REGISTERED COMPANV NUMBER: 03335128 (England Wales} REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 11162826 REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL sfATEMENfs FOR THE YEAR ETr4DED 31 MARCH 2022 FOR SVRREY WELFARE RIGHTS UNIT DSK Partner5 LLP D S House 306 High Street Croydon Su CRO INO SURREYWELFARE RIGHTS UN CONTENTS OF THE FllNANC￿L STATEMENrs FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 LWCH 2022 Paga Report of th• T￿￿tee& I to S Jryd¢p¢ndent Exxmlner's Report St•temettt of FIDgnclal Aetfvltles St*tem¢Dt of FlnHnclal Pth411&)n 8 ttTr 9 Nolu lo th• FlnanclAI Statements 10 to 17 SIIRREY WELFARE RICHTS UNIT (REGISTERED NUMBER: 03335128) REPORT OF THE TRUSTELS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022 The TrLL8ttts 8r¢ 81s0 directors of th¢ ¢harity for th¢ purpos¢5 of the Companies Ac(2(X)6. present their rep)rt with the financial stakments of the Charity lor the year ended 31 March 2022. The Trustees have adoplcd the provisions of ACCOUnt￿g and Reportinb by Charities.. Statetnent of Recommended Practic¢ applicable to Lhariiies preparing their accounts in aceordat)Le with the Financial Rep)rting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 102) (effective l January 2019). O&IECTIVES AND ACTIWTIES Objectives •lm$ Objectlves su￿tY Welfare RI￿}tS Unit exists to Provide a welfare rights advice service within the Lounty ofsurrey and Su￿oUnd]ng area. The service is aLcessed by vuluntary and statutL¥ry sector prolessionals, who ift m￿1 ￿$t$, are th¢ fjrst poilll of conth¢l for clients needinbl advice. Thc Unit provides on indepenthnt and confidentiai sernri¢e. This independent stat￿ allow5 membership of Citizens Advice (the 0￿m(1n&T name of the National As50Liation of Citizens Advice Bureaux) and the Unit abides by the Aims nd Principles of the Ciiizens Advi¢e serwce. This al80 ollows for flexibility to develop and ¢I￿l￿t and gives the freedom io benefit from joint working projects. Furthemiore, indepen(krht charitable statws gives the Board of Trustees the pow¢r to s¢¢,k oli¢rnaiiv¢ sour¢es of filnding lo wotect the level of s¢rvi¢¢ for the future. Thi& will ensure that the rang¢ of wL,Ifarc ri¥hl& s¥rvi¥es clln be dev¢l()ped and improved for the fviure. The core tasks of the service are.. . To provide an advice line for the use ofthe professional sthff from referral groups. To provide training evurses on w¢lfar¢ benolit5 fur, amvwt vth¢rs, local Citizerts Advic￿, slatutory and voluntary organisations. InnucnLe on the development of social w>licies and services and to ensure individuals do not sutter through a lack of knoivledge or an in&bility tv L'xpress thLir llecds efletyiively; - To produce InfomiAliort and piiblicity on welfare rishls issues for EK)th profc5sional statryand wh¢n relevant, the ￿pIt of SurTey,' - To promote the take.up of welfare benefits within the County especially among the frail and vulnerable,. . To provide a sourtt of expertise on c.ommunity Care issues in SuTrey: - ro take on a limil¢d amount of casework ￿ appropriate and provid¢ TTibuD81 representaiion in complex c￿e5. and To bo a focal winl of welfare ri8hts work within Surrey through supp)rt groups. s¢minaT8 4nd infi)rmal talks, Social Poliy work 4nd n¢¢woTking. Page I SURREY WELFARE RIGHTS UNIT fflEGISTERED NUMBER: ￿5128) REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 I¥LIRCH 2022 0￿ECTIvEs ATr4D AcrivtTIFS Chgritgble Activities The 2021122 y¢8r at th¢ Unit continued to be impacted by Covid. We planned a rethlln to the Wokin8 office duTin8 Autumn. which tumed out to be short-lived when WOTksng from home w&s reintroduced due lo th¢ new wave of infeLtion. Throughout the year the Unit continued io develop its e-trdining progrnmme. and wc became more proficient on EK)Ih desi￿ and delivery. The advantages of e-training are that access to courses is greatly improved. an(1 costs for both the Unit and dele8ates 8tt redu¢ed. Thankfvlly our training income partly recovered from its 2020121 downturn. For thi5 year, our reseNes ¢ompli¢d with our Reserve5 Policy. We were able to aLcess several thew grdnts., two borou¥h grants. Guildford and Reigate and Bothstead CounLils. We also small Awards for All Lottery bTMllt to help fvnd addilional training courses. Surr¢y County Council, in partnership with its Better c.are Fund h¢alih phrtrters, continues ¢0 provide f￿anCial supp)rt for thc Unil. rL*ognising the quality und cost ¢ffectivene55 uf work undertaken by the Unii. The Directors are very grnteful for this support. and the funding provided by somc of the oiher Boroughs and D25trici Councils ￿105$ the Cowity. We delivered 5crviLes for the flnal year of our Carers ¢ontr&L which we have held siJi¢¢ 2012. Wc are grntefvl to the Courtty c￿n¢1] and health parth¢T8 for Continuin8 Wlth this funding, wlllch 15 now part of our core grant. Apart Irom grant ￿Thding. wc 8eneralcd our own in¢vme str¢oms from training courses, consuliuncy and subscriptions. Over 50 local OTganisulions c(Intinued to subscribe to the Unit's services, 8nd in p4rticulaT, our advice support ot) individiial complex benefit qucries. We continu¢ ¢0 hold IOOV. p&qses in a]1 areas of our Citizen5 Advice Perforn)on¢e Quality fr#mew(>rk, including linllncial managTLment and gov¢nun¢e. (hir two Advice (bality Slomdards IAQS) QuAIIty Marks in casewo￿ and T¢l¢phoii¢ Support were ajso rcncwtsj at the end 012021. There is mor¢ detail on ow activities durin8 2021r22 in our In)pact Report which is availttble on our wLbsitc, www.swru.or8 Publle benent Th¥ Truslee5 hz4VC paid due reg8Jd to the ChArity Commi85ion'8 8uid&rt￿ ￿ public benefit in deLidin8 the activities undet1dken by the Unil duiiii8 the year. The T[l￿te¢S are satisfied that the inforniation provided in the report gnd account5 meets tlie public ben¢fit reportin¥ r￿lUIrements. The Trustees confimi that they have wmplied with the requirements of section 17 of the Charities Ad 2011 to hav¢ du¢ regard to the publi¢ b¢nefit guidance published by the Charity Commission for England and Wal¢s. FINANCIAL REVIFW ntllll positloD Incoming r¢50urws In the year were £195.566 {2021: £205,506). A dLfJGit of £15,177 wa5 mAde in the year (2021.. surpliis £3,156). At 31 M#r¢h 2022 total reserves were £18.1.427 12021: £195,604) of which £113,859 Ter￿Sented u¢westricted general fijnds (2021.. £117.2611. We had a relatively difficult year and Incurr￿ a moderate dcfjcit for the year. Our SiLbs¥ription ineoine showed a small increase to the previous years. The corc ¥rallts reMaInL￿ al a sllnilar l¢vel from prcvious yrars. Training income was UP $18nificantly on Ilie previous f￿a￿la1 Ye￿ tl) levels approaching PT¢.Cvwid. Howcvcr, Ihe C4>vid related s¢h¢mes, whi¢h th¢ lJnit benefjled from in 2020121 sucli as thc Lottery and Help to Claim funding flnanced through Citizens Advice (BEISI Game to ali end. The projected budget at the start of the 2021122 fLllan¢ial year shoiv¢d a substantial defi¢it. As additionaI income was identified the Unit incurred an improved but Still moderate deficii. We can abborb this due lo oiir strong re5¢TVe5. Page 2 SURREY WELFARE RIGHTS UNrr (]iEGISTERED NUMBER: 113335128) REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022 FINANCIAL REVIEW Prineipil fuDdiDg50urce5 The Tnistees ex*nd their 8Witude tt> Surr¢y County Council, Surrey H¢drtlands and partners in Surrey NHS and those Borough and District Councils who continued to supportthe core ￿￿[aLl￿g Capacity of the charity. We would particiilarly like to thank Woking Bon)ugh Council who provide premise5 at no financid cost to the charity excepi for charges for utility attd other office services. The charity did rtoi h&ve any LM)rrowings from either providers of funding or Oth￿ sow¢es at the statement of financial position date. Reserve$ wllcy The Tnislces have foreC￿t the level of free res¢Jves (that is those funds not lied up in fixed &%sets. and designatrd and ro$tri¢ted fundyl ChdJity will require to sustain its operations. The Trilb*￿ wnsid¢r that th¢ most appropriate level of free reserves at .11 March 2022 is a t]]inimum of six ]nonths' running cost5. Whilsi the ¢urrent level of resetves may prvve sufficien¢ li is the Trustees, view thot it is prudent to ensure ihat there are suffiLieni free reserves to providc fJnon¢ial flexibility for fijiure years and that ideniifjed needs in the County can continue io b¢ ad¢quat¢ly r&80urced. Th¢ Tnislees have Te¢ognised that the bu(Ibicted cxpcnditure for tlie lorthcomin¥ year signiticonily ¢xL¢¢ds as*reed ¥uurccs of incomc. Althoubrh cl'forts will bc made to seciLrc additional fundin& tlie current frL'¢ r¢servcs will bc used ir necessary lo siipport th¢ work vf the Unil. The Trusoes Are planning a lon￿er.1¢1M siralegy to avuid ongoing reliance on dwindling reserve5. When considerin& IhL level of frce reserve5 the Trustee5 h&vL Lonsidered tlie Charity Commission 4J(Kument "Charity r¢s¢rv¢s' buildin&p resilience ICC.191" and olso Ihe House ofcommons Publi¢ Adminislrution and Con8titulional Affwrs Commii¢e¢ rrport 'The collapse of Kid5 Conipany.. le￿o17S for charity trustces, et al" It is rc4o¥tIix￿ that by far ihe bryealer part of Ili¢ Charity's a¥tivity and ￿punditure is of ali essenlia] rather (han of a "discretioiiary" nature. This requires it wcalcT dcgrec of financial rcsiliencc thali for many other chyJitics. The Trii$iees are also aware that no servile level QT conlru¥ls, ur¢ in pla¢¢ lor more than one year and in¥om¢ that might be considered "corc" 15 in any c&5e insu￿7c1ent to provide a basic servic¢ to the coniniunity and reliance has to bc placed on fund Tgi3in¥ and thg s￿lITing of projeci In￿Me that can shart the Chbrity's fjxed cost5. Th¥ rwons for holding particular reserves Are outlined in note 14. Funds In dellclt No fund5 W¢T¢ in d¢licit al thL ststemcnt of financial position d￿¢,. TrIITURE PLANS We are seeing a Steady risc in UniveT5al Credit querie5. and th¢ Govemtnent has just started its hwo year monaged rni¥ration of currcnt lega¥y benefit hous¢holds, onto Univerydl C,redit. Although partly dibTltali7Kd, we arc seeing flaws in thL decision makin8 and Processing of UnivLr&ql CrediL so we are preparin¥ for even higher numbers, espeLialty when lon¥-t¢rm ill or disabl¢d peopl¢ ar¢ ￿￿ted, as well Car¢rs and SI￿1¢-Parent households. We are pleased lo be able to support local Citizens AdviLe services deliverin¥ the 'NTrone lrft behind bEnefils and debt projed during thr coming year, and are gralefiil to the County c.ouncil for funding additional Tesourcc al thc Unit so we can deliver new training. and prowde sUPPOrt on complcx CRS¢5. Th¢ cost of living uisis, which still has not yet reached its peak, is front and cen¢re of our focus for th¢¢omimg months and year5. In addition lo our corL ￿rviceS, we will be completinbF our Awards for All fvnded training pr()￿me. Also, a new project w(>rker will be startllig in June as a Parthit and Carer Benefits Advis#r. This projecl initially for one year, 15 funded by tl)e Better Care Funl and will sF¢¢ifJcally fo¥us on providin8 SUPPOrt to Carers who have a child of transition age ie.. 14- 25 years old. Pag¢ 3 SURREY WELFARE RIGHTS UNIT IREGISTERED NUMBER: 113335128) REPORT OF THE TRUSTEFS FOR THE AR ENDED 31 I¥1ARCH 21b22 STRUCTUR[ COVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENr Governlng doeumcnt The charity is contTolled by its goyeming do¢wn¢nL a deed of tru5¢ and constitutes a limited COTnpany, limi*d by guarantee. &s defined by the Companies Act 2{X￿. S￿￿eY Welfare Rights Urtit is a registered charity and a company limitsd by guArant¢c. The tnaximum liability ot- member is limited to £ l. At 31 Mowh 2022 the company had 7 m¢n)bers 12021.. 10}. Swrey Welfare Rights Unit is governed by a Memorandum and Arti¢l¢s of Association as amended in 1999, 2005, 2011 and 2019. Su￿tY Welfare Rigyhts Unit was incorporated ￿ a cotnpany limited by guarantee on 18 March 1997. The charity commenccd operatbons on 12 June 1997. Recruilthent Olbd appoiu¢ment of new Tr￿**ee5 The Tru5tce5 have sliilable policies to ensure the Bojrd has adequate representation. They identify ony need ¢0 T¢¢Nit aJ)d what ¢omp¢tences. background5. pcr50naJ or professional, Hre preferred so that the Unit's brovernance r¢flcct5 the communiiies it setves. The Board take5 &eount of equality at)d diversity issue5 and reco￿)$*$ that these ri8ht5 are rilica] 10 the Unit's cre15ibility and ¢nhon¢es th¢ Unil's profile wilh 5taktholders, funders and CWT)paigrteJs. Indu¢tlon 8Dd irAlnlDg of new Trustees N¢wly appointed Trustccs are providcd with a compr¢hen$iv¢ indwtion to Surrey Welfare Rights Unit through the provisioil of trainin8Gouf5e& a[￿ mentorin8 by &$tablishcd Tn]slee8. Org•ni8gtlonnl 51rncture A TruslcG Board govems Suff¢y W¢lfar¢ Rights Unil. The B0￿d is responsible for scttin¥ the strategi¢ dir¢dion of the organ15ation the policy of th6, ¥h￿lty. The Tru51ee5 c*rry the ultimate reqpoThsibility for the condu¢l of Surrey Well￿¢ Rights Unit and tor ensurin8 that thc charity satisfies its It8￿1 And contractual oblig8tions. Triistees meet as minimum qiiartcrly and delegaie ¢h¢ day-to-day operation ol'the Oy￿RnI.1at10n to %enior rnanagemL'ni. The Tru5t¢¢ Board is indepcnd¢nt frorn managerncnt. A regisier of memb¢rs' interests is maintained al the regist¢'r¢d otTLce ond is available lo the public. The TTUStec Board regularly COTtdiLCts intcrna] skills audits, and annuulty reviews its peTforn)ance. It Is indepcndcntly L85esS￿l by Cilizens Advice using a comprehensive Performat)c¢ Qualiiy Framework that luoks a¢ ar￿ of govemance such as fiD8nv, slralcgic business plannin¥ and partnership WOTkin8. Int¢rnal ¢¥Dtrol The Board ov¢tsees the inforniolion s￿Ible for the preparation ofthe accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 20061'the 2￿6 Ad,). Flavin8 satisfied rnyself thAt the a￿OUnts of th¢ Company are llot required to be audit¢d under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for Ind¢￿ndent vxat]]ination. I report in r¢5P¢Ct of my examination of your chArity's a¢￿unts ag canied out under section 145 of the Chariti¢8 A¢t 2UI I ('the 2011 Aci,). In wrying out tny examination I have followed the Directions giveTL by the Ch￿tty Commission under s¢ction 145(5) Ib) of 2011 Acl. Independent exArnlDer's stwternent I hav¢ wmpleted my examinalion. I conflnn that no matkrs have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause10 teliev¢'. a¢¢ounting records were not kept in ro5pe¢t of the Comp8ny as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act,. or the accounts do not accord with those recor3 3.830 273.525 3,830 277.355 248.760 CREDITORS Atnounts falling due within one yeAr 13 193,9281 193,928) 151.572) NET CURRENT ASSETS 179,597 3,830 183,427 l97,188 TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 179,597 3.830 183,427 198.604 NET A￿ETs 179,597 3,830 183,427 198.604 FUNDS UDrestricted fvnds.. General fiJnd8 Designated fimds 14 113,859 65,738 117,261 79,005 179,597 196.266 Restricted fimds.. Restri¢ted funds 3,830 2.338 TOTAL FUNDS 183,427 198,604 The charitable ¢ompany is entitled to exemptsim from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2CO6 for the year ended 31 March 2022. The members have not requireil the wmpany to obtain an audit of its fin8J]cial statements for the year ertded 31 Ma￿h 2022 in ac¢ordaD6e with Se¥tion 476 of the Companies Act2006. The tNstees a¢knowledge th¢ir rw'sponsibiliti¢s lor (al ensuring that the charitable company ke¢p5 *fOUtsting records that comply with Sections 386 187 of the Companies Act 201KI and Preparing financial statemerhts which givt a tme and faw view of the state of affairs of the charitable company ss at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or d¢fi¢it for each financial in accordan¢e with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relatin8 ¢0 financia] staternent& 50 far as appli¢abl¢ lo th¢ tharitable company. (b) The notss fom part of thes¢ financial 5tatemcnts Page 8 ontiTLU¢d.. SVRREY WELFARE RJGHTS UNIT (REGISTERED NiIMBER: 03335128) STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION- etsntinued 31 MARCH 2022 These financial statetttents hkv¢ been prepared in accordance with the provisions 8ppli¢able to charitable companie5 subjed to the srnail Companies tEgun¢. The f]nancial 5tatenLent$ were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for i&8ue J7.Cknkn.1o&. and wer¢ sign¢d on its khalfby.. on Jane Vivien Bour&eois- Tru5¢te The ￿>te5 fomi of these financial stat¢m¢nts Page 9 SURREY WELFARE RIGHTS UNIT NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENrs FOR TIIL YLAR bNDED 31 MARCH 2022 STATUTORY INFORMATION Surrey Welfare Rights Unit Is a company limited by guarantee, re8l$t¢red in England and Wales. Th¢ ￿mpanY'S registered number atKi re¥i5tercd ufli¢¢ address ¢aD bc f￿nd within the report of the Trust¢¢s stttion. The prcsenthtion ¢um¢y of The financial statemcnts 1$ tho Pound Sterling (£1. ACCOUTrITING POLICIES Basls of preparlng the flDllDclal stAtemeDts The financial statements. of the charitable ¢ompany, which i% a public benefit entity under FRS 102, h&ve been pwared in accordance with the chariti￿ SORP {FRS 1021 'Accounting and ReTK>rting by Charities.. Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charitie5 PTLparing ih¢ir a¢¢ounts in accordAn¢e with the FinanciThl Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic ol. Ireland IFRS 102) leffcLtive l January 20191,, Financial Reportink Stllndmrd 102 'The Financia] Reportinb Stand￿d applibable in Ilje UK and Republib or Ireland, and the Componies Act 2006. The finoncial siat¢ments h4v¢ been prepared under th¢ histarical cost ¢onvention. All in¥ome is rwognised in the Ststemenl of FinAnciAI Activities once th¢ charity h&8 ¢ntitlement to the fun(Ls. 1¢ is probabl¢ that th¢ income will be re¢eiv¢d wid the ￿lount Ltlli be Measure￿ reliably. Expendlture Licibiliiies ore reco￿1&ed L8 expenditure as SLY)n as there is u l¢gal or con5tNctive obli8alion committing the charity to that expenditiire, it is probabl¢ that a transfer of econtsmic bcn¢fils will bc reqiiircd in setllemenl and Ihe amuunt ofihe obligation Lan bc meabured reliably. ExpenditlLfL l5 aGcount¢d for on an 8ccruals basis and has been classified Iind¢r headings Ihat abgre&iatc all c05t Telatcd to the ¢1¢ l¥¥ory. WhLrc ¢osl$ catmo¢ be diTectty attributed ¢(} particular headinx5 Ihcy have been allwated io activities on a basis consistenl with the iise of resouru5. TnDglble tlxed n&8¢ts Depreciation is provided at the following annu41 rale5 in order to write off each &%s¢t over its e&timated useful life. Cornputer equlpment Straight line over 3 year5 Fixed &%sets' are included at cost and only items in cxcess of £5(M) arc capilalised. Taxatlo The charity is exempl from ¢orpoTation on its charitsble activilies. Fund aeeountlng reslriGted fun Unrestricted funds be used in ac¢ordan¢¢ with the eharitable ObjeGtiV￿ at di¢ diwetion of thr TTUStees. R&strided funds In¢omc reccived for ihe Testricted purposes is included in a separate restrict￿ fund against whlch apprvptiate expenditure is ailocat¢d. Tlit Trusttts allocate de5i¥nated funds out of wuestricled funds for sperific purJx)5cs. The use of such funds is at the Trustees, discretion. P¢n.%ion tosts And other post-retirement beoefits The charity o￿TateS a defined COntri￿tion group personAi pension plan for ils employees. Payments ar¢ charged to the income and eX￿.nd7tUre aCco￿t in the period in whiLh they are incurred. Page 10 continud... SURREY WELFARE RIGHTS UNIT r4oTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENfs- WbntlDued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022 ACCOUNTING POLICIES- t0DtiDU Rental costs under operating leases are charged to t￿ statsment of f￿ancIal aetivities in equal amounts over the period of the leases. INVESTMENT INCOME 2022 Total fiinds 2021 Total fiinds Unrestricted funds Restri¢ted runds Intcrest receivable 1,106 1,106 2,458 INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVtTILS Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Total 2022 Total 2021 SuTTey County Coun¢il .%￿￿eY Borough and Distric¢ c.ouncils Grants- COVID-19 Cit A BEIS Grants- COVID-19 Lottery Grants other 70,112 21,4LX) 51,750 121,862 21,400 119.736 18,500 2,350 8,986 91,512 58,134 149,646 154,572 Subscription Income Trainin8 Tncnme Rent in Kuid Consulirfftcy Proj¢d In￿Me- Other 22,499 17.295 3,300 510 22.499 17,295 3.300 510 20,76S 6.915 3,300 450 43,604 43,604 47,825 135.116 58,134 193,250 202.397 lrtcome from charitable actiwties include rent benefit of £3,300 (2021.. £3.300). Pag¢ll continued... stJRREY WELFARE IUGHTS UNIT NOTKS TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS- coDtknved FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2&22 CHARtTABLE ACTIVITIKS EXPENDITURE 2022 2021 Staff ¢05ts Dcpreciation of ¢omputer equipment Books & publications Infom)￿ion systems ISubs¢riptions) Computer 5ySttms Insurance OffiG¢ cxrrtnses Travel expenses Stationery Photocopying Posts¥e Printing Siaff dcvelopment and recTuittn¢nt Costs Telephone Trdinin¥ progromm¢ Website Gosts Project cost- Help to Claim COVILk19 direct expenses 189,075 1.416 3,199 2,234 2.886 1,986 172,174 2,218 2J51 2,234 3,319 1,742 632 27 737 315 939 2.041 55 1,048 1,063 295 2,177 622 209 3,0(M) 4.739 209 206,398 198,059 lrtduded irt Travel expenses is £Nil paid io TrLL5tees {2021: £Nil). SUPPORT COSTS Other resources eX￿ded.. 2022 2021 L¢gal & prof¢ssional fees Independent Examination fte Finan¢e wsts Othu overheads costs 13 840 13 840 138 3.300 3.3LK) 4.345 4,291 Pag¢ 12 ontinued... SURREY WELFARE RIGHTS UN iYOTES TO THE Fif4ANCIAL STATEMENTS- continued FOR THE TrTAR Ef4DED 31 IILIRCH 2022 NET INCOMFJ(EXPENDITURE) Net incomell¢xp¢ndittJr¢) is stated afier thar¥iThgll¢rediting)- 2022 2021 Depre¢iation- omied assets lThlependent ExaJnin¢rfs R¢munerati¢)n 1.416 840 2,218 840 TRUSTEES, IiEMUNEIL4TION AND BEIYEFITS There were no Tru$kes' remunuation or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2022 nor for the y¢ar ended 31 MhT¢h 2021. Trustees, expenses Trustees. expens¢s for the y¢¥r ¢nded 31 March 2022 were £Nil ond for the year ertded 31 MaT¢h 2021 W¢Te £Nil. STAFF C'OSTS The OVeTa8e monthly number of employees during th¢ye•r wa8 ￿ f(Trllows'. 2022 2021 Employees No employees received ¢moluments in ¢x¢ess Of£￿,0[￿). 10. COMPARATIVF.S FOR TIIE STATEMENT Ob TrINANCIAL AcfiviTIES Unrestricied funds Restricted fund Total fiLn(Is JIYCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies 651 651 Cbgrlt4bk 8ctfvltles Charitable Grants 31,430 92236 16.395 62.336 47,825 154,572 Investment income 2,458 2,458 Tol#l 126,775 78,731 205,506 EXPENDITURE ON Chllritable 8ctKYitieg Chari¢oble 120,043 78,016 198,059 3,W29 362 4.291 Total 123,972 78.378 202,350 NET INCOME 2.803 353 3,156 e13 continued... SURREY WELFARE RIGHTS UNIT NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS- coDtinued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022 COMPARATIVES FOR THE SIATEMENf OF FINANCLIL ACTMTtES- cot1tln￿ed Unrestricted Restricted funds fimd Totsl nds Tr*nsfers betw¢¢n {305) 303 movement In tullds 2.498 658 3.156 RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total fvDd8 brought forward 193.768 1,680 195.448 TOTAL Fuf4DS CARRIED FORWARD 196,266 2,338 198,604 TANCIBLE FIXED ASSETS Cornputer equipm¢ni COST At l April 20218nd 31 Mar¢h 2022 18,543 DEPRECIATION Al l April 2021 Charge forye&r 17,127 1,416 At 31 March 2022 18.543 NET BOOK VALUE At 31 March 2022 At 31 March 2021 1,416 12. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YF.AR 2022 2021 Trade debto 24.540 15,697 Page 14 continued... SURREV IVELFARE RIGirrs t￿Tr NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATE￿IENTs- eontiThued FOR THE ENDED 3J MARCH 2022 13. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLtNG DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 2022 2021 Trade cr￿]lorS Payroll tax&s Deferred income A¢¢ruais 476 3.509 73.660 16,283 265 7.053 26,715 17.539 93,928 51,572 14. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS Net mov¢rnent in funds Tronsfers between funds At 31.3.22 At 1.4.21 Uttrestrleted t)Jnds O¢n¢Tal funds D¢si8nated fvnds 117,261 79,005 116.452) 13,050 (13,267) 113.859 65.738 196,266 {16,452) {217) 179,597 Restrleted funds R¢stricled funds 2,338 1,275 217 3,830 TOTALfiUNDS 198,604 {15,l77) 183,427 NEt movement in fvnds, Includ￿ in th¢ above are &$ (ollows.. IncomiDg resources Rcsources ex￿nded Mov¢m¢nl in fundg Unr¢stdcted General funds 137,432 (153.8841 {16.452) Restrkted funils Restricted Aind5 38,134 (56.859) 1,275 TOTAL FUiYDS 195.566 {210.7431 (13,1771 Page IS ¢onlinued... SURREY WELFARE IUGHTS UNIT NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS- contlDued FOR THE YEAR ENDED31 MARCH 2022 MOVEMENT IN FUNDS- eoDllnued Compir*rfves ftsr njovement In fiEDds Net mov¢ment in fvnds TTiill5fers between funds At 31.3.21 Al 1.4.20 UDrestrlcted funds General tllnds D￿l￿Trated fiy)ds 19,902 73,866 2,803 15,4441 5.139 117261 79,005 193,768 2.803 (3051 196.266 Restrlcted (undg Restrieted fund5 1,680 353 305 2,338 TOTAL FUNDS 195,448 3,156 198,604 C(Trmparaiive net movement in tiin(Is, included in the above are &8 lollows.. Incomui rtsour¢e8 Resources expend Movement in funds Unreslrlcted thnds Gen#ral fimds 126.775 {123,972) 2,803 Restrl¢ted fun Restricted tilnds 78,731 178,378) 333 TOTAL FUNDS 205,506 1202,3501 3,156 Redundxttty fulld . Redwidancy resmes have IK¢n desi￿n￿ed by the Trustees for the piirpose of covering potential r¢dundan¥y ¢osls in the event ol. a signifi¢ant rrduction the irtcome of the U]Jit that Could result irt closur¢. £3,777 hA5 been all¢xated in tk ¢urrenl year. InforJnHtlou Tethnolthgy FuDd - An amount of £7.000 has been designated by the Trustees for the purpose of providing fi>T replacetnenl and upgrade of computer systems approiLhin¥ Ihe end of their working life and for the development of a replacement website. CoDtlng¢DCy FuDd - An amount of £15,OOV has been designated by the Tru51¢￿ for th¢ wwp05e of providing for P055iblc reloratiort exp¢ns¢s and ￿1)Ial costs for one year Should it b¢ n￿assary to move from the existin8 offiG¢s ¢tsrrenily provided at below current tnarkd rental vdues. Proj¢¢t Fund An amount of £17.044 hAd been desi￿ated by the Truste¢s for the pl￿PoSe of setting aside maiched funding for a grant application to enable the Unit to secure funds for ils planned Universal Credit project. The Trustees see little prospect of receiving matched fwlding for the foreseeable future and so this amomt has been retym¢d to Unrestricted Fulld5. Page 16 SURREY WELFARE RIGHTS UNIT r40TES TO THE FtNANCIAL STATETrIENTS- continued FOR THE ITAR ENDED 31 Tr1ARCH 2022 15. EmPt￿YE￿ BENEFIT OBLIGATIONS A pension scheme for ¢mployees is 0￿rated on a deflned contributions basi5. Th¢ s¢h¢m¢ is orKn to ail en]ployees at ally tim¢. The company ¢ontributes 61J/o of pensionable eamings. The pcnsion cost shown in the accounts for the ycar repre5eThts contributions payable by the company and jJntsunt￿ ¢0 £9,937 (2021.- £8.9061. 16. CAPITAL COMMITMENTS Atthe $tatementof financial position date th￿¢ were no capital cotnmittnrnts. The Company tLO annual ¢ommitm¢nls under non-cancellable operating le￿¢$. 17. RELATED PARTY DISClnSURES There were no rel8ted party trotisactions for the year ended 31 Mar¢h 2022. i& DEFERRED INCOM D¢f¢rr¢d i￿om¢ r¢iatCS to amounts received for oCtiviti¢8 for which the donor imposed rtqtriciiorts on expenditUTe of r¥sourc¢s, which are a prKondition of use. This comprised the following- Source ofiJJ¢ome 2022 2021 SiibsLriptions Teceived in Advjnce Trainiiig Invoiced but not yel held CAS Training Fund c.ii A BEIS Grant SCC Sp¢¢i&list Support Comr, SCC Training Povety COM 24,095 6.670 1,595 1,3(K> 20,000 20,000 21.640 3,775 l J(M) 73,660 26.715 Page 17 Surrey Welfare Rights Unit Impact Report 2021/22 IJ ## Welfare Rights We were hoping for a more settled year compared to 2020/21 but that didn’t happen. We coped with switching back and forth from office and home, but it was the pace of legislative change that kept us working flat out to ensure all our stakeholders were up to date, and aware of changes that could impact on their clients. The Covid easements on social security were removed one by one, but it was clear that what was left behind was a trail of debt, lost work, and benefit overpayments for many. At the same time the Tribunal service began to pick up pace with appeals, and medical assessments were re-started. A positive was that clients, who needed to, could once again visit advice agencies in person. The temporary uplift in Universal Credit and Working Tax Credit made such a difference to low income households, and it was extremely disappointing that, despite strong campaigning, the increase was not kept - especially with the cost of living shocks that were just round the corner. For the coming year we will be focussing on the managed migration of Universal Credit, and preparing for increased casework clients, including appeals. ## A few words from the Trustee Board It has been a privilege to take over as Chair of Surrey Welfare Rights Unit after many years of association with the Unit both as Trustee and service user Whilst Anne Haigh stood down as Chair during the year we are delighted that she continues as a Trustee. We said farewell to Alison Cox, Trustee for over 25 years and to Sophia Platts. Thanks to them both for the contribution they made during their trusteeship. We welcome two new Trustees to the Board, Dani Jordan and Keith O’Neill. The Board continues to be impressed by the outstanding service offered by our staff under the very able leadership of our Chief Officer, Maria Zealey. This has been evidenced this year by our full quality assessment by Citizens Advice where we scored highly in all areas which include governance and quality of advice as well as the high levels of satisfaction in feedback from our service users. This has been another difficult year with a couple of false starts in returning to work in the office but we are pleased that our staff have now successfully adopted a hybrid method of working. A rare positive from the pandemic has been the opportunity to develop new ways of working which will continue with us post pandemic. The details in this report demonstrate the continued high level of need. With the high increase in the cost of living and pressures on household incomes we expect demand on our service to increase. On behalf of the Board I should like to thank all our funders, staff and fellow Trustees for their continued support during the year. **Jane Bourgeois Trustee Board Chair** ## We helped those most in need Housing status is only one of many data sets we record about the households we have supported throughout the year. Compared to last year’s figures, we saw an increase in clients who were staying with family or friends, rather than having their own accommodation. There was also a jump in the number of renters who had a private sector landlord. Both reflect two of the most insecure household types. We have been reporting on the difficulty some students have in accessing benefits, particularly disabled students, and this is reflected in our Education related enquiries which increased by 130%. Similar to last year, 63% of all clients helped were female. The percentage of clients who were disabled or long-term ill increased significantly from 57% to 66%. 29% of our clients stated that they were not White British. **----- Start of picture text -----**
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## We helped those most in need - continued Enquiries relating to overpayments of benefits and other related debts rose by 80% compared to the previous year. Other noticeable changes were Housing Benefit queries that concerned mixed-aged couples. The 125% increase reflects the complexity of the law on this issue. We saw a 70% rise in queries about the mobility component of child Disability Living Allowance. Enquiries about the past presence or residence tests and how they apply to disability and Carer benefits were up in every category. How to access Universal Credit if you have pre-settled status queries increased by 118%. Challenges to Universal Credit decisions were over 200% higher for this year, both mandatory reconsiderations and appeals. **----- Start of picture text -----**
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## In total our advice had this much value ## **Financial Outcomes direct and indirect £3,064,847** Client benefit gain confirmed £430,025 Health, social care and other gains £6518 ## **Our Fiscal Benefit was £303,999** Fiscal Benefit: Avoiding cost of evictions and temporary housing, avoiding costs of unemployment, and reducing use of NHS services by resolving problems that cause stress and anxiety and depression. ## **Our Public Value was £2,509,755** Public Value: Improvements in health, well-being, participation and productivity. ## **Headline figures:** Reducing use of NHS £73,389 Keeping people in work £126,769 Homelessness prevention savings £103,736 Fiscal benefit of supporting claimants with benefit debts £115,119 **For every £1 of funding we received our clients gained £20.32 and we created £18.16 of public value** ## How we work out our value Citizens Advice help us calculate our value using a Treasury approved cost-benefit tool. Four key variables are considered. **Affected population:** Number of people receiving advice about a specific issue **Impact:** Impact of advice on a specific outcome **Deadweight:** What would have happened anyway without our advice **Optimism bias:** Accounting for best practice, timeliness and independence of research In addition to our financial outcomes we also try to record non-financial outcomes such as blue badges or a social care assessment, as well as “soft” outcomes such as client reporting improved health, or resolution of a complaint. The value of e-training is difficult to quantify. However, the more volunteers and staff are supported and have access to training, the more likely it is that they are satisfied at work, and will remain at the organisation. Each adviser that we train and support could, in turn, help hundreds more local residents. Our research and campaigning work is equally important as helping individuals resolve their benefit problems. The value of this work is when we successfully raise an issue with key parliamentarians or decision-makers, and see changes happen that help those struggling to navigate the social security maze. ## Sharing Best Practice and Active Campaigning with Citizens Advice in Surrey In December 2020 we set up a quarterly meeting to enable welfare rights colleagues across the Surrey Local Citizens Advice network to meet to discuss issues impacting their clients and affecting their ability to deliver accurate, tailored, effective and timely advice. Since then, 46 colleagues from 9 Local Citizens Advice districts have attended the Surrey Welfare Advice Group. The topics discussed have been varied and include - Immigration status and access to benefits - The DWP’s Trust and Protect initiative - Access to Universal Credit for disabled students - The lack of transparency around deductions from Universal Credit - The DWP’s refusal to accept ongoing authority to act on behalf of clients. As a group, we have been in touch with Chloe Smith, Minister for Disabled People to determine the processes around supersessions of Personal Independence Payments for claimants diagnosed with a terminal illness. We are currently looking at the inaccurate and misleading content of some letters from the DWP and are in discussion with the Department about improvement. Karen Creeth, SWRU Adviser and Surrey Welfare Advice Group Lead ## What they said…….. " She has specifically asked me to give you a big thank you for all the help you have given her" - Casework client's support worker "Its made me very aware of the gaps in my knowledge (which is a good thing)" - Training delegate **"Thank you so much for this morning's training session. I found it really informative and easy to follow. I will definitely be back for more" - Training delegate, Charity Worker** "The team really appreciated your presentation and have asked me to pass on their thanks for the wonderful job your team does" - Surrey employment support service **"I emailed SWRU for some advice late last night. Phone call back from them first thing with a plan. We are so lucky to have such a brilliant and responsive local charity" - Surrey charity** "All the advisers are brilliant. I don't think I could do my job without their advice" - User Survey **" We sent a colleague on your PIP courses last year and they were very effective (our Adviser has been very successful with MRs, obtaining arrears of nearly £8,000 for at least 2 clients recently)" - Local Citizens Advice** ## Training the advice sector SWRU courses delivered 27 Local advice workers trained 174 Commissioned courses delivered 23 Local staff and volunteers trained 414 ## New courses included: - Universal Credit calculations - Understanding earnings and Universal Credit - PIP – the Mobility Component - Benefits Overview for non-advisers We ran almost twice the number of courses during this year, responding to both rising demand for training, and rapid changes in social security legislation. ## Delivering e-training SWRU has always had a reputation for delivering well-received face-to-face (F2F) training but, when the pandemic hit in 2020, it was necessary to find a different way to deliver it. We developed an e-training format, with one adviser presenting whilst a second adviser used the chat bar to provide additional information or answer questions from delegates without interrupting the presentation. In addition, technical support would be available to resolve problems such as joining the meeting and sound issues. 2020/21 saw us launching the new courses and, responding to feedback from the delegates, improvements were made where necessary. 2021/22 was our first full year of e-training delivery and the response from the delegates has been amazing. Initially, we were apprehensive about whether the delegates would take to e-training but many have emphasised the benefits of not having to travel to a venue, saving both money and time, as well as the extremely important reduced carbon footprint. They were also complimentary about the format with the chat function as well as the relaxed and friendly manner of the training team. We have also been confident enough to increase the number of delegates attending each course without impacting each delegate's experience. What started out as a temporary solution until we could return to F2F training has now become a permanent addition to the services we offer. There will still be courses though where F2F is desirable and, when conditions allow, we will reintroduce them. Another benefit of the e-training is that we are no longer limited to the geographical constraints of F2F training and have been promoting the service further afield, concentrating on organisations in rural areas that, when the pandemic was over, would still benefit from remote training. In 2021/22, delegates have joined our courses from as far as Lancashire in the north and the Isle of Wight in the south. Most of our training is still for organisations in Surrey though, and we rounded the year off by successfully delivering 5 courses to staff from Surrey County Council’s Contact Centre. ## Working with others for better client outcomes Local Citizens Advice in Surrey, Hampshire, Merton and Lambeth and Sussex Action for Carers Surrey Surrey County Council – Policy and Commissioning Surrey Care Leavers Service HMCTS Jobcentre Plus Surrey District and Borough councils Citizens Advice –National Office Work and Pensions Select Committee House of Lords – Youth Unemployment Committee Surrey Choices BBC News Surrey Department of Work and Pensions Public Health Surrey Surrey Welfare Advice Group Social Security Advisory Committee Surrey County Council Contact Centre ## Who we are ## **Staff** Maria Zealey – Chief Officer Brigid Caffyn-Parsons – Welfare Rights Adviser Karen Creeth – Welfare Rights Adviser Sarah Fell – Welfare Rights Adviser Carol Gibbs – Senior Welfare Rights Adviser Lou Glencross – Parent and Carer Benefits Adviser **We would like to thank** Surrey County Council Surrey NHS groups Woking Borough Council Elmbridge Borough Council Guildford Borough Council Reigate Borough Council The National Lottery ## **Trustees** Jane Bourgeois - Chair Anne Haigh John Fairley Roger Hurcombe Steve O’Sullivan - Treasurer Anne Pirie Suja Subramanian Dani Jordan Keith O’Neill Helen Haws – Welfare Rights Adviser Ray Savage – Administrator **Surrey Welfare Rights Unit aims to provide the advice people need for the problems they face and improve the policies and practices that affect people’s lives.** **We provide free, independent, confidential and impartial advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities. We value diversity, promote equality and challenge discrimination. We are a member of the Citizens Advice service.** Surrey Welfare Rights Unit Company Number: 3335128 Charity Number: 1062826 FCA Number: FRN 617760 OISC Registered AQS Standards in Welfare Benefits Casework and Telephone Support