MARLBOROUGH AND DISTRICT LINK SCHEME (Registered Charity No. 1069752)
ANNUAL REPORT AND STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS
For the Year Ended 31[st] December 2024
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MARLBOROUGH AND DISTRICT LINK SCHEME (Registered Charity No.1069752)
CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT FOR YEAR ENDING 31ST DECEMBER 2024
2024 was a year of consolidation after the Covid-recovery of 2023. Calls for our services show an across-the-board increase year on year (see graph below).
Last year’s pattern of work across the working day was little different from that of 2023
For much of the year we averaged close to 100 trips per week, with a significant increase on the previous year in the first six months.
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As in 2023, NHS efforts to deal with its backlog led to a number of last minute and out of hours trips.
Alongside driven trips, we sustained a steady program of home visits, both on the part of adult visitors and on the part of students from the two secondary schools. Testimonials from both schools, read out at the autumn seminar meeting for volunteers, provided witness to the satisfaction of the students involved both in the value of the exercise to their personal development and to the pleasure of meeting and bringing solace to the clients visited. As for adult visiting, we now have a band of four who are capable of taking on clients who might perhaps not be so suitable for students, given the sometimes, testing situations encountered. This has led to the need for regular group feedback, reflection and mutual support. Given that some of the adult visiting has arisen from referrals from the local GP surgery, we had hoped for liaison and support from that direction, but that turned out to entail too much of a risk of breaks in confidentiality, so we soldier on alone, although with recourse to Wiltshire County safeguarding support if need be. Kathryn Williams, our own safeguarding officer, has been invaluable here in supporting and keeping us on the straight and narrow.
The database we use to direct and document our activities now also sustains some 13 other LINK Schemes across Wiltshire, earning its author the recognition of an award for the second time at the Community First AGM.
Staffing levels continue to be just about adequate but always with the need to recruit and expand. On the coordinators front, Michael Reynolds has given first class service from his new home in the Isle of Wight but has now reached a point where he needs to move on to other things, so we take this opportunity to record our heartfelt thanks to him for his loyalty to the Marlborough cause and his skill and generosity in doing the job. Jan Douglas has had difficulty finding accommodation anywhere near Marlborough and is therefore being held in abeyance while we try to arrange for her to commute to the Chair’s home to do her bit for the team. Meanwhile, we urgently need someone to fill Michael Reynolds’ shoes.
Our driver corps continues to receive a steady drip-feed of new recruits, much thanks to word-ofmouth recommendations from existing volunteers and to Louise Campion’s sterling efforts to recruit and train. Their generosity and good will continue to astonish and delight those of us trying to run the show.
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The Committee continues to be a magnificent team supporting the Chair through thick and thin. Alex Blair sustains our financial affairs with his accustomed skill, while Mark McFarland provides faultless direction and detail to the Committee’s activities. Margaret Toogood is unfailing in her care of the brown envelopes and the donations they contain. My sincere thanks go to all Committee members for their support and hard work. During the coming year we plan to recruit some new members to the Committee, not least to replace the Chair who intends to step down before a significant birthday in 18 months’ time.
Hugh de Saram Chair February 2025
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MARLBOROUGH AND DISTRICT LINK SCHEME (Registered Charity No.1069752)
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF MARLBOROUGH AND DISTRICT LINK SCHEME
I report on the accounts for the trust for the year ended 31[st] December 2024, which are set out on the following pages.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or
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the accounts do not accord with the accounting records
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Mrs Lynne Blunden 8 South View Place Marlborough SN8 1DD Member ICAEW
Date:……………………………2025
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MARLBOROUGH AND DISTRICT LINK SCHEME (Registered Charity No.1069752)
ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2024
The Trustees present their report and accounts for this period.
Principal address and Charity Number:
18 Kelham Gardens, Marlborough SN8 1PW– Charity No.1069752
Charity Trustees:
Hugh de Saram (Chairperson), Mark McFarland (Secretary), Alex Blair (Treasurer), Julian George, Henry Pearson, Louise Campion and Kathryn Williams
The Committee is made up of the seven Trustees and Margaret Toogood (Assistant Treasurer).
Structure, Governance and Management:
The Charity is an association governed by a constitution dated 13[th] May 1998 (as amended), drawn up under the auspices of Wiltshire Link Schemes.
Objectives and activities of the Scheme:
The objectives of the Charity are to relieve the poor, sick, elderly or disabled in Marlborough and the surrounding district by providing or assisting in the provision of services calculated to reduce the need, hardship or distress of such persons. In planning our objectives, we keep in mind the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.
Achievements and Performance:
The charity has continued to fulfill its objectives under its constitution to its clients, to the best of its ability.
Reserves Policy:
The charity has total free reserves of £32,804 as at 31[st] December 2024. Under its constitution it is considered prudent to hold free reserves that represent six months expenditure in the financial year.
Investment Policy:
The charity’s funds are maintained in bank and building society accounts to ensure that it has sufficient funds to meet its regular commitments.
Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:
Trustee……………………………………………………. March 2025 Mr Hugh de Saram
Trustee…………………………………………………….. March 2025
Mr Alex Blair
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MARLBOROUGH AND DISTRICT LINK SCHEME (Registered Charity No.1069752)
ANNUAL ACCOUNTS
| RECEIPTS 31-Dec-24 Clients' donatons envelopes £25,954 Other Bank credits £0 Other income Other Donatons (See Note 1) £2,364 iZetle Shopping £362 Gif Aid Claims £1,890 Grants £0 Deposit Account Interest TOTAL INCOME (A) £30,570 PAYMENTS Volunteer - Mileage Allowances £19,578 Volunteers Shopping £368 Telephone Equip & Charges £1,118 Insurance £580 Administraton expenses £742 Marketng & Donaton Envelopes £238 Website & Database £832 Room Hire and Social Events (See Note 2) £3,225 Gifs £51 Subscriptons & Donatons (See note 3) £3,000 Misc Exps £0 TOTAL EXPENDITURE (B) £29,742 SURPLUS (A) - (B) £828 |
31-Dec-23 |
|---|---|
| £26,547 £63 £3,988 £1,730 £0 £0 £32,329 £19,608 £1,730 £1,152 £541 £279 £218 £604 £1,881 £0 £3,000 £0 £29,012 £3,317 |
Outstanding liabilities at yearend are £837 of expenses owed to volunteers
BANK BALANCES
| BANK BALANCES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Opening balances at 1st Jan-24 | ||
| Lloyds Bank | £31,976 | £28,659 |
| Cash in Hand | ||
| £31,976 | £28,659 | |
| Closing balances at 31st Dec-24 | ||
| Lloyds Bank | £32,804 | £31,976 |
| Cash in Hand | ||
| £32,804 | £31,976 |
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MARLBOROUGH AND DISTRICT LINK SCHEME (Registered Charity No.1069752)
Notes to the Accounts
Note 1
Other donations include £1,339 of volunteer driver’s donations, and other Link donations of £825 towards our ongoing database costs.
Note 2
Includes £2,600 for our Clients summer tea party and autumn seminar.
Note 3
A donation paid to the Jubilee Centre for £3,000.
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES at 31st DECEMBER 2024
31.12.2024 31.12.2023 £ £ UNRESTRICTED FUNDS ASSETS Cash Funds: Bank Account £32,804 £31,976 Cash in Hand £32,804 £31,976
We approve the Financial Statement set out on pages 5 to 6.
We acknowledge our responsibility for the financial information, including the appropriateness of the accounting basis and for providing the Independent Examiner with all information and explanations necessary for his completion.
Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:
Trustee…………………………….
Mr Alex Blair (Treasurer)
Trustee………………………………
Mr Hugh de Saram (Chairman)
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MARLBOROUGH AND DISTRICT LINK SCHEME (Registered Charity No.1069752)
Treasurer’s Report
The activity of the Charity continues to operate from a sound financial footing and there are no cost pressures to be concerned about. Income is steady and costs consistent and well controlled. The Charity is committed to supporting worthwhile organisations whose needs are consistent with our constitution and so we have continued our support of The Jubilee Centre.
Thanks again to Margaret Toogood for collating and banking the client’s donations and to Hugh de Saram for the continued support and first contact of the Link database.
Alex Blair Hon Treasurer March 2025
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