaise more with
dives to clay pigeon $h¢x•ting? their •port,has
schools and teachers, to get young carers that
been amazing.
are not yet identified and that
5UPPOrt.
We are incredibly grateful to our steadfast
.,Growin9 our partnerships with o
,¢harities and
and Foundations who have continued to supp•rt,•¢..
rgonisations to ensure that the need$.•f young
Free Yovng Curers this year and were delighta .- £arers ore prioritised ond prominently hkntured in
wekome new supporters on board. A special tha
Il',key strategic qgendas. it is essential t•.
egrate
to SJP Foundation, Tolkien Trvst and our friends at
oncerns Into policy development and
The Nalional Lottery? we couldn't d• what we do,
Im•rn•ntation processes. By odively invol
without your support and generosity.
yovng':farnrs in di5cvssions, consultations, and .
decits*n•making, we can better understand thèlv"
The increase in our profile over the county saw a
unique,
aUeng¢5 and requirements. This app
rise in individual givingg With supporters taking part will Tt
highlight their importance but qls•
in running events, to Skydives, to rycling challenges. foster a m
Indusive and supportive environAw..
Not only doe5 this raise fvnds for our orgonisation
for these you
individuals who take on significa
but also vital awurene55 of young
airo rus ees men '1 am very pleased to report another strong i4vh'.the Charity as we continue to expan develop our services to meet the growing need to SUPPOrt Yng Cty•r5. The Trustee5 ond l are very gral Ito the CEO, staff teum and volunteers with BFYC for their ¢Ontind knrd work and outstanding efforts to Ih>rove the lives of our. rers. The clear evidence is that demand, and complexity of ne f¥Young Carer support Is continuing.ts>":ow across the County. Our plan over the next few years is vld•. on the ground support to the whole of Oxfordshire. To achieve this, and ¢ontinue to sustain these 'dSp'we will need to increase fundrais staff and volunteer nvmb¢rs and continue to develT.;Pqshtps where possible. It's an exciting ond rewarding time to be involved with our Charity. . ry grateful to our excellent grou ' of Trvstee's for their continued Commilment to the Charity. In the year the Trustee Board wlll continue to develop its capabilities us BFYC moves to the next stage of tpr.y. Thunk you to everyone, I look forward to another year where we can collectively 4.differen¢e.' Reference & Administrative Detail Be Free Young Carers is a company limited by guarantee, incorporated in England & registered charity. The Trustees who are also Directors for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, have pleasur presenting their report and the unaudited financial statements of the Charity for the year ended 3 March 2024.
.Structure, overnance ganisation ,•e Charity which during the year emp 8 people is led by a well-established, effective 'loard of Trustee5, recruited for their comp entary knowledge, skills and experience. The Board of Trustees now meets four times a yeaY&.+or the AGM. Three sub committees of the Main Boaothb(e been established to support the CEO wlth the day to day running of the charity. They'ar• Quality and Performance* Fundraising anlll Partnerships, and Finance and Administration - £h has a Terms of reference, meets in advii'nce of quarterly Trustee meetings, oviding oversight and reporting on ivities. Members of the board.•f Trustees, who are Directors for the purpW...,.of company law and Trustees for the purpose of charity lawl who served during the yq¥r d up to the date of approval of this report, are listed below: David Wells (Chair) .Light (Wice Chair) (¥in lth¢hell Angus H4)rner Roger
rustee ion Public Benefit A prosp•c&ve Trusteets wlly known to one or more of the current members or responded to an adve an ipvited to join the boord bosed on their background and ,perienCe. After meeting all the Triistees their election is put to the vote at a Truste*s eeling. Those trustees who are involved8n .¢fruitment also undergo sufer re¢ruitme&l.¢. training. The Charity's purposes as set out in the objects contained in the company's Memorandum of Association are to: ) Alleviate the conditions of life among people who are caring or who have cared for elderly, i¢k, disabled? hgndicapped or otherwise infirm person5 at home and who are In necessitous circvmstances" Trustees undergo an indudion prograkne that inclvdes all the necessary writtwnformotion on the role and responliylltles of a Trustee and on understandiny-qfrthe Charity's work and mission. All trustèo undergo generalised safegvurding trainingond are fully DBS- checked b) To promote the material welfare of such carers, to relieve and alleviate and to advunce. promote, encouroge and assist in the relief or alleviation of all kinds of mental and physical infirmity? sickness, disablement or hondicap Including mental illness attributable to caring among tarers and the persons for whom they are caring in South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White horse and the Surrounding qreos; 66 ¢) To advance the education of the public al)out the part that corers and caring con play 9¢nerally. Young carers are just ama many of them caring means ha patience and often not getting to the fun other children have. We ju can't thank them enough. The aims of the Charity are to enable carers to etter manage their caring role throvgh advice, information ond support and to identify and aise the profile of carers and caring. Our aims Ily reflect the purposes that the Charity was s up to further. - Elizabeth Paris, BFYC Wi¢e Chair of Trustees BE FREE YOUNG A a befreeycji. .1
-our Objective Our Visio To consolidate on our already established services in the areas of The Vale of White Horse, South Oxfordshire and Oxford5hire. -•Oxfordshire devoted to improving youn W•rs' well-being and opportunities, thou ,ovision of recreational. emotional and social support. To establish fresh networks and connections in remote areas cvrrently under our charity's remit increasing our area coverage and 5UPPOrting more young carers. Our visi ..3iS to enable Oxfordshire's young carers t(y i•ve their fvll potential by delivering a farry¥Mach•ng developmental and emotional supp¢J ork of people and resources in their . ives, their schools and comm•$1¢5. te the West Oxf•rdshire expansion, throudh the hiring Of a Sch¢)ol Liason who will spefid time in the West Oxfordshire growing th ¥arity's profile and activity. To build upon oOv.ltrategic expansion plans to become an estd'blished countywide charity, supporting Oxk•rdshire's young To relieve the mental health &den of being a young carer.: We are the only independent charity i Oxfordshire working exclusively with youn arers. upport Oxfordshire Schools id upport young carers, we do this arnging. school assemblies, world boo by assisting them in setting oung carer club5. and We support them by widening their life options and improving their emotional and social health, resilience and development because we pa55ionately believe they can be free to fvlfil their adult potential vnhindered by their childhood responsibilities. Tobe es for young carers whqni, ¥ liaising statutory service5, famili04 schools ad pth•r key stakeholders. Fres Jji.
ase
ria
X registered with us in March 2023,
they wer• 12 years old. Ihey hav• been getting support from the YC group
at,school but asked th¢ir Porent G lo reier-them to BFYC after l attended on• of the sessions. Their younger sibling I
ds- o registerod. and they have q 2-year-old
ng too.
Al this time X wos Coring for Iheir sibfing K who
SEN, K was attending iho same Mainstream $¢hool but was on a
ed timetable and received k+ts of supporL K ha qiiEHCP.
Whel oskd what they did to $upport their sister ihey solrf",Iy,ake sure that K hu5 their uniform and everything they
need lof)dwl becou58 they can't or9onize this themself. I
to make sure they get to The Stables in the morning
when wd. g•t.off the bv5- X Sold sometimes ih•re were issues
f.riendships a5 they shared a group of friends ond
sometimes
e didn't want lo hang around with K, X felt they thhgd to ¢hoose between their friends and K, they
Iways chosé.d
,•"en though sometimes thi$ mode them sad. X oi
Si Eould l>t tricky in some lessons as they
could see when t¥th•rs were saying thin95 that they knew would
K ond so would attempt to defend their
sibling often ending
getting themself in tr•ubk.
In April 2023 X startedTh ES s¢ssionsi they hod 10 sesslons• and they tolked
about their sibling and how they
fek £ompelled to supporl thth •Jnd put them first. X seemed to open vp during Ih
.$pssions ond agreed to lry ond lot
the teacher$ look after K $0 that
Main Programmes & Projects iday Activity Programme e run respite activities throughout the 5kn1 holidaysi providing young carers with the mental health .Jte from their caring role and letting them child for a few hours. These can include a day out to h• seaside, theme park trips and theatre vi4 n the financial 2023/2024 627 trip places were Itendecl !)y Y[79 cariels.'bnder 12.y. oldg an increase of190 trip places. ce Young carers and give them a ' paired up with our trained volunteers h"O 11 meet with our young carers weekly k from their role. The Befriender is also a tntsted adult that the young carer ¢qn confide in. ice Complex cases are referre ur youth workers wlK¥ will visit the youty&9rer in their school environment and deliver 1-2-1 emoThDnal4upport. For ovr extreme cases, we use'pur trained counsellor to provide the counselling service. Eachwkly session is usually for 60 minutes atth,.. tr a period of 6 weeks. Mind This is oimed at our young carers aged betwee .. '11 and is a preventative measure t•J.'.ii. mental health and teach wellbeing techniques. Our 'ftd yoga teachers attend schools and minute sessions with young carers teaching them blath. ins techniques, relaxation methods.'- wellbeing to good d45- 66 Yhanky u. so much. E had a amazi me all thep'hotos and told me mean so much again to you a for taking the tim, these young peo appreciated and rew . Thanks Our team -Parent of a Young Carer 994 10
66 I felt like I got my son back, the happy one who enjoyed everything he did with his brother and your volunteer befriender did that, every time they meet UP9 he would come home saying it was the best day or I had so much fun. 99 -Parent of a Yovng Carer Aimed at our older young corers, these yo ' dvbs meet monthly at various location5? and are a vital way th* yvge with our teenagers. y are user led Young Carer A We help and support schoo15 to set up young carer Clu&&ttend assemblies, offer young cq , kits and vide05 to help teachers ond Children identi and, and sUPPOrt young carers Employability and Mentoring This is targeted at our young cqrers of secondary s¢hool age t ..not have access to work experience pla¢ements. we use our corporate partnerships to secure IPse provide mentors. Every young carer in year 7 who needs a laptop is given onep $0 that they or vel playing field with other children their age. 627 174 •• 11 oung Carers provide with 20 respite activities 121 Emotional Support sessions provided t Young Carer5 Young Carers mat¢he with Befrienders 11
e Free Young Carers Service Delivefrr 202&2024 liday Activity Programme Be Free Young Carers have continued our flogship School Holiday Activity Prograrnme, this ha5 creosed in popularity, espKialty since tke'.pop.demic as young carers are keen to get the respite that they nee¥ 'th their role. Wè have increased the number of respite activi6A keep up with demand. Each activity involves appro 040 young carers and includes activitiesAaq5 g theme park trip• day at the beach or a visit to a trampoline - Thanks to Ox during these ev . hire Community Foundation, we are ab This is needed to ensure thot in the cost o young carers have oc¢ess to food rovide our yovng carers with food g crisisi in Khool holidays, our mpact: Aims: We have provided 627 trip places for young carers over 42 activities in 2023/24. We have increased the hours dedicated to respite for our young corers through activities such os circus skills, tce skatingi trapeose, theatre trips, cl•mbing gnd martial arts. To provide young carers Wjth a re break from their role of looking afte their loved one, to reduce their stress• anxiety und improve their wellbeing in their caring role. y being around other young carers in similar roles we hope to reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation. We hope to hallenge the stigma of being a young carer, and to show young carers that they aren't on their own. We also have our annual family fun day• which is free for our young carers and their families. It is a chance for all our young carers to meet up alongside our supporters and volunteers. Did yuu havo lun and feel hap durl th* trlpr We provide opportunitie5 to develop friendship with other young carers, t• build their ¢onfiden¢e, establish support networks and redvce the isolation that is often felt in being a young carer. We aim to offer young carers experiences that they wouldn't normally have access to, to increase their ¢onfiden¢e by undertaking activities that they may not have done beforeg improve their mental healthi confidence. and aspirotions. 12
Mindfulness Movement nt programme, is now an established in demand service which we offer "imary s¢hls in The Vale and South Oxfordshire areas. We hope to be able to install a similar: gramme that we can offer to schools in Oxford City. This is headed up by our Yog ctiti•ner Emma Honmill, who run5 weekly sessions for a 6 week period in primary schools. Aims: give our primary school age young care e tools to promote good mental health pradice by teaehihg the r,eothing techniques• yoga and mindfvlness. 66 I think the two things we really took away from the sessAon was the two year S girls who are now inspired to go and get their own yoga mats and practice for themselves.. To increa about their e confiden<e in younger Children to talk I health and wellbeing in relation tp ",their ¢aring role. And the young chap who had a giggle fit seldom ever laughs like that, so it was wonderful to see. And just how many of them really engaged and tried Something different. 36 Mindfulnes5 ovement sessions have n delivered to 6 oung carers. 99 -MÉlllwook Pr•mory School Home School Link Worker Befrie Our Befriending Service has been a success it pr our more complex young carers w or fortnightly respite frort*•iyd volunteer. These volvnteers be¢ome the youn9 corers trvsted adult ."Woad' their feelings and worriesb befriending service take5 place for approximately 6 mon "'ohd 1$ seen as an intervention servi¢¢" the young carers, lives, to give them that much needed respi •motional support as they conknii•" ee 66 their caring role. L said, It s probably the best thing I've ever done. These volunteers become the young carers trusted adult to 'download' their feelings and worries. The befriending Service takes place for approximately 6 months and is seen as qn intervention service in the young carers, livesi to give them that much needed re5Plte and emotional support as they continue their caring role. 99 -Feedback from a Befriender Do you feel you can talk to Ihe support work you (w• worrl•d Gboul xbm•thing 16% oy In the financial year of 2023/20241 we hove initiated 11 young carer and befriender matches. Som•wha+ •8lank We had 15 new befrienders apply and omplete the onboarding pro¢e$s during the financial year. 13
Emotional Support & Counselling Service tional S rt and Counselling Service has been an area of growth mainly in r•sponse to our.you, ng carer need5 and the Stretched statutory services. We have taken on a ¢ou vkno sees our young carers with more complex needs for1-2-1 counselling sessions. Wherods r Senior Youth Workers conduct our1-2-1 emotional sUPPOrt sessions. All of these sessions tak¢ place over 0 6 week period in the Khool environment. i. Jive been wanting to get thllff my chest for so longy but I uldn't tell anyone else becaUSheY would think I was an awful pers 99 -Be Free Young Carer To provide young carers a response to help their emotior1 and,iiwntal wellbeing over a 6 week piOd, improving their mental health an&4ivlng them the tools to enable them to u prevent(¥tive technique5 to <ontrol the" mentql wellbeing. We have providé&vm average of174 sessions of 1-2-1 emorfotw. I support to 25 y•ung carers and 85. Ipunselling sesstons to young r5• Thi5 ha5 resulted in young cqrer5 reporting better mental health ikreased resilience, and improved copin strategie5 at the end of the 6 w period. To increase young corers confidence to become more resilient with their mental health. to offer them an outlet for their mental stresses with a trusted adulL Thankyou for all your dedication and support, as always. Gemma's one-to-one sessions with J have made a huge difference to his behaviour and well-being. He appears less anxious. •ii -' yv "It has made a hugely positive impact on our family, so thank you from the bottom of our hearts111 Be Free Young Carers Emotional Support & Counselling Team 99 -Parent of a Young Carer 14
13+ Youth Groups Our +.-;YJOUth Gr ave been running for the last 2 years• thanks t• the funding from The People5 Health TrusL This is a user led programm onthly meetings for those young carers age 13 - 17 years old. hey are very much in control of vht&Whey do ot these meetings, where they meet and whot they wont to discuss. This is important os,W@ were finding that by the time young carers reached secondary school age, they stopped en9UqP9 With us. We have seen nvmbers for this service increase year on year and we are now licating this service in the Oxford City ar. 'LCBP ME -rfREPEAT - ¥ &.F4 1 Aims: Impact: We have hosted 13 meetings of our Youth Clubs and held13 o¢tivities ranging from escape rooms to o trip to Thorpe Park. To increase teenage young carers engagement with us, to empower them to run workshops and a¢tivities for them, to promote their self-esteem and leadership skills. We a150 provide food fDr our young curers to combat the impact of the cost of living Crisis ond food poverty. To make meaningful friendships with other young carers, to feel comfortable to address topics that they would like to know more about, to relieve the isolation that Can come with being a young carer and to promote good mental health. We also provide free period pr4>ducts for our young carers to Combat period poverty. 66 Dld you moke new friends? This is the best activity I've been on with any of the charities I've had help from - it was so fun to meet people my own age who weren't lots younger than me. BY•s 21Y• Somewhol No 11 Blank -13+ Be Free Young Carer 99 15
A Case Study - Networks of upo 66 I've been ¢0 uborating with One-Eighty to support a young -,Korer strvggling,with overwhelming anxiety and stress which ad led to suicida eation. 5 the level of suppoit,I required surpussed what I could offer. sought One-Eighty's expertife to explore additional nterventions which could 6et•jlored to meet the young carer's eeds. During my initial meelintswith them, they showed great mpathy and encouraged me to ffdike a referral, despite the amily'5 ongoing Struggle to se<ur• month later I was contaded with the faDtpstic news that they managed to secure funding themselvethup£l the support for thlyoung Carer could go ahead! Through pro4r9 s reports it sounJs,:Ilkn their work with this young carer is g really well and alrW.having a positive impact on the young rerand his family. Ip Gemma Thorpe Youth Worker - Sovth Oxfordshire 'm incredibly that they took the time to listen situation and thouqht.lo offer their funding towards this yotsng carers support, esp*aally,after the family had been battling something to be put i for so long. F1AE.AP RE 16
ur ocia urno We have worked closely with the ar•r5.Trust and Civil S¢xiety Consuking to reate our Social Return on Investment, (IRQI) calculation. This is a representation the value we have been able to create ba-sed on the attendance and services we rd between May 2023 and May 2024 in Be Free Young Carers has £9.03 of value. An SROI calculator is an estimation of the vu e and does not include all the information on all of the services we offer awl can not include the benefits of young carers repeatedly attending 5e55ions or mu k 4iff•rent services. Our SROI shows our donors that the money that they 'fe goes further and can have a significant impart on the lives of the young carerS%Wè support but also in reating further support systems for young careers and p education and aworeness of th¢ challenges young carers face. In order to generate this number we have considered: How many young corers attend our sessions. How we interact with other services. Ovr regular volunteers. The support we offer to sch¢x•ls. 17
Finance Our Fundraising Strategy The Charity achieved an overall surplus of £82,979 for the year ended 31 March 2024 against a surplus of £20,762 in 2023. Total funds at year end were £288,577 (2023: £205,598). Income was received from Grants, Trusts, and Donations. Th st.year hos seen our Fundraising team b'bkd vpori •¥r robust fundr0i5ing strategy plon which i one of growth to support our current strategic plan of expa_nsion into a countywide organisation, while also rilu. ining our Services and pre5en¢e in the geograp areas we cover. This involves building on those erships and relationships that we have with su porters and funders. Total Income for the year was £413,413 (2023: £338,145). Total expenditure for the year was £330,434 (2023: £317,383). Reserve5moIIc _ We are fiercely proud to ,an independent charity, receiving no statuto , ,.funding from local government or the NHS. .'s s¢es us rely on donations from the community*. orporate and business partnerships and our income coming from Trusts and Grants. The Board of Tru5tee5 has designated a reserve of £55,000 to pay liabilities, complete and <lose work with current clients in the event of the organisation having to close. A separate designqted reserve of £31,340 is to cover the cost of the balance of the loan from Guideposts. The Charity has £18,100 in restricted funds. and £3,670 invested in Fixed Assets, with the remaining £266,807 as Free Reserves which s(rtisfies the requirements of the policy. Howèver £150,000 of these funds are ring fenced for our countywide expansion project. have achieved with the backdrop of fvndin cuts and increased competition. Over the coming year we will look to expand and invest in this team to ensure we remain sustainable. Wewill continue to build on ovr successes with fundraisingy while looking to grow and develop other areas such as developing a new area of fundraising with our Ambassador club launching in 2025 for our corporate partners and setting up membership for those that would like to donate regularly to us. Our projects and beneficiaries continue to be highly fundable and attractive. The coming year will see u5 providing high quality supporter engagement and stewardship to those that support us. We continue to be deeply groteful to all our supporters new and old. Day to Day Operations Sabiene North (CEO) and her team of nine deliver the day to day operations of the charity. These consist of two part time members of staff, with one staff member working remotely. Each team member has bimonthly1-2-1 and performance reviews which reflect the charities overoll business aims and objectives. The staff handbook provides information on jinternal policies and procedures. Our frontline staff all hove occess to clinical supervision monthly and/or as and when they require this support, to help with the case5 that they are dealing with. We also have a employee assistance programme in plo¢e for staff which includes free six week counselling should stoff require this. 18
00 Ing We have joined the ne ork partnership of Carers Trust which will see us access new and in-deptli'.resources to further highty our cause and collaborate with other young cqr,er groups to advocate for young carers on r scale. 2024 and beyond, looks to be another .iod of growth and expansion as we increase our presence in West Ox "rdshire and look to North rdshire to complete our countywide ex Ivn. Under pinnin9 this is ourRbust fundraising strategy which will seWher expansion of the team to SUPPOrt this gro Be free You 9 Carers are committed to deliver subsfq_plial services in Oxfordshire and will continue to advocate for young car•.r4We aim to put Oxfordshire Covnty•n the map as being a beacon of whaty•yng carer support should look likoto'other counties. We will continue toffti&pitor our impact as we under take our bold expansion by focusing on our:,Stt>i and feedback from our b.èn oiariesg professionals and familiu. Once expansion has been compl We will then be able to continu&. strategic ambitions to support you ',¢orers at the trigger pints in thei lives, from transitioning to seconda ool to the next steps after school. Thi5 is an area where there is very little wpport or direction and one which our young carers have stressed to us that.Sh•y.need help with. At age 18 they only have the option to use adult I5 Kes, we know that the transition from our Services to adult carers is a e.step and one where we have the expertise to guide them, under pining thh will require further investment and support from funders an DRINKS¥*w&AR Inspiring STEMCareffs .kl4' 19
rustees' Responsibilitie he Trustee5 (who are dlso dire of Be Free Young Corers for the purposes of company I() are esponsible for preparing the Tttrt" oes, Report and the financial statements in ac¢ordan¢e with pplicable law ond United Kingdom knounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted counting Practice). Company law requlros the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each nancial year) which give a true and fair vi••.Af the state of affairs of the ¢horitable company and of oming resources and application of re(es, including the income and expenditure. of the ble company for the year. In preparing tliesJ:,fi ncial statements, the Trustees are required to: select ble accounting policies and then opply t emc observe Ih•?m•thods ond principles in the Charities SOR . make judgo"rnWond estimates that are reasonable and p ent; state whether, •Jpplicable UK Accounting Standurd$ have b•kn followed, subject to any material departures disclos and explained in the financial statements¥ prepare the financi stotements on the going concern basis unles the charitable compan continue in operation. sistently. inappropriate to presume that The Trustees are responsible .,keeping proper accounting records t at; d.jsclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial pbiilion of the charitable company and enabl•them to ensure thot the financial statements comply with thefrmponies Ad 2006. They are also re5p0nsrf for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and h¢e for taking reasonable steps for prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. ,T,nistees consider that the accounts forithe year ended 31 March 2024 should be prepared on a going asis as there are no materiul unce , inties about it using this basis. This report was approved by the Trustees on ... On Behalf of the Trustees of Be Free Young Carers D Wells Chair of Trustees 20
ent Examiner's R the Trustees of Be Free Young arers report to the Charity trustees on my exami h 2024 which or¢ set out on pages 22 to n of the occounts of the compuny for the year ended 31st basis of r trustees of the company (and olso its directsrr the purposes of company law) you are the preparation of the accounts in ac<ordantr•" h the requirements of the Companies Act responsiblo, 2006 ('the 2t•."A¢t'). Having satisfied mys•lFthot the accounts of the compuny are not d to be audited under Part16 of the 2006 Act and ore eligl for independent examination, I report in respeot my examination of your company's accounts as < out under sedion 145 of the Charities Act 2 ('the 2011 Act,). In carrying out my examination I have followqd the Directions given by the Charity Commi under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act. Independent examiner's Statement Since the company's gross income exce section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm thot l a of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in En '050.,000 your examiner must be a memb•Yf ualified to undertuke the examination bec ftd'and Wales which is one of the listed bod ,0 body listed in l om o member I have completed my examination. l Confirm that n examination giving me cause to believe that in any m ¢rs have come to my attention in con n with the . ac<ounting rOrdS were not kept in respect of the ¢om uired by sertion 386 of the 2006: 2. the accounts do not a¢¢ord wi •words' or 3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements o requirement that the accounts give a 'true und fair view, which i independent examination. or .396 of the 2006 A<t oth•r than, er considered as part of 4. the accounts huve not been prepared in a¢¢ordance with the methods "ndples of the Statement of Recommended Practice for grcounting and reporting by charities applica't• djurities preparing their accounts in u¢cordan¢e with the Financial Reporling Standard applicable in t Republic of Ireland (FRS 102). I have no con¢erns and have come acro55 no other matters in ¢onne(tion with the ex attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable o proper understanding of reached. b to whi¢h unts to be e Webster FCA Ross Br¢)oke Windrush Court Abingdon Busine55 Park Abingdon OX141SY 2Tr11 . 2024 21
Statement of Financial Activities (including income and expenditure) for the year ended 31st March 2024 P4ote 2024 Unrestrlcted General 20Z4 Unrestrfcted Desi8nated 2024 Restricted 2024 Funds 2023 Rinds Total Total Total Total Total Income From: Donations and Eet7eral grants 309,906 92,100 402,006 330,19S Charitable Activlties Other Income 1.022 5,38S 6,022 5,385 6.139 1,811 Total 316,313 97,100 413.413 338,14S Expendlture on: Charitable activities 234,930 95,504 330.434 317,383 Total 234,930 95,504 330,434 317,383 Net m¢wernent in funds Transfers between funds 81,383 1,596 82,979 20,762 (5,000) Total funds brou8ht forward 97,754 91,34Q 16,504 205,598 184,836 Total funds tarrled forward 184,137 86,340 18,100 288,577 205,598 The notes on pages 24 to 31 form part of these accounts. 22
Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2024 Be Free Young Carers Company Number: 298972 Note 2024 2023 Fixed Asset5 Tangible Assets 3.670 5,757 Current Assets Debtors Cash at bankandin hand 485 318,858 242,948 319,343 243,433 Creditors: Amounts falling due withln one year (34,4361 (43,592} Net Current Assets 284,907 199,841 Net Assets 13 288,577 205 598 Funds Restrlcted Fund$ Unrestricted Funds General Funds Deslgnated Funds 11 18.100 16,504 184,137 86,340 97,754 91,340 12 Total of Charity's funds 288,577 205.598 These accounts ère prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of ihe Companies A£t 2006 relaiing lo small entities and the Financial Reportin8 Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS1021. For the year Ended 31 March 2024 Ihe charity wa5 entitled to the exemption under Section 477 of the Companles Act 2006: No noti from members requirlng an audlt. has been deposited under section 476 ot the Companie5 Act 2006; and111.The trustee5 acknowledge their responsibilitles for." ensurlng the company keeps accounting records which comply with Section 386 and b. preparing the accounts whlch give a true and fair view ol the state of affairs of the company as at the end of the financlal period and of its surplus or deficit for the fin?ncial period, in accordance with the requir¢m¢nts of Sertion 393. and which olherwi5e Comply with the requirements of th¢ Companies Act 2CQ6 relatin8 to account5, SQ tar as applicable to the companv. These accounts were approved by the Board ofTrustees tin,....... D Wèlls (DirectOT and Trustee) The notes on pages 24 to 31 forni part of these accounts. 23
Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31st March 2024 i. Ac£ountini PDlltles The following accountlnff policies haye bEEn used con5i5tently In de3lin8 Wlth Items which are considered rnaterial in relatfon to the Charity's accouTrt5: a) Basis ol A(£o¥nlinE The account5 are prepared under the historlcal cost convention, and in compllance wrth applicable acc¢tIng standards. St•temEfkt of AKommendEd Prarte Accounting and reportin8 by Chartties in accordance with Financlal AeportinB Standards applitable in the United Kingdom and Republlc of IrelJndlFRS 1021 effe£tlve from l January 2019 and the FlnAncial Reporting Standard applicab12 in the Unlted Kingdom and Republi( of Ireland IFR5 1025. the Charities Att 2011 and the Companie5 Act 2006. The entity con5titutEs 3 public benefii entity as defined by FRS 102. Followin¥ aRfeernent at an ExtraDTdinary MeetSn8 on 21 February 2014 the ChaTrty entered into Constitutional and Service Level Agreement withGuKleposts T¢u5t which enables the charlty to Share the resDurce5 of Guidepost$ Trust. Addltionally. Guldeposts Twst ha5 provided filncIal SLbPPOrt tD Enable the chaAt¥to maintaln semces whilst • lon8 term 5trate8ic plèn to develop and grow 51JStainèblè servlces to carer5 in the reglon for both organIsatnS was reseafched and developed. To date Guldep05ts Trust ha5 outstanding flnaftclal support tolalling £31,340 to the Charfty by way of an intercompany loan. repayment of whlch will not be requested until the CharFty geneTates the surplu5e5 to do 50. On the back of commissiDnin£ chan8es In the County whlth has left the chJrTrty the only provider of Young cw.ers re5Pitt seNice5 in Oxford5hire against growit)8 need, the Eharpty is seEln$ interest from poterntlal fundèr5 to support expan510n Df their support and widei awarene55 of the charity's work and ImpatL The Tiustees con51der that there are no material uncertaintie5 re8ardin8 the charity's abllity to continue as a Koing conc2rn. b) CoMpanyStas The company 15 limited by 8uarantee with no share capital and is a reg55tered tharlty. The liablllty of exh mefflber in the eYÈnt of a wlndlnE up of the companyls Ilmited to £10. The members of the cofftpany are the Tru5tee5 as narned on pa8e I c) Tan8ible fix assèts and d*preElation Tangible fixed assets are stoted at hi5torlcal cost less depreciation. Depreaation is provlded at rates which reftect the anticipated useful lives of the assets and thelr estlmated residual Value. Computer Equipment 25% Straight line Fund ktouRtin¥ Genefal fund5 are expendable at the discretlon of the Trustee5 in the furtherance of the objectives Df the charity aThdfor the overall admini5tr3tion of the charlty. Restrlcted fud$ are those upcn whlch restnctiOll5 and Specific crlterla for their use are imposed by the donor, The costs of faislns and administer1 such funds are char8ed against the specific fund. e) PonslorE Costs The charity operate5 a defined contributlon pension 5cherne for its employees. The assets ol the s(heme are held Separate from those of the Charlty in an ind2pendentty adminlmered fund. The pEn5ion r05t repTe5ent5 coTrtthutiorts by the Charity to the funds. whlch are recogni5ed whtn they become payable. 24
Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31st March 2024 (Continued) l. Accounthy pokie5 IcorrtiFxj) Inrne All income & endcwments are kncluded rn the Ststement of Financial ktivitie5 when the tharity 15 entitled to the income aThl the arnount ran be qUantIfd with re3Sonab accuracy and reieipt is pmbable. The follovJi¥Wa specific poliae5 bre apF41ed lo particular categorle5 01 irKome.' Donation5 and geneJal grant5 are induded in full In the Statement of Fin3ncial Adivities when they are rerelved by the chartty. Dmated 5ervice5 and faclktle5 are included atthe value to the charity where this can b2 quantified. The value of 5EFVits proded by v4JlunteeT5 has n(rt been induded in these aounts. Ihvesvnent IncorTrè. Incluthng interest income is induded when receivable, lttome to fund charitable actlvlty, where related to performance and speclfic deliverables, are cotwk¢ed fof as the ch3rity earns the flEht to con5iderètion by its performance. Where tne charity's entFtlement is not conditional on the delivery of 5pe(rfic performarKe, the yant Is recognksed once t1 charity becornEs unconditlonally entitled to the 8raTrt. gl Operatiry iea5e5 Rentols payable under opEratin8 lea5e5 are Ihar8ed aEainst Income on a straiEht line basis over the lease term. h} EApenditwÈ Ajb eXpendite is accounted an accruals basis wthen the lialIty 15 incurred arHI ha5 beEn classified urmler headw that awegate all costs related to that category. in1114n all applicable VAT. Where costs cannot bE directly attrilyjted to particular headinp thry have been allocated ttj activilie5 a basis consistent with use of Charitable activities include ejpendlture a55ociated wilh the pfov15bJns of activities arKI seceS for IfICIar1e5 and include bjththe direct C05t5 and support costs relating to these arttvitie 6TrancE costs Include th05E Ctssts incurred in the governance of the charTri ¥ and its a55ets and are pn'marily associated with ConstitLrtal and ststutory requirement5. Support costs indude admini5trati¥e fijnctions and have been alltxated to activty cost calegorie5 ori a basls ¢onsi5tert with the use of resour, e.8. allocating property costs by lIr areas, Drper iaplta stsff cs]st5 bythe tlrne 5Fent and other COSt5 bytheir L&ige, i) Debtor5 Tr3dp and other debtor5 are recognised at the settlement arn(nt due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid aftertakinx account of anytrade dbcount5 due. CxedltWS Cre&itor5 and proVlOnS are reiognised wherethe charity h35 a present obligation resulting frcm a past eyent that will prnbably result in the tran5ter of funds to a third party ard the amount due to settle the thligation can be measured w e5ttmated rellably. CfedttcKs are normally recoElli5ed at Iheir settlement amount after allowing for anytTade discount5 due. 25
Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31st March 2024 (Continued) Z Net Movement in Fund5 Net Movement in Fund5 for the year Is ststed after char8inE: Z024 2023 Independent Examinels Remuneration Operati8 Lease C051- property I,soo 17.829 1,500 10,395 3 Doftations and General Grants 2024 Donation5 from Parlshe5 and Towns Donètions frorn individuals and OlEanisation5 Donations frtxTh leBacies otheTTr4D5t5 and Found3t40ns ID,738 51,231 27,143 311,894 4,754 43.146 35,247 247,048 402.006 330,195 4 Incorne to Fund Charttable Activities 2024 2023 South Oxfordshire Di51riCt Cojjncil 6.022 6,139 6,022 6,139 other Income Bank inteiest ieieived 5.385 I,Aii 5,385 1.811 26
Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31st March 2024 (Continued) EmployeEs 2024 Nuthber 2013 Numbpr The average number of employees durinB the year was.. Employees Their total rernuneiation wa5: W3Eex and salarie5 Social security CD5ts Othef pen510ns costs 205.215 14.956 5.201 206,618 11,304 5,475 225.372 223,397 The charity operates è defined contrtbutlon perlOn scheme for its employees. The assets of the sche(ne are held separètely fFom those of the charity In an Independently administered fund. The pension cost iepresents contribution5 payable by the charity to the funds, which are recO£ned when they become payable. Contribution5 payable by the Iharity a¥nounted to £720 at 31st March 2024 (2023: £4n). The toLIl paid to Key Management Personnel was £49,500 [2023: £46,411} and there were no employee5 earning more than £60,1)1)O In the year. 6 Anatysis of Expenditure Chirltable Actr4Dtie5 2024 Total 2023 Total Staff Wages and Sal'afle5 Slèff Welfare andTrainini Direct C05ts- out9$. Events and Consultants Premises Expenses amd thsur3nce OffKe and Travel CDsts Adverti5inB & Publlrlty Bank Charges REcruitent Costs Depreclation IT Ser*res arrd Equipment Oiher Costs Gowemance C'ost5 Accountancy and Other PrDfe55ional Coms 225.372 5,129 58,123 22,285 439 4,230 71 299 2,803 4.393 223,397 49,257 20,706 6,370 72 1,337 2,681 7.453 105 1,800 5,490 1,680 3,213 330,434 317.383 27
Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31st March 2024 (Continued) 7 Tang1 Ip Fixed Assets Total t05t At 1st April 2023 IS,508 15,508 Additions 716 716 At 31st March 2024 16,224 16.224 Depreclation At 1st April 2023 Char8e for year g,751 2,803 9.751 2,803 At 31st March 2024 12,554 12,5S4 Net book value At 315t Maich 2024 3,67 3,670 At 31st March 2023 5.757 5,757 All a55ets are held for rharltable prpOses. 8 Debtors due wlthln one year 2024 2023 Other debtors 485 485 485 485 9 Creditors: Amount5 fallini due within one year 2024 2023 Due to Guidep05ts Trust L4mFted 31,340 36,340 other creditOT5 3.096 7,252 34.436 43,S92 28
Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31st March 2024 (Continued) 10 Lea5in8tommltments Tptal commitment5 due under operatifi8 leases for premises used by the Charity are as follows.. 2024 2023 Land and Buildings Land and Buildin85 Operating lease 4.428 3.839 4,42S 3.839 11 Moyemerrtson Re5tficled Fund5 Current ¥ear Bblanc• IApr 2023 Balance 31 Mor 2024 Inrne ExpÈndlture Transle The National Lottery The National Lottery 2 UK Youth 75,1)00 175.LKJOI 6,672 16.672 I.0) Ma50Tri 832 18321 (ii.chX)I St Jame5'5 Plare Charit3ble Foundation Iharles Lewi5 Foundatlon Ii,OOD 5c Oxlord Communlty foundation I.ILNI 1,100 16,504 97,11)D 195.504 .100 29
Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31st March 2024 (Continued) £75,000 from the National Lottery is for our expansion into Oxford City. £5,000 from UKYouth is for Cost of Living 5VPPQrt. £11,000 from St Jame5'5 Place Charitable Foundation is for our expansion into Oxford City for Youth Worker solary. £5,000 from Charles Lewis Foundation 15 for respite activities. £1,100 from Oxford Community Foundation is for energy. IZ Movements on DeSIated Funds Current year Balance I Apr ZUZJ IAcome Exponditvr¥ Transfe 31 Mar 20Z4 Guidepost5 Trust Fund Contingency Fund 36,340 15.ODO) 31.J40 55.000 91,340 86,340 The Guidepost5 Tfust fund Is desi¢nated to cover the loan pa¥mÈnts. The Contingency l¢Jnd 15 to enable an orderly winding up if Ihe charlt¥ needed to c105e. 30
Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31st March 2024 (Continued) 13 Analysls of Net Assets between Funds Curr•ftt Year T•n£l>l• Fixed A55ets Net Cunvnt Assets 2014 fol Ass•ts Re5tritted Funds The National Lottery UK Youth Charl25 lew Foundation Oxford Communitv FoundatlDn 2 1.100 i.iry) Unrestricted Funds 3.67 266,807 270.477 3.670 284,907 288.577 Prvlous Yebr T•nilble Fixed A55 14•t Current Assit5 2023 Total Assets Re5trided Funds The National Lottery The National Lottery 2 UX Youth Masonic 7,OOD 6,672 6.672 B32 832 Unrestricted Funds 5,757 Ig3.337 189,094 5,757 199,B41 205.598 14 Tru5teo Rwnun•ritJon Related Piity Trnns4rtions NoTru5tee received any [emuneratn during the year12023: ÉNILI and reimbursed expeftse512023: £NILI. No Tfustee of the Charèty hJ5 any personal interest in any contract OT transactlon entered into by the charlty duflna the year12023,, £NIL}. In FebnMry 2tn4 the Charity entered into an a8reemeTht with Guideposts Trv5t. a f2gi5tered tharlty and wh05e object5 were compztible with that ot the ch3rSty. The agreement Enabled Guldep05ts to support the charlty to continue prcvldlng young carers wÈth the vmal wpport, advKe and other ser¥lces lo Improve the quality Df thelr 1sve5. A member ol the Guidepost5 Senior Manasement Team Is able to slt on the board of Trustee5 of the Charity- Guidepost5 has prewou51y provided financial 5UPPOrt to the thèrlty; an Inter- company loan ol £31,340 represents flnancial support provided at the balonce sheet date, An annval repayment Is made by the tharity subject to It generating sufficient 5urpluse5 to 50. 31