Company registration number.. 03335128 Charity registration number.. 1062826 Surrey Welfare Rights Unit {A company limited by guarantee) Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 Surrey Welfare Rights Unit Contents Tru5tees' Report 1 to7 Independent Examiner's Report 8109 statement of Financial Activities 10 Statemenl of Financial Position Notes to the Financial Statements 121021 Detailed Statement of Financial Activities 22to24 Surrey Welfare Rights Unit Trustees, Report The Trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial staternents of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2024. The Trustees have adopted the provisions of 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) (effective 1 January 2019). Oblectlves and actlvit188 Oblectlves Surrey Welfare Rights Unit exists lo provide a welfare rights advice service within the county of Surrey and surrounding area.The service is accessed by volunlary and statutory sector professionals, who in most cases are the first point of contact for clients needing advice. The Unit provides an independenl and confidential service. This independent status allows membership of Citizens Advice (the operating name of the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux) and the Unit abides by the Aims and Principles of the Citizens Advice service. This also allows for flexibility to develop and change and gives the freedom to benefit from joint working projects. Furthermore, independent charitable status gives the Board of Trustees the power lo seek alternative source5 of funding to protect the level of service for the future. This will ensure that the range of welfare rights services can be developed and improved for the future. The core tasks of the service are.. To provide an advice line for the use of the professional staff from referral groups., To provide training courses on welfare benefits for, amongst others, Local Citizens Advice, statutory and Voluntary Organisations., To influence the development of social policies and services and to ensure individuals do not suffer through a lack of knowledge or an inability to express their needs effectively., To produce information and publicity on welfare rights issues for both professional staff and, when relevant, the people of Surrey., To promote the take-up of welfare benefits within the County especially among the frail and vulnerable., To provide a source of expertise on Community Care issues in Surrey., To take on a limited amount of casework as appropriate and provide Tribunal representation in complex cases,. and To be a focal point of welfare rights work within Surfey through support groups, seminars and informal talks, Social Policy work and ne￿orking. Page 1 Surrey Welfare Rights Unit Trustees. Report Objectives and actlvltles (continued} Charitable Activilies During the 2023124 year the long-awaited Managed Migration programme began its rollout across Surrey and the surrounding areas. We responded by writing a bespoke training course, and mel with DWP colleagues to understand the irnpact on households moving from legacy benefits onto Universal Credit. Enquiries Concerning sickness and disability benefits continued to dominate this year. The impact of the cost of living crisis was reflected in our client slalislics,. social housing tenants, people with disabilities or long-term conditions and non-white British citizens. We delivered a number of projects during the year. Funding for No-one Left Behind allowed us tc provide additional specialist support and training to the local Citizen5 Advise ne￿ork. Our Parent Carer Moving into Adulthood project ran for a second year and saw an increase in client numbers and other activities. An Awards for All grant provided an additional 10 courses delivered to local organisalions. The County Council approached us asking for support in designing a policy for paying people with lived experience to gel involved in shapin9 social care and health services.we now have new web content on our site that can be used to advise people on how these payments may affect their benefit entitlement. Our research and campaigning work continued during this year. We drafted a consultation response lo the planned changes to the Work Capability Assessment and we met with the Citizens Advice policy team several times. We kept our partners up to date with same day summaries of the benefit changes in the Autumn Statement and Spring Budget. Surrey County Council continues to provide core financial support for the Unit, recognising the quality and cost effectiveness of work undertaken by the Unit. The Directors are very grateful for this support, along with the funding provided by Elmbridge and Woking Councils. Within the County Council, we support the Care Leavers Teams, Financial Assessments team and the Home School Link Workers ne￿ork. We also support the Housing Team at Reigate and Banslead Council. Apart from grant funding, we continued to generate vital income streams from training courses, consultancy and subscriptions. Over 50 local organisations continued to subscribe to the Unit's services, and in particular, for our advice support on individual complex benefit cases. 56 courses were delivered during the year. We continue to hold 1000/0 passes in all areas of cur Citizens Advice Performance Quality Framework, including financial management and governance, and hold the Advice Quality Standard IAQS) Quality Mark in Casework. Public benefit The Trustees have paid due regard to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit in deciding the activities undertaken by the Unit during the year. The Truslees are satisfied that the information provided in the report and accounts meets the public benefit reporting requirements. The Trustees confirm that they have cornplied with the requirements of section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Cornmission for England and Wales. Page 2 Surrey Welfare Rights Unit Trustees, Report Flnanclal revlew Incoming resources in the year were £293,450 (2023.. £245,444). A surplus of £46,151 was made in the year {2023.' £15,204). Al 31 March 2024 total reserves were £244,782 (2023.. £198,631) of which £141,432 represented unrestricted general funds (2023.. £123,260). The projected budget at the Start of the 2023124 financial year showed a modest surplus. The outtum was enhanced by unexpected additional grants from Woking Borough Council and Surrey County Council and increased training income. Prlnclpal fundlng sources The trustees extend their gratitude to Surrey County Council and those Borough and District Councils who continued to support the core operating capacity of the charity. We should particularly like to Ihank Woking Borough Council, both for their grant and for providing premises al no financial cost to the charity except for charges for utility and other office services. The charily did not have any borrowngs from either provider5 of funding or other sources at the statement of financial position date. We received further year's funding to continue the Parent Carer project 'Moving into Adulthood We also received additional specific funding from Surrey County Council as detailed in the slalement of charitable activilies. Pollcy on reseThes The Trustees have forecast the level of free reserves (that is those funds not tied up in fixed assets, designated and restricted funds) the Charity will require to sustain its operations. The Trustees consider that the most appropriate level of free reserves at 31 March 2024 is a minimum of six months, running costs. Whilst the current level of reserves may prove sufficient, it is the Trustees, view that it is prudent to ensure that there are sufficient free reserves to provide financial flexibility for future years and that identified needs in the County can conlinue to be adequately resourced. The budgeted expenditure for the forthcorning year is currently adequately covered by the agreed sources of income. As with previous years, efforts will be made lo secure additional funding. The current free reseNes wll be used if necessary to support the work of Ihe Unit Should they be needed in the unlikely event of change of circumstances. When considering the level of free reserves the Trustees have considered the Charity Commission document "Charity reserves.. building resilience (CC19)" and also the House of Commons Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee report "The collapse of Kids Company: lessons for charity trustees, et al" It is recognised that by far the greater part of the Charity's activity and expenditure is of an essential" rather than of a 'discretionary" nature. This requires a greater degree of financial resilience than for many other charities. The Trustees are also aware Ihat no service level agreements or Contracts are in place for more than one year and income that might be considered "core" is in any case insufficient to provide a basic service to the community and reliance has to be placed on subscriptions, fundraising and the securing of project income that can share the Charity's fixed costs. The reasons for holding particular reserves are outlined in note 14. Funds in deficit No funds were in deficit at the statement of financial position date. Page 3 Surrey Welfare Rights Unit Trustees. Report Plans for future periods For 2024125 we will be delivering a significant new contracl called Work Wise, a Surrey based programme that aims lo help people with a disability or health condition move into paid work. We will be delivering the advice service along with three 5ub-contraGted partners from our local Citizens Advice network. We also have funding from the Household Support Fund lo provide an additional six months of support to the No-one Left Behind advice service. This will also be year 3 of the Moving into Adulthood project which has just published its cornprehensive web content on our site, to inform Carers and Parents of young people aged 14-25. Managed Migration onto Universal Credit has already moved on from Tax Credit households to Income Support claimants. We expect Employment and Support Allowance claims to follow, which will be a real lest of whether vulnerable clients have access to good quality support during this process. structure, governance and management Nature of governlng documenl The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006. Surrey Welfare Rights Unil is a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee. The maximum liability of each member is limited to £1. At 31 March 2024 the company had 9 members12023'. 81. Surrey Welfare Rights Unit is governed by a Memorandum and Articles of Association as amended in 1999, 2005, 2011 and 2019. Surrey Welfare Rights Unil was incorporated as a company limited by guarantee on 18 March 1997. The Charity commenced operations on 12 June 1997. Recruitment and appolntment of trustees The Trustees have suitable policies to ensure the Board has adequate represenlalion. They identify any need to recruit and what competences, backgrounds, personal or professional, are preferred so that the Unit's governance reflects the communities it serves. The Board lakes account of equality and diver511y Issues and recognises that these rights are critical to the Unit's credibility and enhances the Unit's profile wth slakeholders, funders and campaigners. Inductlon and tralnlng of trustees Newly appoinled Trustees are provided with a comprehensive induction to Surrey Welfare Rights Unil through the Provision of training courses and mentoring by established Trustees and provision of a bespoke Trustee Handbook. Page 4 Surrey Welfare Rights Unit Trustees, Report Organisational struclure A Trustee Board governs Surrey Welfare Rights Unit. The Board is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the organisation and the policy of the charity. The Trustees carry the ultimate responsibility for the conduct of Surrey Welfare Rights Unit and for ensuring that the charity satisfies its legal and contractual obligations. Trustees meet as a minimum quarterly and delegate the day-to-day operation of the organisation to senior management. The Truslee Board is independent from management. A register of members, interests is maintained al the registered office and is available to the public. The Trustee Board regularly conducts internal skills audits, and annually reviews its performance. It has updated its approach to risk management and reviews critical risks at each meeting. The Trustees also meet annually lo review the Charity's strategy, and before finalising this seek input from the staff. The Board is independently assessed by Citizens Advice using a comprehensive Performance Quality Framework that looks at areas of governance such as finance, strategic business planning and partnership working. Internal control The Board oversees the information security of all personal information of our clients, staff, funders and strategic partner5 that is processed. The Unil holds joint re5ponsibilily for client data that is held in the case management system, with the national Citizens Advice service. An information assurance management team exists to ensure the confidentiality, integrity and availability of all personal and sensitive data is maintained to a level which is compliant with the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation and Data Protection Act 2018. Reglster of Interests The Unit holds a register of interests for all Trustees. This is referred to and Checked al each Board Meeting. During the year there were no declarations that impaired or conflicted with any 8oard decisions taken. Page 5 Surrey Welfare Rights Unit Trustees. Report Relationships with related parties Surrey Welfare Rights Unit is a member of Citizens Advice, the operating name of the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux, which provides a framework for standards of advice and asework management as well as monitoring progress against these standards. Operating policies are independently determined by the Trustee Board of Surrey Welfare Rights Unit in order to fulfil its charitable objects and comply with the national membership requirements. The charity also co-operates and liaises with a number of other advisory services, local charities and social services departrnen15 on behalf of clients. Where one of the Trustees holds the posilion of TrusteelDirector of another charity they may be involved in discussions regarding that other charity but not in the ultimate decision-making process. Reference and Adminlstratlve Datalls Charity Registration Number.. Company Registration Number.. Registered Office.. 1062826 03335128 Unit 14A Monument Way Depot Monument Way East Woking Surrey GU21 SLY Page 6 Surrey Welfare Rights Unit Trustees, Report Trustees and Officers The Trustees and Officers servin9 during the year and since the year end were as follows.. Trustees.. Jane Vivien Bourgeois, (Chair) Anne Carroll Haigh Stephen John O'sullivan, (Treasurer until 29 April 2024) Anne Mary Pirie Roger Stewart Hurcombe, Ilnterim Treasurer from 29 April 2024) Suja Sankarasubramanian Keith O'Neill, (Vice Chair) Daniella Jordan (resigned 26 January 20241 Patricia Louise Fisher (appointed 24 July 20231 Jan-Pieter Oosterom (appointed 24 July 2023) Independent Examlner Romit Ba5u FCA DSK Partners LLP Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors D S House 306 High Street Croydon Surrey CRO 1NG Bankers.. CAF Bank Lld. 25 Kings Hill Avenue Kings Hill West Malling Kent ME19 4JQ The annual report was approved by the trustees of the charity on behalf by.. and signed on its Jane Vivien Bourgeois Chair Page 7 Surrey Welfare Rights Unit Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of Surrey Welfare Rights Unit {'the Company.) I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 March 2024. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity's trustees of the Company {and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 {'the 2006 Act'i. Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 {'the 2011 Acl'l. In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)IbJ of the 2011 Act. Independent examlner's statement Since the Company's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that l am qualified to undertake the examination because l am a member of DSK Partners LLP, which is one of the listed bodies. I have completed my examination. l confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe.. 1. accounting records were not kept in respect of Surrey Welfare Rights Unit as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act., or 2. Ihe accounts do not accord with those records; or 3. the accounts do not comply ￿th the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'lrue and fair view, which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination., or 4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities lapplicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance wth the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland {FRS 10211. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order lo enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Page 8 Surrey Welfare Rights Unit Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of Surrey Welfare Rights Unit ('the Company.) Dhirajla Sh ior Statutory Auditor) For and on beha of DSK Partners LLP Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors D S House 306 High Street Croydon Surrey CR01NG Dale.. 411113y Page 9 Surrey Welfare Rights Unit Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 (Including Income and Expenditure Account and Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses) Total 2024 Total 2023 Unrestrlcted Restricted Note Income and Endowments from: Donations and legacies Charitable activities Investment income 205 179,375 7,928 205 285,317 7,928 141 242,379 2,924 105,942 Total income 187,508 105,942 293,450 245,444 Expenditure on: Charitable activities Other expenditure Total expenditure 1138,7331 2,517 (104,173) 1,876 (242,906) 4.393 (225,943) 4,297 141,250 106,049 247,299 230,240 Nel incomel(expenditure) Net movement in funds 46.258 107 46.151 15,204 46,258 {1071 46,151 15,204 Reconclliation of funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward 196,903 1.728 198,631 183,427 14 243,161 1.621 244,782 198,631 The notes on pages 12 to 21 form an integral part of these financial stalemenls. Page1D Surrey Welfare Rights Unit Statement of Financial Position as at 31 March 2024 2024 2023 Note Current assets Debtors Cash at bank and in hand 12 9,790 302,416 10,230 332,278 312,206 342,508 Credltors: Amounts falllng due withln on8 year 13 67,424 143,877 Net assets 244,782 198,631 Funds of the charlty: Restrlcted Income fund8 Restricted funds 1,621 1,728 Unrestrlcted Income funds Unrestricted funds 243,161 196,903 Total funds 14 244,782 198,631 The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Seclion 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 March 2024. The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006. The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for (al ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records Ihat comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and {b) preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of ils surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwse comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company. The financial statements on pages 10 to 21 were approved by the Trustees, and authorised for issue on . 4-111.li*.. and signed on their behalf by.. Jane Vivien Bourgeois Chair The notes on pages 12 to 21 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page11 Surrey Welfare Rights Unit Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 1 Charity status The charity is limited by guarantee, incorporated in England and Wales , and consequently does not have share capital. The company's registered number and registered office address can be found within the report of the Trustees section. 2 Accounting pollcles Summary of slgnificant accounting pollcles and key accountlng estlmates The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been con51Stenlly applied lo all the years presented, unless otherwise stated. Statèment of compllance The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charitie5.' Statement of Recommended Practice applicable lo Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reportin9 Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) leffeclive 1 January 20191 (Charities SORP IFRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland {FRS 1021. They also Comply with the Companies Act 2006 and Charities Act 2011. BasI8 of preparatlon Surrey Welfare Rights Unit meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless othe￿ise staled in the relevant accounting policy notes. The presentation currency of the financial statements is the Pound Sterling {£) rounded lo the nearest Pound. Income and endowments All income is recognised once the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of the income receivable can be measured reliably. Deferred Income Deferred income represents amounts received for future periods and is released to incoming resources in the period for which it has been received. Such income is only deferred when.. The donor specifies that Ihe grant or donation must only be used in future ac¢ounling periods., or The donor has imposed conditions which must be mel before the charity has unconditional entitlement. Page 12 Surrey Welfare Rights Unit Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 Expendlture Liabilities are recognised a5 expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is a¢¢ounted for on an accruals ba515 and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activilies on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Tangible flxed assets Depreciation is provided al the following annual rate$ in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life. Computer equipment - Straight line over 3 years Fixed assets are included at cost and only items in excess of £500 are capitalised. Taxatlon The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities Fund structure Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the Trustees. The Trustees allocate designated funds out of unrestricted funds for Specific purposes.The use of such funds is at Ihe Trustees, discretion. Income received for the restricted purposes is included in a separate restricted fund against which appropriate expenditure is allocated. Ponslons and other post retirement oblSgatlons The charity operates a defined contribution group personal pension plan for its employees. Payments are charged to the income and expenditure account in the period in which they are incurred. Page 13 Surrey Welfare Rights Unit Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 Leas89 Rental costs under operating leases are charged to the statement of financial activities in equal amounts over the period of the leases. 3 Investment income Unrestricted funds General Total 2024 Total 2023 Interest receivable and similar income., Interest receivable on bank deposits 7,928 7,928 2,924 4 Income from charltsble actlvltles Unrestricted Restricted Total 2024 Total 2023 Grant Income Funds £ Funds £ Surrey County Council Surrey 8orough and Dislricl Councils Grants- COVID-19 Cit A BEIS 136,405 73,452 10,000 300 209,857 184,869 10,000 13,000 300 1,000 Grants other 22,190 22.190 136,405 105,942 242,347 198,869 Subscription Income Training Income Rent in Kind 22,640 16,670 3,300 360 22,640 23,755 16,670 16,095 3,300 3,300 360 360 Consultancy 42,970 179,375 42,970 43,510 285,317 242,379 105,942 Income from charitable activities include rent benefit of £3,300 {2023'. £3,300). Page 14 Surrey Welfare Rights Unit Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 5 Expènditure on charltable actlvltle5 Unrestrlcted funds General RestrlGted funds Total 2024 Total 2023 Note Website costs Trade subscription Books and publications Computer services and maintenance Insurance Training programme costs Printing, postage and stationery Telephone and fax Office expenses Trustee development Staff costs 137 1,258 79 1,032 216 2,290 215 2,861 1,222 756 1,978 1,941 1,841 1,208 1,891 991 3,732 2,199 3,928 2,397 395 229 824 416 1,361 1,405 1,023 956 1,061 629 2,317 2,466 1,652 1,440 2,353 1,325 36 128,847 138,733 29 96,520 65 225.367 209,067 104,173 242,906 225,943 Page15 Surrey Welfare Rights Unit Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 6 Analysls of support Gosts Other resources expended other Total Basls of alloGatlon funds 2024 Legal & professional Independent examination fee Finance cost Nominal Rent 960 120 3,300 4,393 Other 960 120 3,300 4,393 Total Bas1$ of allocatlon funds 2023 Legal & professional Independent examination fee Finance cost Nominal Rent 13 840 144 3.300 840 144 3,300 4,297 4,297 7 Nel Incomlngloutgolng resourc88 Net incoming resources for the year include.. 2024 2023 Other non-audit services 960 840 8 Trust885 remuneratlon and expenses No Trustees, nor any persons connected with them, have received any remuneration from the charity during the year. Trustees, expenses Trustees, expenses for the year ended 31 March 2024 were £65 and for the year ended 31 March 2023 were £Nil. Page 16 Surrey Welfare Rights Unit Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 9 Staff costs The monthly average number of persons employed by the charity during the year was as follows.. 2024 2023 Employees No employee received emoluments of more than £60,000 during the year. 10 Comparatives for the statement of financial activiti88 Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds £ Funds £ Funds £ INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies Charitable activities 141 141 Charitable 184,831 2.924 67,548 242,379 2,924 Grant5 Investment income Total 187,896 57,548 245,444 EXPENDITURE ON Charitable activities Charitable (167,144) (3,4461 {170,590) 17,306 158,799) 1851) 159,650) {2,102) 1225,943) (4,2971 {230,240) Other Total NET INCOME 15,204 Transfers be￿een funds Net movement in funds 17,306 {2,102) 15,204 RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought fomard TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 179,597 196,903 3,830 1,728 183,427 198,631 Page 17 Surrey Welfare Rights Unit Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 11 Tanglble flxed assets Furniture and equipment Total Cost At 1 April 2023 18,543 18,543 At 31 March 2024 18,543 18,543 Depreciation At 1 April 2023 18,543 18,543 At 31 March 2024 18,543 18,543 Net book value At 31 March 2024 At 31 March 2023 12 Debtors 2024 2023 Trade debtors 9,790 10,230 13 Credltors: amounts falling due wlthln one year 2024 2023 Trade creditors Other taxation and social security Other creditors Accruals Deferred income 1,253 5,649 1,950 18,665 40,007 495 3,510 18,860 121,012 67,424 143,877 Page 18 Surrey Welfare Rights Unit Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 14 Funds Balance at 1 Aprll 2023 Balance at 31 March 2024 Incomlng resources Resources expended Transfers Unrestrl¢ted General 123,260 187,508 (141,250) (28,086) 28,086 141,432 Designated 73,643 101,729 Total unrestrlcted 196,903 187,508 1141,250) 106,049 243,161 Restrlcted 1,728 105,942 1,621 Total funds 198,631 293,450 247,299 244,782 Balance at 1 Aprll 2022 Balance at 31 March 2023 Incomlng resources Resource8 expended Tran8f8rs Unr8Strlcted General 113,859 187,896 {170,5901 (7,9051 7,905 123,260 Designated 65,738 73,643 Total unre8trlcted 179,597 187,896 (170,590) 59,6SO 196,903 Restrlcted 3,830 57,548 1,728 Total funds 183,427 245,444 230,240 198,631 Page 19 Surrey Welfare Rights Unit Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 Redundancy fund - Redundancy reseNes have been designated by the Trustees for the purpose of covering potential redundancy costs in the event of a significant reduction in the income of the Unit that could result in closure. £3,086 has been allocated in the current year. Information Te¢hnology Fund An amount of £7,000 has been designated by the Trustees for the purpose of providing for replacement and upgrade of Gomputer systems approaching the end of their working life and for the development of a replacement website. Contlngency Fund An amount of £40,000 {2023 - £15,000) has been designated by the Trustees for the purpose of providing for possible relocation expenses and rental, business rates and seNice costs for one year should il be necessary to move from the existing offices currently provided at below current market rental values. The increase reflects the well-publicised financial pressures facing the current landlords. 15 Penslon and other schemes Deflned contrlbutlon penslon schemo The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme.The scheme is open to all employees at any time. The company conlribules 60/0 of pensionable earning. The pension cost charge for the year represents contributions payable by the charity to the scheme and amounted to £11,264 {2023- £10,433). 16 Commltm8nt8 At the statement of financial position dale there were no capital commitments. The charitable Company has no annual commitments under non-cancellable operating leases. 17 R8lated party transactions There were no related party transactions in the year. Page 20 Surrey Welfare Rights Unit Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 18 Deferred Incom8 Deferred income relates to amounts received for activities for which the donor has imposed restrictions on expenditure of resources, which are a precondition of use. This comprised the followng.. Source of Income 2024 2023 Subscriptions received in advance Training Invoiced but not yel held Borough Grants CAS Training Fund Clt A BEIS Grant SCC Specialist Support COMF SCC Training Poverty COMF SCC Parent Carer Advice 24,100 3,790 2,000 1,595 23,055 420 1,595 300 8.522 20,000 20,000 33,452 7,190 15,000 121,012 Awards for All Cil A Cost of Living Sub-Granl Total 40,007 Page 21 Surrey Welfare Rights Unit Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 Total 2024 Total 2023 Income and Endowments from: Donations and legacies (analysed below) Charitable activities lanalysed below) Investment income lanalysed below) 205 285,317 7,928 141 242,379 2,924 Total incorne 293,450 245,444 Expenditure on.. Charitable activities (analysed below) Olher expenditure {analysed below) (242,906) 4,393 (225,9431 4,297 Total expenditure 247,299 230,240 Net income 46,151 15,204 Net movement in funds 46,151 15,204 Reconclllatlon of funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward 198,631 183,427 244.782 198,631 This page does nol form part of the statutory financial statements. Page 22 Surrey Welfare Rights Unit Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 Total 2024 Total 2023 Donations and legacles Donations 205 141 205 141 Charltable activitl8S Surrey County Council - Other Surrey County Council - Core Surrey Borough & District Councils - Restricted Surrey Borough & Districl Counci58 - Unrestricted Surrey County Council - Parent Carer Consultancy Rent in Kind Grants - BEIS Other grants Project, training and subscription 40,000 136,405 10,000 40,000 128,321 13,000 16,548 360 3,300 1,000 33,452 360 3,300 300 22,190 39,310 39,850 242,379 285,317 Investment Income Interest receivable 7,928 2,924 2,924 7,928 This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements. Page 23 Surrey Welfare Rights Unit Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 Total 2024 Total 2023 Charitable activltles Wages and salaries Social security costs Pension costs Staff Development and recruitment costs Insurance Website costs Trade subscription Books and publication costs Computer services and maintenance Printing, postage and stationery Telephone and fax Office expenses Training programme costs Trustee development (200,8091 112,5421 111,2641 (752) (2,199) (216) (2,290) (1,978) 13,732) (2,317) (2.466) (1,652) (624) 65 {186,612) 111.7021 110,4331 13201 (2,3971 12151 {2,8611 {1.9411 {3,9281 {1,4401 {2,3531 {1,3261 14161 242,906 225,943 Other expendl(ure Nominal rent Independenl Examiner's remuneration Bank Charges Legal fees (3,300) (960) {120) 13 13,300} 1840) 1144) 4,393 4,297 This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements. Page 24 Surrey Welfare Rights Unit Impact Report 2023/24 ## This year I am pleased to share another Impact Report for Surrey Welfare Rights Unit. 2023/24 was a year where we saw an increase in the complexity of the enquiries referred to us. For the staff and volunteers that we support across Surrey and the surrounding areas, we know how hard it is to keep up with constant legislative changes. During this year we saw the arrival of Managed Migration to Universal Credit. There was initial confusion regarding how the DWP were interpreting the transitional rules, and what that meant for the advice sector who strive to advise their clients fully and accurately. We anticipate further bumps in the road as Managed Migration picks up pace during 2024/25. Apart from dealing with complex queries, and delivering a significant number of training courses, we also upped our research and campaigning activity. We forged stronger links with the welfare policy team at Citizens Advice, and drafted targeted web information for people with lived experience who are involved in service development, and parents and Carers of children and young adults who are in transition age 14-25. We responded to the Government’s consultation on sickness benefits, and were pleased to see that many of the draconian proposals were dropped. There is still widespread concern that disability benefits will be targeted next. After the General Election we will be keeping a close eye of what social security proposals any new Government makes, and how these could affect local vulnerable people. My thanks go to all the hard-working SWRU staff, and the Board for all their support. ## A few words from the Trustee Board Despite the ongoing cost of living impact on individuals and services, I am pleased to report that Surrey Welfare Rights Unit has had another successful year, owing largely to our dedicated staff and the continued support of our funders. We were delighted that following the ongoing success of our Parent Carer project, Moving into Adulthood, Surrey County Council has continued to fund this much needed service. It is an example of how the voluntary sector can provide preventative services to help alleviate the pressures on the statutory sector. Our Chief Officer, Maria, working in collaboration with other local Citizens Advice Service was successful in tendering for the SCC led Work Wise project and we look forward to progressing this new advice service with our three local Citizens Advice partners. Our workforce is a small team of highly specialist welfare advisers, and we were very sorry to have to say farewell to Sarah Fell who has been with SWRU for over 10 years. We wish Sarah a long and happy retirement. We are very pleased that Sarah will continue her association with SWRU by offering voluntary support for our Trustee Board. My fellow Trustees have worked hard this year to develop our strategy, ensure we meet governance standards and support Maria. They all tell me how much they value the work of SWRU and enjoy working together. They all offer me great support which is key to our success. My thanks go to them and to Maria and, of course, our funders. **Jane Bourgeois Trustee Board Chair** ## We helped those most in need Our case recording system, Casebook, captures housing status along with other profiling data. Compared to last year’s statistics we saw another annual drop in enquiries from households who were owner occupiers or those with a mortgage. Social housing tenants endured benefit problems far more than any other household type. 48% of our clients declared they had a disability or long-term illness. 14% preferred not to say, and only 20% said they did not have an illness or disability. This is a clear indication of the enormous barriers faced by disabled residents and those coping with ill health when navigating the benefit system, and keeping benefits in payment. **----- Start of picture text -----**
Tied
Other accommodation
Homeless
Own outright
NT
Staying with family or Shared Ownership
friends
Buying home
Private landlord
Social landlord
**----- End of picture text -----**
28% of our clients self-declared as non-White British, reflecting the diversity of our local communities. Over 30 different nationalities were recorded, from Afghanistan to Ukraine. ## We helped those most in need - continued You can see from the adjacent chart that those unable to work due to disability or illness were the largest “occupation” group contacting us for help. We saw a slight decrease in Benefit Cap queries, predicted as the Cap rose in value in 2023/24, having been frozen for many years. We saw an increase in enquiries regarding obtaining a national insurance number, how to secure medical evidence for Employment and Support Allowance, and a 43% increase in Personal Independence Payment appeals. Queries relating to Universal Credit and pre/settled-status were up 233%, as well as UC queries regarding appointees, complex needs, and appealing incorrect decisions. For every client that contacted us about Employment and Support Allowance, these were the other issues we helped the client navigate Complexity of enquiries ## Key benefit problems 600 500 400 300 200 100 0 Universal Personal Employment Universal Universal Universal Credit - Initial Independence and Support Credit - Rent Credit - Income Credit - Claim Payment Allowance Support and Capital Limited Capability for Work Housing Pension Credit Benefit Council Tax Carer's Universal Disability Universal Support Allowance Credit - Living Credit - Carer Conditionality Allowance Element ## In total our advice had this much value **Financial Outcomes direct and indirect Headline figures: £2,554,699 £354,305** confirmed client benefit gain Reducing use of NHS £53,989 Keeping people in work £74,672 **Our Fiscal Benefit was £207,943** 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. Homelessness prevention savings £23,449 Fiscal benefit of supporting claimants with benefit debts £81,478 ## **Our Public Value was £2,338,614** Public Value: Improvements in health, well-being, participation and productivity. **For every £1 of funding we received our clients gained £8.71 and we created £7.97 of public 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 a 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 will, 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. ## Moving into Adulthood project The project is entering its third year and is still picking up momentum. The web-tool created by SWRU staff for parent carers to access information is now live on the website: **https://www.swru.org/moving-into-adulthood/** It seems appropriate at this time to look back at the genesis of the project to explain how the reach of the project has extended to find and then provide support to this particularly disenfranchised group of benefit claimants. In 2021 the government made changes to Universal Credit to stop most students from claiming Universal Credit, arguing that they should rely on student finance instead. At the time we were concerned that these changes would have unintended consequences for non-advanced students with health conditions and disabilities. This group had always been able to claim means tested benefits in their own right from the age of 16. At the time of the change we wrote to the Work and Pensions Committee and the Social Security Advisory Committee to highlight the additional impacts of the change in the law that had seemingly not been foreseen nor impact assessed. At that stage no one had yet been disadvantaged, so the response was very much wait and see. One of the difficulties for the project was to get into contact with the people we wanted to help. Carers are often pulled in many directions at once. While young people are in education a lot of time and energy is spent on getting the help they need at school. Understandably the settings they visit do not have the skills or the resources to help with welfare benefits. ## Moving into Adulthood project Bespoke advice was provided on an individual basis. As staff in the different settings were exposed to the benefit issues, they became aware of the need for more help in this area. The evidence we gathered was invaluable in designing the approach for the different strands within the 14-25 year-olds we were targeting. This area of benefit law is hugely complex and it is not possible, or desirable, for Parent Carers to understand the entirety of the issue. Instead we wanted to allow them to access the slice of information that was relevant to their young person. The MIA project was never conceived as the whole answer. A single part-time staff member could not possibly address the unmet need across Surrey. We are now entering phase 3 in which we have developed a focussed high-level training course to deliver to staff in the various settings that encounter the young people covered by the MIA project. The aim is to encourage staff in the settings to understand in more detail the issues that their young people and their Parent Carers are experiencing. It is hoped that with encouragement, support and training this will result in the individual organisations in closest contact with the Carers providing a permanent link to the benefit advice that is so sorely needed. The final phase of the project is to return to the social policy side of the issue and once more approach government. We now have evidence of how this has affected vulnerable households. We plan to write once more to appropriate parties to explain who is being affected and what we think the solution or solutions may be. ## What they said…….. |“I just wanted
to say thank
you so much
for giving such
a thought
provoking talk
at our
conference”
Voluntary
Action
organiser||“Thank you so
much for your
assistance and
time spent on
this case, that
is very much
appreciated.”
Local Citizens
Advice
caseworker||“I wanted to pass
on my gratitude
for your advice
and support in
this matter and
also to convey
how relieved and
grateful my client
is now that this
situation has
been resolved in
his favour.”
Local Adviser||“ Thank you so
much for
delivering the
training
yesterday – I
have had great
feedback from
the staff who
loved it and
found it very
informative.”
Local Charity||“ The training
was a great
help and much
appreciated”
Tenancy
Sustainment
Officer||“We much
appreciate your
time and know
the Network
members really
welcomed your
information and
support.”
SCC Adult Social
Care – Carers’
Network Lead||“ It’s very
reassuring to
know we have
your team of
experts on hand
when I come
across a
particularly
complicated
benefits case.”
Local Citizens
Advice
volunteer| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| SWRU courses delivered 29 Local advice workers trained 383 Commissioned courses delivered 27 Local staff and volunteers trained 486 New courses included: Universal Credit – the tricky bits Pension Credit Managed Migration to Universal Credit A significant part of this training activity was funded by Surrey County Council as part of their No-One Left Behind programme, and the National Lottery Awards for All grants scheme. ## Working with others for better client outcomes Local Citizens Advice in Surrey, Hampshire, Merton and Lambeth, Berkshire and Sussex Surrey County Council – Policy and Commissioning HMCTS Jobcentre Plus Surrey District and Borough councils Citizens Advice –National Office No-One Left Behind Department of Work and Pensions Surrey Welfare Advice Group SCC Adult Social Care Cost of Living Partnership SCC Information and Engagement Team Surrey Warm Hubs network SCC Carers Network Surrey Work Wise IPSPC ## Who we are ## **Staff** Maria Zealey – Chief Officer Brigid Caffyn-Parsons – Welfare Rights Adviser Karen Creeth – Welfare Rights Adviser Carol Gibbs – Senior Welfare Rights Adviser Lou Glencross – Parent and Carer Benefits Adviser Helen Haws – Welfare Rights Adviser Ray Savage – Administrator Fernanda Tuozzo - Work Wise Benefits Adviser **We would like to thank** Surrey County Council Woking Borough Council Elmbridge Borough Council The National Lottery Our subscribers ## **Trustees** Jane Bourgeois – Chair Louise Fisher Anne Haigh Roger Hurcombe - Treasurer Keith O’Neill – Vice-Chair Jan-Pieter Oosterom Steve O’Sullivan Anne Pirie Suja Subramanian **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