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← Q: Alliance

2023-03-31-accounts

Charity registration number 1070101

\

Company registration number 03614823 (England and Wales)

Q:ALLIANCE

(A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

Q:ALLIANCE (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Trustees MrP Kingham, Secretary
MsT J Richards, Chair
MrM Sanwell (Appointed 12 April 2022)
MsR East (resigned 19 September
2023)
Mr Eglinton - Pacitti
Ms R Middleton
Ms MA
Butler-Quinn
MrP J Kellett (Appointed 14 June 2023)
MsALAverna-Joint (resigned 12April
2022)
Charity number 1070101
Company number 03614823
Registered office 77Alston Drive,
BradwellAbbey,
Milton Keynes
England
MK13 SHG
Independent examiner Crouchers Ltd
2 Copperhouse Court
Caldecotte Business Park
Milton Keynes
Buckinghamshire
England
MK? 8NL
Bankers Metro Bank
Unit E
3 Babbage Gate
Milton Keynes
England
MK109SU

Q:ALLIANCE (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) CONTENTS

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Page
Trustees’ report 1-4
Independent examiner's report 6
Statement of financial activities ti
Balance sheet 8
Notes to the financial statements 9-15
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Q:ALLIANCE (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

The Trustees present their annual report and accounts for the year ended 31st March 2023. The Board of Trustees are satisfied with the performance of the charity during the year and the position on 31st March 2023, and consider that the charity is in a strong position to continue its activities during the caming year, and that the charity's assets are adequate to fulfil its obligations.

Name and registered office of the charity :

« Q:alliance, 77 Alston Drive, Bradwell Abbey, Milton Keynes, MK13 SHG

e Registered Charity No: 1070101 / Company No, 03614823

Our Mission

Q:alliance exists to support a safe and informed LGBTQ+ community in and around Milton Keynes and Bedford, that feels empowered to contribute fully to a healthy society. A local community where LGBTQ+ people can live, work, and socialise positively and safely, so that Milton Keynes, its surrounding areas, and Bedford, are places where we can make positive choices about our lives, assisted, and encouraged by public, private and voluntary agencies. This mission is reviewed annually by the trustees.

Public Benefit

Q:alliance is a resource for the entire community and service users are people who live, work, or socialise in and around Milton Keynes and Bedford, and who require information or support about LGBTQ+ issues.

Main Objective for 1st April 2022 - 31st March 2023

Our main objectives for this period were to continue strengthening our foundations after managing through the CoVID-19 crisis, whilst also providing a valuable service to our local community. We revived our growth plans, made great strides towards a better and more stable future, and took the tough decision to close and fully redesign our Milton Keynes based youth services.

Our Strategic Aims

a. Strategic Aim 1;

To remain operational and able to provide services to the Milton Keynes & Bedford LGBTQ+ communities during the global pandemic.

« Continue to strengthen and grow our organisational structure to enable better support to our community.

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Q:ALLIANCE (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

What we have done;

b. Strategic Aim 2:

To enable & empower LGBTQ+ people in Milton Keynes, Bedford, and the surrounding areas to make a positive contribution to their communities by improving sign postings and referrals to other support services where appropriate.

What we have done ;

th this reporting period we continue to engage with a range of local stakeholders, such as MK Council, local parish councils, MK University Hospital and MK College. We've also engaged many local community and charitable organisations, such as YiS, Healthwatch, YMCA, Milton Keynes Pride Festival, Citizens:MK, and MK Community Foundation. Finally, we've also worked with a variety of highly engaged and very valued local business partners, such as Pink Punters, John Lewis, Bar Bar Café, The Place Bedford, and MK Gallery, as well as many others.

We've also formed our first LGBTQ+ Schools Partnership Forum in Milton Keynes, so that schools can connect, collaborate, and access Q:alliance resources for their LGBTQ+ student's wellbeing.

These are but a few examples of the myriad of businesses, groups and organisations we've had the absolute pleasure of working with in this reporting period, and we are hugely grateful for their support and connection.

c. Strategic Aim 3:

To influence strategy in Milton Keynes by representing the views and needs of LGBT communities by:

What we have done :

2 Dis

7

Q:ALLIANCE (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) TRUSTEES’ REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

What we have done :

Our Board of Trustees meet regularly to review the charity's performance, governance, risk & strategy. Minutes and actions are produced and tracked to ensure efficiency. Monthly cash flow and forecasting reports are created by the Treasurer as well as a regular review of policies and procedures. This year we have instituted a full review of all policies and procedures to ensure robust but sensible governance structures are fully implemented.

e. Volunteers : Our Volunteers are the lifeblood of the work Q:alliance can deliver, and without our wonderful volunteer team we: wouldn't be able to support half as many people within our community, a

Our volunteers support us in all aspects of our work, from operational activities to representing at events and everything in between. The amount of positive feedback we receive about our volunteers is vast and shows that our team are passionate, dedicated and serious about creating a better world for our LGBTQ+ community.

We should also recognise our pool of strategic volunteers who form the Board of Trustees and ensure the good governance and strategy of the charity. This group regularly give up their time and expertise to steer and support a vital and growing LGBTQ+ community and are an absolute Joy to work with

Our experience over the past few years has been a lesson in how quickly things can change, and in how being an agile and adaptable charity is key to our survival. It has also shown us how much we rely on each other for support, friendship, and kindness. Ours is an organisation fuelled by passion, and we’ve got a never-ending supply of it.

The Future :

Our Strategic Future :

Q:alliance is in a good position financially and our focus for 2023-24 will be on co-creating an updated strategy that grows a Qz:alliance fit for the city of Milton Keynes, Bedford and beyond. We will continue to look for opportunities to diversify our income stream, , while at the same time recruiting talented people who can help make our purpose a reality.

Our Operational Future :

Our updated strategy will serve as our blueprint for how to grow the charity so that it can properly support, inform and empower our thriving LGBTQ+ community. Using this framework we'll be able to quickly identify and leverage opportunities to enhance our offerings, and ensure Q:alliance remains a key community support offering for the next 20 years — and longer!

With Thanks

:

Q:alliance would not survive to continue our works without a stream of funds and support to help sustain the organisation. We would like to highlight a few of our amazing funders with special thanks:

e BBC Children in Need

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Q:ALLIANCE (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) TRUSTEES’ REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

Structure, governance and management

The Trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:

Mr P Kingham, Secretary

Ms T J Richards, Chair

Mr M Sanwell (Appointed 12 April 2022) Ms R East (resigned 19 September 2023) Mr Eglinton - Pacitti Ms R Middleton Ms MA Butler-Quinn Mr P J Kellett (Appointed 14 June 2023) Ms AL Averna-Joint (resigned 12 April 2022)

Recruitment and appointment of trustees

The Charity is registered as a limited company, with the Chair of the Board of Trustees identified as the Managing Director and some of the trustees being registered as Directors of the company.

New Trustees are recruited based on skills needs within the team and are advertised publicly. Trustees are inducted through personal mentoring and support by attending monthly meetings and 1:1 if requested.

The strategic decisions are made by consensus by the Trustees at the regular Board of Trustees meeting, on condition that a quorum is present.

This Trustee Report was approved by the Board of Trustees on 19" December 2023.

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Ve Richards, Chair
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Trustee

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Q:ALLIANCE (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

The Trustees (who are also the directors of the charity for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ 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 Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial . Under company law. the Trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they.are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charity's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

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Q:ALLIANCE (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF Q:ALLIANCE

| report to the Trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Q:Alliance (the Charity) for the year ended 31 March 2023.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the Trustees of the Charity (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (the 2006 Act).

Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the Charity are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, | report in respect of my examination of the Charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act). In carrying out my examination | have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner's statement

| have completed my examination. | confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the

examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

| have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

This report is made solely to the charity's Trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. My work has been undertaken so that | might state to the charity's Trustees those matters | am required to state to them in an Independent examiner's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, | do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity's

Crenahirr | or forthis report.

Crouchers Ltd

2 Copperhouse Court

Caldecotte Business Park Milton Keynes Buckinghamshire MK7 8NL England

Dated: Qaalacag

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Q:ALLIANCE (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

Unrestricted Restricted Total Unrestricted Restricted Total
funds funds funds funds
2023 2023 2023 2022 2022 2022
Notes £ £ £ £ £ £
Income from:
Donations andlegacies 2 14,233 66,318 80,551 996 114,857 115,853
Charitable activities 3 7,092 79,319 86,411 10,028 58,739 68,767
Net income/(expenditure) 7,141 (13,001) (5,860) (9,032) 56,118 47,086
Transfers between
funds - - - (4,675) 4,675 -
Net movement in
funds 7,141 (13,001) (5,860) (13,707) 60,793 47,086
Reconciliation of funds:
Fund balances at 1 April 2022 5,074 61,708 66,782 18,781 915 19,696
Fund balances at 31 March
2023 12,215 48,707 60,922 5,074 61,708 66,782

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

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Q:ALLIANCE (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2023

2023 2022
Notes £ £ £ £
Current assets
Debtors 9 7,673 -
Cash atbankand in hand 55,140 67,950
62,813 67,950
Creditors: amounts falling due within 10
One year 1,891 1,168
Net current assets 60,922 66,782
Thefunds ofthe Charity
Restricted income funds 11 48,707 61,708
Unrestricted funds 12,215 5,074
60,922 66,782

The charity is entitled to the exemption from the audit requirement contained in section 477 of the Companies Act 2006, for the year ended 31 March 2023.

The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of financial statements.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year in question in accordance with section 476.

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

The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on ADLL%f 2D z2§

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£5 Richards, C
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Trustee

Company registration number 03614823 (England and Wales)

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Q:ALLIANCE (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

Charity information

Q:Alliance is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 77 Alston Drive,, Bradwell Abbey,, Milton Keynes, England, MK13 9HG.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” ("FRS 102”) and the Charities SORP “Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)" (effective 1 January 2019). The Charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102. The Charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows,

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the Charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

1.2. Going concern At the time of approving the financial statements, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the Trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

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Q:ALLIANCE (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

(Continued)

15 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 fo a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset's use.

Expenditure on charitable activities is incurred on directly undertaking the activities which further the charity's objectives, as well as any associated support costs.

All expenditure is inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.

1.6 Tangible fixed assets Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:

Piant and equipment 33 % straight line Fixtures and fittings 33 % straight line

The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.

1.10 Liabilities and provisions

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 in the Statement of financial activities as a finance cost.

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Q:ALLIANCE (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

2 Income from donations and legacies

Unrestricted Restricted Total Unrestricted Restricted Total
funds funds funds funds
2023 2023 2023 2022 2022 2022
£ £ £ £ £ £
Donations and gifts 14,233 66,318 80,551 996 114,857 115,853

3 Expenditure on charitable activities

Charitable Charitable
Expenditure Expenditure
2023 2022
£ £
Direct costs
Staffcosts 63,039 53,354
GeneralAdmin 14,966 5,469
Rent and Rates 4,000 3,000
Accounting software 446 384
Internet 4,211 2,761
Printing & stationery 161 263
Insurance 1,183 676
Subscriptions 800 704
Travelling 1,605 876
Accountancyfees 2,000 1,191
StaffTraining - 89
86,411 68,767
Analysis by fund
Unrestricted funds 7,092 10,028
Restricted funds 79,319 58,739
86,411 68,767

4 Trustees

During the year, no Trustees received any remuneration or other benefits (2022 - ENIL).

During the year ended 31 March 2023, no Trustee expenses have been incurred (2022 - £NIL).

5 Employees

The average monthly number of employees during the year was:

2023 2022
Number Number
8 3

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Q:ALLIANCE (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

5 Employees (Continued)
Employment costs 2023 2022
£ £
Wages and salaries 62,120 44,823
Social security costs - 7,529
Other pension costs 919 1,002
63,039 53,354

There were no employees whose annual remuneration was more than £60,000.

§ Independent examiner's remuneration

The independent examiner's remuneration amounts to an independent examiner fees of £1,700 (2022 : £1,191).

7 Taxation

The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.

8 Financial instruments

8 Financial instruments
2023 2022
£ £
Financial assets
Instruments measured at fairvalue through income and expenditure 55,140 67,950
9 Debtors
2023 2022
Amounts falling due within one year: & £
Trade debtors 7,673 -
10 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2023 2022
£ £
Trade creditors 191 28
Accruals and deferred income 1,700 1,140
1,891 1,168

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Q:ALLIANCE (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

11 Restricted funds

The restricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used.

At 1 April Incoming Resources Transfers At31 March
2022 resources expended 2023
£ £ £ £ £
Youth Group - Bedford 2,813 10,050 (12,217) + 646
MKCFTG 34,017 - (35,608) - (1,591)
National Lottery 4,811 - (4,811) ~ -
MKMental Health Alliance 4,966 21,671 (19,548) - 7,089
Reserves 13,001 - - - 13,001
Woughton YouthArt Project 2,100 (2,100) - - -
Pride:MK - 1,037 (1,037) ~ -
LGBT+ Futures: Equity Fund - 7,700 - - 7,700
BBC Children In Need - 10,436 (500) = 9,936
GTYMK - ~ (3,645) - (3,645)
The Health Inequalities
~ Collective - 10,000 (226) - 9,774
Mindfulness - 7,524 (900) - 6,624
General Fund - - (827) - (827)
61,708 66,318 (79,319) - 48,707
Previousyear: At 1 April Incoming Resources Transfers At31 March
2021 resources expended 2022
£ £ £ £ £
Youth Group - Bedford 434 7,923 (9,716) 4,172 2,813
MKCFTG - 37,500 (3,483) - 34,017
National Lottery - 43,869 (39,058) - 4,811
MK Mental Health Alliance - 6,625 (1,659) - 4,966
Reserves 481 9,382 2,635 503 13,001
Woughton Youth Art Project - 2,400 - - 2,100
Anglian Water Positive
Difference - 7,458 (7,458) - -
915 114,857 (58,739) 4,675 61,708

= 13x

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Q:ALLIANCE (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

  1. Unrestricted funds

The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.

At 1 April Incoming Resources Transfers At31 March
2022 resources expended 2023
£ £ £ £ £
Youth Groups MK 4,723 ~ - - 4,723
General Fund 351 8,075 (7,046) - 1,380
Reserves - 6,158 (46) - 6,112
General funds - - - - -
5,074 14,233 (7,092) - 12,215
Previous year: At1 April
2021		 Incoming
resources		 Resources
expended		 Transfers At31 March
2022
£ £ £: £ £
Youth GroupsMK 10,802 - (1,367) (4,712) 4,723
General Fund 7,979 996 (8,661) 37 351
18,781 996 (10,028) (4,675) 5,074

Reserves : Represents the new Reserves Policy that was implemented with the aim to rebuild a reserve of 8 months of core costs. This is classed as restricted as the board of Trustees must vote on any use of these reserves,

Youth Group Bedford: this is the Bedford branch of Q:alliance. It is entirely self-sufficient in terms of funding, receiving 3year blocks of restricted funding from the Harpur Trust.

MK Community Foundation Transformation Grant (MKCFTG) : This is a grant to cover charity management costs and associated overheads.

National Lottery Community Foundation Transformation Grant : 6 month program to cover salaries and running costs.

MK Mental Health Alliance : a grant to cover salaries and running costs to help tackle mental health inequalities for LGBTQIA+.

Woughton Youth Art Project : this funding has not been used and we are preparing to return the grant.

Anglian Water Positive Difference : Support running costs so that staff can focus on engagement, support, information sharing and signposting for LGBTQIA+ people in Milton Keynes.

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Q:ALLIANCE (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

13 Analysis of net assets between funds

Unrestricted Restricted Tota
funds funds
2023 2023 2023
£ £ £
Fund balances at 31 March 2023 are represented by:
Current assets/(liabilities) 12,215 48,707 60,922
12,215 48,707 60,922
Unrestricted Restricted Total
funds funds
2022 2022 2022
£ £ £
Fund balances at 31 March 2022 are represented by:
Current assets/(liabilities) 5,074 61,708 66,782
5,074 61,708 66,782

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