2021-01-31-accounts - City Escape

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REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND

UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 JANUARY 2021

FOR

CITY ESCAPE Charity Number:1069707

De Claron Ltd 3a The Vale LONDON NW11 8SB

CITY ESCAPE

CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

for the Year Ended 31 January 2021

	Page
Charity Information	1
Report of the Trustees	2
Independent Examiner's Report	6
Income Expense Account	8
Balance Sheet	9
Notes to Financial Statements	10

CITY ESCAPE

CHARITY INFORMATION

for the Year Ended 31 January 2021

TRUSTEES: Mrs G Traube Mrs R Just Mrs Y Mandel Mrs I Rosenthal SECRETARY: Mrs G Traube REGISTERED OFFICE: 30 Moresby Road London E5 9LF REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1069707 BANKERS: Natwest Bank, 20 Amhurst Road London E6 1QZ INDEPENDENT EXAMINER: De Claron Ltd Unit A 3 The Vale London NW11 8SB

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CITY ESCAPE

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

for the Year Ended 31 January 2021

The trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements of for the 1 February 2020 to 31 January 2021.

Message from the Chair

With the COVID-19 pandemic impacting on all of our lives, our charity has confronted its own share of new and unprecedented challenges. We experienced a significant reduction in our income this year whereas the demand for a place on our programme was particularly high given that so many disadvantaged children and young people faced being stuck indoors for the duration of the summer holidays. With new rules and government guidelines continually being introduced we held almost daily Trustee meetings as we tried to finalise our constantly changing plans, in line with government restrictions.

y, y p g g p p ! Although we had to cancel our booking for the premises rental and held a local day programme instead, the disadvantaged children were given a wealth of opportunities, skill-building sessions and lots of enjoyable, positive activities. This was despite the significant challenges we faced in delivering our programme safely, which included dividing our activities into a minimum of six sessions each so as to include all the 90 participating children and young people who were grouped in bubbles of fifteen.

Our summer programme was for many of these vulnerable children and young people the only moments of sunshine during a very difficult year. The combination of providing fun recreation alongside emotional and skill building sessions enabled our users to rebuild themselves and enter another uncertain school year with a positive frame of mind and increased resilience for the challenges ahead.

I would like to thank our remarkable children and young people who despite the numerous challenges they have endured, were able to compose themselves and look positively ahead, notably developing their self-confidence, life-skills and emotional resilience during their two most enjoyable weeks together. I wish you all continued happiness, success and growth.

Thank you are two words too little to thank our amazing group of young and adult volunteers alike for their tireless efforts and staunch positivity which enabled us to forge ahead all the way through these challenging times. I must also applaud my fellow trustees whose dedication and leadership skills have enabled our charity to continuously succeed despite the near-daily difficulties Covid-19 imposed on us during the months of planning and preparation.

Most importantly, it is to our loyal and generous funders who we are most grateful. During this time of great uncertainty, the kind support we received from so many Charitable Trusts and Foundations has been particularly meaningful and beneficial to us and we are extremely grateful to each one of you for your valuable support. Our programme would not have been able to go ahead without you. The trustees wish to thank in particular the GLA - Young Londoner’s Fund, as a collaborating partner of the London Community Response for their generous support.

It is our fervent hope that with continued courage and perseverance we will get through these turbulent times and together we will be able to continue affecting positive change for many more disadvantaged children through our annual Summer Programmes. May I take this opportunity to wish all of you and your families continued health, happiness and peace.

Goldie Traube Programe Director 21 October 2021

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CITY ESCAPE

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

for the Year Ended 31 January 2021

Policies and objectives

City Escape aims to improve the lives and opportunities of disadvantaged young people by providing a two-week summer holiday residential programme for financially and socially deprived children from London between the ages of 11 and 16. We take them away from the inner-city streets where they face great risk of engaging in crime, drugs and anti-social behaviour, and care for them in a safe and supportive environment, within refreshing rural surroundings. Being a part of our programme enhances the children's social development and improves their confidence and self-esteem so that they return home invigorated and revitalised – physically, mentally and emotionally; complete with the tools they need to enrich their lives and their future.

Structure, Governance and Management

Consitution
The charity is governed by declaration of trust dated 3 May 1998 and is run by the trustees.
Method of appointment or election of Trustees
The management of the charity is the responsibility of the Trustees who are elected and coopted under the terms of the Trust deed.
Commitment to quality and best practice

With our commitment to quality and best practice, we evaluate and monitor our annual programme to improve effectiveness. Since our charity works with vulnerable children and families, safeguarding is considered the greatest inherent risk in our work. We have a framework of consents, controls, policies and reviews to mitigate the associated risks. All our volunteers are DBS checked and undergo appropriate child safeguarding training. As an established organisation, we have excellent policies and procedures that are reviewed on an annual basis. This leads to smoothly run, safe activities, and sound back up plans if necessary.

In setting objectives and planning for activities, the trustees have given due consideration to general guidance published by the charity commission relating to public benefit.

Achievements and Performance

This year our summer programme took on a unique face as the turbulent times brought on by Covid19 forced us to adapt in entirely new ways. Up until the few weeks leading up to our programme changing government regulations challenged us in unprecedented ways and we could not finalise any of our activities or trips within the uncertainty we were facing. Although we already realised that a residential programme was out of question, we were weighing up the possibility of being able to safely provide a full day programme instead.

Thankfully the dedication and hard work of our management Committee paid off and despite the pressures and urgencies around last minute preparations we were able to deliver an enjoyable, enriching and fulfilling programme which was geared specifically towards the challenges our users were currently facing. The outpouring of positive feedback we received was proof that we effectively achieved our goal of providing a positive summer experience which would emotionally equip the children to face the imminent challenges during their upcoming year.

We were ultimately able to include 90 children on our programme during August 2020. Although this was fewer than the participants we included in past years, due to the restrictions of only fifteen children per ‘bubble’ we did not have the facilities to deliver our programme safely beyond this amount. Our strong partnerships within the local community enabled us to prioritise and include the children who were believed most vulnerable which was especially important considering the unprecedented demand we were facing for a place on our Summer programme.

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CITY ESCAPE

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

for the Year Ended 31 January 2021

Our Programme took place over three weeks from the 03rd August 2020 until the 21st August 2020. The programme ran five times a week between 9:00am – 5:00pm. All participants were initially invited to attend a zoom conference where they were able to offer their opinions and suggestions on all aspects of the project delivery.

Each day the young people took part in a one-hour song and drama workshop, a one-hour wellbeing session and they were then able to eat a hot lunch before continuing on with our enjoyable afternoon programme. These involved a range of outdoor recreational activities which included inflatable play, invigorating sports competitions, cycling along biking trails, a stimulating treasure hunt, a cosy barbeque, bonding friendship games, an exciting bubble event, a comedy presentation and a live musical performance involving all the children.

This year’s Summer project was clearly a lifesaver for many of these vulnerable young children. Most of them live in overcrowded homes and come from financial strapped families. Living at home during lockdown has proven extremely difficult for these children and has taken a big toll on their mental health.

The variety of our sessions and workshops proved extremely valuable for each participant. It was evident to see the difference in mind and spirit for these young people by the time our programme ended. Whereas the mood of the participants began off pretty seriously with visible tension and even signs of depression, each day the participants warmed up more and more to the staff, volunteers and to each other cementing valuable friendships and gaining immeasurable life skills and emotional resilience all within a warm atmosphere of camaraderie.

Every young person played an active role in our programme planning and delivery and we regularly consulted with them regarding different ideas for the project. Throughout the programme, the children were involved by presenting ideas, creating songs, and producing artwork during workshops and activity sessions. All this involvement created a harmonious atmosphere with all involved feeling a great sense of achievement and empowerment.

Our on-site support worker was available throughout the project for these young people to approach and was instrumental in providing vital encouragement for the participants. We hope to cement the valuable friendships and emotional gains made over the fifteen days spent together by continuing to deliver periodic virtual workshops and encouraging our participants and volunteers to maintain the relationships formed.

Our Impact

The benefits of our summer holiday programme are manifold, including both short- and longerterm benefits. These often extend beyond individual children’s lives onto their family relationships and engagement with their local community. These benefits are detailed below:

A positive summer holiday environment - these vulnerable young people are able to taste the
- enjoyment and freedom of childhood within an encouraging environment rather than have to while away their summer holidays within the boredom of their crowded homes, or face the dangers from outdoors.
Reduced isolation - our project enables integration of different marginalised groups from the community to connect with new friends and sympathetic adults, so that positive and
- supportive friendships can develop. This likewise results in improvements in social and communication skills.

CITY ESCAPE

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

for the Year Ended 31 January 2021

Providing new experiences, raising aspirations and broadening horizons - For children and young people whose experience of the world is defined and confined by poverty, extending
- their physical horizon is incredibly important. This is achieved through our expansive rural location coupled with our wide range of activities, workshops and outdoor trips.
Leadership and organisational abilities - as a result of being involved in all stages of planning, organising and decision making both prior and during our programme the children
- and young volunteers develop vital skills and improved self-esteem often leading to new hobbies and pathways to employment.
Improved health and wellbeing – due to their immersion in a healthy way of life, including diet and life style, and the incentive we provide them to encourage themselves and each
- other to continue this new way of life together with friends and family on their return home.
A stronger community – our project greatly improves community cohesion and identity. We
- empower the young people to set themselves on a happier and more successful track in life. This enables them to overcome their current disadvantage and grow up to become active and productive members of the community.

In setting objectives and planning for activities, the trustees have given due consideration to general guidance published by the charity commission relating to public benefit.

Funding activities / Income generation

Our beneficiaries are all financially or socially disadvantaged children from BAME communities who live within the economically deprived inner-city areas of Hackney and Haringey. Most participants can only make a small contribution to the cost, if at all, and the charity therefore depends heavily on grants from third parties to finance its activities, particularly as the cost of renting premises in the summer is exceedingly high.

The project is run entirely by volunteers. We have a management committee comprised of four main volunteer workers. Between them, they have a wealth of skills and relevant experience in working with children & young people. In addition, we have a group of 25 young volunteers aged 16-19 who act as youth leaders, kitchen staff, co-heads of camp and social activity organisers. They work alongside our adult volunteers who join our programme and serve as our directors and ‘camp mothers’. This capable group of volunteers helps us to significantly reduce our costs and direct our income in its entirety to benefit our disadvantaged participants.

Plans For The Future

Covid-19 has taught us to intensify our strategic partnerships and local networking capabilities so as to more easily and accurately identify those vulnerable young people who
- could most benefit from our programmes. This particular project has been the platform for widening the target group for our organisation and adapting our priorities to target additional disadvantaged young people who may have previously not been prioritised for a
City Escape would like to help even more children and young people be included in our future summer programmes. This will primarily depend on raising more funds. We hope to
- develop new fundraising strategies so as to widen our database of potential funders, as well as to run local fundraising activities so as to raise the scope of local donations from within the community.

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CITY ESCAPE

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

for the Year Ended 31 January 2021

We will develop our programme and innovate effectively so as to provide for the up and coming needs of the disadvantaged children most effectively. We will improve on our

monitoring and evaluation methods. We will also establish a user council where the children and young people will play an even greater role in the actual decision making throughout the entire project planning and delivery.
We would like to progress towards receiving a quality mark from the London Youth which we hope to achieve during the upcoming year.
provide the opportunity for our group of young volunteers to achieve AQA accreditation on
- Teamwork and Leadership Skills. This will help them for future employment prospects.

This report was approved by the trustees, on 20 October 2021 and signed on their behalf by:

……………………………………………………

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Trustee Name:Goldie Traube

Signature:

Date:

Page 6

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S UNQUALIFIED REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF CITY ESCAPE

for the Year Ended 31 January 2021

Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of City Escape

I report on the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 31 January 2020, which are set out on pages 6 to 10.

This report is made solely to the charity's trustees, as a body, in accordance with section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 and regulations made under section 154 of that Act. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the charity's trustees those matters that I am required to state to them in an Independent examiner's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity's trustees as a body, for my work or for this report.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standards applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) in preference to the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice issued on March 2018 which is referred to in the extant regulations but has been withdrawn.

This has been done in order for the accounts to provide a true and fair view in accordance with the Generally Accepted Accounting Practice effective for reporting periods beginning on the after March 2018.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements, and they consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

examine the financial statements under section 145 of the Act;
follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act; and
state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of Independent examiner's report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the financial statements presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the financial statements, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the financial statements present a 'true and fair view' and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner's statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements: - to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Act; and to prepare financial statements which accord with the accounting records, Accounting
and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and in other respects comply with the accounting requirements of the Act.

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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S UNQUALIFIED REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF CITY ESCAPE

for the Year Ended 31 January 2021

to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understandin financial statements to be reached.

De Claron Ltd. 3a The Vale LONDON NW11 8SB 12 November 2020

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CITY ESCAPE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES for the Year Ended 31 January 2021

£ £ Restricted Unrestricted Funds Funds £ £ 33,000 258 33,000 258 33,258 7,840 2,500 4,200 6,929 9,250 1,539 318 654 - 480 33,710 - (709.92) 258 (452) 15,660 15,208 31.01.2021	31.01.2020	31.01.2020
£ Restricted Funds	£ Restricted Funds	£ Unrestricted Funds
£ 33,000	£ 58,925	£ 33,877
33,000 7,840 2,500 4,200 6,929 9,250 1,539 318 654 - 480	58,925 33,435 22,907 14,717 16,901 - 500 1,394 396 215 458	33,877 92,802

33,710 (709.92)	90,924 (31,998.61)	- 33,877
		1,878
		13,782 15,660

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CITY ESCAPE BALANCE SHEET for the Year Ended 31 January 2021

£ £ - - 15,208 15,208 - - 15,208 15,208 15,208 31.01.2021	31.01.2020	31.01.2020
£ - 15,208	£ 7,840 7,820	£ - 15,660 - 15,660
-	-

		15,660
		15,660

Date:

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CITY ESCAPE

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the Year Ended 31 January 2021

1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES
1.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements

The financial statements have been prepared to give a 'true and fair' view and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a 'true and fair' view. This departure has involved following the Charities SORP (FRS 102) published on 16 July 2014 rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2015 which has since been withdrawn.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant notes to these accounts. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice; Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) issued on March 2018 and Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and Charities Act 2011.

City Escape constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.

1.2 Fund accounting
General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.

Restricted funds ere funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the charity for particular purposes. The costs of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deed of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.

1.3 Income

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 income receivable can be measured reliably

1.4 Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, 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 classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Charitable activities and Governance costs are costs incurred on the charity's educational operations, including support costs and costs relating to the governance of the charity apportioned to charitable activities

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CITY ESCAPE

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the Year Ended 31 January 2021

1.5 Interest receivable

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

1.6 Cash at Bank and in hand
Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.
1.7 Liabilities and provisions
Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the Balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably. Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the charity anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provide. Provisions are measured at the best estimate of the amounts required to settle the obligation. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the provision is based on the present value of those amounts, discounted at the pre-tax discount rate that reflects the risks specific to the liability. The unwinding of the discount is recognised within interest payable and similar charges
1.8 Financial instruments

The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

INCOME FROM DONATIONS AND LEGACIES

£ £ 2021 2021 Unrestricted Restricted Funds Funds £ £ 33,000 258	£ 2021 Total £ 33,258	£ 2020 Total
		£ 92,802

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CITY ESCAPE

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the Year Ended 31 January 2021

3. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

£ 2021 CHARITABLE PROGRAMS Premises Expenses Transport And Travel Recreational Trips Food And Kitchen Supplies Workshop & Activities Volunteer Expenses CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Accruals and deferred income	£ 2021 Summer Camp 7,840 2,500 4,200 6,929 9,250 1,539 32,258 £ 2020 -	£ 2021 Summer Camp
		33,435 22,907 14,717 16,901 - 500
		88,461 £ 2019 -

4. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

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