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2024-03-31-accounts

April 2023 - March 2024

People First (Self Advocacy) A charity and company limited by guarrantee Charity number: 1057354 Company number: 03134827 Registered office: 336 Brixton Road, London SW9 7AA

1

Contents
Message from the Chair 4
Message from the Director 5
Our People 6
Vision, Missions and Values 7
Our Campaign Priorities 9
Our Activities and Achievements: 11
Our Policy Work 18
Making Policy Accessible 19
Organisational Development 20
Finance Section:
Part 1: Legal and Administrative Information
Part 2: Report of the Management Committee
Part 3: Summary Accessible Accounts for the year
2023/24
Part 4: Independent Examiner’ Report
Part 5: Full Accounts		 21

The Management Committee presents its report and independently examined financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024

2

60+

Policy meetings & events attended

26

Online meetings & focus groups with self advocates

150+

individuals received advocacy Increased support or Twitter signposting followers to over 23 Workshops 1500 delivered 3 Newsletters 3 20 Network & Partnership Campaigns projects Meetings 3

People First (Self Advocacy) is a national user-led selfadvocacy organisation. We have both individual members and member self-advocacy organisations. Our Management Committee members and staff all have learning difficulties and our staff are supported through Access to Work to break down the barriers they face as professionals.

See Us, Hear Us, Value Us!!

Message from the Chair Christine Spooner

During 2023-2024 we had to do a lot of work on our finances to make sure we were not spending more than we were getting. The Board had to make some tough decisions but it has helped us get through a difficult period.

Our team has done a great job delivering on lots of projects, which you can read about in this report.

The Equally Ours ‘Enterprise Development Programme’ provided funding and mentoring to develop our Empower Enterprise that provides easy read translation and training.

We were successful in getting a Disability Justice Fund grant from Trust for London for setting up a London Campaign Network and developing our accessible Management Committee training.

We look forward to offering this to other self advocacy organisations next year.

4

Thank you to all of our members, supporters and funders for making all of

this possible.

Message from the Director Andrew Lee

2023-2024 felt like a year of catching up and picking ourselves up from the Covid years.

Through our Digital Transformation and Modernisation programme we were able to develop and launch our new website, new database, and new system for sending out newsletters.

We moved to fully using Office365 as we gave up our permanent office. Now we can continue to work from home and in person.

As well as finishing some great projects such as the Nepal ‘Include Us’ project, we started our work on the London Campaign Network, Health Check Matters and the Lambeth ‘Living Our Best Lives’ projects.

I feel we are going into an exciting period of time where we are rebuilding the voice of people with

5

learning difficulties from the grassroots upwards. Only by listening to our voices will policy makers get things right for us!

Our people

Management Committee Members

Christine Spooner: Chair 4 Marie Emma Claire: Vice Chair . ite. Michael Brookstein: Treasurer Kate Brackley: Membership Secretary Kweku Wilson: Management Committee Member John Elliffe: Management Committee Member Bella Edwards: Management Committee Member Firielle Al Jubeh: Management Committee Member

Staff Team

Andrew Lee: Director

Samantha Johnson: Advocacy Manager

Ray Johnson: Development Manager

6

We have a team of fantastic supporters who help us do our work. We fund this support through Access to Work.

Vision

A UK which is free of barriers faced by people with learning difficulties.

Where people with learning difficulties have:

 Real choice, control and independence

Mission

To promote the user-led voice of people with learning difficulties as equal and valued citizens. We do this by supporting people with learning difficulties and their user-led organisations to grow and have a voice both at a local and a national level.

We also support decision makers and services to understand the barriers we face at all levels of society

7

and the support we need to break down these barriers. ~~ee~~

Values

8

During this year we started to review our Big Plan for 2024 - 2027.

The pandemic highlighted a lot of things we needed to improve such as our digital skills and systems. These have been included in our plan.

Our Campaign Priorities

Accessible Information and Easy Read

Supporting access to information through more accessible information, processes, communication, and wider use of Easy Read, so that people have the information they need to make decisions and have control of their lives.

Information is power!

Self-advocacy and speaking up

9

Supporting the growth of user-led speaking up and self-advocacy groups so that people with learning difficulties have the support to speak up, build confidence and break down barriers together.

Nothing about us without us!

Community Advocacy and Support

Supporting access to good, flexible independent local advocacy and support that treats each person as a whole. Having the support to do what they want in life and full access to independent living, choice, and control.

Don’t break my life up into pieces!

Everything we do is to promote what is important to people with learning difficulties across the UK.

All our activity takes forward our campaign priorities set by our members. These will be reviewed in 2023.

10

Our Activities and Achievements Empower Accessible information & communication service

The Empower Enterprise

Our Empower service includes Easy Read Translation, Easy Read Training and the Easy Read Picture Bank.

We have produced easy documents for a wide range of organisations over the last year.

We were able to update our Easy Read training package and start delivering training both online and in person.

We translated over 50 documents into easy read and delivered 2 easy read training sessions.

The Advocacy Plus service includes the Lambeth ‘Living Our Best Lives project’, the ‘Advocacy, Signposting and Advice service’, and our ‘Advocacy Matters’ work.

The ‘Living Our Best Lives project worked with local people with learning difficulties and organisations in Lambeth to run a programme of health and wellbeing workshops.

• Relationships & Dating (Feb)

12

• Safe Socialising & Emotional Health (March)

We are looking forward to running more workshops in 2024-2025.

13

The Self- Advocate’s Support and Action Group originally met weekly during the pandemic, then moved to every 2 weeks.

We then decided to meet once a month from April 2023 until November 2023.

Members of the group still keep in contact but had less time to meet online as people have returned to face-to-face activities and meetings.

– Nepal Include Us! project

We completed our online programme on Self-advocacy, Easy Read and Employment with self-advocates in Nepal. In November 2023, we were invited to Nepal to deliver a week’s training around employment using Forum Theatre and Graphic Facilitation.

We co-developed a play, based on people’s real-life experiences, of employment and life expectations. After sharing their stories we co-wrote the play, working out the different parts and roles.

Forum Theatre encourages audience participation and explores different options for dealing with a problem or issue. You can see some of our photos on the next page.

14

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Co-producing Accessible Legal Information

We started working with Professor Rosie Harding (University of Birmingham) on this research project in June 2023.

We ran a number of online workshops, and 2 in person workshops using Forum Theatre.

We also presented at a conference at Nottingham University about the project.

By June 2024 we will produce a number of easy read legal information templates and run two launch events to present the findings of the research project.

Health Check Matters

We were asked to run some workshops for BHR CEPN (Barking & Dagenham, Havering and Redbridge Community Education Provider Network). They were for health professionals who are involved in Annual Health Checks for people with learning difficulties across 3 boroughs.

17

Our Policy work

Strategic Advocacy

To take forward our campaign priorities and influence policy and decision makers we do the following things.

We continued to attend:

This year we have been involved in over 60 policy and network meetings and policy events.

18

Making policy accessible

We have had the opportunity to make many policy and campaign documents accessible.

Here are some of them:

19

Our Organisational Development

We reviewed our 2020-2023 Organisational Strategy. We will publish a new plan for 2024-2027.

We started work on transforming and modernising our digital operations and systems. We used a mentor to help us with researching providers and setting new systems up.

We set up Office 365, Quick Books, and a new database. Staff have been having support and training to use the new systems.

We launched our new website in June 2023. We received support to project manage the process and learn to update it ourselves.

Through the Equally Ours Enterprise Development Programme we received expert financial management support. We have been able to continue this.

20

Finances

Part 1: Legal and Administrative Information

Charity Name: People First (Self Advocacy) Charity registration number: 1057354 Company registration number: 03134827

Registered Office and operational address: 336 Brixton Road, London, SW9 7AA

Independent Examiner

Dick Maule FCA

The Cross House, South Woodchester, GL5 5EL

Bankers

Barclays Bank PLC UK Banking, 1 Churchill Place London E14 5HP

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Part 2: Report of the Management Committee

2.1 Risk Management

Risk management: this means when an organisation looks at things that might go wrong and thinks of ways to stop them from becoming a reality.

The Management Committee has spent time looking at what things can go wrong. We often look at ways to make sure the charity faces less risks.

For example:

Safeguarding: this means putting rules into place to make sure that people who could be at risk, can live safely.

Fundraising continues to be our main concern. We have had success in getting small grants and have increased income from our easy read work. We need to increase core funding and unrestricted income.

22

2.2 Structure of the Organisation

People First has a Management Committee of up to 8 members who meet at least six times a year.

They are responsible for agreeing on the aims and policies of the charity.

2.3 Day to day Management

The Director of People First, Andrew Lee, does the day-to-day work and manages the team.

Andrew makes sure the charity meets its targets. He makes sure that staff can do their jobs and carry on building their skills and working well together.

2.4 Reserves Policy

We must aim to have reserves to cover the organisations running costs for at least 3 months..

Our unrestricted funds as at 31st March 2024 are £4,049 (2023: £2,309).

The balance on our restricted income reserves as at 31[st] March 2024 is now £7, 55 0 (2023: £0) .

23

We are aiming to increase our reserves through our Empower! Enterprise - Accessible Information and Communication Service and other consultancy contracts.

2.5 Public benefit Statement

The company’s objectives and principal activities are to:

24

Part 3: Summary Accessible Accounts for the year 2023/24

Accessible Accounts report by: The Treasurer

The full independently examined accounts for 2023/24 are shown at the end of this report.

The next few pages explain the money information in a different way to make it clearer.

What the Independent Examiner thought of the full Accounts!

Because we are a charity as well as a company, we have had our finances independently examined.

They said we kept good records and that we spent money correctly.

Where we got our money from!

Grants & Donations that we got from funders & from charitable trusts

Total Grants & Donations: £178,356 (2023: £159,232)

Including Access to Work: Money for workers’ support Total – £55,615 (2023: £50,830 )

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By selling things , giving training, making documents accessible

Total – £21,790 (2023: £13,933)

Bank Interest Total - £96 (2023: £8)

. Total money coming in: £200,242 (2023: £173,173)

What did we spend the money on?

Money was spent mainly on wages for staff, rent and running costs for the office and general membership and project activity.

Total money going out: £190,952 (2023: £232,249)

Did we have any money left over at 31[st] March 2024?

Yes, we had: £11,599

(2023: £2,309)

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Responsibilities of the Management Committee

The Management Committee, who are also known as the Trustees, are responsible for keeping proper accounting records. These records must show clearly how we are doing with our money at any point in time.

The Management Committee have to make sure that the financial statements follow the rules of the Companies Act 2006 .

The Management Committee is also responsible for looking after the assets of the charitable company, such as computers and furniture, and for taking reasonable steps to stop or prevent anyone from stealing or cheating.

The names of the Members of the Management Committee who served during the year and up to the date of this report are set out on page 6.

The next part is a statement of the Trustees responsibilities for the purposes of Company Law and is declaring that that we have met these responsibilities.

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Trustees' responsibilities statement - Charitable Company

The trustees (who are also directors of People First Self Advocacy 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).

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for the year

28

In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that 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.

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In so far as the trustees are aware:

Dick Maule FCA will continue as Independent Examiner

This report has been prepared in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) 2[nd] edition, the Charities Act 2011, and the Companies Act 2006.

Approved by the Management Committee Date: 23rd August 2024

and signed on its behalf by:

Christine Spooner

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The People First Management Committee submits its statutory Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024 . The Trustee’s Report and Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006, the Charities Act 2016 and comply with UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (GAAP). They also comply with the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard, also known as the Charities (FRS 102) SORP. Public benefit statement In reviewing our aims, objectives and activities, the Trustees have taken into account the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit. The Trustees ensure that the activities undertaken are always in line with the charitable aims and objectives as set out in People First’s governing document. This annual report does not include ~~7~~ exemptions from disclosure. 31

Independent examiner's statement

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 reall tcA.. }-16[->-'] -tCJ? f'c f) The Cross House South Woodchester GL5 5EL - Date J..J q .l,02 '-f_

3 2

People First (Self Advocacy) (Limited by Guarantee)

Statement of Financial Activities (including Income and Expenditure Account) For the year ended 31st March 2024

Income from
Notes
Donations and legacies
3
Charitable activities
3
Intevestment income
3
Total income
Expenditure:
4
Raising funds
Charitable activities
Total expenditure
Net income
Net income and net movement in
funds for the year
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward		 Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
2024
Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
Total funds
2023
£
£
£
£
£
£
15,741
-
15,741
-
-
-
38,640
145,765
184,405
88,433
84,732
173,165
96
-
96
8
-
8
54,477
145,765
200,242
88,441
84,732
173,173
7,293
-
7,293
6,750
-
6,750
45,444
138,215
183,659
95,644
129,855
225,499
52,737
138,215
190,952
102,394
129,855
232,249
1,740
7,550
9,290
(13,953)
(45,123)
(59,076)
1,740
7,550
9,290
(13,953)
(45,123)
(59,076)
2,309
-
2,309
16,262
45,123
61,385
4,049
£
7,550
£
11,599
£
2,309
£
-
2,309
£

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derives from continuing activities.

The statement of financial activities complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006.

The notes on the following pages form part of these accounts.

33

People First (Self Advocacy) (Limited by Guarantee)

Balance Sheet

As at 31st March 2024

Note 2024 2023
£ £
Fixed assets 10 - -
Current assets
Stock 7 75 75
Debtors 8 18,639 26,524
Cash at bank and in hand 6,554 3,563
25,268 30,162
Liabilities:
Creditors: Amount falling due within one year 9 13,669 27,853
Net current assets / (liabilities) 11,599 2,309
Total assets less current liabilities 11,599 2,309
The funds of the charity: 11
Restricted income funds 12 7,550 -
Unrestricted income funds 12
General reserve 4,049 2,309
Total charity funds 11,599 2,309

The charity is entitled to the exemption from the audit requirement contained in section 477 of the Companies Act 2006, for the year ended 31st March 2024. No member of the charity has deposited a notice, pursuant to section 476, requiring an audit of these accounts.

The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records which comply with sections 386 and 387 of the Act and for preparing accounts which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitible company as at the end of the financial year and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the financial year in accordance with the requirements of sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to accounts so far as applicable to the charitable company.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

The notes on the following pages form part of these accounts.

The accounts were approved by the Board on 23rd August 2024

Christine Spooner

Trustee

Charity Registration No. 1057354 Company Registration No. 03134827

34

People First (Self Advocacy) (Limited by Guarantee)

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31st March 2024

1 Statutory information

People First (Self Advocacy) is a charitable company, limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales number 03134827, charity number 1057354. The charitable company’s registered office address is 336 Brixton Road, London, SW9 7AA. The registered office is the principle place of business. The accounts are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency.

2 Accounting policies

2.1 Basis of preparation

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), (Charities SORP FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.

Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s).

2.2 Public benefit entity

The charitable company meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS102.

2.3 Going concern

The trustees consider that there are no material doubts about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern. Funding confirmed for the next 12 to 18 months is sufficient to enable the charity to continue operating.

The trustees do not consider that there are any sources of estimation uncertainty at the reporting date that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next reporting period.

2.4 Income

Donations and grants receivable are included when receivable, unless conditions are attached which specify their application to later periods. Such income would then be carried forward as income received in advance (deferred income). Government grants likewise receivable are included when receivable, unless conditions are attached which specify their application to later periods. Donated goods and services are included at the value to the charity where this can be quantified.

2.5 Interest receivable

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank.

2.6 Fund accounting

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

Unrestricted funds are donations and other incoming resources received or generated for the charitable purposes.

Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the trustees for particular purposes.

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People First (Self Advocacy) (Limited by Guarantee)

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31st March 2024: continued

2.7 Expenditure and basis of apportioning costs

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis with the irrecoverable element of VAT included with the item to which it relates and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Expenditure is classified under the following activity headings:

Raising funds: Costs of raising funds relate to the costs incurred by the charitable company in inducing third parties to make voluntary contributions to it, as well as the cost of any activities with a fundraising purpose, including trading.

Charitable activites: Expenditure on charitable activities includes conducting research, publishing analyses and recommendations, convening meetings and conferences, offering consultancy and expert advice and other activities undertaken to further the purposes of the charity and their associated support costs. Resources expended are allocated to directly to the activity to which the cost relates. Salaries are allocated according to time spent, other shared costs are apportioned on an equal basis with central overhead costs apportioned on the basis of total expenditure on each activity.

2.8 Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments.

The trustees seek to use short term deposits to maximise the return on monies held at the bank and to manage cash flow.

The charitable company has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS102 to all of its financial instruments. The Charity only has financial assets and liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial subsequently measured at their settlement value.

2.9 Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.

2.10 Creditors and provisions

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

2.11 Fixed assets

Fixed assets are accounted for over their expected useful life. Items of equipment are capitalised when their purchase price exceeds £500.

Depreciation is provided on the following basis:

Equipment: 25% on straight line basis

Previous accounts erroneously stated depreciation was provided on reducing line basis.

2.12 Fundraising

People First (Self Advocacy) doesn't use 3rd party fundraising organisations. Funds are raised through individual donations, grants from Trusts, Foundations and Government grants and contracts.

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People First (Self Advocacy) (Limited by Guarantee)

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31st March 2024: continued

2.13 Pensions

The charitable company operates an Auto Enrolment defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities as they are incurred.

2.14 Services provided by volunteers

The value of services provided by volunteers has not been included in these accounts.

3
Income from donations and legacies
Unrestricted Restricted Total 2024
£
£
£
Gifts
15,741
-
15,741
Total income from donations and legacies
15,741
-
15,741
Income from charitable activities
Unrestricted Restricted Total 2024
£
£
£
Grants & contracts
Access to Work
-
55,615
55,615
Equally Ours
-
20,000
20,000
The London Community Foundation
-
14,900
14,900
Trust for London
-
38,500
38,500
LHEP NHSE London
-
5,000
5,000
Eleanor Rathbone Charitable Trust
-
3,000
3,000
Kathleen Beryl Sleigh Charitable Trust
5,000
-
5,000
Steven Block Image of Disability Charitable Trust
2,000
-
2,000
Birmingham University
1,200
-
1,200
Esmee Fairbairn Foundation
-
-
-
CBM Global
-
-
-
National Federation of the Disabled
-
8,750
8,750
BILD
5,900
-
5,900
UNICEF
-
-
-
The National Lottery Fund
-
-
-
NE London Trust
-
-
-
National Voices
-
-
-
Other grants
2,750
-
2,750
Total grants
16,850
145,765
162,615
Unrestricted Restricted Total 2024
£
£
£
Consultancy, sales & services
Consultancy
8,485
-
8,485
Easy Read
12,985
-
12,985
Picture Bank
320
-
320
Total consultancy, sales & services
21,790
-
21,790
Total income from charitable activities
38,640
145,765
184,405
Intevestment income
Unrestricted Restricted Total 2024
£
£
£
Interest income
96
-
96
Total investment income
96
-
96		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Total 2023
£
£
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total 2023
£
£
£
-
50,830
50,830
-
12,497
12,497
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
55,000
7,000
62,000
-
14,000
14,000
-
-
-
-
405
405
4,600
-
4,600
9,900
-
9,900
5,000
-
5,000
-
-
-
74,500
84,732
159,232
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total 2023
£
£
£
175
-
175
13,758
-
13,758
-
-
-
13,933
-
13,933
88,433
84,732
173,165
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total 2023
£
£
£
8
-
8
8
-
8

37

People First (Self Advocacy)

(Limited by Guarantee)

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31st March 2024: continued

4 Analysis of expenditure

Analysis of expenditure
Cost of Support &
raising Charitable activities Governance
funds costs 2024 Total 2023 Total
£ £ £ £ £
Staff costs 5,536 99,644 5,536 110,715 132,418
Consultants & consultant support - 55,395 - 55,395 69,210
Easy Read - 7,438 - 7,438 4,539
Accounting - - 1,341 1,341 -
Fundraising 1,400 - - 1,400 6,750
Rent & rates - 4,904 - 4,904 7,746
Computer Costs - 2,781 - 2,781 4,706
Travel and Accommodation - 104 - 104 200
Office & related costs - 1,744 - 1,744 828
Telephone - 596 - 596 627
Website - 1,172 - 1,172 2,304
Room hire - 886 - 886 696
Insurances - - 330 330 323
Legal and professional fees - - 75 75 139
Management Committee Expenses - - 518 518 604
Independent Examination - - 775 775 775
Bank charges - - 265 265 216
Away Day - - 513 513 168
Total 6,936 174,664 9,353 190,952 232,249
Support & governance costs 357 8,996 (9,353) -
Total expenditure 2024 7,293 183,659 - 190,952 232,249
Unrestricted Restricted Total
Of the total expenditure: 2024 52,737 138,215 190,952
2023 79,025 153,224 232,249

Analysis of expenditure - prior year comparative

Staff costs
Consultants & consultant support
Easy Read
Fundraising
Rent & rates
Computer Costs
Travel and Accommodation
Office & related costs
Telephone
Website
Room hire
Insurances
Legal and professional fees
Management Committee Expenses
Independent Examination
Bank charges
Away Day
Total
Governance costs
Total expenditure 2023		 Cost of
raising
funds
Charitable activities
Support &
Governance
costs
2023 Total
£
£
£
£
-
132,418
-
132,418
-
69,210
-
69,210
-
4,539
-
4,539
6,750
-
-
6,750
-
7,746
-
7,746
-
4,706
-
4,706
-
200
-
200
-
828
-
828
-
627
-
627
-
2,304
-
2,304
-
696
-
696
-
-
323
323
-
-
139
139
-
-
604
604
-
-
775
775
-
-
216
216
-
-
168
168
6,750
223,274
2,225
232,249
65
2,160
(2,225)
-
6,815
225,434
-
232,249

38

People First (Self Advocacy) (Limited by Guarantee)

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31st March 2024: continued

5 Net income for the year

6

The net income for the year is stated after charging:
Independent Examination
Staff & trustee costs
Staff costs during the year were:
Salaries and wages
Social Security costs
Employer’s contribution to defined contribution pension schemes
Redundancy costs		 2024
2023
£
£
775
775
2024
2023
£
£
97,600
123,477
1,785
4,032
10,594
4,909
736
-
110,715
132,418

Number of staff

The average monthly number of staff during the year was 6.3 (2023: 7)

There no employees whose annual remuneration was £60,000 or more.

The key management personnel of the charitable company included the Trustees and Director. Total benefits paid to key management personnel including NIC and pension were £81,512 (2022: £75,782).

Trustee expenses during the year were: 2024 2023
£ £
Trustee travel expenses 518 604

39

People First (Self Advocacy) (Limited by Guarantee)

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31st March 2024: continued

7
Stock
Publications, cassettes and T'shirts
8
Debtors
Due within one year:
Accrued income
Sundry debtors
9
Creditors
Amounts falling due within one year:
Trade creditors
Social Security and other taxes
Pension
Deferred income
Accruals
10
Tangible fixed assets
Cost
At 1 April 2023
Additions
At 31 March 2024
Accumulated Depreciation
At 1 April 2023
Charge for the year
At 31 March 2024
Net book value
At 31 March 2024
At 31 March 2023		 2024
2023
£
£
75
75		 2024
2023
£
£
75
75
2024
2023
£
£
1,039
7,000
17,600
19,524
18,639
26,524
2024
2023
£
£
809
16,774
3,176
9,319
7,087
274
380
-
2,217
1,486
13,669 27,853
Equipment
£
77,987
-
77,987
77,987
-
77,987
-
-

40

People First (Self Advocacy)

(Limited by Guarantee)

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31st March 2024: continued

11 Analysis of net assets between funds
Unrestricted Restricted Total
Funds Funds Funds
£ £ £
Fund Balances at 31 March 2024 are represented by:
Tangible Fixed Assets - - -
Current Assets 17,718 7,550 25,268
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year (13,669) - (13,669)
Total net assets 4,049 7,550 11,599
Analysis of net assets between funds -prior year comparative
Unrestricted Restricted Total
Funds Funds Funds
£ £ £
Fund Balances at 31 March 2023 are represented by:
Tangible Fixed Assets - - -
Current Assets 30,162 - 30,162
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year (27,853) - (27,853)
Total net assets 2,309 - 2,309
12 Funds - current year

The income funds of the charity include restricted and unrestricted funds comprising the following unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust:

Restricted Funds
EDP
Advocacy Plus
Disability Justice Fund
LHEP NHSE London
Women's Group
Nepal
Access to Work
Total Restricted Funds
Unrestricted funds:
General funds
Total funds		 At
Incoming
Outgoing
At
1 Apr 2023
31 Mar 2024
£
£
£
£
-
20,000
(16,250)
3,750
-
14,900
(14,900)
-
-
38,500
(35,500)
3,000
-
5,000
(5,000)
-
-
3,000
(2,200)
800
-
8,750
(8,750)
-
-
55,615
(55,615)
-
-
145,765
(138,215)
7,550
2,309
54,477
(52,737)
4,049
2,309
200,242
(190,952)
11,599

41

People First (Self Advocacy) (Limited by Guarantee)

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31st March 2024: continued

Funds - prior year

The income funds of the charity include restricted and unrestricted funds comprising the following unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust:

Restricted Funds
Leaders with lived experience
VCSE
Funding Plus
EDP
Nepal - Consultancy
Nepal - CBM Global
Nepal: Unicef
_Access to Work_
Total Restricted Funds
Unrestricted funds:
General funds
Total funds*		 At
Incoming
Outgoing
At
1 Apr 2022
31 Mar 2023
£
£
£
£
17,625
-
(17,625)
-
15,000
-
(15,000)
-
-
7,000
(7,000)
-
12,498
12,497
(24,995)
-
-
7,000
(7,000)
-
-
7,000
(7,000)
-
-
405
(405)
-
-
50,830
(50,830)
-
45,123
84,732
(129,855)
-
16,262
139,271
(153,224)
2,309
61,385
224,003
(283,079)
2,309

Restricted Funds - description

*Access to Work

Funding provided by the Government to support additional needs within the workplace. Reported as Unrestricted funding in previous year accounts, now re-classifed to Restricted funding as the parameters for support are strict.

EDP

Funding to follow on from previous funding to improve and market the Empower Enterprise to build sustainability and self funding. The Empower Enterprise is our user-led accessible information service. It is the overall service that we offer to organisations to support them to produce accessible information. This is so they can meet the access needs of people with learning difficulties, disabilities and autistic people.

Advocacy Plus

A peer advocacy service where people with learning difficulties support each other to reach goals, break down barriers and reduce isolation.

Disability Justice Fund

Funding from Trust for London to support user led self advocacy groups and groups in the London Campaign Network.

LHEP NHSE London

Funding for the Health Check Matters Forum Theatre work.

Women's Group

Funding from Eleanor Rathbone Trust to support women specific self advocacy groups.

Nepal - Consultancy

The project covered three years involving Disability International Nepal and CBM Global. The overall aim was to help self-advocates in Nepal to set up an Easy Read service in Katmandu.

42

People First (Self Advocacy) (Limited by Guarantee)

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31st March 2024: continued

13 Taxation

The charitable company is registered as a charity and all of its income falls within the exemptions under Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010.

14 Related parties

There are no donations from related parties, none which are outside the normal course of business and no restricted donations from related parties.

15 Pension and other post-retirement benefit commitments

Defined contribution 2024 2023
£ £
Contributions payable by the company for the year 10,594 4,909

At 31 March 2024 £7,442 was outstanding, paid in April 2024 (2023: £274)

During the year an error on the Auto Enrolment Pension scheme was corrected, with contributions being made by the charitable company to compensate the affected employees and correct the scheme.

16 Contingent assets or liabilities

There are no contingent assets or liabilities at March 2024 (2023:Nil) and no capital commitments.

17 Professional indemnity insurance

The charitable company has insurance to protect it from loss arising from the neglect or defaults of its Trustee, employees and agents and to indemnify the Trustees or other officers against the consequences of any neglect or default on their part. The total insurance premium incurred by the charitable company during the year totalled £330 (2023: £323).

18 Liability of members

People First (Self Advocacy) is a company limited by guarantee and has no share capital. In the event of the company being wound up, the liability of the members is limited to £1 each.

19 Ultimate controlling party

The charitable company was under the control of the trustees during the period under review. There is no single ultimate controlling party.

43

People First (Self Advocacy) 336 Brixton Road, London SW9 7AA, England Email: info@ peoplefirstltd.com Website: www.peoplefirstltd.com Tel: 020 7274 5484 Twitter: @PFselfadvocacy

44