REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1072500
Report of the Trustees and Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 for First Touch
Azets Audit Services Limited Ashcombe Court Woolsack Way Godalming Surrey GU7 1LQ
First Touch
Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Report of the Trustees | 1 to 4 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 5 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 6 |
| Balance Sheet | 7 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 8 to 11 |
| Detailed Statement of Financial Activities | 12 |
First Touch
Report of the Trustees
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024
The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2024. The trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) “Accounting and Reporting by Charities” (FRS102) in preparing the annual report and financial statements of the charity.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Charity number
1072500
Principal address
Neonatal Unit Lanesborough Wing St George's Hospital Tooting London SW17 0QT
Trustees
Nicola O'Connor - Retired 31 March 2024 Nicola Eastwood Achim Herbert Vogt Laura de Rooy Kim Caddy Dr Sijo Francis Helen Beattie Paula Abramson Natalie Daly Robert Nestor Adam Norgett Benedict Shaw Louise Hunter Clare O’Grady
Independent examiner
Azets Audit Services Ashcombe Court Woolsack Way Godalming Surrey GU7 1LQ
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Structure, Governance and Management
The Trust is a registered charity (charity number 1072500) and is constituted under a Trust deed dated 08 September 1998. The Trust was established by a parent of a baby treated on the unit.
The current Trustees all have experience of the unit either as parents who have had a baby treated on the unit or as clinical staff.
New Trustees
New Trustees are selected and appointed by the existing Trustees. On appointment new Trustees are given a welcome pack which includes a brief history of the Charity, a copy of the last three years financial statements, a copy of the Trust Deed and Supplemental Deed, and copies of the Charity Commission's guidance "The Essential Trustee: What you need to know" and "Charities and Public Benefit".
Relevant Interests
At this time none of the Trustees has a relevant interest but, in accordance with the Trust's policy, any Trustee with a relevant interest is required to disclose such interest and withdraw from any decisions where a conflict may arise.
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First Touch
Report of the Trustees
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Additional Governance Issues
At the Trustee meetings, the Trustees agree the broad strategy and areas of activity for the Charity, including large expenditure on equipment, and training and welfare budgets. The day-to-day administration of funds, processing, and marketing is delegated to the Charity Director and Coordinator.
Its management is in the hands of a Management Committee.
Risk Management
The Trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the Charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error.
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Objectives and Aims
The Charity's objective, as set out in the governing document, is the relief and treatment of premature and sick babies in the neonatal unit at St Georges Hospital by providing and assisting in the provision of specialist equipment, improving the amenities and facilities, and to support and assist the families of such babies who are or have been on the unit.
Significant Activities
The main activities undertaken for public benefit in relation to the stated objects are:
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The purchase of medical equipment (augmenting that acquired by the NHS Trust);
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Funding supplementary and specialist training for nurses; and,
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Support through the welfare fund for families and babies.
The neonatal unit at St George's Hospital is a level three centre of excellence meaning the sickest babies from SouthWest London and the South-East of England, and occasionally further afield, are transferred to the unit for treatment and, therefore, benefit from the funds used by the Charity.
There is no means testing relating to provisions from the welfare fund for families, support is available to all.
The Trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty in Section 4 of the Charities Act 2011 to have regard to the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit.
BACKGROUND
COVID-19 altered the way in which First Touch works with the neonatal unit. The First Touch staff continue to work remotely in the main, with a continued presence on the Unit. Staff are mindful of the continuing need to keep the risk of infections low especially in the winter months to protect the vulnerable patients and their families.
The First Touch staff offer a visible and accessible resource at the unit, which enables easier communication with clinical staff to understand what is needed, often at quite short notice, and from a fund-raising perspective with the main source of donations coming from parents and families on or formally on the unit. Many parents meet the First Touch staff and see work undertaken and want to help support by raising funds or making donations.
The Trustees would like to pay tribute to both First Touch staff and the clinical and administrative staff on the Neonatal unit who have been a crucial conduit enabling First Touch to continue to be agile and active supporting the unit as necessary.
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First Touch
Report of the Trustees
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE & FINANCIAL REVIEW
The Charity received income of £213,998 (2023: £197,698). An increase over the previous year reflecting the hard work of our staff and generosity of so many of our supporters.
Many of the families that are served by the Neonatal do not come from affluent backgrounds and they often go out of their way to raise funds in grateful thanks for the treatment their babies have received. The Charity takes great pride in the fact that most of its income is raised by those who have directly benefited from the work of the unit and the work of First Touch.
First Touch is fortunate to have a following of fundraisers and donors who step up to raise funds for equipment and projects as they are identified. The Trustees note with gratitude that the consistent achieving of targets reflects the hard work and dedication of our staff, together with families and individuals. Gift aid tax relief and gifts in kind make a huge difference to the overall total.
The Charity considers that its long-term main function is to fund the purchase of medical equipment to increase the capability of the unit to bring wellbeing to babies in its care. The charity responds to requests from the NNU for equipment and only if funds are available or if the Trustees believe that funds can be raised in a timely fashion does the charity commit to a purchase.
The Trustees are keen to emphasise that the level of income is not the only way to measure success. The staff undertake other roles, including raising awareness for many of the issues surrounding premature birth and baby loss, together with welfare activities: making a stay on the unit more pleasant for families and staff. The feedback that is received from staff and families on the unit about the charity’s role is reviewed regularly by the Trustees and is overwhelmingly positive.
Equipment
This year commitment to equipment spending continues, however, spending in the accounts totals £8,263 with further invoices expected to arrive in the following financial year for equipment ordered. Expenditure and order highlights included new doors for the NNU with fingerprint entry system, a Baby Leo Incubator, an update to the First Touch Garden in the grounds of St George’s, Apnoea Monitors, and a sophisticated simulation training doll. Annual subscriptions including the vCreate system subscription, and training for the Peer Supporter volunteers continue in addition.
It is important to note that whilst the Trustees frequently agree to purchase equipment mindful of fundraising campaigns or funds in hand in any financial year the procurement policy at St George’s Trust dictates that equipment must be sourced through them and subsequently invoiced. As such the Trustees have no control over the timing of the purchases and receipt of invoices. These timings combined with the very different nature of demands on the Charity’s funds during the pandemic led to the Trustees agreeing that it was appropriate for welfare spending to exceed the equipment spending in these exceptional times, and the Trustees continue to monitor the balance between equipment and welfare.
Welfare
One of the guiding tenets of the Charity is to seek to enhance the “amenities and facilities, and to support the families of babies who are or have been on the ward”. This falls into the Welfare category.
Each baby on the unit at Christmas receives a Christmas Stocking and festive edible treats were available on the unit for staff and families. Babies also received a small gift to celebrate Easter, Mother and Father’s days and World Prematurity Day all funded by the Charity. The Amazon wish continues to be a popular and convenient way for supporters to arrange these seasonal donations together with day-to-day supplies such as tea bags, snacks, muslins and general supplies for the staff and families that make such a difference to a very intense and difficult time for families
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First Touch
Report of the Trustees
for the Year Ended 31 March 2022
Awareness and support
In this the 25[th] Anniversary Year for First Touch, a party was held during the summer for graduates of the NNU and their families, it was a joyous occasion with many families and staff able to reconnect. Feedback suggested that this is a better alternative to the Christmas Party which comes at a time of high alert for winter germs. First Touch has also funded the training of Peer Supporters, volunteer parents trained by St Georges to be a visible and accessible face for families, visiting the nurseries and talking face to face with parents. So far this is proving popular and successful.
Trustees
Nicola O’Connor resigned as Trustee at the end of the Financial Year and is thanks warmly by the Trustees for her help, support and advocacy over her many years of involvement.
Staff
The staff at First Touch is the catalyst that allows the Charity to channel the generosity of volunteers and supporters to make such a tangible difference to the life and well-being of the babies on the unit.
The Trustees recognise that without doubt the single most important contribution to the work of the charity is that of the staff and wish to place on record their gratitude. Sarah Collins, Charity Director and Louise Williams, Charity Coordinator both go beyond their paid hours as part time staff on behalf of First Touch giving up their personal time to work as both the public face of the charity and day to day management and administration.
During the current financial year there have been some continued challenges for our staff, and they have met them with their inimitable dedication and flexibility allowing First Touch to continue its work, the Trustees are grateful and recognise the additional commitment of our staff stepping in to cover roles where necessary to keep the charity functioning efficiently. It has been a difficult year. In addition, we know that Sarah Collins will be leaving her role in the next financial year as she moves away from London, and the Board are seeking to ensure that staffing is covered appropriately. As part of this process the Trustees were delighted to welcome back Sonja Timpson to the staff.
The charity will continue to work innovatively and creativity to continue to support the Neonatal unit, together with the staff and families there.
Reserves Policy
The reserves held by the Charity at 31 March 2024 were £413,658 (2023: £343,085) and are split between unrestricted reserves totalling £406,158 (2023: £338,085) and restricted reserves of £7,500 (2023: £5,000).
The Charity only purchases equipment for which it has funding, or fundraising is undertaken specifically for a piece of equipment. It has minimal running costs other than staff salaries and the Trustees aim to maintain reserves in unrestricted funds at a level which equates to a minimum of six months of unrestricted charitable expenditure.
The Charity has held assets in cash, either in current or deposit accounts throughout the year. First Touch does not have any interest in real estate property or possess any marketable securities and thus has no financial market exposure. The costs associated with the core activities of the Charity are noted in the attached Statement of Financial Activities.
Approved by order of the board of trustees on 15 January 2025 and signed on its behalf by:
Nicola Eastwood - Trustee
Page 4
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of First Touch
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the financial statement of First Touch (the charity) for the year ended 31 March 2024.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent examiner's statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the 2011 Act; or
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the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
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the financial statements do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view’ which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination
I 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.
Debra Saunders FCA, BSc (Hons) Azets Audit Services Ashcombe Court Woolsack Way Godalming Surrey GU7 1LQ
Dated: 24 January 2025
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First Touch
Statement of Financial Activities
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total funds | Total funds | ||
| funds | funds | ||||
| Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| INCOMING RESOURCES | |||||
| Incoming resources from generated funds | |||||
| Voluntary income | 86,689 | 2,718 | 89,407 | 66,666 | |
| Activities for generating funds | 2 | 111,005 | - | 111,005 | 119,644 |
| Investment income | 3 | 1,439 | - | 1,439 | 469 |
| Incoming resources from charitable activities | |||||
| Gifts in kind | 12,147 | - | 12,147 | 10,919 | |
| Total incoming resources | 211,280 | 2,718 | 213,998 | 197,698 | |
| RESOURCES EXPENDED | |||||
| Costs of generating funds | |||||
| Costs of generating voluntary income | 6,262 | - | 6,262 | 8,347 | |
| Charitable activities | |||||
| Purchase of medical equipment | 8,263 | - | 8,263 | 87,855 | |
| Support through the welfare fund for families | |||||
| and babies | 112,073 | 218 | 112,291 | 120,135 | |
| Gifts in kind | 12,147 | - | 12,147 | 10,919 | |
| Support costs | 4,462 | - | 4,462 | 3,605 | |
| Total resources expended | 143,207 | 218 | 143,425 | 230,861 | |
| NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) | 68,073 | 2,500 | 70,573 | (33,163) | |
| RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS | |||||
| Total funds brought forward | 338,085 | 5,000 | 343,085 | 376,248 | |
| TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD | 406,158 | 7,500 | 413,658 | 343,085 |
The notes form part of these financial statements
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First Touch
Balance Sheet
At 31 March 2024
| Notes CURRENT ASSETS Debtors 6 Cash at bank CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year 7 NET ASSETS FUNDS 9 Unrestricted funds Restricted funds TOTAL FUNDS |
2024 £ 3,854 412,684 416,538 (2,880) 413,658 406,158 7,500 413,658 |
2023 £ 5,335 340,510 345,845 (2,760) 343,085 338,085 5,000 343,085 |
|---|---|---|
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102).
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees on 15 January 2025 and were signed on its behalf by:
Nicola Eastwood -Trustee
The notes form part of these financial statements
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First Touch
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Accounting convention
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011 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 2019)". The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The financial statements 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 Statement of Recommended Practice for charities applying FRS 102 rather than the version of the Statement of Recommended Practice which is referred to in the Regulations but which has since been withdrawn.
Going concern
We have paid particular attention to the likely effects on the charity of the current global economic uncertainty and the trustees remain confident that sufficient funding, and reserves, are in place and that the charity has adequate resources to enable it to continue as a going concern for the foreseeable future.
Incoming resources and debtors
All incoming resources are included on the Statement of Financial Activities when the charity is legally entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy.
Debtors and prepaid expenses are included at the monetary value of the transaction.
Resources expended and liabilities
Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources.
Gifts in kind
Gifts in kind are recognised when received and recorded based on the estimated value of a similar good or service available to buy. These amounts are recognised within income and expenditure.
Taxation
The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
Capital expenditure
Expenditure of a capital nature is written off to income and expenditure in the year in which it is incurred.
2. ACTIVITIES FOR GENERATING FUNDS
| ACTIVITIES FOR GENERATING FUNDS | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Fundraising events | 111,005 | 119,644 |
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First Touch
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024
3. INVESTMENT INCOME
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Deposit account interest | 1,439 | 469 |
4. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2024 nor for the year ended 31 March 2023.
Trustees' expenses
There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 March 2024 nor for the year ended 31 March 2023.
5. STAFF COSTS
| Gross wages Employers NIC Employers pensions Other staff costs |
2024 £ 65,661 437 1,269 1,231 68,598 |
2023 £ 61,619 - 1,239 1,016 63,874 |
|---|---|---|
No employees (2023: Nil) received employee benefits for the reporting period of more than £60,000.
6. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | ||||
| Prepayments and accrued income | 3,854 | 5,335 | |||
| 7. | CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN | ONE YEAR | |||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||
| £ | £ | ||||
| Accruals and deferred income | 2,880 | 2,760 | |||
| 8. | ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS | ||||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total funds | Total funds | ||
| funds | funds | ||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Current assets | 409,038 | 7,500 | 416,538 | 345,845 | |
| Current liabilities | (2,880) | - | (2,880) | (2,760) | |
| 406,158 | 7,500 | 413,658 | 343,085 |
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First Touch
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024
9. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS – CURRENT YEAR
| Unrestricted funds General Fund Restricted funds Equipment Fund TOTAL FUNDS Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: Unrestricted funds General Fund Restricted funds Equipment Fund TOTAL FUNDS MOVEMENT IN FUNDS – PRIOR YEAR Unrestricted funds General Fund Restricted funds Equipment Fund TOTAL FUNDS |
At 1.4.23 Net movement in funds At 31.3.24 £ £ £ 338,085 68,073 406,158 5,000 2,500 7,500 343,085 70,573 413,658 Incoming resources Resources expended Movement in funds £ £ £ 211,280 (143,207) 68,073 2,718 (218) 2,500 213,998 (143,425) 70,573 At 1.4.22 Net movement in funds At 31.3.23 £ £ £ 374,748 (36,663) 338,085 1,500 3,500 5,000 376,248 (33,163) 343,085 |
At 1.4.23 Net movement in funds At 31.3.24 £ £ £ 338,085 68,073 406,158 5,000 2,500 7,500 343,085 70,573 413,658 Incoming resources Resources expended Movement in funds £ £ £ 211,280 (143,207) 68,073 2,718 (218) 2,500 213,998 (143,425) 70,573 At 1.4.22 Net movement in funds At 31.3.23 £ £ £ 374,748 (36,663) 338,085 1,500 3,500 5,000 376,248 (33,163) 343,085 |
|---|---|---|
| 343,085 |
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First Touch
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2024
9. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS – PRIOR YEAR (continued)
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
| Unrestricted funds General Fund Restricted funds Equipment Fund TOTAL FUNDS |
Incoming resources Resources expended Movement in funds £ £ £ 291,051 (235,437) 55,614 1,500 (2,370) (870) 292,551 (237,807) 54,744 |
|---|---|
10. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
There were no transactions with related parties for the year ended 31 March 2024 nor for the year ended 31 March 2023.
11. RESTRICTED FUNDS
Equipment Fund
Donations received for specific items of medical equipment are allocated to this fund and any purchases made are then matched accordingly.
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First Touch
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024
| INCOMING RESOURCES Voluntary income Donations Gift aid Activities for generating funds Fundraising events Investment income Deposit account interest Incoming resources from charitable activities Gifts in kind Total incoming resources RESOURCES EXPENDED Costs of generating voluntary income Fundraising and administration Events Charitable activities Medical equipment funding Welfare Staff costs Training post funding Gifts in kind Support costs Independent examiner's fee Other costs Total resources expended Net income/(expenditure) |
2024 £ 70,256 19,151 89,407 111,005 1,439 12,147 213,998 3,478 2,784 6,262 8,263 43,018 68,598 457 12,147 132,701 2,880 1,582 4,462 143,425 70,573 |
2023 £ 49,541 17,125 66,666 119,644 469 10,919 197,698 4,875 3,472 8,347 87,855 54,626 63,874 1,635 10,919 218,909 2,760 845 3,605 230,861 (33,163) |
|---|---|---|
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