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2024-03-31-accounts

Docusign Envelope ID: 2AACCC72-E6C0-475E-A062-EBD9AB365E39 : Acorn Recovery Projects Company number: 03360545

Company number: 3360545

[Date]

Year ended 31[st] March 2024

Docusign Envelope ID: 2AACCC72-E6C0-475E-A062-EBD9AB365E39

Acorn Recovery Projects Company number: 03360545

Contents

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||| |---|---| |Directors, Executive Officers, Advisors and Bankers|................................................... 1| |Report of the Directors|............................................................................................... 2| |Independent Auditor’s Report to the members of Acorn Recovery Projects|................ 8| |Statement of Financial Activities|.............................................................................. 10| |Statement of Financial Position|................................................................................ 11| |Notes to the Financial Statements|............................................................................ 12|

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Docusign Envelope ID: 2AACCC72-E6C0-475E-A062-EBD9AB365E39

Acorn Recovery Projects Company number: 03360545

Directors, Executive Officers, Advisors and Bankers

Directors

Richard Jones CBE (Chair)

Andrew Henderson (resigned 23 May 2024)
Cheryl Mould (appointed 4 December 2023)
George Kimmance
Joanne Peters
Kelly Shaw
Michael John Wedgeworth
Mushtaq Khan
Sallie Bridgen
Susan Moore (resigned 7 June 2023)
Executive Officers:
Group Chief Executive Anthony Duerden
Deputy Chief Executive Helen Thompson
Executive Director of Group Finance Chloe Christian
Company Secretary Stephen Aggett (resigned 30thJune 2023)
Anthony Duerden (appointed 30thJune 2023)
Executive Director of Organisational
Development Vicki Howard
Syncora Officers
Managing Director Sarah Swanson
Governance & Assurance Emma Thornber
Medical Director Richard Daly
Treatment & Recovery Tom Woodcock
Registered Office Centenary Court
Croft Street
Burnley
BB11 2ED
Registered Number 03360545
Charity Number 1063589
External Auditor Crowe U.K. LLP
3rdfloor, 56 Peter Street
Manchester
M2 3NQ
Solicitor Forbes Solicitors
Rutherford House
4 Wellington Street
St. Johns
Blackburn
BB1 8DD
Bankers National Westminster Bank
6thFloor
1 Spinningfields Square
M3 3AP

Docusign Envelope ID: 2AACCC72-E6C0-475E-A062-EBD9AB365E39

Acorn Recovery Projects Company number: 03360545

Report of the Directors

The Directors are pleased to present their annual Directors’ Report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ending 31 March 2024 which are also prepared to meet the requirements for a Directors’ report and accounts for Companies Act purposes.

The Directors are also the company trustees for Charity purposes.

The financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006, the Memorandum and Articles of Association, and 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 2015).

Structure, Governance and Management Structure

Acorn Recovery Projects is a registered charity with the Charity Commission and is a company limited by guarantee. Acorn owns 100% of the issued share capital of Delphi Medical Consultants Limited (Company No. 6944767) and Delphi Medical Limited (Company No. 69014150). Its registered office is Centenary Court, Croft Street, Burnley, BB11 2ED.

Group Structure

Syncora Limited (registered number 11171831) was established in 2018 as a holding company with a common board for each of its subsidiaries, which are: SafeNet Domestic Abuse and Support Services Ltd (“Safenet”), Acorn Recovery Projects Ltd (“Acorn”) and Calico Enterprise Ltd (“Enterprise”). This arrangement was made to enhance continued growth by integrating service and company offers and enabling competition with larger scale ‘lead’ providers.

Acorn has been successfully providing abstinence-based drug and alcohol treatment since 1997, originally trading as ADAS (Alcohol and Drug Abstinence Service). The organisation changed its legal and operating name formally to Acorn Recovery Projects on the 1 November 2013, when it joined the Calico Group. The Calico Group is the ultimate parent of the Syncora Group of Companies.

Delphi Medical Limited and Delphi Medical Consultants Limited (“Delphi”), subsidiaries of Acorn, provide clinical and psychosocial detoxification services which complement existing services provided by Acorn. Delphi is the lead provider of integrated substance misuse services in Blackpool, Blackburn with Darwen and in Manchester, Garth and Wymott prisons, working alongside Acorn.

Public Benefit

The Directors have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing aims and objectives and in planning the company’s future activities. In particular, the Directors consider how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives that have been set.

Acorn undertakes and manages its activities in line with the above objectives through the provision of support contracts and work initiatives. The Directors receive regular updates on performance and feel that the objectives have been achieved as set out in the next section.

The programmes delivered by the Charity are available to anyone suffering from alcohol or drug addiction problems. Clients are referred by the judicial system or because of their own willingness to recover from addiction. The impact on the general society at large is significant if individuals abstain from their addiction as there is a clear linkage between drug and alcohol addiction and crime. Therefore, by helping people achieve and sustain abstinence, society benefits.

Objectives and Activities

Acorn Recovery Projects was incorporated as a not for profit, charitable company limited by guarantee to provide an innovative range of recovery services which enable individuals and their families to break free from drug, alcohol and other addictions. In order to help to find not just immediate recovery, but emotional, social, lifelong recovery.

At Acorn, we always see the person behind the illness. The success comes in a large part from our staff, 85% of whom, at all levels within the organisation, have personal experience of addiction and can understand and empathise with others in similar situations.

Acorn support people throughout their recovery journey in a compassionate way, focusing on the sustainable lifestyles free from substance misuse. We provide a variety of supported housing options to help clients on their journey towards fully independent living.

Our purpose is to be a catalyst for change in people’s lives and to create opportunities to help people make the positive changes they seek, contributing to the Calico Group purpose of providing quality services that make a real difference to peoples’ lives. This is achieved through the delivery of social enterprise, skills and support contracts. The achievements are summarised in the sections below.

Acorn's charitable objectives are to:

Docusign Envelope ID: 2AACCC72-E6C0-475E-A062-EBD9AB365E39

Acorn Recovery Projects Company number: 03360545

Report of the Directors (continued)

Objectives and Activities (continued)

Acorn supports people through their recovery journey in a passionate way – going ‘One Step Further’ with individuals to help them achieve a life worth living.

Acorn’s core values are centred around achieving abstinence-based recovery.

Our extensive range of recovery programmes include:

As part of the wider Calico Group, Acorn is able to widen the available support to its customers, particularly around services such as supported housing and employment opportunities where we are working with our internal partners in Calico Homes and Enterprise.

Achievements and Performance

Operational delivery of services is overseen by an integrated Senior Leadership Team with three Area Operational Managers taking responsibility on a geographical split (North, Central, South) of the region. This model allows for Acorn and Delphi services to be managed coherently in a ‘place based’ approach and align with the Syncora Group of companies.

Residential Rehabilitation

Acorn operates three residential rehab sites, one in Burnley and two in Stockport, and receive referrals from Local Authorities and other commissioners for placements of up to 12 weeks. In 2023/24 over 100 clients received residential care and demand remained high throughout the year with a waiting list in place and occupancy rates around 95%.

Volunteering

One of Acorn’s cornerstones is our volunteer programme which is an integral part of the long-term journey to recovery for many people who enter our services. The impact is based not on short term ‘fixes’ but a peer-led approach based on years of tried and tested experience of what really works. The volunteer programmes are robust, where volunteers are placed carefully according to their needs, skills and aspirations.

Volunteers within Acorn allow the organisation to utilise the most fundamental skills of lived experience and a chance to motivate people daily with stories and evidence of life changing possibilities.

During 2023-4 over 5,000 hours of volunteering time were delivered by Acorn volunteers. Acorn also received National Lottery support for a ‘permitted worker’ scheme whereby a number of volunteers were employed in a part time capacity of 1-2 days a week.

Community Services

Acorn works within a range of community settings alongside partner agencies including Change Grow Live in Manchester, Pennine Care NHS in Stockport and Delphi Medical Ltd in Blackpool and Blackburn with Darwen. The community teams deliver a range of different group programmes and have modified them to meet the needs of some of the most vulnerable people in society in a safe and secure way. We had over 1,500 clients successfully complete group programmes across community services during the year. People completing groupwork with Acorn are supported into volunteering or signposted to different options for long term recovery support.

Supported Housing

Acorn offers a range of supported housing options for people who have either completed our programmes or are in recovery and in need of extra support. The projects are facilitated by highly skilled and experienced housing support staff. Two of these projects work specifically with people who have experience of the criminal justice system and focus on breaking the cycle of addiction and criminality. Whilst customers reside in our supported housing properties, there is a requirement for them to undertake voluntary work or further education and training, as our long-term aim is to promote resettlement and help individuals to live fully independent lives. During the year 158 people were accommodated in Acorn’s schemes and occupancy rates were above 90%.

Docusign Envelope ID: 2AACCC72-E6C0-475E-A062-EBD9AB365E39

Acorn Recovery Projects Company number: 03360545

Report of the Directors (continued)

Supported Housing (continued)

Acorn continue to work in partnership with local Councils to provide accommodation for individuals who present with complex issues and a history of homelessness. These properties offer a pathway into our abstinence-based project for those who are ready to take their first steps into recovery or alternatively the team will work with them to secure more suitable accommodation. In total we operate 80 supported accommodation spaces in Lancaster, Burnley, and Greater Manchester. During the last quarter of the year Acorn was awarded a new contract for supported accommodation in Lancaster which went live on April 1 2024.

Prison in reach and outreach support

The contract with Delphi Medical at HMP Manchester has continued to demonstrate positive outcomes with over 37 people accessing the RAMP programme. The prison environment can be challenging but Acorn staff have provided consistent input to improve the quality of the rehabilitation offer.

Badkamra

Badkamra is a social enterprise film and media production company set up to promote recovery and provide inspiration to others. The team film real stories that evoke emotions and allow the viewer to connect to the person in front of the camera, hence their tag line ‘Pictures that Move’.

Acorn Academy

Acorn Academy is unique and specialised in providing training in a range of areas for our customers, staff, professionals and organisations. The Academy is recognised as a centre for learning by the National Open College Network and is able to develop bespoke training packages upon request. This year has seen the Academy continue to work wider in The Calico Group, specifically with Calico Enterprise to grow and widen their educational offer and enhance their reputation. During the year Acorn Academy had 285 participants across its programmes.

Current courses include:

Financial Review

The income and expenditure and company’s financial position at the end of the year are shown on pages 10 and 11 of the financial statements. In 2023/24 turnover was £4.034m (2023: £3.931m) with net income of £117k (2023: expenditure of £55k).

The Board

The Board of Syncora Limited and the Boards of each of its subsidiaries operate as a Common Board (“the Board”). The Board Members acknowledge that, notwithstanding the operation of a common board, each company is a legal entity in its own right, with its own distinct Board. When taking decisions, the Board members are under a duty to act in the best interests of each separate legal entity. In the event that circumstances arise in which Board Members are unable independently to fulfil their duties to each company, a written procedure is adopted. The Rules of each company provide guidance on dealing with any conflicts.

The Directors of Acorn Recovery Projects are listed on page 1. The Directors possess the skills and experience necessary to fulfil their responsibilities to the Company.

The Board comprises nine (2022: eight) Non-Executive Directors who are responsible for setting the vision and strategic objectives of the business and overseeing their delivery. The Non-Executive Directors are Trustees for charity purposes. The Non-Executive Directors who served during the year and up to the date of the signing of these financial statements are listed on page 1. During this period, there has been one new appointment to the Board and one retirement. The Board met four times throughout the year and all meetings were quorate.

The Board delegates the day-to-day management and implementation of the strategic objectives to the Group Chief Executive, Executive Directors and Syncora Managing Director. The Executive Team meet weekly and attend Board meetings.

Docusign Envelope ID: 2AACCC72-E6C0-475E-A062-EBD9AB365E39

Acorn Recovery Projects Company number: 03360545

Report of the Directors (continued)

Non-Executive Directors are recruited on a skills-based approach to ensure that they have the appropriate range of skills, experience and attributes required to provide strategic direction and monitor the companies’ performance. The Board conduct an annual review of the overall effectiveness of the Board and of the skills required by the Board, which informs future recruitment. The Board and its committees obtain external specialist advice from time to time as necessary.

In 2020, Calico Group launched a New Generation Board Diversity Programme in partnership with the Housing Diversity Network with the intention of broadening diversity within the Board, in particular increasing participation from younger people and people from minority ethnic backgrounds. The New Generation programme supports participants for two years with the aim that at the end of the programme participants will be ready to become Board members. . In June 2024 the Calico Group are recruiting for a new cohort to start later in 2024.

During the year, the Board conducted an open, skills-based recruitment process, which resulted in two new appointments to the Board, including one person from the New Generation programme.

Board Members normally serve for up to six years, with a maximum term of nine years, including time served on other Group Boards. Reappointment is reviewed annually at each Annual General Meeting, considering the skills and experience required by the Board.

Alongside the annual review of the overall Board effectiveness, each individual Board Member also has an annual development review to evaluate their contribution to the Board and identify training needs. These reviews inform a Board development programme that focuses on Board performance and ensuring the Board’s future effectiveness, together with tailored events on specific businessrelated topics where a training need has been identified.

Syncora and its subsidiaries have insurance policies that indemnify its Board members and Executive Officers against liability when acting for Syncora.

New Board Members receive induction training on their legal obligations under charity and company law; the governance framework of the company; the vision and strategic objectives of the Board; and the services provided.

To operate effectively, and to ensure appropriate governance in business-critical areas, the Board has delegated some responsibilities to two Group Committees:

Audit & Assurance Committee

The Group Audit & Assurance Committee is responsible for reviewing the Calico Group’s risk management framework and reports to the Syncora Board on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control arrangements. The Committee approves the scope of work of both internal and external auditors, including their appointments. It also considers the financial statements and recommends their approval to the Board. The Committee met five times during the year.

Nominations and Remuneration Committee

The Group Nominations & Remuneration Committee advises the Board on Non-Executive Director recruitment and remuneration, and the appointment and remuneration of the Group Chief Executive and Executive Directors, taking independent advice as necessary. The Committee also sets the objectives for the Group Chief Executive and reviews performance against those objectives. The Committee met three times during the year.

Employees

Acorn are able to attract a wide range of staff from different backgrounds. The diversity of employees is 44% (2023: 53%) male, 56% (2023: 47%) female, 12% (2023: 8%) who self-identify as disabled, 13% (2023: 12%) from a BAME background, and 8% (2023: 3%) LGBTQ+.

Pensions

Executive Directors and senior leadership are eligible to join the Social Housing Pension Scheme. The Executive Officers participate in the scheme on the same terms as all other eligible staff. Full details of the scheme are given in note 7 to the financial statements.

Risk Management

The Calico Group has a Risk Management Framework which is aligned to business activities and supports the achievement of corporate objectives. This framework was refreshed in May 2024. The Syncora Board has overall responsibility for risk management within the Syncora Group of companies. Risks are considered at all levels across the business and all decisions taken by the Board or Committees consider relevant risks.

Docusign Envelope ID: 2AACCC72-E6C0-475E-A062-EBD9AB365E39

Acorn Recovery Projects Company number: 03360545

Report of the Directors (continued)

As part of the Calico Group approach to risk management, Acorn has in place a risk map which is reviewed by the Syncora Board on a quarterly basis. The directors have undertaken a review of the major strategic risks faced by the charity and have put in place systems to mitigate Acorn’s exposure to the major risks.

Principal Risks and Uncertainties

Regular reporting on control issues provides assurance to successive levels of management and to the Board. It is supplemented by regular reviews by internal audit that provide independent assurance to the Board. The arrangement for review includes a rigorous procedure which is monitored internally and ensures corrective action is taken in relation to any significant control issues. The business has implemented a programme of control and risk self-assessment and is further embedding this at different levels of the organisation, which will continue to strengthen each business area’s control arrangements.

Utilising this approach the Acorn business has identified the following risks to the successful achievement of its objectives:

Fundraising Practices

The charity had no fundraising activities requiring disclosure under s162A of the Charities Act 2011.

Plans for Future Periods

Acorn will build on its successful residential rehab model and look to create additional treatment spaces through the expansion into larger premises.

Plans are also underway to develop a female only model which will provide a dedicated programme for women affected by substance misuse.

Acorn will continue to build on its volunteer offer and create pathways into employment for people who have been economically inactive. This will include the continuation of its permitted worker scheme which creates part-time employment roles within services.

Acorn will look to increase its supported housing capacity in light of the high levels of demand for recovery focused housing projects.

Charity Code of Governance

The Board has adopted the 2020 Charity Governance Code for Larger Charities. The Board confirms compliance with the Code for the year-ended 31 March 2024.

To ensure continued compliance with the Charity Code of Governance, the Board will continue to enhance its approach to hearing and acting upon what service users are saying, to bench-marking performance and to broadening its diversity and inclusivity.

Reserves Policy

The Syncora Reserves Policy states that we will aim to keep unrestricted reserves to cover at least two months of variable expenditure to cover costs that are not contract related where we may not have notice of changes. The current level of free reserves is a negative of £57k (2023: negative of £182k). This is a calculation of the unrestricted funds less the tangible & intangible fixed assets. We have not designated anything for essential future spending.

The company is committed to reduce the under provision over the next 5 years, and this is due to be reviewed again in 2024. This will take place through positive trading leading to the company holding the targeted unrestricted reserves.

The Directors will monitor and review the level of reserves annually, in line with guidance issued by the Charity Commission. As a result of this, we do not have to retain large reserves and the current level of unrestricted reserves is sufficient for this. However, reserves are also built up to enable investment in accommodation to grow and expand the service. This will be over and above those reserves represented by fixed assets within the charity’s balance sheet.

Going Concern

The Board are responsible for the preparation and presentation of the financial statements included in this report. The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which assumes that the company will continue its operations for the foreseeable future.

Docusign Envelope ID: 2AACCC72-E6C0-475E-A062-EBD9AB365E39

Acorn Recovery Projects Company number: 03360545

Report of the Directors (continued)

The Board have reviewed Acorn’s activities, financial position and future trading activities alongside the current risks and any other key factors will affect the future financial position. This includes the impact of economic uncertainty and service delivery. The Board have concluded that through the ongoing monitoring of financial performance and risk management that it is reasonable to expect that the organisation and subsidiaries have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, it continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.

Directors’ responsibilities statement

The directors are responsible for preparing the Directors’ Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure for the year.

In preparing those financial statements, the directors are required to:

The directors are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 1993 and the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Auditor

Crowe U.K. LLP were appointed as auditors in November 2021, following a tender process, for a period of 3 years with an option for a further 2 years.

All of the current directors have taken all steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any information needed by the company’s auditors for the purpose of their audit and to establish that the auditors are aware of that information.

The directors are not aware of any relevant audit information of which the auditors are unaware.

The report of the directors has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

Approved by the directors and signed on their behalf by:-

Anthony Duerden Company Secretary Date: 16 September 2024 For the year ended 31 March 2024

Docusign Envelope ID: 2AACCC72-E6C0-475E-A062-EBD9AB365E39

Acorn Recovery Projects Company number: 03360545

Independent Auditor’s Report to the members of Acorn Recovery Projects

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Acorn Recovery Projects for the year ended 31 March 2024 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, Statement of Financial Position and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 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 for 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 charitable 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 the 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 charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

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 contained within the annual report. 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.

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. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. 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

In our opinion based on the work undertaken in the course of our audit

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In light of the knowledge and understanding of the charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we in 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 directors’ report included within the trustees’ report.

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

Docusign Envelope ID: 2AACCC72-E6C0-475E-A062-EBD9AB365E39

Acorn Recovery Projects Company number: 03360545

Independent Auditor’s Report to the members of Acorn Recovery Projects (continued)

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the trustees’ responsibilities statement set out on page 7, 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 trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable 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:

We identified and assessed the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements from irregularities, whether due to fraud or error, and discussed these between our audit team members. We then designed and performed audit procedures responsive to those risks, including obtaining audit evidence sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks within which the company operates, focusing on those laws and regulations that have a direct effect on the determination of material amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The laws and regulations we considered in this context were the Companies Act 2006, Charities Act 2011 and employment tax legislation.

Auditing standards limit the required audit procedures to identify non-compliance with these laws and regulations to enquiry of the Directors and other management and inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any.

We identified the greatest risk of material impact on the financial statements from irregularities, including fraud, to be the override of controls by management and completeness and cutoff of grant and contract income. Our audit procedures to respond to these risks included enquiries of management about their own identification and assessment of the risks of irregularities, sample testing on the posting of journals and reviewing accounting estimates for biases. Our audit approach for income was to begin our testing from source documentation such as grant and contract agreements.

Owing to the inherent limitations of an audit, there is an unavoidable risk that we may not have detected some material misstatements in the financial statements, even though we have properly planned and performed our audit in accordance with auditing standards. We are not responsible for preventing non-compliance and cannot be expected to detect non-compliance with all laws and regulations.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the

Financial Reporting Council’s website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

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 charitable company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s 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.

[This report has not yet been signed]

Vicky Szulist Senior Statutory Auditor For and on behalf of Crowe U.K. LLP Statutory Auditor Manchester

Docusign Envelope ID: 2AACCC72-E6C0-475E-A062-EBD9AB365E39

Acorn Recovery Projects Company number: 03360545

Statement of Financial Activities

For the year ended 31 March 2024

Unrestricted Restricted 2024 2023
Note funds funds Total Total
£’000 £’000 £’000 £’000
Income
Donations and legacies 2 1 - 1 13
Rent receivable 1,258 - 1,258 1,184
Income from charitable activities 3 2,775
 -
 2,775 2,734
Total income 4,034
 -
 4,034 3,931
Expenditure
Expenditure on charitable activities 4 3,875 - 3,875 3,964
Interest payable 8 41
 -
 41 22
Total expenditure 3,916
 -
 3,916 3,986
Net (expenditure)/income for the year 118
 -
 118 (55)
Net movement in funds 118
 -
 118 (55)
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward 818
 - 818 873
Total funds carried forward 18 936 - 936 818

All of the activities in the financial period are derived from continuing operations.

All recognised gains and losses are included in the statement of financial activities.

The notes on pages 12 to 21 form part of these financial statements

Docusign Envelope ID: 2AACCC72-E6C0-475E-A062-EBD9AB365E39

Acorn Recovery Projects

Company number: 03360545

Statement of Financial Position

At 31 March 2024

Note 31 March 2024 31 March 2023 31 March 2023
£’000 £’000 £’000 £’000
£’000
Fixed assets
Tangible assets 9 955 962
Intangible assets 10 - -
Investments in subsidiaries 11 38
 38

Total fixed assets		 993 1,000
Current assets
Debtors 12 1,549 1,598 1,598
Cash and bank balances 69 24 24
1,618 1,622 1,622
Creditors: amounts falling due within
one year 13 (1,067) (1,067) (1,170)
Net current assets 551
 551 551
452
Total assets less current liabilities 1,544 1,452
Creditors: amounts falling due after more
than one year 15 (608) (634)
______
Net assets 936 818
.
Funds
Unrestricted funds
General fund 18 936
 818
Total charity funds 936 818
.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small company’s regime.

The notes on pages 12 to 21 form part of these financial statements.

The financial statements were approved by the directors and authorised for issue on 16 September 2024 and signed on their behalf by:

Anthony Duerden Company Secretary Date: 16 September 2024

Docusign Envelope ID: 2AACCC72-E6C0-475E-A062-EBD9AB365E39

Acorn Recovery Projects Company number: 03360545

Notes to the Financial Statements

Acorn Recovery Projects is a private company limited by guarantee, registered with the Charities Commission, incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Centenary Court, Croft Street, Burnley, Lancashire, BB11 2ED.

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:

Basis of accounting

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”) (Updated 1 January 2019) – (“Charities SORP (FRS 102)”), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (“FRS 102”) and the Companies Act 2006, and are presented in sterling £’000 for the year ended 31 March 2023.

The charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.

Reduced disclosure exemptions

The charity meets the definition of a qualifying entity under FRS 102 and has taken advantage of the disclosure exemptions available to it in respect of presentation of a statement of cash flows and financial instruments.

Basis of consolidation

The financial statements of the charity are consolidated in the financial statements of The Calico Group Limited, see note 21. The charity has taken advantage of the exemption under section 401 of the Companies Act 2006 not to prepare consolidated accounts. These financial statements present information about the charity as an individual entity and not about its group.

Going concern

The Board have reviewed Acorn’s activities, financial position and future trading activities alongside the current risks and any other key factors that will affect the future financial position. This includes the impact of economic uncertainty and service delivery. The Board have concluded that through the ongoing monitoring of financial performance and risk management that it is reasonable to expect that the organisation and subsidiaries have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, it continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.

Critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty

The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported for assets and liabilities as at the balance sheet date and the amounts reported for revenues and expenses during the year. However, the nature of estimation means that actual outcomes could differ from those estimates. The following judgements (apart from those involving estimates) have had the most significant effect on amounts recognised in the financial statements.

Other key sources of estimation and assumptions:

Goodwill and intangible assets

The company establishes a reliable estimate of the useful life of goodwill and intangible assets arising on business combinations. This estimate is based on a variety of factors such as the expected use of the acquired business, the expected useful life of the cash generating units to which the goodwill is attributed, any legal, regulatory or contractual provisions that can limit useful life and assumptions that market participants would consider in respect of similar businesses. Where, in exceptional circumstances, the useful life of goodwill cannot be determined, the life will not exceed 10 years.

Fees

Fees in respect of service level agreements are recognised within the statement of financial activities on an accruals basis. Income received in advance of services being performed is deferred.

Donations, legacies and other voluntary income

Donations, legacies and any other form of voluntary income or benefit to the charity are recognised within the statement of financial activities when received.

Docusign Envelope ID: 2AACCC72-E6C0-475E-A062-EBD9AB365E39

Acorn Recovery Projects Company number: 03360545

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

1 Accounting policies (continued)

Grants

Grants receivable are recognised within the statement of financial activities in the year that they relate to.

Grants received to fund the purchase of fixed assets are recognised as incoming resources on entitlement of the grant.

Rent receivable

Rental income is accounted for on an accruals basis.

Restricted and unrestricted funds

Restricted funds are to be used for specific purposes as laid down by the donor. Expenditure which meets these criteria is charged to the fund, together with a fair allocation of management and support costs.

Unrestricted funds are donations and other incoming resources receivable or generated for the object of the charity without further specified purpose and are available as general funds. This includes the funding received for the main projects from local authorities.

Expenditure allocation and apportionment

Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis as a liability is incurred. Resources expended are allocated to the particular activity where the cost relates directly to that activity. However, certain other expenses which are not wholly attributable to unrestricted funds are apportioned to restricted funds on a time spent basis.

Cost of generating funds comprises the costs associated with attracting voluntary income.

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.

Governance costs include those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the charity and include the audit fees and costs linked to the strategic management of the charity.

Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost (or deemed cost) less accumulated depreciation and accumulated losses. Expenditure on improvements will only be capitalised when it results in incremental future benefits such as increasing rental income, reducing maintenance costs or resulting in a significant extension of the useful life of the property.

Depreciation has been provided on all tangible fixed assets at rates calculated to write off the cost of each asset evenly over its estimated useful economic life, as follows:

Motor vehicles - 25% pa
Computer equipment - 25% pa
Fixtures, fittings and equipment - 10-33% pa
Freehold improvement - 20% pa
Freehold property - 75 years
Leasehold property - 75 years or the term of the lease (whichever is lower)
Plant - 20-33% pa

Intangible assets

Goodwill arising on the acquisition of a subsidiary undertaking is the difference between the fair value of the consideration paid and the fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired. Subsequently, goodwill is carried at cost less accumulated amortisation and any impairment losses.

Amortisation is calculated on a straight-line basis over the useful economic life.

Taxation

The company is non-profit making and as a charity is exempt from Corporation Tax.

Operating leases

Rentals applicable to operating leases where substantially all of the benefits and risks of ownership remain with the lessor are charged against profits on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease.

Reverse premiums and similar incentives received on leases to enter into operating lease agreements are released to Statement of Financial Activities over the term of the lease.

Docusign Envelope ID: 2AACCC72-E6C0-475E-A062-EBD9AB365E39

Acorn Recovery Projects Company number: 03360545

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

1 Accounting policies (continued)

Financial instruments

Financial assets and liabilities are initially measured at the transaction price (including transaction costs), except for those financial assets classified as at fair value through profit or loss, which are initially measured at fair value.

2 Voluntary income

----- Start of picture text -----
|||||| |---|---|---|---|---| |Unrestricted|Restricted|2024|2023| |funds|funds|Total|Total| |£’000|£’000|£’000|£’000| |Donations and similar incoming resources|1|-|1|13| |During the year, voluntary income included:|

----- End of picture text -----

All donations in 2024 were unrestricted.

3 Income from charitable activities

----- Start of picture text -----
|||||| |---|---|---|---|---| |Unrestricted|Restricted|2024|2023| |funds|funds|Total|Total| |£’000|£’000|£’000|£’000| |Reduction & motivational programmes|1,242|-|1,242|1,274| |Tier 4 treatment SPOT|938|-|938|635| |Supporting people services|561|-|561|671| |Social Enterprises:| |Education/training & employment|34|-|34|154| |Total income from charitable activities|2,775|-|2,775|2,734| |Contract income|1,796|-|1,796|1894| |Activities from generating funds|979|-|979|840| |__| |2,775|-|2,775|2,734|

----- End of picture text -----

All activities in 2024 were unrestricted.

Docusign Envelope ID: 2AACCC72-E6C0-475E-A062-EBD9AB365E39

Acorn Recovery Projects Company number: 03360545

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

4 Expenditure on charitable activities

Therapy Housing 2024 Therapy Housing 2023
2024 2024 Total 2023 2023 Total
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Employee costs 1,086 817 1,903 1,433 781 2,214
Client and volunteer expenses 15 79 94 31 66 97
Rents, rates, insurance and utilities 11 505 516 26 425 451
Property costs 21 285 306 9 206 215
Other staff costs 9 27 36 54 29 83
Printing, stationery and postage 8 18 26 12 17 29
Finance costs - 11 11 - 2 2
Legal and professional fees - 1 1 - 2 2
Depreciation & amortisation 2 23 25 3 21 24
Transport costs - 24 24 - 16 16
Bad debt expense - - - - 43 43
Recharges and write offs 261 415 676 86 143 229
Housing maintenance - - - - 72 72
Partner fees 189 - 189 199 - 199
Allocate support costs 40 63 103 142 140 282
Governance Costs
Audit fees 3 3 6 3 3 6
1,645 2,271 3,916 1,998 1,866 3,964
5 Net (income)/expenditure
Note 2024 2023
£’000 £’000
This is after charging:-
Auditor’s remuneration (exc. VAT) 5 5
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets 9 Depreciation of tangible fixed assets 9 28 26
Amortisation of intangible fixed assets 10 Amortisation of intangible fixed assets 10 - -
Operating Leases – Land and buildings 320 310
Operating Leases – Other 34 11

Docusign Envelope ID: 2AACCC72-E6C0-475E-A062-EBD9AB365E39

Acorn Recovery Projects Company number: 03360545

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

6 Employees

The average monthly number of employees during the year, analysed by function, was as follows:

2024 2023
No. No.
Counselling and therapy 48 61
Finance and administration 4 4
Business Development 3 4
Housing Support Staff 16 18
71 87
Full-time equivalents (36.25 hours/week) 65 65
Staff costs consist of: £’000 £’000
Salaries 2,012 2,105
Social security costs 173 198
Termination payments 13 -
Pension contributions 50 52
2,248 2,355
Aggregate number of full time equivalent staff whose remuneration 2024 2023
exceeded £60,000 in the period: No. No.
Between £70,000 - £80,000 1
 1
Board members and Executive Officers
2024 2023
£’000 £’000
The aggregate emoluments paid to or receivable by non-executive Directors 33 30
The aggregate emoluments paid to or receivable by company lead 63 81
The emoluments paid to the highest paid officer excluding pension contributions 61 79
Pension cost for company lead 2 2
The aggregate amount of any consideration payable to / (receivable from)
third parties for making available the services of non-executive Directors (25) third parties for making available the services of non-executive Directors (25) third parties for making available the services of non-executive Directors (25)
(41)
Total key management personnel remuneration 71 70

7 Board members and Executive Officers

Directors’ emoluments

Directors are members of the Syncora Limited Board a holding company providing a common board for each of its subsidiaries, which are SafeNet, Acorn and Calico Enterprise. These members received a total remuneration of £33k in 2024 (2023: £30k), for all Syncora group membership.

The Syncora Board receive an annual allowance. The Chair receives £6,300 and all other Board members £4,200.

8 Interest payable

Interest payable
2024 2023
£’000 £’000
Bank mortgages 11 5
Other loans 30 17
41 22

Docusign Envelope ID: 2AACCC72-E6C0-475E-A062-EBD9AB365E39

Acorn Recovery Projects

Company number: 03360545

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

9 Tangible Fixed assets

Freehold Leasehold Fixtures and Freehold
property property fittings improvements fittings improvements Total
£’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000
Cost or Valuation
At 31 March 2023 533 485 119 109 1,246
Additions - -
 21 - 21
At 31 March 2024 533
 485
 140
 109 1,267
Depreciation
At 31 March 2023 71 44 60 109 284
Charge for period 5 5
 5
18 -
 18 -
28		 28
At 31 March 2024 76 49
 78
 109 312
Net Book Value
31 March 2024 457
 436
 62
 - 955
31 March 2023 462 441 59 - 962

All assets are held for direct charitable purposes.

The freehold relating to the leasehold property is owned by the subsidiary Alcohol and Drug Abstinence Service (Management) Limited (see note 11).

The freehold property at Magda Road and Newton Place acquired in 2009 are subject to a fixed charge. Further details are disclosed in note 18.

10 Intangible Fixed assets

10 Intangible Fixed assets
Goodwill Total Goodwill Total
£’000 £’000
Cost or Valuation
At 31 March 2023 251 251
_____ _____
At 31 March 2024 251
 251
Amortisation
At 31 March 2023 251 251
_____ _____
At 31 March 2024 251 251
 251 251
Net Book Value
31 March 2024 -
 -

31 March 2023		 - -

The goodwill relates to Delphi acquisition (Note 11) and has been fully amortised.

Docusign Envelope ID: 2AACCC72-E6C0-475E-A062-EBD9AB365E39

Acorn Recovery Projects Company number: 03360545

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

11 Investments in subsidiaries

----- Start of picture text -----
|||| |---|---|---| |2024|2023| |£’000|£’000| |ADAS|-|-| |Delphi|38|38| |38|38|

----- End of picture text -----

ADAS

The charity owns 100% of the issued share capital of Alcohol and Drug Abstinence Service (Management) Limited, a company incorporated in England and Wales (Company No. 6545855). This company was formed to hold the freehold interest in one of the leasehold properties occupied by the charity. At 31 March 2023, the non-trading company had net assets of £1 (2023: £1) and allotted share capital of £1 (1 x £1 ordinary share).

The freehold interest in the property occupied by the charity was assigned to Alcohol and Drug Abstinence Service (Management) Limited during April 2008 when a lease back to the charity was put in place at a peppercorn rent.

Delphi

The charity owns 100% of the issued share capital of Delphi Medical Consultants Limited (Company No. 6944767) and Delphi Medical Limited (Company No. 69014150), both companies incorporated in England and Wales. The companies provide medical treatment for drug and alcohol abstinence.

At 31 March 2024:

12 Debtors (All amounts shown under debtors fall due for payment within one year)

----- Start of picture text -----
|||| |---|---|---| |2024|2023| |£’000|£’000| |Trade debtors|292|608| |Intercompany balance|1,069|884| |Prepayments|188|106| |_|_| |1,549|1,598| |(amounts due within one year)| |2024|2023| |£’000|£’000| |Bank loans (secured)|34|36| |Trade creditors|24|25| |Other taxes and social security|35|57| |Deferred Income|45|-| |Accruals|180|101| |Intercompany loans|-|-| |Intercompany balances|749|951| |1,067|1,170|

----- End of picture text -----

13 Creditors (amounts due within one year)

Docusign Envelope ID: 2AACCC72-E6C0-475E-A062-EBD9AB365E39

Acorn Recovery Projects Company number: 03360545

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

14 Deferred Income

14 Deferred Income
2024 2023
£’000 £’000
Balance at 1 April 2023 - 46
Amount released to income - (46)
Amount deferred in the year 45
 -
Balance at 31 March 2024 45 -

Deferred income comprises NHS contract funds received in advance to deliver the services they relate to and an element of rent charged for the week commencing 28 March 2022.

15 Creditors (amounts falling due after more than one year)

2024 2024 2023
£’000 £’000
Intercompany loan 500 500
Bank loans (secured) 108 134
_
608
 634
Bank loans payable by instalments as follows:-
Between two and five years 108 134
After five years - -
108 134
Loan account Expiry Interest Rate % Legal charge Balance £
**no. **
44461770 April 2028 6.31% Rosemary Court 141,874

The total bank loans of £142k (2023: £170k) are secured by legal charges on Rosemary Court leasehold property. At 31 March 2024, this property has a net book value of £436k (2023: £441k).

16 Analysis of net assets between funds

Unrestricted Restricted Total
funds funds funds
£’000 £’000 £’000
Fixed assets 993 - 993
Current assets 1,618 - 1,618
Current liabilities (1,067) - (1,067)
Long term liabilities (608)
 - (608)
Net assets at 31 March 2024 936 936
-
936		 936

All activities in 2024 were unrestricted.

Docusign Envelope ID: 2AACCC72-E6C0-475E-A062-EBD9AB365E39

Acorn Recovery Projects Company number: 03360545

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

17 Financial commitments

The company had remaining commitments under non-cancellable operating leases as set out below:

2024 2023
Land and Land and
buildings buildings
£’000 £’000
Expiry date:
In less than one year 121 60
In two to five years 24 24
18 Movement in funds
At 31 At 31
March Incoming Outgoing March
2023 resources resources Transfers 2024
£’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000
Unrestricted funds 818 4,034
 (3,916)
 - 936
Total funds 818 4,034 (3,916) - 936

18 Movement in funds

All activities in 2024 were unrestricted.

19 Contingent Liability

NHS National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse - During the year ended 30 September 2010 the charity was awarded and received two grants totalling £670k, under the Department for Health 2009–2010 Capital Funding Scheme, to acquire two further houses for accommodation. These grants are repayable on a pro-rata basis over 35 years from acquisition date if the charity ceases to provide Recovery Community Services in accordance with those currently offered within those two properties. The potential repayment is secured by a fixed charge on these properties and is restricted to the pro-rata proceeds on the sale of either property £457k (2023: £450k).

20 Company Limited by Guarantee

The company has no share capital. The liability to the members in respect of the guarantee as set out in the company’s memorandum of association is limited to £1 per member. The number of members at the year-end was 1 (2023: 1).

21 Parent Undertaking

The Company is a 100% subsidiary of Syncora Limited (Company No. 11171831), a holding company registered in England and Wales.

The directors consider The Calico Group Limited (Company No. 08747100), a holding company and the 100% parent of Syncora Limited, to be the ultimate parent entity. Syncora sits between the legal entities and the Calico Group Board. The Calico Group Board has overall control to appoint and remove Syncora Board Trustees. The Calico Group comprises a number of innovative charities and businesses, working together to create social profit.

The Syncora and Calico Group consolidated accounts which include the results of the charity can be obtained from:

No other accounts include the results of this charity.

Docusign Envelope ID: 2AACCC72-E6C0-475E-A062-EBD9AB365E39

Acorn Recovery Projects Company number: 03360545

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

22 Related Party Transactions

Sales and purchases of goods and services between related parties are at an arm’s length basis at normal market prices. Any outstanding balances are unsecured and interest free, unless stated otherwise.

Calico Homes Limited make purchase ledger and payroll payments on behalf of the Syncora Group and these amounts are then recharged back to the relevant entity.

Syncora Limited (“Group”), the parent company

During the year, Syncora recharged the company £239k (2023: £108k).

At 31 March 2024, the Syncora owed the company £170 (2023: £Nil).

Calico Homes Limited (“Homes”), a fellow subsidiary of Group

During the year, Homes recharged office costs and rents to Acorn amounting to £313k (2023: £291k).

At 31 March 2024, the company owed Homes £237k (2023: £714k).

Ring Stones Maintenance and Construction Limited (“Ring Stones”), a fellow subsidiary of Group

There remains a loan in place between Ring Stones and Acorn of £500k at an interest rate of base rate plus 1%,repayable by 31 March 2028.

During the year Ring Stones recharged interest amounting to £15k (2023: £17k)

At 31 March 2024, the company owed Ring Stones £505k (2023: £517k).

Calico Enterprise Limited (“Enterprise”), a fellow subsidiary of Group

During the year, Enterprise supplied training and catering services, and an internal apprenticeship amounting to £20k (2023: £26k).

At 31 March 2024, the company owed Enterprise £381k (2023: £63k).

SafeNet Domestic Abuse and Support Services Ltd (“Safenet”), a fellow subsidiary of Group During the year, there were no transactions (2023: £Nil).

At 31 March 2024, the company owed Safenet £1k (2023: £1k).

Delphi Medical Consultants Limited (“DMC”), a subsidiary of Acorn

The company and DMC deliver joint contracts. The money for these contracts goes into DMC.

At 31 March 2024, DMC owed the company £1,069k (2023: £740k).

Delphi Medical Limited (“Delphi”), a subsidiary of Acorn During the year, there were no transactions (2023: £Nil).

At 31 March 2024, the company owed Delphi £124k (2023: £220k).

The Calico Group (“Group”) , the ultimate parent company During the year, there were no transactions (2023: £Nil).

Group are the contracted party for the Blackburn with Darwen clinical substance misuse service who pay monthly in arrears.

At 31 March 2024, Group owed the company £Nil (2023: £81k).