2024-03-31-accounts

Company registrdtion number: 02982252 Charity registration number. 1045782 Reading Voluntary Action (A company limited by guaTantee) Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 David Jones & Co 2018 Limited The Centre Reading Road Eversley Centre Hampshire RG27 ONB

Reading Voluntary Action Contents Reference and Administrative Details Trustees, Report 2to9 Independent Examinevs Report Iotoll Statement of Financial Activities 12to 13 Balance Sheet 14 Notes to the Financial Statements 15to28

Reading Voluntary Action Reference and Administrative Details Chairman Ms S E Stevens Chief Exeeutive Officer Mrs R L Spenc¢r Charity Registration Number 1045782 Company Regtstration Number 02982252 The charity is incorporated in Enoland. 3rd Floor Reading cer￿al Library Abbey Square Reading Berkshire RGI 3BQ David Jones & Co 2018 Limited The Centre Reading Road Eversley Centre Harnpshire R027 ONB Registered Office Independent Examiner Page I

Reading Voluntary Action Trustees, Report The trustees, who are directors for the purposes of company law. present the aDnual report together with the financial statements of the charitable company for the year ended 31 March 2024. Objeetive5 and activitie5 Objects and alms Reading Voluntary Action exists to promote and support a diverse voluntary and commutiity sector to flourish locally. eDhaDciJJg th¢ quality of life for people living in Reading. Statement of Values The way we work: l. EtThpowerment - RVA recognises that empowering people lead5 to suslainable change for cornmunities and individuals, and we seek to w'ork in Viay5 that illcre&se the capability of local organisations. 2. Inclusiveness - RVA embrdce5 the diversity of the local community. We believe that all people have the right to be heard in decision-making fonllns and to have equal acce&8 to the public services they need. We support oiganisations that promote these rights. 3. Accountability - RVA supports organisations to manage their affaiTS in an open and transparent way. and we seek to rnanage our own activities and decision-making in ways that enable external scrutiny and accountability. 4. Independellce RVA is an independent organisation and we support organisations in their Tight to independence of thought and action in pursuit of their aims. We bave 4 key aims: The third sector is influential as a forc¢ for positive change in Reading. Empowered residents have opportunities to participate in activity to a difference to the lives of others and to enrich their own. Strong, flexible and Collaborative third sector organisatioLs have tbe skills, knowledge aT]d Tesources to achieve thetr aims, . RVA is an independenL effective, inclusive and sustainable organisation. Fundralsthg dlsclosur An overview of aehievements and challenges during the year l. Promoting and developing YoluDteering RVA continues lo build on the stakeholder engagement work completed in 2022 that led to the development of th¢ Reading Vision for Volunteering lauacbed in June 2023. Reading is a place where th¢ difference made by volunteering and social aclion IJ recognised, valued and celebrated We wonl everybo£ts. lo have the opporlunity £0 make a Meanin￿￿1 conlribution to ihe goal of maknng Reading a ihrzving community. improving and gnT¥ching the ofall. Our Reading Volunteer Connect platfonn is now fully embedded and providing data on people looktng to volunteer as well as data on the opporLunities available. The platforni has introduced a range of new features for both organisations seeking volunteers and individuals looking for an opportunity to get involved. Contrary to anecdotal evidence, the data has shown strong enthu5i&sm for siTUCtured volunteering acmss ages and communities. Page 2

Reading Voluntary Action Trustees, Report With 873 potential volunteers re￿tered otL Volunteer Connect during the period. the new platforni will provide detail on those interested in volunteering inoluding age, gender, etlmicity, enwloyment status and disability or communication needs. We plan to use thi5 information to support the development of fvture volunteering opportunities to meet the needs of Voluntee￿ and the voluntary sector. The number of volunteering opportunities remains consisteot, but the diversity of roles has shrunk, with largeT charities looking to fill a nutnber of the same role. RVA carried out a State of the Sector survey in the SUn￿ller of 2024 to gather insight into why small and Medium charities aTe recruiting leis volunteers. 2. Supporting voluntary organisatlOll5 to survive and thrive The RVA Safe and Sound framework and quality award continues to be a popular and effective capacity building tool. Safe and Sound is an aid to giv¢ Reading's charities the confidence that they have re￿h¢d a basic level of good governance. It can be used to highh'ght any gaps in composition and procedures. The process highlights key considerations for tn￿teeS to consider and irnprove. The process enables tn￿teeS to feel confident that they have relevant safeguards in place to protect themselves, the charity and beneficiaries. Whilst it Is the duty of tr￿teeS to make the fmal decisions a5 to how to implernent work, RVA can provide guidance and support in maklng those decisions. RVA Safe and Sound is free of clwge and covers: The governing dwument (e.g. constitution or Articles) The governino document (e.g. constitution or Articles) Your management Finances Employnlent Managing volunteers Reporting a￿d Monitoring Safeguarding Health and Safety Equality. diversity and inclusion A First Steps process was introduced this year for srnaller groups and to encourage new tsijstees. The First Step framework provides a seIf-audit and peer support groups facilitated by the RVA Advice MaDager. The Advice Service continued to see a Considerable amount of uptske from the voluntary and community sector in Reading with advice given to charity Man￿￿eTS and trustees of small and medium sized charities. The main area5 of advice requested were for governance. employmenL funding and policies and procedures. There is no similar service in the area that gives local orgaDisatioDS shor¢ medium and long-tenn support and assistance with legal and practical aspe¢ts of ru[￿Ing an organisation. The service therefore directly helps organisations to gain clarity and Teduce risk of harn). 322 organisations received specific 51]pport from the Advice Setvice over the year. The wider voluntary sector has also benefitted froTn a series of forums to 5UPPOrt fi￿draiSI￿(T and managing con)munity buildings attending the training programme. Page 3

Readlng Voluntary Action Trustees, Report 132 individuals participated in the training programme with a range of topics including.. Volunteer Ma￿ageMent Trustee Training Small Groups Fonuns Cornmunity Buildings Forums Introduction to First St¢ps Safeguarding - children and adults Meet the FundeT Forums Treasurer Training RVA is grateful to the Earley Charity for their longstanding support of the Advice Service. 3. Leadership and partnersbips RVA has W0￿ed in partnership to ensure the voice of the VCS sector is captured and has influence. Reading VCS Leaders brinJoF together voluntrdry sector leaders who provide geneTOUS leadership for the benefit of social action across Reading. The leaders meet every 8 weeks to discuss issues impacting the voluntary sector and residents. Attendance is open to allyone providing a leader role in Reading or anyone representing the voluntary sector OD cross sector partnerships or fonm. Reading Compaet - RVA worked in parthership with ReadiDg Borough Council and the VCS Leaders over 6 tnonths to develop a new Compact for Readlng. The aim of the Compact is to create and embed mechanistns that ensure work to improve th¢ lives of our residents and coTK]munities is effectively joined up, that our complementary efforts are targeted where they can add most vaIue and that each pattner Suppo￿ the other as much as it can. The Compact Action Plan - tbe success of the Compact and the delivery of the shared Compact Action Plan will be reviewed jointly each year by the Council and the VCS Leaders Group, with the results and successes comlnunicated across the borough. BOB VCSE Health Alliance - RVA works in pathership with infrastructure parthers across Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckingban)shire in a steering group to deliver the VCSE Alliance to improv¢ understallding and p￿rShipS with BOB ICB. Developing a connected Social Prescribing network RVA employs a team of 8 Social Prescribino LiDk Wi)rkers (SPLW) working in neighbourhoods across the town. The team supported more than 1003 people across the year. The SPLWS work alo]wide people to enable them to improve the social challenge5 iinpacting on their mental and physical healtb. The referrals come from 5 Prinwy Care Networks with the most common reasons for referral: a￿Xiety and isolatioo debt and other financial bardship issues, housin& and barriers to accessing support. IOOO/o of respondents thought the first appointEnent was very helpfvl or helpful 950/0 of respondents thought that the follow-up inforniation was very belpful or helpfiLI The success of the SPLW service is entirely dependent on the existence of a thriving and diverse voluntary s¢ctor, and RVA takes every opportunity to evidence this &8 well as higbIighting gaps in provision or capacity. RVA has continued to work wtth the team from JOY. The JOY platfornl provides a case roanagement system for the SPLWS and a wellbeing Market Place. P￿(re 4

Reading Voluntary Action Trnstees, Report Health inequalities- RVA has continued to develop activities that promote ￿SItIve health outcomes. Building on the partnership work established during the pandemic, RVA continues to work with MEET PEET. the community outreach team from the Royal BerkshiTe Hospital. This year has seen significant developtnent with the launch of the Community Wellness Outreach programrne funded by the ICB through the Reading Integration Board. RVA has worked in partnership with many charities and community groups including ACRE, Whitley Comjnunity Development Association, Reading Conununity LEarning Centre and Forgotten British Gurkbas to provide health checks and ongoing holisti¢ support for people who are at risk of poor health outcomes or not engaging with universal services. The partnership has a target of engaging 5,200 residents before the end of June 2025, with priority groups including carers, ex-offenders, the homelws, people with disabilities, and eX-se￿ICes. Promoting actiyities and eapacity building to overcome lonelinus and iqolation The RVA Ready Fri￿dS project is all about supporting local people. conununities and voluntary Sector groups to reduce loneliness and Social isolation in Readtng. A number of Ready Friends activities (like the Befriending Forums) are held regularly and we also undertake time-limited projects in response to the changing needs of the people who live in the town. Ready Friends supports lots of existing local community groups and cI￿LtieS and works in partnership with public bodies like Reading Borou￿￿ Council. Ready FrieF￿$ can help with informatioll, advice, training and support around developing your idea" fimding. finding a venue. recruiting volunteers" publicising your event or project and identifying potential partner organisations. Over the year the Ready Friends programme: delivered 4 in-person Befriendino Forums on these topics: Exploring loneliness stigyna,. The role thal social prescribing plays in addressing lonel¥n&¥s and social isolation," The voice of the volunteer,. LoneliKars and Mental Health introduced a 16-Tnonth training prograrnme for frontline staff and volunteering in a range of subjects aimed at Teducing health inequalitie5 and boostiag awareness these areas: safeguarding. rnental bealth. ADHD/Autism' dementi4 learning disability" menopause. substance abuse. managing healthy boundaries,. motivational conversatioDS. Developed our hard-copy leaflet library and soft-copy service tnforniation for practitiotters and the public. and launched a new Health aDd Wellbeillg Activities noticeboariL publicising local events, for visitors to the library. 4. Get Online activities to overeome digital exclusion Get Otlline is an initiative that provides infornial support in conimuTJity settings to enable people to access the internet. The scheme now has a team of 28 volunteers. br￿￿]ng the team back to capacity and is active across 7 community settings, supporting over 1,000 residents to access the illtemeL stay safe and keep costs low. 5. Funding advice and 511PPOrt Our fi￿dIng page allows local charities to keep up to date with the most relevant opportunities. This can be followed up with one-to-one support through the Advice Service. P￿tse 5

Reading Voluntary Action Trustees, Report Reading Community ￿ttery Reading Cornmunity Lottery 15 a weekly lottery operated by Gathetwell. supporting good causes in the Reading area. Lotteries are a fun and effective way for causes to raise much-needed fund8 in these difficult times. By getting more people on board, they don't just raise fimds, they also raise awareness. Reading Community Lottery was launched in January 2020. and now supports over 80 good causes. Public benefit The trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of section 17 of the Charities Act 201 I to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published b> the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Finaneial review Poliey on raferves The trustees have recognised that the organisatiott May incur potential liabilities for ll￿ternity pay. redundallcy pay and other statutory amounts and ILave therefore resolved a) to ty to Tetain its exi5t7ng investments to go towards settling these rf necessary and b) to tsy to build up furtber reserves to meet their fiLII obligation and other unforeseen needs. A designated Pension Liability Reserve has also been put in place to manage reserves, targeted at covering the Fell5ion deficit. The investment policy of the Tn￿ee Board is to maintain the bulk of reserves in casb in order to provide safe and liquid resetves. FundF in deficll The f￿ancial statements show an overall operating surplus for the year of £4,830 (2023: £50,37J deficit) and the totaI fijllds position is now in surplus by £149,352 (2023.. £71.522 surplus). The pension SChe￿e deficit has decreased for the year 202312024 by £65.000. and now stands at £148.000. The majority of tbis decrease has been due to material changes in parameters and a&sumptions and these changes are predominandy due to flucthations in life expectancy, demowhics and world finallcials. To give assurances to RVA for the ￿ture, a Cbange was Euade in 2021 in Tespect of the status of the fmnd itself. Consequently there will no longer be a significant impact on the fund and organisation due to the possible lack of working members within RVA. To cover any possible deficits on the fijnd. the Local Government Pension Scheme administrators have fornially agreed to continue accepting monies solely from RVA itself beyond the period when there may be no RVA employed members. This re￿0VeS the wory of the causative demise of RVA. Going eoncern The chartty has improved its fmancial position and bad overall net assets at 31 March 2024 of £149,352 (2023= £71,522 nel liabilities). The pensiou liability of £148,000 at 31 March 2024 (2023.. £213,000) is recogoised under Internationa] AGcounting Standard 19 (IAS19) 'Employee Benefits,. It represents the best estitnate of the current value of pension benefits that will have to be ftmded by RVA. The liability relates to benefits earned by existing or previous employees up to 31 March 2024. These benefits are expressed in current value ternis rather than the cash amount that will actually be paid out. RVA is able to meet the agreed pension contnbutions a5 they fall due. The trustees have accordingly considered it appropirate to adopt a going concem basis for the preparation of these fmancial statements. Page 6

Reading Voluntary Action Trustees, Report Trustees and orricers The trustees and officers 5ervtng during the year and since the year end were a5 follows: Trustees: Mr S Leitch (Treasurer) Ms K J Morton (resigned 31 March 2024) Mr P M Brierley Ms K Forster Ms S J Illger Ms J C Roberts Ms S E Stevens Ms G B Thomas Mrs R M Westbrook (appointed 22 October 2024 and resigned 30 October 2024) Chairman.. Ms S E Stevens Chief Executive Officer: Mr5 R L Spencer Structure? governance aud management ature ofgovernlng documenl The organisation was registered as a charity on 12th April 1985, incorpordted as a ckntable company limited by guarantee on 24th October 1994, and amended by special resolutions in October 2008 and October 2011. The company was established under a me￿orandum of Associatio￿ wbicb e5trdblished the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its Articles of Association. Recruilmenl optd appolniment oflrustees Truste¢s are appointed based on nomination from member organi5ations or co-optiou by the Board. The niernbers of the Trustee Board are listed above. All members of the Board are director5 of the company and t￿SteeS of the charity. Reading Voluntary Actioll indemnifies member5 against liability in relation to the company. In accordance with the Memorandum of Association eacb present director has undertaken to contribute to it a sum llot exceeding £1 O in the evellt of it being wound up while they are members and within one year if they cease to be members. One third of Board members retire c￿b year but can offer themselves for re-election at the Annllal Generdl Meeting. At ow AGM, our long Serving Chair, Karen Mort0￿ stood dovffl after seveD years. During her tenure, RVA and the wider VCS in Keadillg has faced many challenges including COVID-19. Her empathy and dedication enabled us to chart a course through these difficult times. Reading Voluntary Action thanks Karen for everything she has done. Indudion ond training oflrustee New Board members are inducted by the Chair and Chief Executive and are given opportunities to meet members of the management and staff tearns. New trustees are given gutdance on the obli.trations of B08rd embers and the cU￿ellt fjnancial position contained ID the latest published accoullts. 11 Board members are able ttj attend RVA trdining at no cost. Page 7

Reading Voluntary Action Trustees, Report Organisartonal structure The Trustee Board is $L￿ported by the Chief Executive and the Company Secretsry (cuTrently the CEO). The Trusfre Board establishes sub-groups as required to etTectively manage areas of work - these presently coveT fllw]ce, risk and accommodation. SuI￿groups are led by members of the Board with executive support from RVA management and staff. Major rLFks and th￿nagement ollhose rKsks Risk management The Trustee Board has conducted a review of the major risks to wbich the Charity is exposed. Where appropriate, systerns ancl procedures have been establisbed to mitigate the risks the charity faces. This has led to the development of a strategic plan which will enable the chartty to secure the resources necessary to deliver its strategic aims. Internal control risks are minitnised by the implementation of procedures for authorisation of expenditure and new projects. Procedures are in place to ensure compliance with health and safety for staff, volunteers. clients and visitors to the charity. These procedures are periodically reviewed to ensure that they continue to meet the needs of the charity. The Board will continue to cary out periodic reviews of risks and mitigation measures. Along with many other charities. RVA has experienced significallt changes in fuThdinty arrangements in recent years. This includes a change from grant funding to contracts. The RVA ffi￿teeS continue to review the use of the available reserves to achieve best Possible outcomes for the beneficiaries and to generate future income. Statement of trustees, responsibilities The tNstees (who are also the directors of Reading VoLuntary Action for the pu￿OSe$ of company law) are responsible for preparing the trustees, report and the financial slatemeDts in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdorn Generally Accq)ted Accounting PractÈce), including FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" Company law requires the trustse5 to prepare ￿anCIal statements for each fU￿nCIal year. Under cornpany law the trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are sattsfied that they give a true and fair view of the State of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources. including its incorne and expenditure. of the charitable company for that peri￿ In preparing these f￿ancI statements, the trustees are required to: select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently; observe the ￿etho(l￿ and principles ID the Charities SORP: make judgen]ents and estimates that are reasonable and prudent. sfate whether applicable accounting standards. compristDg FRS 102 have been followe¢ subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the finallcial staternents" and prepare the financial statements on the going collcern basis ullle&8 it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business. The trustees are r¢spoDsible for keeping proper accounting records that can disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the fuwlcial posttion of the charitsble company and enable them to ensure that the fmancial statelnents comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. The tn￿5 are responsible for the maInte[L￿Ce and integrity of the corporate and fmancial inforniation included on the charitable compally's website. Legislation governing the preparation and dissemination of financial Statements may differ from legislation in other jurtsdictions. Page 8

Reading Voluntary Action Trnstees, Report Disclosure of information to indepelldent examiner Each trustee has taken steps that they ought to have taken as a trustee in order to make themselves aware of any relevant independeut examination infonnation and to establish that the charity's independent examiner is aware of that information. The trustees confllrn that there is no relevant infornlation that they know of and of which they know the independent exatniner is unaware. The annual ort was approved by the trustees of the clmrity on .. ... . and signed on its behalf by: trh reasure te Page 9

Reading Voluntary Action Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of Reading Voluntary Action ('the Company,) I report to the ¢haTity trustees on rny examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 March 2024. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity's trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act,). Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination. I report in respect of tny examination of your charity's accounts as carrted out UtLdeT section 145 of the Cbarities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act,). In caryino out my examination I have followed tbe Directions given by the Clwity comm￿10n under section 145(5Xb) of the 2011 Act. An independent examination does not involve gathering all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently does not cover all the matters an auditor consider5 in giving their opinion on the accouuts. The planning and Collduct of an audit goes beyond the Iimited aSSUn￿e¢ that an independent examination can provide. Consequently I express no opinion &s to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair, view and my report 15 limited to those specific matters set out in the independent examiner's statement. Independent examiner's statement Since the Companys gross income exoeeded £250,000 your examiner M￿st be a merober of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirni that l am qualified to undertake the examination beCa￿e l am a member of FCCA, whicll is one of the listed bodies. I have completed my examination. I confinn that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe: l. accounting records were not kept in respect of Reading Voluntary Action as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act. or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records; OT 3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting Tequirements of sectton 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirernent that the accounts give a 'tnEe and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination" or 4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of RecOrnn￿nded Practice for accounting and reporting by charities [applicable to charitie5 preparing their accounts in accordance ¥vith the Fil￿1claI Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of treland (FRS 102)]. I have no concerns attd have come across no other matteTS in connection with tbe examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to b¢ reached. Page IQ

Reading Voluntary Action Illdepen t Examiner's Report to the trustees of Reading Voluntary Action ('tbe Compally,) Antony Weller FCCA David Jones & Co 2018 Limited The Centre Reading Road Eversley Centre Hampshire RG27 ONB Date.. d,:(k24. Pagell

Reading Voluntary Action Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 ncluding Income and Expenditure Account and Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses) Unre5trleted fund5 Restricted funds Total 2024 Note Income and Endowments from: Donations and legacies Charitable activities 299 9.698 299 696,662 686,964 Total income 9,997 686,964 696,961 Expenditure on: Charitable activitie5 (4,825) (689,644) (694,469) Total expenditure Gainsllosse5 on investment &S5ets (4.825) 2.338 (689,644) (694,469) 2,338 Net incomel(expenditure) Trdnsfers between funds 7.510 (32,215) (2,680) i2215 4,830 Other recognised galns and losses Actuarial gains on defmed benefit pension schemes 73.IKiO 73,000 Net movement in fimds 48,295 29,535 77,830 Reconciliation of furtds Total funds brought foNard Total funds carried forward (6.863) 71,522 16 41,432 Unrestricted funds 107,920 Restricted runds 149,352 Total 2023 Note Income and Endowmeuts from: Charitable activities 19.900 711,603 731,503 Total income 19,900 711,603 7i1,503 Expenditure on: Charitable activities (27.615) (753,270) (780,885) Total expendiMTe Gains/losses on investtnent a&sets (27.615) (991) (753,270) (780,885) (991) Net expenditure Transfers between funds (8.706) (6,529) (41,66D 6,529 (50,373) Other reeognised gains and Iosses Actuarial gains on defined benefit pension schemes 642,OCK) 642.000 Net movement in fimds 626.765 {J5,138) 591.627 The notes on pages 15 to 28 form an integral part of these fmancial statements. Paoe l2

Reading Voluntary Action Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 (Including Illeome and Expenditure Account and Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses) Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Total 2023 Note Reconciliatioll of funds Total funds brought forward (633,628) l li.523 (520,105) 71,522 Total funds carried fonvard 78,385 All of the charity's activitie5 derive from continuing operations during the above two periods. The funds breakdown for 2023 is shown in note 16. The notes on pages 15 to 28 ftirm an integral part of these financial statements. Page 13

Reading Voluntary Action (Registration number: 02982252) Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2024 2024 2023 Note Fixed assets Investrnents 27.788 25,450 Current assets Debtors Cash at bank and in hand 12 13 21,691 332,372 354,063 37,035 292,751 329,786 Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year Net curreDt assets 14 (84,499) 269,564 (70,714) 259,072 Net assets excluding pension liability Pension scheme liability Net assets ineluding pension li2bility Funds ofthe charity: Restricted income funds Restricted fijnds 297.352 284.522 15 (148,000) 149.352 (213.000) 71,522 107,920 78,385 Uorestrieted income lunds Unrestricted ￿llds 41,432 (6,863) 71,522 Total funds l6 149.352 Foi the financial year ending ) I March 2024 the charity was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. Directors, responsilyilities: The members have not required the charity to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordaD¢e with section 476- and The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts. cial statements on pages 12 to 28 were approved by the trustees, and authorised for issue on . and signed on their behalf by: itcb Trus The notes on pages 15 to 28 forni an integral part of these f￿anCIal statements. Page 14

Reading Voluntary Action Notes to the FAnaneial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 I Charity status The charity is limited by guarantee. incorporated in England, and consequentty does not have share capital. Each of the trustees is liable to contribute an amount not exceeding £N'il towards the assets of the charity in the event of liquidation. The address of its registered office is: 3rd FIooT Reading Central Library Abbey Square Reading Berksbire RGI 3BQ These fmancial statements wer¢ authorised for issue by the trustees on l2 November 2024. 2 Accounting polieies Summary ofsignifieant accounting policiu and key accounting estimatts The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these fitMncial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistendy appliedtA) all the Yea￿ presenteQ unless otherwise Stated. Staternent of compliance Ihe financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice (app]icable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of freland {FRS 102)) (issued in October 2019) - (Cbariti¢s SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006. Basis of preparation Reading Voluntary Action meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are inttially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy Dotes. Ineome and endowments All income is reCO￿lSed once the charity h&$ entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the aThou￿t of the income receivable can be rn￿ured reliably. Doiiations andlegacies Donations are recoglli5ed when the charity has been notified in writing of both the amount and settlement date. In the event that a donation is subject to conditions that require a level of perforn]3nce by the charity before the charity is entitled to the fund5, the incovne is deferred and not recognised until either those conditions are fully meL or the fulfilment of those conditions is wholly within the control of the charity and it is probable that these conditions will be fulfilled in the reporting perio(L Page 15

Reading Voluntary Action Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 Marth 2024 Expenditure All expenditure 15 recognised Once there is a legal or constructive obligation to that expenditure, it is probable settlement is required and the amount can be measured reliably. All costs aTe allocated to the applicable expenditure heading that wgate similar costs to that category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated on a basis consistent with the use of resources, with central staff costs all￿ated on the basis of time spenL and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset's use. Other support costs are allocated bas¢d on the spread of staff costs. Chffrilable actiwties Charitable expendithre con]prises thos¢ costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its aGtivities and services for its b¢neficiaries. It include5 both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them. Governance Costs These include the costs attnTr)utable to the charity's Co￿pIlanCe with constitutional and Sta￿tOry requirements, including audit. strategic management and trustees rneetinos and reimbursed expenses. Taxation The charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Para￿aph I Schedule 6 of the Ftnance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the defmition of a charitable company for UK cotpofdtion tsx purposes. Accordingly, the charity is potentially exempt from tsxation in respect of income or Capital gains Teceived within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part I l of the Corporation l'ax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992. to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to ¢I￿ltable purposes. Depreciation and amortisation Dep￿ciatiOn is provided on tangible f￿¢d assets so as to write off the cost or valuation. less any estimated residual value. over their expected usefill ecollomic lifr a5 follows: Asset class Office equipment Depreciatiou method and rate Straight line method over estinlated lif¢ Fixed asset investnlents Fixed asset investments. other than programme relafrd iDvestrllents, are included at market value at the balance sheet date. Realised gains and losses on investTnents are calculated as the difference between S￿eS proceeds and their market value at the start of the year. or their sub5equellt COSL and are charged or credited to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period of dtSFrf)sal. Unrealised gains and losses represent the movement in llla￿et values durints the year and are credited or charged to the Statement of Financial ActivÉties based on the market value at the year end. Trade debtors Trade debtors are a]nounts due from customers for merchandise sold or Services perfornied in the Ordinary course of business. Trade debtors are reco.(vnis¢d initially at the transaction price. They are subsequently measured at arnortised c05t using the effective interest Method, less provision for impairment. A provision for the impainnent of trade debtors is established when there is objective evidence that the charity will not be able to collect all amounts due accordinTr to the original terms of the receivables.

Reading Voluntary Action Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 Mareh 2024 Casb and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in vaIue. Trade creditors Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acqllired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Accounts payable are classified as current liabilities if the chartty does not have an unconditiona] righl at the end of the reporting perio(L to defer settlelnent of the creditor for at least twelve months after the reporting date. If there is an Un￿nditiOnal right to defer settlement for at least twelve rnonths after the reporting date, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are TecognÈsed tnitially at the transaction price and subsequentIy m¢asured at atnortised cost using the effective interest method. Fund strueture Unrestricted income fimds are generaI fi]nds tbat are available for use at the tn￿teeS discretion in furthernnce of the objectives of the charity. Designated fxmds are unrestricted fun(L5 Set aside for specific purposes at the discretion of the trLL5tees. Restricted income funds are those donated for use in a particular area or for specific pwposes. the use of which is restricted to tbat area or pury)ose. PeDsions and other post retirement obligations The charity operates a der￿ed contribution pension scheme which is a pension plan under which fixed Contributions are paid into a pensÈon fund and the charity has no legal or constructive obligation to pay further contributions even tf the fund does not hold sufficient assets to pay all employees the benefits relating to employee service in the current and prior periods. Contributions to defjned contnbution plans are recognised in the Statemenl of Financial Activities when they are due. If contribution payments exceed the contribution due for service, the excess is recognised as a PTepayment. 3 Income from dollations and legacies Unrestricted funds General Total funds Donations and legacies. Donations fron individuals 299 299 Total for 2024 299 299 Page 17

Reading Voluntary Action Notes to the Financial Statements for tbe Year Ended 31 March 2024 4 Income frolll charitable activities Unrestricted funds GeDer21 Restricted funds Total 2024 Total 2023 Contract income Contract income Tratning event income Project fees Project fees Manaryement fees Mallagemellt fees Rental incorne Other income Income from listed investments Interest on cash deposits Grants receivable Grants receivable 532.699 532.699 402,862 555 555 331 2,668 2,668 16,945 3,300 21,499 130 570 300 742 1.521 286,710 13,005 16.945 882 30 741 4,822 882 30 741 4,822 137.320 137.320 9,698 686.964 696,662 731,503 S Expenditure on charitable activiti Unrestricted funds Designated General Restricted runds Total funds Note Charity ru[￿Ing costs Depreciation, amortisation and other sirnilar costs Staff costs Governance costs I 1,000 (26,003) 2J6,374 221,371 6)8 17,309 4,881 825 452,445 1,463 466.754 4.881 (3.000) Total for 2024 8,000 (3,175) 689,644 694.469 Total for 2023 29.000 (1.385) 753.270 780,885 Included in the £221,37l Charity nll)ning costs above are amounts paid for PartThers]]ip Transfers and GTant Awards (£100.400), Digital Solutions (£37.484) and Project Activities and Events (£10.296). Page 18

Reading Voluntary AetioD Notes to the Finaneial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 6 Analysis of governance and support costs Governance costs Unrestricted funds General Totsl funds Independent examiner fees Examination of the financial statements Total for 2024 4,881 4.881 4,881 4.881 Total for 2023 4,224 4,224 7 Trustees remuneration and expenses No trustees. nor any persons connected with have received any remuneration frotn the charity during the year. No trustees have received any reimbursed expenses from the charity during the year. Staff costs The monthly average nU￿ber of persons (including senior management I leadership team) employed by the charity during the year expressed ￿ full time equivalents was as follows". 2024 2023 Total 20 25 No employee received emoluments ofmore than £60,000 during the year. Page 19

Reading Voluntary Aetion Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 9 TaxatÉon The charity is a registered charity and is therefore exempt from taxation. 10 Tangible fixed assets Furniture and equipmellt Total Cost At l April 2023 Additions 28,443 1,464 1.464 At 3 1 March 2024 29,907 29,907 Depreeiation At l April 2023 Charge for th¢ year At 31 March 2024 28,443 1,464 28,443 1.464 29,907 29,907 Net book value At 31 March 2024 At 31 March 2023 Page 20

Reading Voluntary Action Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 11 Fixed a55et investments Other investments Listed invest]nents Total Cost or ValuatÉon At l April 2023 Revaluation 25,451 2.337 25,451 2,337 At 31 March 2024 27,788 27.788 Net book value At 31 MarGh 2024 27,788 27.788 At 31 March 2023 25.451 25,451 The market value of the listed investments at 31 March 2024 was £27,788 (2023 - £25,451). This investment relates to 1,360 ullits held tn the Charities Official Invesknent Fund (COIF). It is prtrnarily held to provide an investment retttm to the charity. 12 Debtor5 2024 2023 Trade debtors Prepayments Accrned income 14,962 4,696 2.033 30,325 5.599 21,691 37,035 13 Cash and cash equivalents 2024 2023 Cash on hand Cash atbank loo 332,272 148 292,603 332,372 292,751 Page21

Reading Voluntary Action Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 14 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 2024 2023 Trade creditors Other creditors Accruals 22.737 57,262 4,500 3,355 63,359 4,000 84,499 70,714 IS Pension and other schemes Defined benefit pension scheme Royal County of Berkshire Pension Fund The Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) is a defined benefit statutory scheme adtninistered in accordance wtth the Local Government Pension Scheme Regulations 2013 and cutrelldy provides benefits based on career average revalued earninJ. Full details of the benefits being valued are as set out in the Regulations a5 amended and summarlsed on the LGPS web51te. The administering authority for the Fund is the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead. The Pension Fund Committee Oversees the managen]ent of the Fund whilst the day to day fund adtninistration is undertaken by a team wÉthill the administering autbority. whe￿ appropriate some function5 are delegated to tbe Fund's professional advisers. As adtninisterÉng authority to the Fund, the Royal Borough of Windsor and MaideTtheal after consultation with the Fund Actuary and other relevant parties, is Tesponsible for the preparation and maintenance of the Funding Strategy StateTnent and tbe Investment Strategy StatemenL These should be amended when appropriate b&sed on the Fund's perfo￿￿￿ee and fijndinty Contributions are set every three years a5 a result of the actuari￿ valuation of the Fund required by the Regulations. The next actuarial valuation of the Fund will be carrÈed out as at 31 March 2025 and will set contributions for the period from l April 2025 to 31 March 2028. There are no minimum funding requirements in the LGPS but the contributions are gelleralty set to target a funding level of IOOO/D using the actuarial valuation assumptions. The date of the most recent comprehensive aCti￿ial valuation Iwas 31 Mareh 2024. In completing the calculations for pension accounting pu￿OseS the following item5 of data from the Royal Borough of WtndsoT and Maidenhead have been used: O The results of tbe latest fimding valuation as at 31 March 2024 which was carried out for funding purposes and the results of the J l March 2024 IAS19 report which was prepared for accounting purposes. Fund asset statement at 31 March 2024. E Fund income and expenditure items for the period to 31 March 2024. D Employer incon)e and expenditure items for the period to 31 March 2024. Q Details of any new early retirements for the period to 31 March 2024 that have been paid out on an unreduced b8sis. which are not anticipated in the nomial employer service cost: and tJ Details of any settlements tolfrom the Employer for the period to 31 March 2024. Page 22

Reading Voluntary ActAOII Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 Mareb 2024 Reeonclllotion ofscheme &￿elS and liabili11￿ to assets and liabiltsies recognised The amounts recognised in the statement of financial position are &$ follows: 2024 2023 Fair value of scheme assets Present value of defined IKnefit obligation Defined benefIt pension scheme deficit 1,290.000 (1.438,000) (148,000) 1,218,000 (1,431,000) (213,000) Dejtned benefil obligaliort Change5 in the defined benefit obligation are as follows: 2024 Present vallle at start of year Current service cost InteTest cost Change in fllwicial &5SLllnptions Chantse in demographic assumptions Benefits paid Contributions by scheme participants Experience lossl(gain) on defitLed benefit obli(vation Present value at end of year 1,431,000 8,000 68,000 (11,000) (19,000) (46,000) 2,000 5,000 1.438,000 Page 23

Reading Voluntary Actioll Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 Foir value ofscheme assets Changes in the fair value of scheme &ssets are as follows.. 2024 Fair value at start of year Interest on assets R¢lMrn on assets less interest Contributions by ernployer Contributlons by scheme participants Benefits paid Administration expenses Fair value at end of yeaT 1,218,000 58,000 48.000 i 1,000 2.000 (46.000) {I,000) 1,290.000 Analysis of ossets The major categories of scherne assets are as follows: 2024 2023 Public equities Private equities Infrastructure Real Estate Credit Cash Longevity Insurance 7i7,000 151,000 162,000 117.000 169,000 12,000 (58.000) 1,290.000 613,000 ISI,ODO 168.000 154.000 177,000 18,000 (63,000) 1218,000 The pension scFLeme bas not invested in any of the cbarity's OWD f￿￿￿Cial instruments or in properties OT Other assets used by the charity, Principul acluarldl QSSilnlPlio The PTiJ)cipal actuarial a&sutnptions at the ststement of f￿ancIal position date are as follows.. 2024 2023 Discount rate Future salary increases Future pension increLses 4.90 3.95 2.95 4.80 3.90 2.90 Page 24

Reading Voluntary Action Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 Post retlrement Mortality assumptions 2024 Year5 21.00 24.00 2023 Years 21.00 24.00 22.00 25.00 Cu￿ent UK pensioners at rtirement age - male Cutrent UK pensioners at retirement age - female Future UK pensioners at retirement age - n)ale Future UK pensKoners at retirement age - female 22.00 25.00 16 FuDds Balance 2tl April 2023 Other Balance at cO￿l￿g Resources recognised 31 March resources expended Transfers gainsl(losses) 2024 Unrestricted funds General Generdl Fund 40,687 78.147 (64.975) (32215) 21.644 lJesi¥nftled COIF Investment PeD%iOTL Re5eTve Pension Liability Reserve Contintrency Reserve 25,450 {213,000) 80,000 60,000 2,338 73,000 27,788 (148,000) 80,000 60,000 (8,000) (47,550) (8.000) 75,338 19,788 Total unrestrictcd funds (6,86J) 78.147 (72,975) (32,215) 75,338 41,432 Restrlcted funds Restricted Funds (see below) 78,385 686.964 (689.644) 32,215 107.920 Total fund5 71.522 765.111 (762,619) 75,338 149,352 Page 25

Reading Voluntary Action Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 Marcb 2024 Balance at 31 March 2024 Balance at I April 2023 Incoming resources Re50uree5 expended Transfers Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Advice Seryice (Earley Charity) NHS Berkshire Oxfordshire Buckinghamshire tntegrdted CaTe Board Partnership Ready Friends (Earley Charity) PCN Link Workers ICB Me]rtal Healtb Grants Faith Forum Client Grants Public Health Management Project Volunteering Development British Science Association Re&5earch CTG2 Social Prescribing CTG3 Infrastructure BSA Communtty Researchers Health thequalities BHFf Eng￿ement Research Engagelnent Network CoM￿￿nity Wellness Outreach RIB Wellbeing Training Totsl restricted funds 5,786 42,545 (45,381) 2,950 12,0(Ki (12,000) 636 1,441 11.650 200,485 30,000 (10,812) (200,484} (30,000) 1.474 1.442 8.974 234 8,974 663 2205 (1,776) 2,926 13,865 30.000 (32,926) (8,047) 5,818 4,866 5,635 i0.000 158.000 (10.501) (62.2 15) (152.458) 32215 5,725 11,267 3.497 30,435 12.508 18.915 l.429 (16.005) (29.992) (1,429) 19.358 40,000 (31,272) 8,728 80.172 11,420 {43,746) (600) (689,644) 36,426 10.820 78,385 686,964 32,215 107,920 Page 26

Reading Voluntary AcÉion Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 Balauce at l April 2022 Other Balance at Incoming Resources recognised 31 IVIarch resources expended Transfers gains/(losses) 2023 Unrestricted funds Generdl 25.931 95,619 (74.334) 29.000 (6,529) 40,687 Designated 659,559 641.009 (47,550) Totsl unrestricted lunds (633,628) 113,523 95,619 (103,334) (753,270) (6.529) 641,009 (6,863) Restricted lunds 711.603 6.529 78,385 Total funds (520.105) 807.222 {856,604) 641,009 71,522 Page 27

Reading Voluntary Action Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 17 Analysis of net a55ets between funds Total funds at 31 March 2024 Unrestrleted funds General Designated Restricted funds Fixed asset investments Current assets Current liabilities Pension scheme liability 27.788 27,788 354.063 (84,499) (148.000) 149.352 188,879 (27.235) 165.184 (57264) (148,000) (120212) Total net assets 161,644 107,920 Total funds at 31 March 2023 Unrestricted funds Ceneral Designated Restricted funds Fixed asset investtnents Cu￿ent assets Current liabilities Pension scheme liability Total net assets 25,450 140,OIM) 25,450 329,786 (70,714) 213,000) 48,042 (7.355) 141,744 {63,359) (213,000) (47,550) 40.687 78.385 71,522 18 Related party transactions There were no related paty tratlsactions in the year. Page 28