## **Midlands Women’s Aid**
**Est. FEBRUARY 1974**
# Annual Report & Statistics
**2022-2023**
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## **LIVERING SERVICES 40 YEARS**
## **Midlands Women’s Aid**
## **Annual Report & Statistics 2022/2023**
## Contents
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF MIDLANDS WOMEN’S AID...................................4 INTRODUCTION..........................................................................................................5 REFUGE TEAM LEADER’S REPORT.......................................................................6 CASE STUDIES……………………………………………………………………10 CHILD REFUGE SERVICE 12 EQUAL OPPORTUNITES POLICY..........................................................................14 STATISTICAL DATA FOR THE YEAR...................................................................15 TREASURERS REPORT............................................................................................17
Midlands Women's Aid. P.O. Box 8, Beeston, Nottingham. NG9 1HL Telephone No: 0300 302 0035
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## A BIG THANKS TO OUR SUPPORTERS. We could not do it without you.
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All at
Artex Ltd.
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Angela
Westerman and
all at Westerman
HomesBeeston Inner
Wheel
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**Tesco Long Eaton Chilwell ASDA, Euphoria, Sainsbury’s, Toton Beeston Consolidated Charities**
**St Andrews with Castle Gate United Reform Church, Nottingham**
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Operation Orphan
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**Thank you to all of our supporters who wish to remain anonymous. Their continued and sustained support of our Refuge is invaluable.**
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## **AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF MIDLANDS WOMEN’S AID**
The aims and objectives of this organisation were established to assist women and children who were in necessitous circumstances and in particular those women and children who had suffered from violence and maltreatment in their own homes.
- To provide refuge where such women and their children could enjoy temporary rest and protection from attack or persecution.
- To assist in providing education, housing, legal and medical advice, financial support for themselves and their children.
- To provide ongoing support to a woman who has been re-housed as, and if, necessary.
- To support where possible women who preferred not to seek refuge.
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## INTRODUCTION
Welcome to our Annual report for the year 2022-2023.
In February 1974 Thames TV aired a programme, “Scream Quietly or the neighbours will hear” about the work Erin Pizzey and Chiswick Women’s Aid. This programme resulted in the establishment of our organization, one of the first Domestic Abuse services in the country outside London. At that time our founders aimed to support women and children to survive Domestic Abuse, raise awareness and end violence against women. Little did they know that half a century later that our services would still be necessary.
Since that time, despite many financial challenges, we continue to deliver our services and develop them.
This year has been no less challenging and our services remain in high demand. Our dedicated staff team have worked hard to support women and children experiencing Domestic Abuse, to move on and live safely in the community.
Unfortunately, due to the national shortage of suitable housing, women find themselves having to stay in our accommodation longer.
I wish to thank the Trustees, staff, volunteers and friends of Midlands Women’s Aid for their hard work and support in tackling Domestic Abuse. Also, we would extend our thanks to all the groups and individuals who have supported Midlands Women’s Aid during the year by donating money, clothing and other generous gifts. We have listed some of them by name on a separate page, however we would extend a special thanks to all our supporters whose names we do not know who have contributed to our fundraising activities throughout the year. They do not know how much their contribution are appreciated by the staff and clients.
Finally, I would like to recognise our clients who take the decision to leave all they know to protect their children from Domestic Abuse. Who with our support learn that they are not alone, and it is not their fault.
Catherine Saunders (CEO)
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## REFUGE TEAM LEADER’S REPORT
Although our work can be demanding and challenging, it is also very rewarding. To travel with our client group on their journey from experiencing Domestic Abuse and living in fear, to going forward to survive and thrive is edifying.
The demand for our safe accommodation has remained high and our safe accommodation has been fully utilized.
It is unfortunate that due to the national housing shortage women are staying in our accommodation for longer periods of time. Delays in being re-housed when clients are ready to move on can cause other challenges and frustration for them. Also, it adds further strains on our support service. Housing authorities and agencies are quoting re-housing waiting times of two years and in some cases five years. It is not acceptable for our clients to remain in our accommodation for this length of time and we are active in seeking solutions to this problem.
## **Support Service**
We provide support using an individual support plan tailored to each person. The plan helps identify the support required and allows us to work with the client to build confidence, increase self-esteem, help them come to terms with the abuse they have experienced and work with them to help them reach their full potential. Clients are encouraged to take part in workshops and sessions around healthy relationships, safety planning and are empowered to organize and fully take part in making decisions which effect their lives
## **Safe Accommodation**
We aim to provide safe, clean and welcoming accommodation. (See photographs)
## **Refuge;**
7 family bedrooms each with en-suite facilities,
## **Communal areas;**
2 kitchens, 2 lounges laundry room playroom. outside play area
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Communal lounge.
11,
**A bedroom.** On arrival we provide a welcome pack consisting of basic essentials:
**One of the communal kitchens** :
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Also, we provide 3 self-contained units, located close by the main building and allow for families with older boys, families with complex or special needs and pets
## **A self-contained Unit** :
.
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Here are some case histories of the families we have supported this year. We hope this highlights the needs, the difficulties they face and shows the recovery process they go through.
## **Case Studies :**
**1.** S was admitted into refuge fleeing Domestic Abuse from her Husband. The abuse was emotional resulting in psychological trauma.
On S's arrival, she was very tired having travelled many miles. She was very emotional, felt lost and afraid for the future. She felt isolated and very alone.
S questioned why Domestic Abuse happened to her, and why she had not left the relationship sooner. S was offered support and attended a Survivor’s program to gain more awareness and understanding of Domestic Abuse.
With time S became more confident, started to enjoy life and could see a future for herself. S has a disability that affects her mobility due to having two major spinal operations. Her support worker referred S to Occupational Therapy for an assessment and assisted her successful claim for a disability car. This has helped her to regain some independence, allowing her to venture out into the community, go to the hairdressers, go shopping and feeling safe and free.
**2.** G and her 2 children came into refuge, after sleeping on a friend’s settee for past 6 months. They had left their family home due to fleeing domestic violence form G’s partner and father of the children.
G had endured years of emotional and financial abuse which then escalated into physical attacks. The perpetrator was an alcoholic and life had become unbearable for G and her children. She became fearful of everyday life and the not knowing if bills were being paid and when the next violent episode would take place.
She had previously tried to escape, however, promises from the perpetrator that he would change and the feelings of guilt she had for breaking up the family unit, made her return. This time she was determined to succeed.
During their stay with us, G was enrolled onto the ‘Survivors Programme’ to help with her recovery. She felt having other women around her in a similar situation was of great support to her. Attending these sessions has given her more confidence to gain control over her own life.
G suffered with anxiety and panic attacks. We have supported her with sourcing therapy, attending health care appointments and looking for
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different ways to relax and distract herself from negative feelings. G found the confidence to join the local gym, and this has helped her improve her low mood and improve feelings of self-worth.
The family stayed with us for 8 months, in which time we applied for housing and helped sort out a debt programme to make manageable payments. They moved into their new home and are now able to live free from worry. On a home visit to them G said “She can’t thank the refuge enough and she and her children felt safe and could actually see a way out of the nightmare they had been living.”
**3.** Child A and her family were admitted into refuge due to her mother fleeing domestic abuse from her Husband. Child A is a 5-year-old female awaiting on diagnosis of Autism and awaiting speech and language therapy.
On arrival I went through children support form and we have been offering play sessions where A can explore, become used to her environment and for staff to get to know her needs. With our support A has started full time school where she receives one to one support with teachers and this has improved her behaviour and speech.
We helped A with accessing an Educational, Health and Care Plan(EHCP) plan .A struggles to sleep, we made a referral to a sleeping program to help her with her sleeping routine. Supported A with her paediatrician appointments, applied for Disability Living Allowance, family funds to support her needs which enables her to buy sensory items and day trips as A likes to explore outdoors.
With A having additional needs moving home to some where different was very difficult and stressful for her. A with support from children’s workers and staff in refuge she is now happy, thriving and well settled.
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## Children Refuge Service
As a Children and Young Peoples Domestic Abuse worker it is my responsibility to work with children to overcome the trauma of witnessing or experiencing Domestic Abuse.
Almost two third of the residents in refuges are children, the majority of whom are of pre-school age. I provide stimulating play opportunities to encourage children from all backgrounds to develop and express themselves, as well as support children with homework and literacy. We also refer children to wider support services, including counsellors and children’s centres
When a child or young person arrives, they are often left traumatized and often have to leave everything behind such as family, friends, school and toys. My initial task is to help settle them into Refuge.
The trips we have attended are:
- Fire Station
- Cinema
- Bowling
- Pumpkin picking
- Pantomime
Our sessions might include:
- One to one session’s
- Group sessions
- Family Intervention
- Behaviour Management
- Helping Hands Facilitation Programme
- Healthy Relationships
- Therapeutic play
We have decorated our playroom. We have chosen pastel colours to ensure the room has a calming approach. This is good for our children that have autism, behaviour or sensory issues.
See images below.
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With thanks to Artex we have had our outdoor play area refurbed. This enables the women and children to relax and play outside. The children’s worker also runs play sessions in the garden when it is good weather.
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## **EQUAL OPPORTUNITES POLICY.**
## **Declaration of Intent**
Midlands Women's Aid provides temporary accommodation, support and advocacy to women and children experiencing violence and supports their long-3term future needs. This means challenging the abuse of women and children.
Midlands Women's Aid is committed to the principles of equal opportunities. Midlands Women's Aid is working towards the elimination of all types of violence against women. We are also working towards the elimination of all forms of sexism and racism.
We will ensure that we endeavour to combat direct or indirect discrimination in our employment practices and in our management and provision of services and will work to achieve these ends.
We intend that equal opportunities become a reality in practice and not simply a paper commitment. We will seek to implement a programme of positive action to make this policy fully effective by ensuring that no Midlands Women's Aid Trustee, job applicant, employee, volunteer, service user or agencies and other women’s aid groups that we work with receive less favourable treatment on the grounds of race, colour, class, nationality, ethnic or national origins, cultural origin, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, age, union activity or responsibility for children or place of residence.
## **Guidelines for Carrying out the Declaration of Intent**
The responsibility for implementing the Declaration of Intent lies with the whole of Midlands Women's Aid although the Trustees will be expected to carry the employers responsibility.
The Declaration of Intent will be posted publicly in the Midlands Women's Aid office and will also be made known to all members of the organisation, employees, volunteers and service users. Acceptance of the policy is a condition of membership of Midlands Women's Aid. The purpose of the Equal Opportunities policy is to set out clearly and comprehensively the steps Midlands Women's Aid intend to take to ensure equality of opportunity and combat direct and indirect discrimination in employment practice, management structures and practice, in service provision to individuals and groups and agencies and in its relationship with other groups.
## **Customer Care Policy**
We aim to give our service users the highest quality of help and assistance to ensure they receive equal treatment taking into account their cultural and individual needs. In the event that they are unhappy with the service or the facilities provided there is a complaints procedure in place. Each service user
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will receive a handbook outlining services and policies, which includes the Complaints Procedure.
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## **STATISTICAL DATA FOR THE YEAR**
The following statistics were collected by Midlands Women’s Aid for the year ending March 20225:
TOTAL NUMBER OF BEDSPACES: 53 FAMILY ROOMS: 7 Three Satellite Properties – 2 bed house, 1 bed flat and 1 bed flat Women admitted into Refuge: 23 Children admitted into Refuge: 39 Women refused because Refuge was full: 72 Number of advice calls: 1140 Referrals from agencies: 35 Self referrals: 46 Women housed 21
## **SUMMARY OF QUESTIONNAIRE FINDINGS**
This year we have again seen an increase in single women referrals and women with mental health issues, drug and alcohol abuse.
On admission to the Refuge;
7 women had no physical injuries although had had injuries in the past
13 women had injuries on admission ranging from facial cuts to black eyes
22 women described bruising to all parts of their bodies
10 women reported attempts to strangle
13 women reported rape and sexual abuse
12 women reported coercive control
- 16 women reported financial control
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When asked about past injuries, women described them as follows: strangulation, body bruising, bruised eyes, rape, threats with knives, pushing and pulling, coercive control, financial and emotional abuse.
When asked what they believed had caused the violence the response is always the same. Women described the following: “He’s jealous” “He says it’s my fault”, “He says he has a right”. “He thinks he owns me and the kids” Others blamed drugs and alcohol, jealousy, mental health, insecurity and ‘his upbringing’.
Of the women admitted, 4 had had healthy previous relationships. All had experienced violence and controlling behaviour from their ex-partners.
Most women described their childhood as happy. Other women described domestic violence between their parents, violence to themselves.
When asked if there were any circumstances under which they would accept being hit by a man, all women said no.
## **TRUSTEE AND STAFF NAMES**
## **Trustees of Midlands Women's Aid**
Mrs K. Cains Ms S. Shaw Ms H. Venn
## **Staff of Midlands Women's Aid**
Cathy Saunders (CEO) Milli Collins (Refuge Services Manager) A.M (Support Worker) C.C (Support Worker/playworker) K.F (Complex needs Support Worker) (S.C). (Administrate Assistant/ Support Worker)
## **Auditor**
CAPlus Nottingham..
## **Legal Status**
Company Limited By Guarantee. Company Number 3122842 Registered Charity. Charity registration Number 1055578
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## **TREASURERS REPORT**
Our core income comes from rent income and funding from Ministry of housing and local government (MHCLG). As our service is in great demand we little voids.
The current MHCLG funding ends 31[st] March 2023. In October 2023 we were awarded a three year contract to provide support by Nottinghamshire County Council which commences 1[st] April 2023. After years of financial uncertainty, this together with a healthy reserve will provide financial security for at least three years.
Beeston Consolidated Charity, a long-time supporter, continue to provide for their annual grant £26,225 for a full-time support worker and £13,113 toward the Children’s Worker post.
Salaries remain our major expenditure. Our long time supporters, Artex, a local firm, donated funds to allow us to carry out a refurbishment of our playroom and outside play area. This work has now been completed.
This year we have carried out a major refurbishment of the safe accommodation.
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**Midlands Women’s Aid** a Company Limited By Guarantee. Company No. 3122842 Charity Reg. No. 1055578 Registered in England &
**P.O. Box 8 Beeston Nottingham NG9 1HL**
**Tel: 0300 302 0035 E-mail: support@mwa.org.uk www.midlandswomensaid.org.uk**
Search: Midlands Women’s Aid _or_ Go to **https://www.facebook.com/Midland s-womens-aid-331713663608574/**
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Company registration number: 03122842 Charity registration number: 1055578
## Midlands Women's Aid
(A company limited by guarantee)
Annual Report and Financial Statements
for the Year Ended 31 March 2023
Community Accounting Plus Units 1 & 2 North West 41 Talbot Street Nottingham NG1 5GL
## **Midlands Women's Aid**
## **Contents**
|Reference and Administrative Details|1|
|---|---|
|Trustees' Report|2 to 4|
|Independent Examiner's Report|5|
|Statement of Financial Activities|6 to 7|
|Balance Sheet|8|
|Notes to the Financial Statements|9 to 17|
## **Midlands Women's Aid**
## **Reference and Administrative Details**
**Trustees** Kathleen C Cains, Treasurer / Chair Susan Shaw Holly Venn **Senior Management Team** Catherine Saunders, Chief Executive **Charity Registration Number** 1055578 **Company Registration Number** 03122842 **Registered Office** PO Box 8 Beeston Nottingham NG9 1HL **Independent Examiner** John O'Brien, employee of Community Accounting Plus Units 1 & 2 North West 41 Talbot Street Nottingham NG1 5GL
Page 1
## **Midlands Women's Aid**
## **Trustees' Report**
The trustees, who are directors for the purposes of company law, present the annual report together with the financial statements of the charitable company for the year ended 31 March 2023.
## **Trustees**
Kathleen Cains, Treasurer / Chair Susan Shaw Holly Venn
## **Structure, governance and management**
## _**Nature of governing document**_
The charity is a company limited by guarantee and registered charity. It is operated under the rules of its memorandum and articles of association dated 7 November 1995 and most recently amended 3 April 1996. It has no share capital and the liability of each member in the event of winding-up is limited to £1.
## _**Recruitment and appointment of trustees**_
We advertise for Trustees via the website. Trustees are appointed by the members at the Annual General Meeting or may be co-opted during the year.
Trustees are sought who have experience in one or more of the following areas:
- An understanding of domestic violence and the causes of domestic violence;
- The provision of supported housing;
- Experience of working within or with statutory bodies;
- Experience of working in or with services which aim to ensure the health and well-being of children;
- Working with statutory bodies – particularly health, housing, education or social services;
- Finance and financial planning;
- Personnel and human resource management;
- General experience of running a business;
- Legal experience;
- Experience of participating in community services and meeting community needs;
- Experience of being a service user of Women’s Aid services;
- Monitoring and evaluating services;
- Equal opportunities.
## _**Induction and training of trustees**_
Trustees should avoid recommending people who are close colleagues, friends or relatives as this may affect the balance and objectivity of the committee as a whole.
New trustees are appointed on receipt of favourable references from two referees, they attend two committee meetings prior to joining the committee. This will apply to a co-optee or a member.
New trustees undergo an induction period to brief them on their legal obligations under charity and company law, the content of the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the committee and decision making process, the business plan and recent financial performance of the charity. During this period they meet key employees and other trustees.
They receive a copy of the Standing Orders and Delegated Authorities and information relating to a description of the service e.g. leaflets, annual reports.
Page 2
## **Midlands Women's Aid**
## **Trustees' Report**
## _**Organisational structure**_
The board of trustees administers the charity. The board meets quarterly. A CEO is employed to manage the day to day operations together with a staff team. To facilitate effective operations the CEO has delegated authority, within terms of delegation approved by the trustees, for operational matters including finance, employment and minor purchases.
## **Objectives and activities**
## _**Objects and aims**_
The aims and objectives of this organisation are to assist women and children in necessitous circumstances and in particular those women and children who had suffered from violence and maltreatment in their own homes.
• To provide refuge where such women and their children could enjoy temporary rest and protection from attack or persecution;
- To assist in providing education, housing, legal and medical advice, financial support for themselves and their children;
- To provide ongoing support to women who have been re-housed as, and if, necessary;
- To support where possible women who preferred not to seek refuge.
## _**Objectives, strategies and activities**_
We provide refuge and safe accommodation, support for women and children, outreach service, awareness raising and training.
## _**Public benefit**_
The work of the charity provides public benefit by providing refuge accommodation which keep women and children safe from further abuse. By providing healthy relationship courses we equip women and children with the necessary skills and tools to assist them to go forward and live their lives free from abuse and help them realise their full potential. Reduce crime, reduce mental health problems, reduce need to seek medical services and reduce Social Services involvement.
The trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
## **Achievements and performance**
This year we have supported survivors of Domestic Abuse. All have been re-housed away from abuse. Feedback has shown that 98% of our survivors felt safer, 97 had increased self-esteem, 90% had improved mental health. We accept referrals from all parts of the Country. Each client is supported by a key worker using individually tailored support plans to identify their needs, where we cannot support the client in-house we signpost to other agencies, i.e. drug/alcohol, mental health. We provide advocacy for women and children. A full-time child worker and a part-time play worker supports children by way of play therapy, individual one to ones and group work. We work with each client on safety planning, healthy relationships and well-being courses.
## **Financial review**
We currently have a healthy bank balance and have secured a three year contract to provide support from 1st April 2023 to 31st March 2026.
## _**Policy on reserves**_
It is our policy to keep a reserve of six months income.
Page 3
## **Midlands Women's Aid**
## **Trustees' Report**
## _**Principal risks and uncertainties**_
## _Risk management strategy_
We have secured a three year support contract with Nottinghamshire County Council commencing April 2023. The grants from Beeston Consolidated Charities have allowed us to have sustainable funding for several years now. This has provided long term funding for a support worker and a part time children's worker. The MHCLG funding has ensured the Refuge will not close in the short term.
## **Statement of Responsibilities**
The trustees (who are also the directors of Midlands Women's Aid for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), including FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland". The report and accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions in the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under company law the trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied 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 income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- state whether applicable accounting standards, comprising FRS 102 have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that can disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company's website. Legislation governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
## **Small companies provision statement**
This report has been prepared in accordance with the small companies regime under the Companies Act 2006.
The annual report was approved by the trustees of the charity on .................... and signed on its behalf by: 15/12/2023
......................................... Kathleen C Cains Trustee
Page 4
## **Midlands Women's Aid**
## **Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of Midlands Women's Aid ('the Company')**
## **Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Midlands Women's Aid ('the Company')**
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the company for the year ended 31 March 2023.
## **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 my examination of your charity’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
## **Independent examiner’s statement**
Since the Company's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member and Fellow of the Association of Charity Independent Examiners, which is one of the listed bodies. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or
3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true 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 Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities [applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)].
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
......................................
John O'Brien MSc, FAIA, FCCA, FCIE, employee of Community Accounting Plus Fellow of the Association of Charity Independent Examiners
Units 1 & 2 North West 41 Talbot Street Nottingham NG1 5GL
15/12/2023 Date:.............................
Page 5
## **Midlands Women's Aid**
## **Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 (Including Income and Expenditure Account and Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses)**
|**Note**
**Income and Endowments from:**
Donations and legacies
2
Charitable activities
3
Investment income
5
Total Income
**Expenditure on:**
Charitable activities
6
Total Expenditure
Net income
Net movement in funds
**Reconciliation of funds**
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward
13|**Unrestricted**
**£**
4,125
145,614
96
149,835
(133,882)
(133,882)
15,953
15,953
189,362
205,315|**Restricted**
**£**
-
231,250
-
231,250
(174,916)
(174,916)
56,334
56,334
164,587
220,921|**Total**
**2023**
**£**
4,125
376,864
96
381,085
(308,798)
(308,798)
72,287
72,287
353,949
426,236|**Total**
**2022**
**£**
21,964
334,261
-|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||356,225|
|||||(270,473)|
|||||(270,473)|
|||||85,752|
|||||85,752
268,197|
|||||353,949|
All of the charity's activities derive from continuing operations during the above two periods. The funds breakdown for the period is shown in note 13.
The notes on pages 9 to 17 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 6
## **Midlands Women's Aid**
## **Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 (Including Income and Expenditure Account and Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses)**
## **These are the figures for the previous accounting period and are included for comparative purposes**
|**Note**
**Income and Endowments from:**
Donations and legacies
2
Charitable activities
3
Total income
**Expenditure on:**
Charitable activities
6
Total expenditure
Net income
Net movement in funds
**Reconciliation of funds**
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward
13|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**£**
21,964
117,094
139,058
(132,864)
(132,864)
6,194
6,194
183,168
189,362|**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
-
217,167
217,167
(137,609)
(137,609)
79,558
79,558
85,029
164,587|**Total**
**2022**
**£**
21,964
334,261|
|---|---|---|---|
||||356,225|
||||(270,473)|
||||(270,473)|
||||85,752|
||||85,752
268,197|
||||353,949|
The notes on pages 9 to 17 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 7
## **Midlands Women's Aid**
## **(Registration number: 03122842) Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2023**
|**Note**
**Fixed assets**
Tangible assets
11
**Current assets**
Debtors
8
Cash at bank and in hand
**Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year**
9
**Net current assets**
**Net assets**
**Funds of the charity:**
**Restricted income funds**
Restricted funds
13
**Unrestricted income funds**
Unrestricted funds
**Total funds**
13|**2023**
**£**
23,171
648
409,103
409,751
(6,686)
403,065
426,236
220,921
205,315
426,236|**2022**
**£**
28,106
118
331,138|
|---|---|---|
|||331,256
(5,413)|
|||325,843|
|||353,949|
|||164,587
189,362|
|||353,949|
For the financial year ending 31 March 2023 the charity was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
Directors' responsibilities:
- The members have not required the charity to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance 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.
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions relating to companies subject to the small companies regime within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.
The financial statements on pages 6 to 17 were approved by the trustees, and authorised for issue on .................... and signed on their behalf by: 15/12/2023
.........................................
Kathleen C Cains Trustee
The notes on pages 9 to 17 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 8
## **Midlands Women's Aid**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2023**
## **1 Accounting policies**
## **Summary of significant accounting policies and key accounting estimates**
The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated.
## **Statement of compliance**
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)) (issued in October 2019) - (Charities 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**
Midlands Women's Aid meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes.
## **Going concern**
The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis.
The trustees assess whether the use of going concern is appropriate i.e. whether there are any material uncertainties related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the ability of the charity to continue as a going concern. The trustees make this assessment in respect of a period of one year from the date of approval of the financial statements.
## **Exemption from preparing a cash flow statement**
The charity opted to early adopt Bulletin 1 published on 2 February 2016 and have therefore not included a cash flow statement in these financial statements.
## **Income and endowments**
Voluntary income including donations, gifts, legacies and grants that provide core funding or are of a general nature is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability.
## _**Donations and legacies**_
Donations are recognised 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 performance by the charity before the charity is entitled to the funds, the income is deferred and not recognised until either those conditions are fully met, 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 period.
## _**Grants receivable**_
Grants are recognised when the charity has an entitlement to the funds and any conditions linked to the grants have been met. Where performance conditions are attached to the grant and are yet to be met, the income is recognised as a liability and included on the balance sheet as deferred income to be released.
Page 9
## **Midlands Women's Aid**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2023**
## **Expenditure**
All expenditure is 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 are allocated to the applicable expenditure heading that aggregate 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 allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use. Other support costs are allocated based on the spread of staff costs.
## _**Charitable activities**_
Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
## **Taxation**
The charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax 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 charitable purposes.
## **Tangible fixed assets**
Individual fixed assets costing £500.00 or more are initially recorded at cost.
## **Depreciation and amortisation**
Depreciation is provided on tangible fixed assets so as to write off the cost or valuation, less any estimated residual value, over their expected useful economic life as follows:
|**Asset class**|**Depreciation method and rate**|
|---|---|
|Leasehold improvements|25% on a reducing balance basis|
|Furniture & equipment|25% on a reducing balance basis|
|IT equipment|25% on a reducing balance basis|
## **Trade debtors**
Trade debtors are amounts due from customers for merchandise sold or services performed in the ordinary course of business.
Trade debtors are recognised initially at the transaction price. They are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less provision for impairment. A provision for the impairment of trade debtors is established when there is objective evidence that the charity will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of the receivables.
## **Cash 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 value.
Page 10
## **Midlands Women's Aid**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2023**
## **Fund structure**
Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the trustees' discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the charity.
Restricted income funds are those grants for use in a particular area or for specific purposes, the use of which is restricted to that area or purpose.
## **Pensions and other post retirement obligations**
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme for employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity. Pension costs charges in the Statement of Financial Activities represent the contributions payable by the charity during the year.
## **2 Income from donations and legacies**
|Donations and legacies;
Donations from companies, trusts and similar
proceeds
Donations from individuals
Grants, including capital grants;
Government grants|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**General**
**£**
500
3,625
-
4,125|**Total**
**2023**
**£**
500
3,625
-
4,125|**Total**
**2022**
**£**
6,124
279
15,561|
|---|---|---|---|
||||21,964|
## **3 Income from charitable activities**
|Grants and donations
Housing benefit
Resident rents
Sundry income|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**General**
**£**
-
133,965
11,649
-
145,614|**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
231,250
-
-
-
231,250|**Total**
**2023**
**£**
231,250
133,965
11,649
-
376,864|**Total**
**2022**
**£**
217,167
108,429
5,635
3,030|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||334,261|
Page 11
## **Midlands Women's Aid**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2023**
## **4 Grants & donations**
|**4**
**Grants & donations**||||
|---|---|---|---|
|Beeston Consolidated Charity
Sundry grants & donations
Notts CC|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**£**
500
3,625
-
4,125|**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
36,000
-
195,250
231,250|**Total**
**£**
36,500
3,625
195,250|
||||235,375|
## **5 Investment income**
Interest receivable and similar income; Interest receivable on bank deposits
|**Unrestricted**|||
|---|---|---|
|**funds**|**Total**||
|**General**|**2023**||
|**£**|**£**||
|96||96|
Page 12
## **Midlands Women's Aid**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2023**
## **6 Expenditure on charitable activities**
|Activities & events
Building, repairs & maintenance
Cleaning
Council tax
Depreciation
Dues & subscriptions
Equipment
Grant spend (resettlement)
Insurance
IT expenses
Nacs
Office expenses
Printing & postage
Professional fees
Refreshments
Rent & rates
Salaries, NI & pensions
Security
Sundry expenses
Telephone
Training
Utilities
Travel & meetings
Recruitment|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**General**
**£**
1,776
7,361
2,523
3,134
7,723
1,001
5,562
-
3,604
2,109
9,188
593
1,766
46,136
151
-
-
1,007
163
1,973
1,342
35,785
985
-
133,882|**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
250
-
-
-
-
201
-
1,385
-
1,728
-
-
-
618
-
-
168,920
-
-
-
-
1,814
-
-
174,916|**Total**
**2023**
**£**
2,026
7,361
2,523
3,134
7,723
1,202
5,562
1,385
3,604
3,837
9,188
593
1,766
46,754
151
-
168,920
1,007
163
1,973
1,342
37,599
985
-
308,798|**Total**
**2022**
**£**
449
4,319
3,383
3,634
9,369
238
19,231
-
1,775
3,659
-
-
274
56,842
198
4,807
136,752
800
622
1,984
709
20,562
747
119|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||270,473|
**7 Net incoming/outgoing resources**
Net incoming resources for the year include:
Depreciation of fixed assets
|**2023**|**2022**|
|---|---|
|**£**|**£**|
|7,723|9,369|
Page 13
## **Midlands Women's Aid**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2023**
## **8 Debtors**
|Prepayments
**9**
**Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**
Other taxation and social security
Other creditors
**10 Staff costs**
The aggregate payroll costs were as follows:
**Staff costs during the year were:**
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Pension costs|**2023**
**£**
648
**2023**
**£**
3,560
3,126
6,686
**2023**
**£**
156,212
10,376
2,332
168,920|**2022**
**£**
118|
|---|---|---|
|||**2022**
**£**
4,081
1,332|
|||5,413|
|||**2022**
**£**
119,467
12,440
4,845|
|||136,752|
The monthly average number of persons (including senior management team) employed by the charity during the year was as follows:
|Average number of employees|**2023**
**No**
6|**2022**
**No**
6|
|---|---|---|
5 (2022 - 6) of the above employees participated in the Defined Contribution Pension Schemes.
Contributions to the employee pension schemes for the year totalled £2,332 (2022 - £4,845).
No employee received emoluments of more than £60,000 during the year.
The total employee benefits of the key management personnel of the charity were £57,518 (2022 - £49,676).
Page 14
## **Midlands Women's Aid**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2023**
## **11 Tangible fixed assets**
|**Leasehold**
**improvements**
**£**
**Furniture and**
**equipment**
**£**
**Cost**
At 1 April 2022
13,800
61,408
Additions
-
906
At 31 March 2023
13,800
62,314
**Depreciation**
At 1 April 2022
10,866
47,133
Charge for the year
733
3,795
At 31 March 2023
11,599
50,928
**Net book value**
At 31 March 2023
2,201
11,386
At 31 March 2022
2,934
14,275
**12 Analysis of net assets between funds**
**Unrestricted**
**General**
**£**
Tangible fixed assets
23,171
Current assets
185,042
Current liabilities
(2,898)
Total net assets
205,315
**Unrestricted**
**General**
**£**
Tangible fixed assets
28,106
Current assets
166,669
Current liabilities
(5,413)
Total net assets
189,362|**Leasehold**
**improvements**
**£**
**Furniture and**
**equipment**
**£**
**Cost**
At 1 April 2022
13,800
61,408
Additions
-
906
At 31 March 2023
13,800
62,314
**Depreciation**
At 1 April 2022
10,866
47,133
Charge for the year
733
3,795
At 31 March 2023
11,599
50,928
**Net book value**
At 31 March 2023
2,201
11,386
At 31 March 2022
2,934
14,275
**12 Analysis of net assets between funds**
**Unrestricted**
**General**
**£**
Tangible fixed assets
23,171
Current assets
185,042
Current liabilities
(2,898)
Total net assets
205,315
**Unrestricted**
**General**
**£**
Tangible fixed assets
28,106
Current assets
166,669
Current liabilities
(5,413)
Total net assets
189,362|**IT equipment**
**£**
49,697
1,882||**Total**
**£**
124,905
2,788
127,693
96,799
7,723
104,522
23,171
28,106
**2023**
**Total funds**
**£**
23,171
409,751
(6,686)|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||51,579|||
|||38,800
3,195|||
|||41,995|||
|||9,584|||
|||10,897|||
|||**Restricted**
**£**
-
224,709
(3,788)
220,921
**Restricted**
**£**
-
164,587
-
164,587|||
|||||426,236|
|||||**2022**
**Total funds**
**£**
28,106
331,256
(5,413)|
|||||353,949|
Page 15
## **Midlands Women's Aid**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2023**
|**13 Funds**
**Unrestricted funds**
**_General_**
General Fund
**Restricted funds**
MHCLG fund
Resettlement Fund
Beeston Consolidated
**Total restricted funds**
**Total funds**|**Balance at 1**
**April 2022**
**£**
189,362
154,587
10,000
-
164,587
353,949|**Incoming**
**resources**
**£**
149,835
195,250
-
36,000
231,250
381,085|**Resources**
**expended**
**£**
(133,882)
(137,531)
(1,385)
(36,000)
(174,916)
(308,798)|**Balance at 31**
**March 2023**
**£**
205,315
212,306
8,615
-|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||220,921|
|||||426,236|
The specific purposes for which the funds are to be applied are as follows:
The Salaries fund was received from the Beeston Consolidated Charity and was £24,000 towards the salary of the support worker and £12,000 towards the salary of the children's worker. The MHCLG funding has been provided to ensure that the Refuge is not at risk of closure. The Resettlement funding (now called Flexi fund) is to support women to access Refuge who may be barred for financial reasons.
|**Unrestricted funds**
**_General_**
General Fund
**Restricted**
MHCLG fund
Resettlement Fund
Beeston Consolidated
**Total restricted funds**
**Total funds**|**Balance at 1**
**April 2021**
**£**
183,168
85,029
-
-
85,029
268,197|**Incoming**
**resources**
**£**
139,058
171,167
10,000
36,000
217,167
356,225|**Resources**
**expended**
**£**
(132,864)
(101,609)
-
(36,000)
(137,609)
(270,473)|**Balance at 31**
**March 2022**
**£**
189,362
154,587
10,000
-|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||164,587|
|||||353,949|
Page 16
## **Midlands Women's Aid**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2023**
## **14 Fees payable to independent examiner**
During the period, the fees payable (excluding VAT) to the charity’s independent examiner Community Accounting Plus are analysed as follows:
|Independent examination|**2023**
**£**
1,165|**2022**
**£**
1,110|
|---|---|---|
## **15 Trustees remuneration and expenses**
No trustees, nor any persons connected with them, have received any remuneration from the charity during the year.
No trustees have received any reimbursed expenses or any other benefits from the charity during the year.
## **16 Related party transactions**
There were no related party transactions in the year.
## **17 Taxation**
The charity is a registered charity and is therefore exempt from taxation.
## **18 Charity status**
The charity is a company limited by guarantee and consequently does not have share capital. Each of the trustees is liable to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 towards the assets of the charity in the event of liquidation.
Page 17
Company registration number: 03122842 Charity registration number: 1055578
## Midlands Women's Aid
(A company limited by guarantee)
Annual Report and Financial Statements
for the Year Ended 31 March 2023
Community Accounting Plus Units 1 & 2 North West 41 Talbot Street Nottingham NG1 5GL
## **Midlands Women's Aid**
## **Contents**
|Reference and Administrative Details|1|
|---|---|
|Trustees' Report|2 to 4|
|Independent Examiner's Report|5|
|Statement of Financial Activities|6 to 7|
|Balance Sheet|8|
|Notes to the Financial Statements|9 to 17|
## **Midlands Women's Aid**
## **Reference and Administrative Details**
**Trustees** Kathleen C Cains, Treasurer / Chair Susan Shaw Holly Venn **Senior Management Team** Catherine Saunders, Chief Executive **Charity Registration Number** 1055578 **Company Registration Number** 03122842 **Registered Office** PO Box 8 Beeston Nottingham NG9 1HL **Independent Examiner** John O'Brien, employee of Community Accounting Plus Units 1 & 2 North West 41 Talbot Street Nottingham NG1 5GL
Page 1
## **Midlands Women's Aid**
## **Trustees' Report**
The trustees, who are directors for the purposes of company law, present the annual report together with the financial statements of the charitable company for the year ended 31 March 2023.
## **Trustees**
Kathleen Cains, Treasurer / Chair Susan Shaw Holly Venn
## **Structure, governance and management**
## _**Nature of governing document**_
The charity is a company limited by guarantee and registered charity. It is operated under the rules of its memorandum and articles of association dated 7 November 1995 and most recently amended 3 April 1996. It has no share capital and the liability of each member in the event of winding-up is limited to £1.
## _**Recruitment and appointment of trustees**_
We advertise for Trustees via the website. Trustees are appointed by the members at the Annual General Meeting or may be co-opted during the year.
Trustees are sought who have experience in one or more of the following areas:
- An understanding of domestic violence and the causes of domestic violence;
- The provision of supported housing;
- Experience of working within or with statutory bodies;
- Experience of working in or with services which aim to ensure the health and well-being of children;
- Working with statutory bodies – particularly health, housing, education or social services;
- Finance and financial planning;
- Personnel and human resource management;
- General experience of running a business;
- Legal experience;
- Experience of participating in community services and meeting community needs;
- Experience of being a service user of Women’s Aid services;
- Monitoring and evaluating services;
- Equal opportunities.
## _**Induction and training of trustees**_
Trustees should avoid recommending people who are close colleagues, friends or relatives as this may affect the balance and objectivity of the committee as a whole.
New trustees are appointed on receipt of favourable references from two referees, they attend two committee meetings prior to joining the committee. This will apply to a co-optee or a member.
New trustees undergo an induction period to brief them on their legal obligations under charity and company law, the content of the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the committee and decision making process, the business plan and recent financial performance of the charity. During this period they meet key employees and other trustees.
They receive a copy of the Standing Orders and Delegated Authorities and information relating to a description of the service e.g. leaflets, annual reports.
Page 2
## **Midlands Women's Aid**
## **Trustees' Report**
## _**Organisational structure**_
The board of trustees administers the charity. The board meets quarterly. A CEO is employed to manage the day to day operations together with a staff team. To facilitate effective operations the CEO has delegated authority, within terms of delegation approved by the trustees, for operational matters including finance, employment and minor purchases.
## **Objectives and activities**
## _**Objects and aims**_
The aims and objectives of this organisation are to assist women and children in necessitous circumstances and in particular those women and children who had suffered from violence and maltreatment in their own homes.
• To provide refuge where such women and their children could enjoy temporary rest and protection from attack or persecution;
- To assist in providing education, housing, legal and medical advice, financial support for themselves and their children;
- To provide ongoing support to women who have been re-housed as, and if, necessary;
- To support where possible women who preferred not to seek refuge.
## _**Objectives, strategies and activities**_
We provide refuge and safe accommodation, support for women and children, outreach service, awareness raising and training.
## _**Public benefit**_
The work of the charity provides public benefit by providing refuge accommodation which keep women and children safe from further abuse. By providing healthy relationship courses we equip women and children with the necessary skills and tools to assist them to go forward and live their lives free from abuse and help them realise their full potential. Reduce crime, reduce mental health problems, reduce need to seek medical services and reduce Social Services involvement.
The trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
## **Achievements and performance**
This year we have supported survivors of Domestic Abuse. All have been re-housed away from abuse. Feedback has shown that 98% of our survivors felt safer, 97 had increased self-esteem, 90% had improved mental health. We accept referrals from all parts of the Country. Each client is supported by a key worker using individually tailored support plans to identify their needs, where we cannot support the client in-house we signpost to other agencies, i.e. drug/alcohol, mental health. We provide advocacy for women and children. A full-time child worker and a part-time play worker supports children by way of play therapy, individual one to ones and group work. We work with each client on safety planning, healthy relationships and well-being courses.
## **Financial review**
We currently have a healthy bank balance and have secured a three year contract to provide support from 1st April 2023 to 31st March 2026.
## _**Policy on reserves**_
It is our policy to keep a reserve of six months income.
Page 3
## **Midlands Women's Aid**
## **Trustees' Report**
## _**Principal risks and uncertainties**_
## _Risk management strategy_
We have secured a three year support contract with Nottinghamshire County Council commencing April 2023. The grants from Beeston Consolidated Charities have allowed us to have sustainable funding for several years now. This has provided long term funding for a support worker and a part time children's worker. The MHCLG funding has ensured the Refuge will not close in the short term.
## **Statement of Responsibilities**
The trustees (who are also the directors of Midlands Women's Aid for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), including FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland". The report and accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions in the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under company law the trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied 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 income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- state whether applicable accounting standards, comprising FRS 102 have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that can disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company's website. Legislation governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
## **Small companies provision statement**
This report has been prepared in accordance with the small companies regime under the Companies Act 2006.
The annual report was approved by the trustees of the charity on .................... and signed on its behalf by: 15/12/2023
......................................... Kathleen C Cains Trustee
Page 4
## **Midlands Women's Aid**
## **Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of Midlands Women's Aid ('the Company')**
## **Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Midlands Women's Aid ('the Company')**
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the company for the year ended 31 March 2023.
## **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 my examination of your charity’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
## **Independent examiner’s statement**
Since the Company's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member and Fellow of the Association of Charity Independent Examiners, which is one of the listed bodies. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or
3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true 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 Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities [applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)].
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
......................................
John O'Brien MSc, FAIA, FCCA, FCIE, employee of Community Accounting Plus Fellow of the Association of Charity Independent Examiners
Units 1 & 2 North West 41 Talbot Street Nottingham NG1 5GL
15/12/2023 Date:.............................
Page 5
## **Midlands Women's Aid**
## **Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 (Including Income and Expenditure Account and Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses)**
|**Note**
**Income and Endowments from:**
Donations and legacies
2
Charitable activities
3
Investment income
5
Total Income
**Expenditure on:**
Charitable activities
6
Total Expenditure
Net income
Net movement in funds
**Reconciliation of funds**
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward
13|**Unrestricted**
**£**
4,125
145,614
96
149,835
(133,882)
(133,882)
15,953
15,953
189,362
205,315|**Restricted**
**£**
-
231,250
-
231,250
(174,916)
(174,916)
56,334
56,334
164,587
220,921|**Total**
**2023**
**£**
4,125
376,864
96
381,085
(308,798)
(308,798)
72,287
72,287
353,949
426,236|**Total**
**2022**
**£**
21,964
334,261
-|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||356,225|
|||||(270,473)|
|||||(270,473)|
|||||85,752|
|||||85,752
268,197|
|||||353,949|
All of the charity's activities derive from continuing operations during the above two periods. The funds breakdown for the period is shown in note 13.
The notes on pages 9 to 17 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 6
## **Midlands Women's Aid**
## **Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 (Including Income and Expenditure Account and Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses)**
## **These are the figures for the previous accounting period and are included for comparative purposes**
|**Note**
**Income and Endowments from:**
Donations and legacies
2
Charitable activities
3
Total income
**Expenditure on:**
Charitable activities
6
Total expenditure
Net income
Net movement in funds
**Reconciliation of funds**
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward
13|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**£**
21,964
117,094
139,058
(132,864)
(132,864)
6,194
6,194
183,168
189,362|**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
-
217,167
217,167
(137,609)
(137,609)
79,558
79,558
85,029
164,587|**Total**
**2022**
**£**
21,964
334,261|
|---|---|---|---|
||||356,225|
||||(270,473)|
||||(270,473)|
||||85,752|
||||85,752
268,197|
||||353,949|
The notes on pages 9 to 17 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 7
## **Midlands Women's Aid**
## **(Registration number: 03122842) Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2023**
|**Note**
**Fixed assets**
Tangible assets
11
**Current assets**
Debtors
8
Cash at bank and in hand
**Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year**
9
**Net current assets**
**Net assets**
**Funds of the charity:**
**Restricted income funds**
Restricted funds
13
**Unrestricted income funds**
Unrestricted funds
**Total funds**
13|**2023**
**£**
23,171
648
409,103
409,751
(6,686)
403,065
426,236
220,921
205,315
426,236|**2022**
**£**
28,106
118
331,138|
|---|---|---|
|||331,256
(5,413)|
|||325,843|
|||353,949|
|||164,587
189,362|
|||353,949|
For the financial year ending 31 March 2023 the charity was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
Directors' responsibilities:
- The members have not required the charity to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance 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.
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions relating to companies subject to the small companies regime within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.
The financial statements on pages 6 to 17 were approved by the trustees, and authorised for issue on .................... and signed on their behalf by: 15/12/2023
.........................................
Kathleen C Cains Trustee
The notes on pages 9 to 17 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 8
## **Midlands Women's Aid**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2023**
## **1 Accounting policies**
## **Summary of significant accounting policies and key accounting estimates**
The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated.
## **Statement of compliance**
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)) (issued in October 2019) - (Charities 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**
Midlands Women's Aid meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes.
## **Going concern**
The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis.
The trustees assess whether the use of going concern is appropriate i.e. whether there are any material uncertainties related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the ability of the charity to continue as a going concern. The trustees make this assessment in respect of a period of one year from the date of approval of the financial statements.
## **Exemption from preparing a cash flow statement**
The charity opted to early adopt Bulletin 1 published on 2 February 2016 and have therefore not included a cash flow statement in these financial statements.
## **Income and endowments**
Voluntary income including donations, gifts, legacies and grants that provide core funding or are of a general nature is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability.
## _**Donations and legacies**_
Donations are recognised 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 performance by the charity before the charity is entitled to the funds, the income is deferred and not recognised until either those conditions are fully met, 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 period.
## _**Grants receivable**_
Grants are recognised when the charity has an entitlement to the funds and any conditions linked to the grants have been met. Where performance conditions are attached to the grant and are yet to be met, the income is recognised as a liability and included on the balance sheet as deferred income to be released.
Page 9
## **Midlands Women's Aid**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2023**
## **Expenditure**
All expenditure is 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 are allocated to the applicable expenditure heading that aggregate 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 allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use. Other support costs are allocated based on the spread of staff costs.
## _**Charitable activities**_
Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
## **Taxation**
The charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax 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 charitable purposes.
## **Tangible fixed assets**
Individual fixed assets costing £500.00 or more are initially recorded at cost.
## **Depreciation and amortisation**
Depreciation is provided on tangible fixed assets so as to write off the cost or valuation, less any estimated residual value, over their expected useful economic life as follows:
|**Asset class**|**Depreciation method and rate**|
|---|---|
|Leasehold improvements|25% on a reducing balance basis|
|Furniture & equipment|25% on a reducing balance basis|
|IT equipment|25% on a reducing balance basis|
## **Trade debtors**
Trade debtors are amounts due from customers for merchandise sold or services performed in the ordinary course of business.
Trade debtors are recognised initially at the transaction price. They are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less provision for impairment. A provision for the impairment of trade debtors is established when there is objective evidence that the charity will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of the receivables.
## **Cash 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 value.
Page 10
## **Midlands Women's Aid**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2023**
## **Fund structure**
Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the trustees' discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the charity.
Restricted income funds are those grants for use in a particular area or for specific purposes, the use of which is restricted to that area or purpose.
## **Pensions and other post retirement obligations**
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme for employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity. Pension costs charges in the Statement of Financial Activities represent the contributions payable by the charity during the year.
## **2 Income from donations and legacies**
|Donations and legacies;
Donations from companies, trusts and similar
proceeds
Donations from individuals
Grants, including capital grants;
Government grants|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**General**
**£**
500
3,625
-
4,125|**Total**
**2023**
**£**
500
3,625
-
4,125|**Total**
**2022**
**£**
6,124
279
15,561|
|---|---|---|---|
||||21,964|
## **3 Income from charitable activities**
|Grants and donations
Housing benefit
Resident rents
Sundry income|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**General**
**£**
-
133,965
11,649
-
145,614|**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
231,250
-
-
-
231,250|**Total**
**2023**
**£**
231,250
133,965
11,649
-
376,864|**Total**
**2022**
**£**
217,167
108,429
5,635
3,030|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||334,261|
Page 11
## **Midlands Women's Aid**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2023**
## **4 Grants & donations**
|**4**
**Grants & donations**||||
|---|---|---|---|
|Beeston Consolidated Charity
Sundry grants & donations
Notts CC|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**£**
500
3,625
-
4,125|**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
36,000
-
195,250
231,250|**Total**
**£**
36,500
3,625
195,250|
||||235,375|
## **5 Investment income**
Interest receivable and similar income; Interest receivable on bank deposits
|**Unrestricted**|||
|---|---|---|
|**funds**|**Total**||
|**General**|**2023**||
|**£**|**£**||
|96||96|
Page 12
## **Midlands Women's Aid**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2023**
## **6 Expenditure on charitable activities**
|Activities & events
Building, repairs & maintenance
Cleaning
Council tax
Depreciation
Dues & subscriptions
Equipment
Grant spend (resettlement)
Insurance
IT expenses
Nacs
Office expenses
Printing & postage
Professional fees
Refreshments
Rent & rates
Salaries, NI & pensions
Security
Sundry expenses
Telephone
Training
Utilities
Travel & meetings
Recruitment|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**General**
**£**
1,776
7,361
2,523
3,134
7,723
1,001
5,562
-
3,604
2,109
9,188
593
1,766
46,136
151
-
-
1,007
163
1,973
1,342
35,785
985
-
133,882|**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
250
-
-
-
-
201
-
1,385
-
1,728
-
-
-
618
-
-
168,920
-
-
-
-
1,814
-
-
174,916|**Total**
**2023**
**£**
2,026
7,361
2,523
3,134
7,723
1,202
5,562
1,385
3,604
3,837
9,188
593
1,766
46,754
151
-
168,920
1,007
163
1,973
1,342
37,599
985
-
308,798|**Total**
**2022**
**£**
449
4,319
3,383
3,634
9,369
238
19,231
-
1,775
3,659
-
-
274
56,842
198
4,807
136,752
800
622
1,984
709
20,562
747
119|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||270,473|
**7 Net incoming/outgoing resources**
Net incoming resources for the year include:
Depreciation of fixed assets
|**2023**|**2022**|
|---|---|
|**£**|**£**|
|7,723|9,369|
Page 13
## **Midlands Women's Aid**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2023**
## **8 Debtors**
|Prepayments
**9**
**Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**
Other taxation and social security
Other creditors
**10 Staff costs**
The aggregate payroll costs were as follows:
**Staff costs during the year were:**
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Pension costs|**2023**
**£**
648
**2023**
**£**
3,560
3,126
6,686
**2023**
**£**
156,212
10,376
2,332
168,920|**2022**
**£**
118|
|---|---|---|
|||**2022**
**£**
4,081
1,332|
|||5,413|
|||**2022**
**£**
119,467
12,440
4,845|
|||136,752|
The monthly average number of persons (including senior management team) employed by the charity during the year was as follows:
|Average number of employees|**2023**
**No**
6|**2022**
**No**
6|
|---|---|---|
5 (2022 - 6) of the above employees participated in the Defined Contribution Pension Schemes.
Contributions to the employee pension schemes for the year totalled £2,332 (2022 - £4,845).
No employee received emoluments of more than £60,000 during the year.
The total employee benefits of the key management personnel of the charity were £57,518 (2022 - £49,676).
Page 14
## **Midlands Women's Aid**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2023**
## **11 Tangible fixed assets**
|**Leasehold**
**improvements**
**£**
**Furniture and**
**equipment**
**£**
**Cost**
At 1 April 2022
13,800
61,408
Additions
-
906
At 31 March 2023
13,800
62,314
**Depreciation**
At 1 April 2022
10,866
47,133
Charge for the year
733
3,795
At 31 March 2023
11,599
50,928
**Net book value**
At 31 March 2023
2,201
11,386
At 31 March 2022
2,934
14,275
**12 Analysis of net assets between funds**
**Unrestricted**
**General**
**£**
Tangible fixed assets
23,171
Current assets
185,042
Current liabilities
(2,898)
Total net assets
205,315
**Unrestricted**
**General**
**£**
Tangible fixed assets
28,106
Current assets
166,669
Current liabilities
(5,413)
Total net assets
189,362|**Leasehold**
**improvements**
**£**
**Furniture and**
**equipment**
**£**
**Cost**
At 1 April 2022
13,800
61,408
Additions
-
906
At 31 March 2023
13,800
62,314
**Depreciation**
At 1 April 2022
10,866
47,133
Charge for the year
733
3,795
At 31 March 2023
11,599
50,928
**Net book value**
At 31 March 2023
2,201
11,386
At 31 March 2022
2,934
14,275
**12 Analysis of net assets between funds**
**Unrestricted**
**General**
**£**
Tangible fixed assets
23,171
Current assets
185,042
Current liabilities
(2,898)
Total net assets
205,315
**Unrestricted**
**General**
**£**
Tangible fixed assets
28,106
Current assets
166,669
Current liabilities
(5,413)
Total net assets
189,362|**IT equipment**
**£**
49,697
1,882||**Total**
**£**
124,905
2,788
127,693
96,799
7,723
104,522
23,171
28,106
**2023**
**Total funds**
**£**
23,171
409,751
(6,686)|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||51,579|||
|||38,800
3,195|||
|||41,995|||
|||9,584|||
|||10,897|||
|||**Restricted**
**£**
-
224,709
(3,788)
220,921
**Restricted**
**£**
-
164,587
-
164,587|||
|||||426,236|
|||||**2022**
**Total funds**
**£**
28,106
331,256
(5,413)|
|||||353,949|
Page 15
## **Midlands Women's Aid**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2023**
|**13 Funds**
**Unrestricted funds**
**_General_**
General Fund
**Restricted funds**
MHCLG fund
Resettlement Fund
Beeston Consolidated
**Total restricted funds**
**Total funds**|**Balance at 1**
**April 2022**
**£**
189,362
154,587
10,000
-
164,587
353,949|**Incoming**
**resources**
**£**
149,835
195,250
-
36,000
231,250
381,085|**Resources**
**expended**
**£**
(133,882)
(137,531)
(1,385)
(36,000)
(174,916)
(308,798)|**Balance at 31**
**March 2023**
**£**
205,315
212,306
8,615
-|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||220,921|
|||||426,236|
The specific purposes for which the funds are to be applied are as follows:
The Salaries fund was received from the Beeston Consolidated Charity and was £24,000 towards the salary of the support worker and £12,000 towards the salary of the children's worker. The MHCLG funding has been provided to ensure that the Refuge is not at risk of closure. The Resettlement funding (now called Flexi fund) is to support women to access Refuge who may be barred for financial reasons.
|**Unrestricted funds**
**_General_**
General Fund
**Restricted**
MHCLG fund
Resettlement Fund
Beeston Consolidated
**Total restricted funds**
**Total funds**|**Balance at 1**
**April 2021**
**£**
183,168
85,029
-
-
85,029
268,197|**Incoming**
**resources**
**£**
139,058
171,167
10,000
36,000
217,167
356,225|**Resources**
**expended**
**£**
(132,864)
(101,609)
-
(36,000)
(137,609)
(270,473)|**Balance at 31**
**March 2022**
**£**
189,362
154,587
10,000
-|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||164,587|
|||||353,949|
Page 16
## **Midlands Women's Aid**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2023**
## **14 Fees payable to independent examiner**
During the period, the fees payable (excluding VAT) to the charity’s independent examiner Community Accounting Plus are analysed as follows:
|Independent examination|**2023**
**£**
1,165|**2022**
**£**
1,110|
|---|---|---|
## **15 Trustees remuneration and expenses**
No trustees, nor any persons connected with them, have received any remuneration from the charity during the year.
No trustees have received any reimbursed expenses or any other benefits from the charity during the year.
## **16 Related party transactions**
There were no related party transactions in the year.
## **17 Taxation**
The charity is a registered charity and is therefore exempt from taxation.
## **18 Charity status**
The charity is a company limited by guarantee and consequently does not have share capital. Each of the trustees is liable to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 towards the assets of the charity in the event of liquidation.
Page 17