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2024-03-31-accounts

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Annual Report of the Trustees the Year Ending 31%‘ March 2024

Chair’s Summary

As detailed in the executive summary and reflected tn the accounts, the Association experienced a loss of some contracts over the past year, notably in Wrexham and Flintshire, following competitive tendering exercises, The contract was lost when it came down to it due the preference of one model of provision over another, and in fact a locally based service to their two counties, and not because of any findamental deficiency in the service we were offering to provide. Undoubtedly, these losses have impacted our financial position. However, we have also achieved significant successes, particularly in Gwynedd and Ynys Mon. These include a successful bid for retendered services in the counties here and the initiation of anew community project in partnership with CADMHAS, funded by BCUHB.

We have opted to partner with them because CADMHAS specialises in mental health advocacy and has a vast understanding of the needs of individuals with mental health issues and the challenges and barriers they face, This combines with NWAAA’s experience in other Advocacy provision, notably Learning difficulty and other disability. The needs of the community service we have been successfully chosen to provide Advocacy to serve al! groups of clients with all needs, and we are pooling the expertise of both services. The benefits of this partnership are most keenly felt by the individuals who use the service and who do not have to go to different places to find the right Advocacy service and provision, it is under one umbrella. It also benefits both services to work together to create improved service delivery and develop provision through economies of scale, while mirroring the partnerships that most local authority and health service funders are now exploring. Additionally, it gives us a measure of stability — rather than one service or the other knocking each other out for funding we can both get something for our respective services. The Association is eager to explore other partnership opportunities further, using this model as a template for future bids and the developing other projects in the coming years. Additionally, the Board recognizes the need to enhance how we promote our achievements and share our successes with a broader audience, moving beyond the relatively narrow focus we have traditionally maintained.

It is heartening to note that the Association supported nearly 800 individuals across various projects in North Wales over the past year, but it recognises that communicating the value and impact of its work must be improved. Whilst it is understood the importance and benefits of advocacy—both for the individuals we support and the services we collaborate with—the challenge lies in ensuring that others also recognize its significance. By effectively demonstrating the value of advocacy, we can build a strong case for ongoing and new funding opportunities.

Securing continued and diversified funding will be a critical priority in the coming years to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Association.

I extend my gratitude to our Board of Trustees, who continue to dedicate their time and expertise to support the work of the Association.

My heartfelt thanks on behalf of the Board goes to the staff and particularly to Jon our CEO whose efforts make the delivery of day-to-day work possible. It is essential to ensure that their vital contributions are fully recognized, which underscores our commitment to widely communicating the impacts of their work to all stakeholders.

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We as an Association are grateful to those who commission our services and provide the funding that enables us to carry out our work. We also recognize the many families and carers, both paid and unpaid, who play a crucial role in facilitating contact with those we support. Likewise, we are appreciative of the many nursing homes, residential services, supported living provisions, third-sector organizations, and other support agencies that refer individuals to us, extending the reach of advocacy services.

Finally, I wish to express my deepest gratitude to the individuals we have supported. They have allowed us to work with them, to become a part of the journey of their lives. It is a privilege and honour to play a part of their journeys foward hopefully achieving the life they want.

Diolch,

Emlyn P Thomas (Chair)

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Executive Summary of 2023-24

Over the course of the financial year 2023-24, the service has faced both challenges and achieved notable successes.

One of the most significant challenges was the retendering of all our key contracts throughout the year. Local authorities across North Wales have sought to pool resources and, where possible, carry out joint commissioning of advocacy setvices. For example, Wrexham and Flintshire opted to commission jointly, as did Conwy and Denbighshire. While we have already worked under joint commissioning arrangements in Gwynedd and Ynys Mé6n for several years, we were now faced with bidding for larger services, with expanded parameters, against established competitors in Flintshire and Conwy,

Unfortunately, despite our efforts, we were unsuccessful in securing contracts in Wrexham, Flintshire, Conwy, and Denbighshire. This was not for lack of effort or innovation in our service delivery models. Although the difference between success and failure was only a few percentage points, it is little comfort when we consider the extensive work we put into those counties (except Conwy), along with the relationships we built with individuals and services over the years. Ending these relationships was a difficult and disappointing outcome.

The knock-on effects were significant, including managing staff disappointment and their understandable concerns about funding loss. Staff members, who had built deep relationships with clients, had to bring those to a close. Some advocates had worked with individuals for years, supporting them through their journeys. It was challenging for both staff and clients to transition, but our team approached the process with professionalism and care, ensuring that all clients were transitioned to the new providers as seamlessly as possible.

Afterward, we regrouped as a team, set aside our disappointments, and focused on what is still a substantial range of projects.

There are also successes to be celebrated. We successfully retendered for our services in Gwynedd and Ynys Mén, including advocacy and RPR services. Additionally, we secured the Community Advocacy project funded by BCUHB in both counties. This expansive service covers non-statutory advocacy and includes an innovative partnership with CADMHAS. Together, we have implemented a joint referral, triage, and monitoring system, pooling resources and expertise to deliver this service effectively.

The joint service has been running for six months, during which we have embedded the provision, raised awareness, and promoted it widely among GP practices, housing associations, and voluntary sector groups—beyond traditional statutory service referrers. The service is shaping up to be highly successful and has already been extended for another year. We have also seen growth in other areas of the service. For instance, with our Direct Payments Payroll Services, Gwynedd Local Authority now offers our payroll services to its residents, building on the successful model we established in Ynys Mén. Likewise, referrals for RPR services are increasing, presenting potential for further growth. These income streams have the potential to grow as more individuals use them. Additionally, our ongoing work with MHC contributes to our financial stability and offers a mode! to look at other providers with.

While the loss of contracts has been challenging, it has not fundamentally undermined the service. This resilience is due in part to the financial stability we have maintained. However, we remain acutely aware of the financial implications and the need to secure our future.

Moving forward, our work will focus on Gwynedd and Ynys Mén, where we can refine our services, enhance our public offerings, and strengthen relationships with funding bodies. To achieve long-term stability, we must develop a strategic plan that prioritizes the following areas.

Diversifying Funding Sources- We must develop a more comprehensive approach to sourcing funding : through local authority projects as they arise; or through private provider contracts, such as we have developed with MHC; or looking at grant- making foundations and trusts as we have done with Lloyds Banks and BIG Lottery in past projects.

Forming Strategic Partnerships - By undertaking collaborative projects, we can engage in joint initiatives with other organisations to deliver our advocacy services. Our partnership with CADMHAS is one such example, but we need to develop more partnership working, strengthening our ability to access larger regional! and national pots of funding.

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Demonstrating Impact - We must demonstrate the effectiveness ofNWAAA's services through impact reports, case studies, testimonials and success stories to attract potential funders, This will include revising the digital face and offer of the organisation. We must also utilise local, regional and national connections and forums to engage with those with influence, to support our case for sustained funding for advocacy services, and to positively support future funding applications.

The next few years present an opportunity to refine our services and rededicate our mission. We have endured a difficult period, and it is not entirely at an end. The financial outlook in the coming years will depend on both the strategies we employ to generate future funding and maintaining delivery the projects that we have. By diversifying funding, forming strategic partnerships, and demonstrating our impact, we believe we can secure a stable future for the service and continue delivering high-quality advocacy.

Mission Statement

Advocacy, in its broadest sense, is the act of speaking up for and supporting individuals or groups who are marginalized or disregarded in society, Our work encompasses both reactive and proactive approaches:

NWAAA is committed to being proactive in developing and implementing new models of advocacy aimed at influencing systemic change. These action-oriented initiatives are designed to:

Through these efforts, NWAAA seeks not only to address immediate needs but also to create lasting improvements in the social landscape for disadvantaged individuals and groups.

What we aim to do

NWAAA is dedicated to delivering high-quality, independent advocacy across health and social care settings, supporting a wide range of individuals in need. We view advocacy as a dynamic and collaborative process, working closely with individuals to ensure their voices are heard, their rights are upheld, and they receive the services they need. Beyond individual support, we actively engage in broader conversations on health and social care issues, advocating for systemic solutions to inequality and disadvantage at local, regional, and national levels,

Our approach is both responsive—addressing current needs—and proactive, anticipating trends and challenges that impact those we support. This forward-thinking ethos drives the evolution of our services to meet emerging demands.

Guided by the principles of the Advocacy Charter, NWAAA’s work reflects core values of fairness, respect, and empowerment.

Who We Are

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How we work with funders

NWAAA relies on diverse funding from public and private sector organizations, building strong, collaborative relationships with funders. Our relationships with funders are based on the expectations laid out in our engagement protocol and in the service agreements, we hold with them, Our aim is work in partnerships with our funders to allow us to:

NWAAA is committed to shaping health and social care services that promote equality and inclusion, both through individual advocacy and by addressing systemic issues.

NWAAA delivers a range of services across the North Wales region, including multiple Independent Advocacy Service contracts with local authorities and private sector providers. Beyond these core services, we have successfully implemented projects in Self-Advocacy and Direct Payments Support, expanding the scope of our impact.

Committed to sustaining and growing our work, NWAAA actively seeks new funding opportunities. This includes initiating projects independently and developing partnerships with other organizations to deliver innovative and effective services.

Funding Sources 2023-24

Independent Advocacy Services

Gwynedd and Anglesey Advocacy Service

Gwynedd and Anglesey jointly commission an Independent Professional Advocacy (IPA) service, delivered in accordance with the Local Authorities’ duties under the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act. The IPA service supports individuals in ensuring their rights are upheld and their voices heard.

In addition to IPA, the project provides lower-level, one-to-one advocacy and signposting for issues that fall outside the scope of IPA. This service is accessible to any adult funded by Gwynedd or Anglesey who has care or support needs, regardless of whether these needs-are currently being met. The project has been recently retendered and NWAAA have been successful in retaining the service to 2027 with an option to extend further.

A total of 162 individuals were supported under this project in the 2023-24

Paid Relevant Persons Representative Services

- Gwynedd and Anglesey

Paid Relevant Persons Representative services are vital safeguard provided to those individuals subject to Deprivation of Liberty Authorisation under the Mental Capacity Act 2005, The Paid RPR can challenge the deprivation of liberty on behalf of the individual, including seeking support from the Court of Protection if needed.

Many individuals under DoLS lack family or friends who can act as a representative, making the Paid RPR service indispensable. This service ensures that vulnerable individuals have someone who consistently advocates for their dignity, autonomy, and legal rights, even when they cannot do so themselves. A total of 77 individual were supported under this project

BCUHB Community Advocacy Service Gwynedd/Ynys Mon

This service is a new project, funded by the BCUHB for Adults in Gwynedd and Ynys Mén who do not qualify for statutory advocacy services but require support with health and social care issues with a focus on advocacy services designed to prevent issues from escalating into crises requiring statutory service intervention. This service supports individuals in understanding their rights, making informed choices, and ensuring their voices are heard in range of matters related to their lives, including housing, benefits, debt-issues, health care, homelessness and more, where the individual has a barrier in terms of the own

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physical or mental health that require them to need Advocacy support to speak on their behalf. The service is available to any adult in the two counties with mental health problems, learning difficulties, physical and sensory disabilities, substance misuse, dementia and acquired brain injuries,

To ensure effective support, we have partnered with CADMHAS to provide a joint approach. This collaboration leverages our combined expertise to deliver tailored advocacy services that address the specific needs of individuals in both counties.

We successfully tendered for this service in June 2023 and the service went live in September 2023. We have supported 68 people up until March 2024 and the service has been extended for further 12 months.

Wrexham Advocacy Service

The service provides Independent Professional Advocacy to individuals aged 18 and over with learning disabilities, physical, sensory, neurological impairment(s) and older people (people aged 65 and over) seeking advocacy in relation to a matter directly linked to a service provided, or commissioned by Wrexham County Borough Council, Adult Social Care. Similar to other projects there is both IPA and advocacy for lower level issues provided. This project was retendered in 2023 and was awarded to another provider form January 2024.

A total of 67 people were supported under this project to December 2023

Flintshire Learning Disability Advocacy

The service provided Independent Advocacy services to Adults with a Learning Disability in Flintshire, and to those residents of Flintshire placed out of county. This project was retendered in 2023 and was awarded to another provider from January.

A total of 44 people were supported under this project in 2023-24

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Denbighshire Learning Disability Advocacy

This service is commissioned by Denbighshire Council to provide Independent Advocacy services for individuals with a learning disability and in receipt of, or eligible to, social care services.

A total of 59 people were supported under this project in 2023-24

Supporting People (Gwynedd)

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NWAAA is funded to provide an Advocacy to individuals with a Learning Disability who are in receipt of funding under Welsh Governments Housing Support Grant scheme, administered by Gwynedd CC, This funding is specifically around tenancy and housing matters enabling people with a learning disability to sustain their tenancies and homes.

A total of 19 people were supported under this project in 2023-24

Mental Health Care UK Ltd

The Association provides Independent Advocacy services to MHC UK Lid, a large private sector provider of rehabilitation and nursing/residential services in North Wales and the North West of England. This project is funded on a rolling basis and involves provision of generic advocacy services for residents and patients in the residential, nursing and hospital services.

A total of 52 people were supported under this project in 2023-24

Denbighshire Self-Advocacy Project

The Association supports and develop self-advocacy groups for individuals with learning difficulties living in Denbighshire. This service has supported self-advocacy groups across Denbighshire, to have areal and independent voice within their communities on a range of issues, This project is funded until March 2024.

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Direct Payments Payroll Support Service

NWAAA offers a Direct Payment Payroll Support Service for residents of Anglesey and Gwynedd (since October 2023). This service empowers individuals to manage their own care by employing personal oe assistants or selecting support services tailored to their unique needs. NWAAA assists these individuals _ oo, _. in understanding, establishing, and effectively maintaining their Direct Payments through both oe vo administrative and practical support, including payroll management and employment support.

The project is funded through a combination of fixed-cost charges to individuals for payroll services and contributions from the Local Authority to support both employers and employees. This funding model ensures that individuals receive the necessary assistance to manage their care arrangements effectively.

The service supports approximately 190 people with payroll support services across the 2 counties.

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Financial Review

The North Wales Advice and Advocacy Association (NWAAA) has operated across a broad geographical area, serving diverse communities with a focus on advocacy and support services. NWAAA relies on various time-limited funding sources, mainly from local authorities, though with additional income from some health funding, private-provider contracts, and grant-making bodies. We have been unsuccessful in competitive tendering for two local authority key projects this year. Consequently, our finances have and will suffer. We have, by seeking out other opportunities and revising the efficiency of our operations, been able to mitigate some of these losses in the current and future year but the reality of our situation is that we have to look to bring further income in. Recognizing the necessity for continuous funding, NWAAA's management actively seeks opportunities to extend existing funds and secure new financial support within the advocacy sector, both in current operational areas and beyond. This proactive approach involves independent efforts and strategic partnerships with like-minded organizations, such as the partnership entered with CADMHAS to deliver Community Advocacy services, It is expected that we will need to engage in further partnership approaches to funding bids. The trustees are committed to sourcing extra funding to secure the organisation, and efforts are focussing on two specific strands alongside wider funding strategy development. Demonstrating Impact: Showcase the effectiveness of NWAAA's services through impact reports and success stories to attract potential funders. Policy Engagement: Engage with policymakers to highlight the importance of sustained funding for advocacy services, influencing future funding allocations.

By implementing these strands, alongside a wider review if funding strategy, NWAAA aims to secure the necessary resources to continue and expand its vital services, ensuring ongoing support for the communities it serves.

Principal Funding Sources

Income was derived from a variety of contracts with local authorities and private companies. Income from projects is slightly lower than the previous year, £410, 857 compared with £452,273. This is due -... {9 the company seeing some reduction in funds as projects came to an end, notably the Co-Operatives mo Project and the AWPF Self Advocacy Project.

Reserves Policy

. NWAAA has conducted an assessment of what its minimum reserve should be to meet liabilities to staff and other long-term liabilities such as office rent, in the event of either cash flow shortfalls, emergency ro unplanned expenditures, or in respect of winding down costs if the Association were to cease trading. _ Thein the Trusteesevent of are any satisfiedsuch scenarios. that sufficientReserves funds existare monitored for the Association throughout to the meet year its and any financialexpenditure requirementsto be met from reserves must be approved by the Trustees.

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NWAAA operates a range of projects, as detailed above. The major bulk of funding for the Association’s projects comes from Local Authority contracts. Many of these have been extended in line with oS performance targets being met but also due to Authorities being uncertain of the direction of travel-post. Covid, These contracts remain likely to be retendered in some form in the next twelve months or so..

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NWAAA retains plans to restructure and adapt in the event of any such losses. NWAAA continues to assess and pursue other opportunities for funding outside existing streams. In reviewing the circumstances of the NWAAA, it considered that adequate resources remain in place to fund the activities of the Association into the foreseeable future. The Trustees are of the view that the association remains a going concern.

The net assets of the organisation show an increase in total charity funds from £378,634 to £437,725. Of this fixed assets made up £343 in 2024. There were no restricted funds at the year end. Free reserves can therefore be calculated as being £437.725,

Structure Governance and Management

Charity name: Gwasanaeth Adfocatiaeth a Chynghori Gogledd Cymru

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||||| |---|---|---|---| |Charity|Registration|number:|1060826| |Company Registration|Number:|3308387|:| |Country|of Incorporation:|England & Wales| |Registered|office|and|operational| |Address:|14a Ash|Court,| |Pare|Menai| |Bangor| |LL574DF|

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Directors and trustees of NWAAA

The directors of the charitable company (the charity) are its trustees for the purpose of charity law. The trustees and officers serving during the year and since the year end were as follows:

Trustees’ and Directors

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||||| |---|---|---|---| |Mr Emlyn|P.|Thomas|Chair| |Mrs Betty|Williams| |Mr Arfon Thomas|(resigned|September|2023)| |Mrs|Debbie|Tebbutt| |Mr Hassim Ganiyu|(resigned|June|2024)| |Mr Michael|Hart|(appointed November 2024)| |Ms Jenny|Basa|(appointed November 2024)| |Jon|Stevens|Company|Secretary| |Key|Personnel|Management Team|

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||||||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |Jon|Stevens|Chief Executive| |Nia|Harrison| |Staff| |Adrian|Jones| |Mel|Roberts| |Beth Hayward| |Rebecca|Roberts| |Danny|Garrod| |Angela Morris| |Ceri|Griffiths|Bell| |Celia Watson| |Lowri|Penrose| |Auditor|WJ Matthews|and|Son,|11-15|Bridge|St,|Caernarfon| |Bankers|HSBC, 274|High|St,|Bangor.| |7|

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Governing Document

NWAAA was born of the Bryn y Neuadd Advocacy Service and became registered as a charity in January 1997. It is also registered as a Company Limited by Guarantee. The scope of organisational activity is beginning to change, not least in response to Commissioners changes away from disability specific services to generic services. As such the NWAAA has agreed with Charity Commission to change its main objects to the following; "To promote and provide advice and advocacy for people facing disadvantage through disability, illness, age or social exclusion, who live, in particular but not exclusively, in North Wales".

Membership and Directorship

All members of NWAAA are Directors. Directors are recruited through a variety of sources including word of mouth, business contacts and open advertisement through relevant Voluntary Sector networks.

Trustee Training

The Association is committed to supporting trustees both existing and new to access suitable training opportunities to enhance their skills in areas of governance.

Pay policy for senior staff

The directors consider the board of directors, who are the Trust’s trustees, and the senior management team comprise the key management personnel of the charity in charge of directing and controlling, running and operating the Trust on a day to day basis. All directors give of their time freely and no director received remuneration in the year.

In view of the nature of the charity, the directors benchmark against pay levels in other comparable organisations of a similar size and structure and related to similar role and responsibilities.

Risk Management

The Association has continued to review risk to the Association on an ongoing basis from both internal and external perspectives. The main externa! areas ofconcern continue to lie in the reality that all sources of funding are time limited and therefore there will be the potential for funding sources (if not extended or renewed) expire. Several contracts fall due for retender in the coming year, including Gwynedd and Mon, Wrexham and Flintshire. NWAAA continue to mitigate this by seeking and securing new funding opportunities and this process will continue. NWAAA continue to look for further diversification and partriership working opportunities. We continue to maintain contingency plans against a range of possible scenarios, such as loss of contracts.

Internally, the main areas of risk again lie in the field of finances, more specifically, the increasing costs of those staff and non-staff aspects of the operations needed to deliver what has become much larger , service. Investment in technology has grown and continues to do so in light of the pattern of home working. There are also potential risks form this way of working, it is not to everyone’s tastes and we may see staff depart which would lead the recruit, employ and train new staff, potentially adding extra cost and also denting delivery. We retain robust induction and supervision programmes to avoid this. Mitigations helped by the changed pattern of work due to COVID e.g., costs of travel have helped. However, these mitigations are a product of circumstance and we must be mindful of how we emerge from the pandemic to retain these benefits, By securing contracts we have increased our sustainability, but growth potentially brings greater risk. The Management of the Association is proactive in planning contingencies and seeking new avenues of secure funding not least as new opportunities arise as post pandemic priorities in social care become evident.

Organisational Structure

Directors approve annual budgets and have devolved operational responsibility to Management, whilst maintaining their monitoring role The Association’s StaffHandbook Policies and Procedures detail these fully.

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Responsibilities of the Management Committee

Company law requires the Management Committee to prepare financial statements for each financial year. These statements must give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company, Accounts will be prepared to show incoming and outgoing resource and the balance sheet made up to the year end. In preparing these statements the management committee will follow best practice and;

The management committee is responsible for maintaining proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. The management committee is also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities,

Members of the Management Committee

Members of the management committee who are directors for the purpose of company law and trustees for the purpose of charity law, who served during the year and up to the date of this report are set out above (page 6).

Directors’ Statement As To The Disclosure Of Information To Auditor

The directors’ confirm that so far as each director is aware, there is no relevant audit information (information needed by the company’s auditors in connection with preparing their report) of which the company’s auditors are unaware. Each director has taken all the steps that he or she ought to have taken as a director in order to make himself or herself aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the company’s auditors are aware of that information.

Auditor

WJ Matthews and Son were reappointed as the company’s auditor for 2023-24.

Approved by the Management Committeeon {1.12 . 2924 Signed KL OMe,

E.P Thomas — Chair of Trustees

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Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of Gwasanaeth Adfocatiaeth a Chynghori Gogledd Cymru

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Gwasanaeth Adfocatiaeth a Chynghori Gogledd Cymru for the year ended 31° March 2024 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet, the Cash Flow Statement and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including FRS 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion the financial statements:

Basis of opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least 12 months from when the financial statements are authorised for issues. :

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

The trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon,

Tn connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated.

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Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of Gwasanaeth Adfocatiaeth Cymru (Continued)

a Chynghori Gogledd

If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard. .

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the trustees’ report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the trustees’ responsibilities statement, the trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charitable company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities including fraud is detailed below:

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; Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of Gwasanaeth Adfocatiaeth a Chynghori Gogledd Cymru (Continued)

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There are inherent limitations in our audit procedures described above. The more removed that laws and regulations are from financial transactions, the less likely it is that we would become aware of noncompliance. Auditing standards also limit the audit procedures required to identify non-compliance with laws and regulations to enquiry of the directors and other management and the inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any.

Material misstatements that arise due to fraud can be harder to detect than those that arise from error as they may involve deliberate concealment or collusion.

As part of an audit in accordance with ISAs (UK), we exercise professional judgment and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit, we also:

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Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of Gwasanaeth Adfocatiaeth a Chynghori Gogledd Cymru (Continued)

We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charitable company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the company's members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditors’ report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and the charitable company's members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

David Chidley (S€nior Statutory Auditor) For and on behalf of W. J. Matthews & Son Statutory Auditor and Chartered Accountants 11-15 Bridge Street Caernarfon

Dated: f/ ji xX /7024

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Gwasanaeth Adfocatiaeth a Chynghori Gogledd Cymru

Statement of Financial Activities (Incorporating an Income and Expenditure account) for the year ended 31 March 2024

Note 2024 2023
£ £
Income
Donations
Donations 250 500
Incomefrom charitable activities
Grantsand contracts
3 463,234 410,857
Other income
Bank interestreceived 2,181 509
Other income 3,006 79
Totalincome . 468,671 411,945
Expenditure
Expenditureon charitable activities
409,580 354,661
Totalexpenditure 4 409,580 354,661
Netincome for the year and net
movement in funds fortheyear 59,091 57,284
Funds broughtforward at 1 April2023 378,634 321,350
Fundscarriedforwardat31March2024 437,725 378,634

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All incoming resources and resources expended derive from continuing activities. The figures given here reflect the information held in the full accounts.

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Gwasanaeth Adfocatiaeth a Chynghori Gogledd Cymru

Balance sheet at 3/ March 2024

(Company number: 3308387)

----- Start of picture text -----
||||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---| |Note|2024|2024|2023|2023| |£|£|£|£| |Fixed|assets| |Tangible|fixed|assets|12|343|1,257| |Current|assets| |Debtors|13|33,647|51,360| |Cash|at bank and|in hand|410,876|330,477| |444,523|381,837| |Creditors:|amounts|falling due| |within|one year|14|(7,141)|(4,460)| |Net|current|assets|437,382|377,377| |Net|Assets|437,725|378,634| |Funds| |Unrestricted|funds|16|437,725|378,634| |Total|Charity Funds|437,725|378,634|

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The financial statements are prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies

Approved by the Board of directors on 11" December 2024 and signed on its behalfby

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- DA,
AFT i cccccterteertsecresetestenenesEIUStES
Mr. E. Thomas
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Gwasanaeth Adfocatiaeth a Chynghori Gogledd Cymru

Statement of Cash Flows for the year ended 31 March 2024

----- Start of picture text -----
||||||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |Note|2024|2023| |£|£| |Cash|used in|operating|activities|17|78,038|51,706| |Cash|flows|from|investing|activities| |Interest|income|2,181|509| |Purchase|of tangible|fixed|assets|-|-| |Disposal of tangible|fixed assets|180|-| |Cash provided|by/(used|by)|investing|activities|2,361|509| |Increase/(decrease)|in cash and|cash|equivalents|in|the year|80,399|52,215| |Cash and|cash|equivalents|at|the|beginning of the year|330,477|278,262| |Cash|and|cash|equivalents|at the end|of the year|410,876|330,477|

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Gwasanaeth Adfocatiaeth a Chynghori Gogledd Cymru

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

  1. Accounting Policies The principal accounting policies adopted, judgements and key sources of estimation, uncertainty in the preparation of the financial statements are as follows:

  2. a. 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(FRS102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.

Gwasanaeth Adfocatiaeth a Chynghori Gogledd Cymru meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS102, Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s).

Income from government and other grants, whether ‘capital grants’ or ‘revenue grants’ is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount, can be measured reliably and is not deferred. Income is deferred where the conditions for entitlement to the income have not been met or where the income has been given specifically for a future period.

Resources expended are included in the Statement of Financial Activities on an accruals basis.

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,

Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.

17

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Gwasanaeth Adfocatiaeth a Chynghori Gogledd Cymru

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

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Motor vehicles 20% reducing balance
Computer equipment 33% straight line
Office alterations 33% straight line over the term of the lease
Other 25% reducing balance
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{8

Gwasanaeth Adfocatiaeth a Chynghori Gogledd Cymru Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024

3. Grant income/ Service LevelAgreements 2024 2023
£ £
Gwynedd Council—Independent Advocacy 89,677 83,810
YnysMon Council —Independent Advocacy 44,405 41,500
Gwynedd Council- Supporting People 3,188 4,438
YnysM6nDirectPayments Scheme - 19,292
Gwynedd Council -Relevant Person Representative 9,766 8,610
YnysM6n— RelevantPerson Representative 13,449 9,083
Flintshire Council—Learning Disability 31,833 41,215
Wrexham Council—IndependentAdvocacy 59,091 82,683
Denbighshire Council—SelfAdvocacy 24,017 24,017
Mental Health Care(MHC) Limited 31,500 23,625
Psychiatric rehabilitation contract - 5,206
Bespoke Services 37,472 24,860
Denbighshire - Learning DisabilityAdvocacy 41,570 41,618
AllWalesPeople First -SAG 780 900
Betsi CadwaladerUniversityHealth Board 76,486 -
463,234 410,857
4. TotalResourcesExpended 2024 2023
£ £
Staffand Facilitators salaries 218,616 215,184
Staffand Facilitators travel expenses 19,766 13,794
Vehicle expenses 1,295 1,705
Room hire 243 760
Project costs 35,000 -
Governance costs 10,467 9,372
Support costs 124,183 113,846
409,570 354,661

All expenses are in respect of advocacy services. Expenditure on charitable activities in the year was £409,570 (2023 - £354,661).

  1. Analysis of governance and support costs Initially, the charitable Company identifies the costs of its support functions. It then identifies those costs which relate to the governance function
General
Support
Governance Total
2024
Total
2023
£ £ £ £
General office and finance staff 32,660 8,209 40,869 40,004
Training, supervision and affiliation 6,288 - 6,288 8,926
Premises expenses 29,411 - 29,411 22,458
Communications 10,303 - 10,303 9,010
Office expenses 18,175 - 18,175 17,666
Repairs, renewals and maintenance 18,977 - 18,977 11,894
Auditor fees 2,835 2,258 5,093 4,788
Professional fees 4,800 - 4,800 7,103
Depreciation etc 579 - 379 1,369
Profit/loss on disposal 155 - 155 -
124,183 10,467 134,650 123,218

19

Gwasanaeth Adfocatiaeth a Chynghori Gogledd Cymru

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

|6.||Netincome fortheyear
||2024
£|2023
£| |---|---|---|---|---| ||-|This is statedafter charging:
Depreciation
(Profit)/loss ondisposal offixedassets
Operating leases—land
Auditor’s remuneration
Accountancyandpayroll services|579
155
29,411
2,835
2,258|1,369
-
24,819
2,700
2,088| |7.||Analysis ofstaffcosts, trusteeremuneration andexpenses, andthe costofkeymanagement||| |||personnel||| ||||2024|2023| ||||£|£| |||Salaries andwages
Employers national insurance
Pensioncontributions|231,927
14,849
12,709|228,665
13,137
13,386| ||||259,485|255,188|

  1. Analysis of staff costs, trustee remuneration and expenses, and the cost of key management personnel

No employee had employee benefits in excess of £60,000 a year (2023 - £Nil).

The charity trustees were not paid or received any other benefits from employment with the charity in the year (2023 - £Nil). Reimbursements of £86 (2023 - £Nil) was made to one trustee for travelling expenses. No charity trustee received payment for professional or other services supplied to the charity (2023 - £Nil).

The key management personnel of the charity comprise the Trustees and management team, The total employee benefits of the key management personnel of the charity were £81,352 (2023 - £74,086).

  1. Staff numbers The average number ofemployees during the year, calculated on the basis of full time equivalents, was as follows:
asfollows:
as follows: 2024 2023
Number Number
Chiefexecutive 1 1
Advocates
Administration and support
8
1
9
1
Total 10 il
  1. Related party transactions No trustee or other person related to the charity had any personal interest in any contract or transaction entered into by the charity during the year (2023 — Nil).

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.
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  1. Government Grants Income from government grants comprise service level agreements with local authorities to provide advocacy services to the charity’s beneficiaries.

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Gwasanaeth Adfocatiaeth a Chynghori Gogledd Cymru

mo '

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

11. Corporation Taxation

The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section 252 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects, No tax charges have arisen in the Charity.

12. Tangible fixed assets

12. Tangible fixed assets
Motor
Equipment Vehicles Total
£ £ £
Cost
At 1 April2023 56,843 2,000 58,843
Disposal - (2,000) (2,000)
As at 31 March 2024 56,843 - 56,843
Depreciation
At I April2023 55,921 1,665 57,586
Charge for the year 579 - 579
Eliminated ondisposals - (1,665) (1,665)
At31 March2024 56,500 - 56,500
Net book value
At 31 March 2024 343 - 343
At31 March2023 922 335 1,257
13. Debtors 2024 2023
. £ £
Contracts due 25,576 48,785
Prepayments 8,071 2,575
33,647 51,360
14. Creditors: amountsfallingdue within oneyear
2024 2023
£ £
Accruals and deferredincome 7,141 4,460
7,141 4,460
15. Commitments

Operating leases

The charity has commitments under operating leases as follows:

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Land and Buildings Other
2024 2023 2024 2023
£ £ £ £
Leases expiring:
Between one and five years - - 12,834 16,502
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F[] "Do Gwasanaeth Adfocatiaeth a Chynghori Gogledd Cymru

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

16. Funds

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||||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---| |Balance|Balance| |31|March|Incoming|Resources|31March| |2023|Resources|Expended|Transfers|2024| |£|£|£|£|£| |Unrestricted|funds| |General Fund|378,634|468,671|409,580|-|437,725| |378,634|468,671|409,580|-|437,725| |Balance|Balance| |31|March|Incoming|Resources|31March| |2022|Resources|Expended|Transfers|2023| |£|£|£|£|£| |Unrestricted|funds| |General Fund|321,350|411,945|354,661|-|378,634| |321,350|411,945|354,661|-|378,634|

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If the company is wound up or dissolved and after all its debts and liabilities have been satisfied there remains any property, it shall not be paid to or distributed among the members of the company, but shall be given or transferred to some other charitable company having objects similar to its own, and similar objects prohibiting the distribution of its income and property.

Unrestricted Funds

The main activity of the company is to provide an advocacy service to adults with a learning disability, physical disability or mental health problems.

  1. Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash flow from operating activities

----- Start of picture text -----
|||||| |---|---|---|---|---| |2024|2023| |£|£| |Net movement|in funds|59,091|57,284| |Add back depreciation charge|734|1,369| |Deduct interest income shown|(2,181)|(509)| |Decrease/(Increase)|in debtors|17,713|4,547| |Increase/(Decrease)|in|creditors|2,681|(10,985)| |Net cash used in operating|activities|78,038|51,706|

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Gwasanaeth Adfocatiaeth a Chynghori Gogledd Cymru

ve ,

,

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

18. Direct Payments Scheme

The charitable company provides payroll processing, payment and support services for people whose care is funded through direct payments. The company receive monies on behalf of these individuals from the local government, process the payroll and pay the employees of the individuals. As a result, the company holds money in trust on behalf of these individuals. As at 31 March 2024 the balance held was £388,784 (2023 - £340,371}. As the monies are held in trust they are not included within the company balance sheet.

19.Prior year fund breakdown

Statement of Financial Activities (Incorporating an Income and Expenditure account) for the year ended 31 March 2023

2023 2022
£ £
Income
Donations
Donations 500 .
Income from charitable activities
Grantsandcontracts 410,857 452,273
Other income
Bank interestreceived 509 14
Otherincome 79 -
Totalincome 411,945 452,287
Expenditure
Expenditure on charitable activities 354,661 392,438
Totalexpenditure 354,661 392,438
Net (expenditure)/ income for the year and net
movement in funds for theyear 57,284 59,849
Funds brought forward at 1 April2022 321,350 261,501
Fundscarriedforwardat31March2023 378,634 321,350

23

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Gwasanaeth Adfocatiaeth a Chynghori Gogledd Cymru

Appendix to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024

Expenditure infurtherance ofthe
charity’s objects
2024
£
2023
£
Staff/Supportstaff/Facilitators salary
Staff/Facilitators travelexpenses
Maintenance, repairsandrenewals
Trainingexpenses
Office rentandrates
Roomhire
Conferencefeesandexpenses
Tradeinsurances
Vehicleexpenses
Recruitmentfee
Affiliation fees
Computerexpenses
Telephone
Leasing
Stationery
Translation costs
Auditor fees
Professional fees
Project costs
Bankcharges
Sundryexpenses
Depreciationandprofitondisposaloffixedassets
259,485
19,766
4,096
5,848
29,411
243
142
3,738
1,295
444
298
14,881
10,303
4,259
6,470
-
5,093
4,800
35,000
95
3,169
734
255,188
13,794
637
4,393
22,458
760
3,774
3,644
1,705
-
759
11,256
9,010
7,635
3,737
345
4,788
7,103
-
94
2,212
1,369
409,570 354,661

;

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