REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 JANUARY 2022
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 2022
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Charity Information | 1 |
| Report of the Trustees | 2 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 7 |
| Income Expense Account | 9 |
| Balance Sheet | 10 |
| Notes to Financial Statements | 11 |
CITY ESCAPE
CHARITY INFORMATION
for the Year Ended 31 January 2022
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 2022
The trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements of for the 1 February 2021 to 31 January 2022.
Message from the Chair
Oh, the joys of a single handshake. A warm embrace. An unmasked smile!
It's been a challenging year for us at City Escape as we gradually pulled our organisation back together in a post-pandemic world. Our children had been through an upheaval that required our response and therefore, in addition to our annual summer programme which took place in August 2021, we ran a series of recreational activity workshops throughout the year.
After almost a full year of lockdown, our Summer Project was for many of these disadvantaged 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 school year with a positive frame of mind and increased resilience for the challenges ahead.
In the words of one of our users:
“Thank you for giving me the ability to ‘run wild’ again after being stifled in our cramped house (without even a garden) for much of the year. The fresh country air helped boost my mood and made me feel alive again. I loved each of the outdoor trips we had.”
Susie, age 13
We have been through a momentous year and we are really pleased that however arduous this journey has been, we have managed to once again deliver a very successful Summer Programme. A huge shout out to our volunteers, funders and supporters. It is all of you who enabled us to survive and thrive continuing to support children facing the challenges of poverty and social disadvantage.
Goldie Traube
Programe Director
21 October 2022
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CITY ESCAPE
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
for the Year Ended 31 January 2022
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
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Consitution The charity is governed by declaration of trust dated 3 May 1998 and is run by the trustees.
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Method of appointment or election of Trustees
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The management of the charity is the responsibility of the Trustees who are elected and coopted under the terms of the Trust deed.
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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
Through the weeks of the UK’s final lockdown (January/February 2021), our dedicated volunteers got to work preparing fun and educational activity packs which were delivered to our past participants. Although our organisation’s mission is only to provide summer holiday programmes, the need faced by these children was so great that we simply stepped up to the task doing what was required at the moment. The generous donations we received from several community members enabled these additional activities to take place for which we are very grateful.
This was our second year planning and delivering our summer programme during the upheaval caused by Covid-19. The preparation stage remained extremely trying as we couldn’t finalise any details in advance, not knowing which youth activities would be permitted in August, and if residentials would at all be allowed. Finally, to the delight of our young participants, the removal of most restrictions on the 19th July enabled us to go ahead with most of our programme albeit in a covid-secure way.
We faced a lot of pressure in the few short remaining weeks, where we had to arrange, adjust and finalise all preparations and much credit goes to our amazing volunteers who worked as an unstoppable team, pulling through at rapid speed to complete the myriad details.
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CITY ESCAPE
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
for the Year Ended 31 January 2022
This year we faced an increased demand for a place on our programme. We prepared for this demand by renting a larger than usual premises (which simultaneously allowed for social distancing) and by recruiting and training many more volunteers. Our project ultimately targeted 120 vulnerable children between the ages of 12 -16 in addition to 22 young volunteers, aged 16-19.
Our project this year took place between the 03rd August 2021 – 15th August 2021 at the spectacular, expansive campus of the Kingswood Activity Centre where the children were able to take part in a rich and diversified programme of activities.
After a healthy breakfast, we began each day with an interactive professionally-run workshop which varied daily and focused on different areas such as teaching effective communication skills, managing emotions, drama and art workshops, confidence building sessions and music groups. The workshops concluded with a short fun activity and the children then sat down to a warm, nutritious meal.
Every afternoon the participants took part in a refreshing outdoor activity which included plenty of hiking opportunities, sports games, trampolining, a visit to the beach and cycling. In the evening after supper, our volunteer social heads directed a night activity which provided unique opportunities for connecting together and facilitating firm friendships to form.
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 fourteen 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:
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A positive summer holiday environment -these vulnerable young people are able to taste the
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- 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
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the community to connect with new friends and sympathetic adults, so that positive and
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- supportive friendships can develop. This likewise results in improvements in social and communication skills.
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CITY ESCAPE
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
for the Year Ended 31 January 2022
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.
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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
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- 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.
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
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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
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- 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 place on our programme.
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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
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- 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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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
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- 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.
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CITY ESCAPE
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
for the Year Ended 31 January 2022
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We would like to progress towards receiving a quality mark from the London Youth which we
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- hope to achieve during the upcoming year.
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Our vision is that during their time spent planning and directing our programme, we will
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- 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 2022 and signed on their behalf by:
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
Trustee Name:Goldie Traube Signature: Date: 21 October 2022
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S UNQUALIFIED REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF CITY ESCAPE
for the Year Ended 31 January 2022
Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of City Escape
I report on the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 31 January 2022, 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 presented in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts using the Financial Reporting Standards applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) effective 1 January 2019.
This has been done in order for the accounts to provide a true and fair view of the charity's financial position.
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:
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examine the financial statements under section 145 of the Act;
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follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act; and
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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:
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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
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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 2022
- to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding financial statements to be reached.
De Claron Ltd. 3a The Vale LONDON NW11 8SB 21 October 2022
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CITY ESCAPE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES for the Year Ended 31 January 2022
| INCOMING RESOURCES RESTRICTED FUNDS Grants Received UNRESTRICTED FUNDS Donations Interest Received TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES CHARITABLE PROGRAMS Premises Expenses Transport And Travel Recreational Trips Food And Kitchen Supplies Workshop & Activities Volunteer Expenses ADMINISTRATING EXPENDITURES Advertising Accountancy & Admin Telephone Insurance Total Resources Expended NET MOVEMENTS IN FUNDS FOR THE YEAR FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD |
£ £ Restricted Unrestricted Funds Funds £ £ 15,640 29,900 63,788 15,640 93,688 109,328 41,111 25,105 8,627 17,897 10,794 1,738 2,021 246 - 279 107,816 - (92,176.29) 93,688 1,512 15,208 16,720 31.01.2022 |
£ £ 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 |
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Page 9
CITY ESCAPE BALANCE SHEET for the Year Ended 31 January 2022
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31.01.2022 31.01.2021
£ £ £ £
FIXED ASSETS - -
CURRENT ASSETS
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Debtors
Cash in hand and at bank 16,720 15,208
16,720 15,208
CURRENT LIABILITIES
- -
Short term Creditors
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NET CURRENT ASSETS 16,720 15,208
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 16,720 15,208
FUND ACCOUNT
Funds 16,720 15,208
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ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
Trustee Name:Goldie Traube Signature:
Date: 21 October 2022
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CITY ESCAPE
Notes to the Financial Statements
for the Year Ended 31 January 2022
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1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES
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1.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements
The financial statements have been prepared to give a 'true and fair' view of the charity's financial position.
The historical cost convention has been used 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 in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) effective from 1 January 2019 and the 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.
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1.3 Income
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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
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1.4 Expenditure
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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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1.5 Interest receivable
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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.
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CITY ESCAPE
Notes to the Financial Statements
for the Year Ended 31 January 2022
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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.
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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
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1.8 Financial instruments
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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.
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INCOME FROM DONATIONS AND LEGACIES
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CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
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£ £ £ £
2022 2022 2022 2021
Restricted Unrestricted
Funds Funds Total Total
£ £ £ £
15,640 93,688 109,328 33,258
£ £ £
2022 2021
Summer Summer
CHARITABLE PROGRAMS Project Project
Premises Expenses 41,111 7,840
Transport And Travel 25,105 2,500
Recreational Trips 8,627 4,200
Food And Kitchen Supplies 17,897 6,929
Workshop & Activities 10,794 9,250
Volunteer Expenses 1,738 1,539
105,271 32,258
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CITY ESCAPE
Notes to the Financial Statements
for the Year Ended 31 January 2022
- CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Accruals and deferred income
£ £ 2022 2021 - -
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