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2023-03-31-accounts

Registered number: 03677361 Charity number: 1074906

Care for the Carers

(A company limited by guarantee)

Trustees' report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023

Care for the Carers

(A company limited by guarantee)

Contents

Page
Reference and administrative details of the Company, its Trustees and advisers 1
Trustees' report 2 - 16
Independent auditors' report on the financial statements 17 - 20
Statement of financial activities 21
Balance sheet 22 - 23
Statement of cash flows 24
Notes to the financial statements 25 - 45

Care for the Carers

(A company limited by guarantee)

Reference and administrative details of the Company, its Trustees and advisers for the year ended 31 March 2023

Trustees Susan Lilja, Treasurer (resigned 27 September 2022)
Alan Botterill
Polly Evans
Neil Churchill OBE, Chair
Jake Jay, Vice Chair
Mary Barnes
Jane Lawrence
Richard Pearson
Vikki Carruth (resigned 16 November 2022)
Graham Turner (co-opted 17 May 2022)
Geoffrey Munn (co-opted 13 May 2022)
Natasha Burrows (appointed 16 November 2022)
Company registered
number
03677361
Charity registered
number
1074906
Registered office
Highlight House
8 St Leonards Road
Eastbourne
East Sussex
BN21 3UH
Company secretary
Jennifer Downs
Chief executive officer
Jennifer Downs
Independent auditors
Kreston Reeves LLP
Chartered Accountants
Plus X Innovation Hub
Lewes Road
Brighton
East Sussex
BN2 4GL
Solicitors
Keeleys LLP
28 Dam Street
Lichfield
Staffordshire
ES13 6AA

Page 1

Care for the Carers

(A company limited by guarantee)

Trustees' report for the year ended 31 March 2023

The Trustees present their annual report together with the audited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2023. The Trustees confirm that the Annual report and financial statements of the company comply with the current statutory requirements, the requirements of the company’s governing document and the provision of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP), applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019) as amended by Update Bulletin 1 (effective 1 January 2019).

Since the charity qualifies as small under section 383, the strategic report required of medium and large companies under The Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Director’s Report) Regulations 2013 is not required.

Objectives and activities

a. Policies and objectives

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.

The objects of the charity are to provide support, advice and information to any carer, of any age, living in East Sussex, Brighton and Hove or who is caring for someone living in East Sussex, Brighton and Hove. A carer is a relative, partner or friend, of any age, who within the past three years has provided essential care or support to someone who is disabled whether through mental or physical ill health, learning disability or frailty. This includes a parent or sibling caring for a disabled child.

There are many reasons why caring for someone else leaves the carer needing support:

Care for the Carers seeks to address these issues through directly supporting carers, raising awareness of the issues faced by carers and influencing local and national policy affecting carers.

b. Vision and mission

Our vision: we will work with carers until all East Sussex carers have recognition, choices, influence and access to quality support and services that they need and want.

Our mission: we represent East Sussex carers, enable their voices to be heard and provide services in response to what they need and want.

c. Main activities undertaken to further the Company's purposes for the public benefit

Support, Advice and Guidance

Carers are offered a single point of contact – Carers Hub – accessible by phone, email, via the website or by dropping in to the Carers’ Centre. Specialist staff provide swift support to carers, including onward signposting to the range of services available across the county, and access to coaching support.

Regular Coaching and Directions sessions enable support workers to provide one to one support, advice and guidance to carers, by telephone, online, in person near to their home, or within a carer’s home when necessary.

Our counselling service Time to Talk provides emotional support to carers, reducing feelings of social isolation and improving carers’ health and wellbeing.

Page 2

Care for the Carers

(A company limited by guarantee)

Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2023

Objectives and activities (continued)

Our volunteer led Carers in Touch listening service provides regular wellbeing telephone calls to carers who are at risk of social isolation.

Groups and Activities

Carers’ Information and Advice groups offer people new to the caring role an opportunity to meet one another and access information, advice and support. Groups are facilitated by support workers, and guests are invited from relevant services to share useful information. These groups support those new to caring for up to twelve months to build their confidence, resilience and resources. There is also a monthly evening group to enable working carers easier access to information, advice and support at a time convenient to them.

Carers' Wellbeing groups are the ‘next step’ after a carer has attended a Carers’ Information and Advice group for twelve months. They are aimed at carers who have been caring for a while and are already connected with services. Carers’ Wellbeing groups are led by carers for carers, with volunteer hosts being supported by a named Carer Support Worker. Carers’ Wellbeing groups focus on anything that the group feels would improve their wellbeing, so could be based around activities such as walking, arts and crafts or meeting for a coffee and chat.

Care for the Carers also runs groups for carers with specific needs or interests. The focus of these groups is led by feedback from carers on shared areas of interest or identity. We run monthly Mental Health carers' groups for carers of people with mental health issues, monthly Making Memories groups for carers and the people they care for living with dementia and monthly Young Adult Carer groups for carers aged 17-25 years. These groups are run in a similar format to the Carers’ Information and Advice groups, but participation in these groups is not time-limited.

In addition to the monthly groups, Care for the Carers has made use of specific funding from generous donors to undertake additional work with Young Adult Carers. This has included providing vocational support, involving the Young Adult Carers in influencing how services are run and offering social activities which their caring role prevents them from accessing.

Our Young Carers project has continued to grow since its launch in February 2021, providing a comprehensive range of groups and activities. The project is designed to give young carers space for time away from their caring role, peer support, as well as opportunities to speak up on the issues affecting young carers. We have delivered a series of activities, support and outings for Young Carers over the year.

Our popular Carers’ Activities Programme is funded by donations from mainly local trusts. Offering activities and events which give carers a break, engage with something fun and/or enable them to socialise with other carers, the project is a highly sought after support. Activities have included Spa Days, cinema and theatre trips, days out including Bluebell Walk and heritage sites, afternoon teas, day at the International Tennis, mindfulness sessions, meal vouchers, walks and Christmas lunches for all our carers groups. We prioritise attendance for carers who have not had an opportunity to accesses activities in the last 12 months and were pleased to also welcome 20 carers from ethnically diverse backgrounds, as we are actively seeking to reach more carers from communities who have been less well represented among our service users.

Care for the Carers Photographer in Residence project culminated with the ‘Seeing Carers’ exhibition at the Conquest Hospital gallery, opened by the local MP and Mayor during Carers Week 2022. We also published a photography album, and a legacy book which was shared with participants, dignitaries and funders. The book is a positive tool to engage further to raise awareness about caring and carers.

Tools and Resources

The East Sussex Carers Card has a number of functions. It helps to identify carers, offers discounts from a wide range of businesses in East Sussex, and alerts the emergency services that cardholders are carers. The card is available to all carers including young carers and parent carers of children. Adult carers of another adult can also link their Carers Card to a backup emergency care plan through East Sussex County Council’s Carers Respite Emergency Support Scheme (CRESS).

Page 3

Care for the Carers

(A company limited by guarantee)

Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2023

Objectives and activities (continued)

The Healthcare Appointments Respite Grant, administered on behalf of East Sussex County Council (ESCC), allows carers to access respite to enable them to attend healthcare appointments, training courses or engagement opportunities.

Care for the Carers also administers the ‘Small Grants for Carers Groups’ fund on behalf of ESCC, which supports set up costs for new groups that directly benefit carers and helps established groups to develop their offer.

Since October 2019, Care for the Carers has been commissioned by ESCC and NHS East Sussex Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to act as their Strategic Partner. Part of this role includes supporting other service providers commissioned to deliver carer services to work together to provide dynamic, responsive and cohesive local offer for carers. This collaborative approach also supports carers to be identified at the earliest opportunity.

Awareness, Information and Communications

Care for the Carers’ ‘Building a Carer Friendly Community’ programme raises awareness of the valuable role carers play, their needs, experiences and the challenges they face. We work with local businesses and organisations, supporting them to become more carer-aware, taking into account both carers who access their services, and their own employees who are also carers. Organisations are supported to address obstacles that carers face in the workplace and do ‘small things that can make a big difference’ to carers’ lives. We also actively reach out to local businesses asking them to sign up to the East Sussex Carers Card and offer discounts to carers.

Our ‘Think Carer’ Training is now available through monthly open sessions programme, with face to face and online offer, as well as in-house, bespoke and bite size sessions. The demand for the sessions has continued to grow exceeding last year.

Care for the Carers leads on the local coordination of national campaigns such as Carers Rights Day and Carers Week. This involves promoting events, sharing resources, evaluating the campaigns, building on partnership working and sharing learning with our partners. The Carer Awareness remit is cross cutting and embedded in all of our roles.

Care for the Carers produces the quarterly CareLine magazine which is distributed to around 8,000 carers by email, online and by post. Our monthly e-Newsletter, sent to over 4,000 recipients, focuses on carer engagement, providing policy updates, event invitations and more. In addition to the monthly eNewletter, Care for the Carers is also very active on social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube, sharing information and reaching out to as many carers as possible from diverse groups.

Our website acts as first port of call for carers and professionals who wish to know more about local services for carers and support. It also acts as an awareness raising and fundraising platform reaching out to a wide group of stakeholders. During the year, we have grown the number of articles on the website, updated the Events calendar making information about our activities and group more accessible and developed new Cost of Living support fact sheet.

Engagement and Representation

Our commitment to the meaningful involvement of unpaid carers in local health, social care and voluntary sector strategic planning is achieved through the Carers Voices Network. This enables carers to share their views, experiences and needs and to influence decision making on the issues that impact their lives. The Network encourages a wide group of carers to participate in consultations, focus groups and campaigns initiated by Care for the Carers or by our partners and uses a range of methods to ensure these opportunities are made as accessible as possible.

Page 4

Care for the Carers

(A company limited by guarantee)

Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2023

Objectives and activities (continued)

We support carers to join Carers Voices Network, and enable them easy access to consultations and focus groups so they can share their experiences of caring and shape services provided to carers, service users and patients. This year we hosted face to face and on-line focus groups on the new Adult Social care long term Plan and Cost of Living crises.

Our monthly engagement e-Newsletter keeps carers, volunteers and professionals up to date with local and national policy, highlights opportunities to influence decision making and raises awareness of issues of importance to carers. This year we have introduced an annual East Sussex Carers Voices Report which comprehensively brings together carers feedback and views shared throughout the year with us and our partner organisations, presenting a consistent picture of what is important to carers.

The report includes findings from our annual Carers Voices event to which all local carers are invited. This year we decided to move this important and popular event to Carers Week, resulting with the in-person event being in June 2023. In March 2023, we ran an online Carers Voices Workshop with 16 attendees discussing progress made since the 2022 conference and challenges in NHS and social care continuing to affect carers.

Fundraising

Working to build the support of the charity’s work has become a core part of our strategy, as we continue to diversify our income streams. Funds generated enable the charity to respond to carers’ needs by providing specific projects such as our Young Carers Service, Activities and Events - complementing the mix of existing services available locally.

Achievements and performance

a. Main achievements of the Company

Support, Advice and Guidance

During the year the charity supported 10,134 (2022: 9,265) carers across East Sussex, exceeding our target of 8,269. Of these, 2,448 (2022: 2,717) were newly identified carers. 4,354 (2022: 4,399) carers accessed Carers Hub, our single access point for information, advice and support, through 19,713 (2022: 19,494) contacts. Carers accessed one-to-one specialist support, advice and guidance through 1,041 (2022: 1,318) Carer Coaching and Directions sessions. 95% (2022: 96%) of referrals received a response within 5 working days.

241 (2022: 211) carers accessed our Time to Talk counselling service regarding the challenges of their caring role, significantly exceeding our internal target of 100 carers supported by the counselling service during the year.

Carers regularly tell us about the impact that Care for the Carers has made on their lives:

“Just having someone to talk with about what was a very traumatic event was very helpful. It would have been more beneficial closer to the event but opened much discussion to help me be more resilient generally. Thank you. Being phone call was in an odd way much easier. It helped to speak more freely, not come to sessions already set with what would follow. My counsellor sounded so nice and without seeing her I had no need to use visual judgments or thoughts, and her me.”

"Thank you so much. I can now make arrangements to have someone be with my daughter while I am away. I will book the hotel and train and keep the receipts. This means a lot to me. Many thanks and take care"

“It’s been good to talk to you, it’s helped me to know in future if anything goes wrong I’ve got help and it helped to get some things off my chest and that someone else knows how you feel.”

Page 5

Care for the Carers

(A company limited by guarantee)

Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2023

Achievements and performance (continued)

Groups and Activities

215 carers attended our regular Carers’ Groups in the year 2022-23. These groups were a combination of Carers’ Information and Advice groups, Carers' Wellbeing groups, a Mental Health carers’ group, an Evening Carers Group and a group for Young Adult Carers.

Our Young Adult Carers group meets monthly and has a regular membership of 9 (2022: 17), carers from across the county aged from 16 to 25. The pandemic years negatively impacted on group numbers as Young Adult Carers moved away from online groups which in turn impacted recruitment of new members. We are currently reshaping how we support groups in order to reach and appeal to a wider cohort of young adult carers via offering different activities as a focus to bring people together. Groups are led by its members and include workshops on their chosen themes of caring, employment, education and health and wellbeing themes. These are coupled with opportunities to relax, socialise with their peers and access information and advice from experienced staff. The groups are supported by a private Facebook group, providing support, professional information and advice, and connecting young adult carers with their peers between groups.

Our other carers groups have also been complemented by social activities for carers. 26 activities were delivered during the year, with 355 carers benefiting. Supporting increased number of ethnically diverse carers has been a real success this year. Our activities included days out, on-line physical and wellbeing sessions, spa days, meals and walks, gym passes and cinema and theatre trips.

Tools and Resources

The Carers Card offers discounts from a wide range of businesses in East Sussex, as well as identifying carers and including the option to link to an emergency plan. We have seen a significant rise in number of the carers signed up to Carers Card during the year, with a total of 2,555 (2022: 1,963) with 162 (2022: 162) businesses providing discounts and offers to card holders. We are delighted that so many carers have access to discounts from diverse businesses, ranging from food and drink, health, fitness and wellbeing, legal and financial, and retail, and that despite the challenges businesses have faced during the current cost of living crisis, they continue to support the scheme. We are also proud to support so many local partners to publicly pledge their recognition of carers.

6 (2022: 9) carers have accessed respite through the Healthcare Appointments Respite Grant, which has enabled them to attend healthcare appointments, training courses or engagement opportunities.

Awareness, Information and Communications

Care for the Carers' work is supported by 348 (2022: 355) volunteers, in a range of voluntary roles, with 298 acting as Carer Ambassadors , and working with us to build a carer-friendly East Sussex.

Our Carer Awareness training this year included 9 (2022: 12) open ‘Think Carer’ training sessions to 57 (2022: 115) volunteers and professionals and 37 (2022: 46) bespoke and bite size sessions providing training to further 365 attended (2022: 425). Their consistently positive feedback included:

“The training was really insightful and gave some excellent perspective on how, as emergency responders we can support not only our patients but their carers and family. This will help us to empower everyone to ensure families receive support and care. I would recommend anyone considering the training to absolutely take the time to do it!”

We undertook several awareness raising campaigns during the year, public health vaccination and Winter Pressures Campaign, in partnership with Carers Centres in West Sussex and Brighton & Hove and national Carers Week in June 2022, promoting a range of activities including the launch of our new Uckfield local Carers Centre, alongside a successful social media campaign which tripled our engagement in comparison to last year. We achieved excellent press coverage, securing feature articles across the Sussex World newspapers, as well as local on-line magazine and radios.

Page 6

Care for the Carers

(A company limited by guarantee)

Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2023

Achievements and performance (continued)

For Carers Rights Day we ran a successful social media information campaign-doubling our reach and engagement from last year.

CareLine , the quarterly magazine produced by Care for the Carers, had an average print run this year of 4,000 copies each quarter, with additional 500 copies distributed in GP surgeries and community pharmacies during Carers Week. The CareLine postal mailing list is just under 2,000 (2022: 3,850) and the email distribution list is 6,222. (2022: 4,024).

Our monthly e-Newsletter reaches over 4,100 (2022: 3,800) carers and professionals, focusing on local and national Carers Voices opportunities, campaigns, policy updates and activities.

Our social media activity is increasing and reaching out to a more diverse range of carers.

Care for the Carers’ website offers a range of useful information for carers, professionals and supporters. During the coming year, we plan to build on the current site to increase the information it offers to carers and build in more interactive features and simplify access to services and information. We regularly update news stories to ensure the site is engaging and an up to date resource.

Engagement and Representation

Care for the Carers facilitates the Carers Voices Network which offers opportunities for carers from across the county to share their views, experiences and needs, and to influence decision making around issues that impact on their lives. There are currently 259 (2022: 234) carers signed up to the Carers Voices Network. During the year its members participated in a range of engagement opportunities, including face to face and online focus groups discussing impact of the cost of living crisis on carers, which contributed to local and national findings and raised awareness about carers in South East media coverage; as well as discussion groups shaping vision for carers services in the next Adult Social Care Plan.

In addition, Carer Engagement is threaded through all that we do, with live issues being experienced by carers being understood through our one to one support work. This enables us to identify themes and ensure carers’ voices influence our own service delivery and are represented in our contributions to strategic debate with and for carers. This year we have introduced an annual East Sussex Carers Voices Report which comprehensively brings together carers feedback and views shared throughout the year with us and our partner organisations, presenting a consistent picture of what is important to carers.

Page 7

Care for the Carers

(A company limited by guarantee)

Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2023

Achievements and performance (continued)

The report includes findings from our annual Carers Voices event, to which all local carers are invited to. This year we decided to move this important and popular event to Carers Week, resulting with the in-person event being in June 2023. In March 2023, we run on-line Carers Voices Workshop with 16 attendees discussing progress made since 2022 conference and challenges in NHS and social care continuing to affect carers.

Our Carers Voices events are valued opportunities for carers to explore and share issues important to them, to contribute to shaping services and local strategy and to build their networks. The events also raise the profile of Care for the Carers’ work and build strong partnerships with colleagues across health, social care and the voluntary sector. In addition to the events, our Annual Carers Survey captures carers’ experiences and impact of their caring role on their life.

We also supported carers to take part in a range of statutory and voluntary sector consultations via the Carers Voices Network.

Carers Voices research reports are available at: www.cftc.org.uk/about-care-for-the-carers/reports-and-annualreviews/ and are circulated widely to influence decision making and service development.

Fundraising

We continue to build great relationships with local and national funders and grow the range of support.

We have had another great year of fundraising, with wonderful support from the local community, individuals and Trusts and Foundations.

We took part in a successful Bluebell Walk, raising over £1,200 for carers. We are also extremely grateful to community groups who organised their own fundraisers for us, including Ninfield Flower group, Wellshurst Golf Club, Uckfield HM70 Committee, Uckfield College, Eastbourne quizzers, and the Rotary Club of Sovereign Harbour.

A number of community groups donated to our activities programme, including Hailsham Lions, Hastings Rotary club, Eastbourne Rotary Club, Rotary club of Senlac, and Bexhill Lions. We also want to thank the following funders for their support of the programme: Pavers Foundation, Lewes Town Council, Duke of Devonshire’s Charitable Trust, The D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust, and Waitrose in Eastbourne and Lewes.

We continue to receive fantastic support for our Young Carers service, and want to thank the following funders this year: Sussex Community Foundation, Seaford Youth Forum, Masonic Charitable Foundation, Hedley Foundation, Green Hall Foundation, Childwick Charitable Trust, 29th May Charitable Trust, Asda Eastbourne, Tesco in Seaford, Bexhill and Hastings, and Waitrose in Lewes and Hailsham.

Finally we would like to thank the National Lottery Community Fund for their ongoing support of our new local carers centres in Uckfield and Hastings.

We would also like to thank our many individual donors.

Every penny raised and donated makes a real difference to the lives of local carers.

Page 8

Care for the Carers

(A company limited by guarantee)

Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2023

Financial review

a. Going concern

After making appropriate enquiries, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. Further details regarding the adoption of the going concern basis can be found in the Accounting Policies.

b. Overall financial review

The charity was in a good financial position at the year end, with cash balances of £885,337 (2022: £834,005) and reserves totalling £2,404,635 (2022: £2,359,273).

The charity generated a surplus of £45,362 for the financial year ended 31 March 2023 (2022: £267,051). The reserves are allocated to specific activities as detailed below.

The principal funding sources of income to the charity were grant income of £1,264,873 (2022: £986,391) and donations of £29,260 (2022: £53,263).

Our fundraising strategy is achieving a growth in funding streams, enabling the charity to introduce new sources of income and move away from reliance on one main funding stream. The contract to deliver the East Sussex Carers Centre, jointly funded by ESCC and NHS East Sussex CCG, remains secure and the charity’s largest contract, however this is now complemented by several additional multi-year contracts, as a result of Trustees recognising the inherent risk in working with one main income stream, and continuing to lead a strategy to diversify our funding and reduce reliance on statutory funds.

Following a successful tendering process, the Carers Centre contract will continue until 2025 with the possibility of an extension for two further years; the contract’s annual value is £574,000. However, as the contract progresses, the percentage of guaranteed income reduces and the percentage of income based on achieving Key Performance Indicators increases. It is acknowledged that this poses an increased financial risk to the charity, however the risk is rated as low and the charity continues to perform well against Key Performance Indicators.

During the year, Care for the Carers continued to generate additional income through dividend payments from the shareholding investment generously gifted by Catharine House Trust in 2019-20. The shareholding investment, a holding in units managed for Charities by BlackRock, is held as designated funds, and generates additional income through dividend payments. This income is held as unrestricted funds, and will be designated to increase activity that supports carers.

The reserves of the charity comprise restricted, designated and unrestricted funds.

Restricted funds are those which may only be spent on the purpose specified by the donor. The charity had restricted funds of £90,033 (2022: £144,784).

Designated funds are those set aside by the Trustees to finance particular projects which cannot be met from future income alone. The charity had designated funds of £2,052,917 (2022: £1,857,997). These designated funds include the shareholding investment.

Unrestricted funds are those which are available for use to further the charity’s purposes. The charity had unrestricted funds of £261,685 (2022: £356,492).

Page 9

Care for the Carers

(A company limited by guarantee)

Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2023

c. Reserve policy

The Trustees have reviewed the reserves policy and made amendments to ensure reserves continue to be set at an appropriate amount. This review takes into account the ever-changing, uncertain external financial landscape, and also responds to a larger than usual level of reserves that built up over the pandemic period due to being unable to deliver planned face to face activities. The policy also sets out our plans for utilising reserve funds to enable the introduction of further support opportunities for Carers, linking to our 4-year business plan objectives.

The Sustainable Development of Non-Statutory Services Reserve comprises funds which have been set aside to support the development of non-statutory services for carers in line with our 4-year business plan objectives. Within the 4-year business plan, this fund will enable us to underwrite our commitment of delivering a non-statutory Young Carers service and our volunteering programme as well as giving the opportunity to seedfund and grow Specialist and Community Services. The fund will also be used to build our partnership strategy which supports partner organisations to develop and grow their services for Carers. By the end of 2023/24 our 4-year business plan shows this fund will have reduced significantly and almost be exhausted, therefore, as well as attempting to secure additional restricted external funding for these purposes, this fund will also be maintained by utilising the shareholding held within our Capital Fund. This fund currently has a balance of £210,612.

The Staffing Reserve comprises funds which have been set aside to support staff development and maintain staff salaries to a competitive level, in recognition of increased cost of living. Previously, the Trustees have only been able to be award the NJC cost of living pay rise element to staff salaries and incremental salary progression had been paused. From April 2023, salary scale increments will be reintroduced in line with the NJC pay scale together with applying the annual cost of living increase. Whilst we are in discussion with funders about the potential of salary increases, the Trustees have agreed the use of this reserve for this purpose to enable Care for the Carers to proactively respond at pace to the pressures that a rapidly increasing cost of living is placing on our staff team. The Trustees value highly our staff team, the backbone of the charity, and recognises the pressures and concerns felt by staff in this time of financial uncertainty and have prioritised ensuring that employees receive fair remuneration.

Once reintroduced, the increased salary costs will be included into future project planning and subsequent budgets to reduce the reliance on this fund. By the end of 2023/24 the fund will have reduced significantly, as the increment payments will be have been made. From 2024/25, the fund will be maintained at a lower amount for the purpose of support staff development. From this point, any higher than expected cost of living pay rises will be met by utilising the income generated from the shareholding held within our Capital Fund. The Staffing Reserve fund currently has a balance of £201,697.

Page 10

Care for the Carers

(A company limited by guarantee)

Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2023

The Sustainable Development of Digital Resources sets aside funds to support the development of our digital offer to Carers, and introduction of digital solutions that build our efficiency. The aim of this development is to increase our reach to less represented groups of carers by delivering sustainable provision of information, advice and learning to carers and professionals via an additional route of support for those whose preference is to selfserve. This is planned to include development of self-help resources online, digitalising of our Carers Card offer, support our Awareness work stream and include Think Carer training for professionals, enhancing our promotional materials including QR codes and connecting these with information online, increasing electronic displays for use in NHS and community settings. To enable us to achieve these developments we are expecting to outsource specialist elements to external providers. From 2023/24, we will be attempting to secure additional restricted external funding as well as maintaining this fund by utilising the shareholding held within our Capital Fund. This fund currently has a balance of £200,000.

The Capital Fund Reserve comprises of funds held within the shareholding investment, currently with BlackRock. This fund will capture any loss or gain on investment and will be used, and drawn down in future years, to support funding requirements as explained above. This reserve is also available to fund a future property purchase. This fund currently has a balance of £1,440,608.

The Board currently aims to hold 3 months of unrestricted expenditure within General Funds, which would equate to £261,685 for the following reasons;

d. Asset cover for funds

Note 17 sets out an analysis of the assets attributable to the various types of funds and a description of the funds. These assets are sufficient to meet the charity’s obligations on a fund by fund basis.

Structure, governance and management

a. Constitution

The charity is registered as a charitable company limited by guarantee and was set up by a Memorandum of Association on 25 January 2010.

It is registered as a charity with the Charity Commission. Membership is open to individual carers, groups, organisations and individuals who are interested in caring issues or who wish to support Care for the Carers.

Page 11

Care for the Carers

(A company limited by guarantee)

Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2023

Structure, governance and management (continued)

The Trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year were:

Dr Neil Churchill OBE (Chair from 28 May 2021)

Mr Jake Jay (Vice-Chair from 28 May 2021) Mr Alan Botterill Ms Polly Evans Cllr Mrs Mary Barnes Ms Jane Lawrence Mr Richard Pearson Mr Geoffrey Munn Mr Graham Turner Ms Natasha Burrows

b. Methods of appointment or election of Trustees

The number of Trustees shall not be less than three. The Trustees may appoint a person who is willing to act as a Trustee either to fill a vacancy or as an additional Trustee. A Trustee so appointed shall hold office only until the next following annual general meeting and shall not be taken into account in determining the Trustees who are to retire by rotation at the meeting. If not reappointed at such annual general meeting, he/she shall vacate office at the conclusion thereof. At every annual general meeting one third of the Trustees shall retire from office and may be reappointed at the meeting.

c. Policies adopted for the induction and training of Trustees

The Trustees participate in an induction process to brief them on their legal obligations under charity and company law, the committee and decision making processes, the Strategic Plan and the recent financial performance of the charity.

Trustees are encouraged to attend appropriate external training events and to meet the senior management team, to be given an overview of the charity's work. An opportunity is provided to shadow the Carer Support Workers to observe the work involved.

d. Pay policy

The remuneration of all staff is guided by the National Joint Council (“NJC”) pay scales. The charity aims to keep staff salaries in line with those set by the NJC, although this is not always possible. All staff complete an annual Performance Review.

e. Organisational structure and decision making

The board of Trustees administer the charity with the appointment of a Chief Executive, who has delegated authority to manage the day to day operations of the charity. The charity’s senior management team is comprised of the Chief Executive, Head of Resources, Head of Communities and Head of Services.

Care for the Carers is a Network Partner of Carers Trust and a member of Carers UK. This requires adherence to shared operational standards and values, and enables the organisation to ensure local carers’ voices are represented to national decision-makers. In addition, membership brings access to a number of grants for carers, good practice learning and support, and partnership opportunities.

Page 12

Care for the Carers

(A company limited by guarantee)

Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2023

Structure, governance and management (continued)

f. Risk management

The Trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to these risks.

The Board recognised in 2017 that the principal risk to the organisation was its reliance on one major source of income. To mitigate this risk, a Fundraising Manager was appointed to generate new income streams, a strategy which is now enabling the organisation to secure increasingly diverse funding.

Plans for future periods

Future Developments

Care for the Carers’ current Strategic Plan concentrates on the following four priority areas:

i. Supporting carers

Objective:

ii. Think Carer

Objectives:

• Be an active partner and empower others to identity and support the carers in their organisations, networks and communities, and know how and when to access specialist support

• Grow and nurture our network of Carer Ambassadors: carers, community members and professionals working with Care for the Carers to build a carer-friendly East Sussex and who are connected to our information and support

• Build our presence and the profile of carers within communities – of geography, identity and experience as well as online networks and groups

• Use national campaigns to maximise the impact of our awareness raising, adding value by empowering carers and volunteers to add their voices and influence

iii. Carers Voices

Objective:

• Amplify carers’ voices to decision makers and lobby for strategic change to improve the lives of carers and the people they care for

Page 13

Care for the Carers

(A company limited by guarantee)

Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2023

Plans for future periods (continued)

The planned activities for achieving these aims are set out in our Strategic Plan 2020-2025, a copy of which is available on request from info@cftc.org.uk

Members' liability

There are currently 123 members (2022: 128), each of whom agrees to contribute £1 in the event of the Company winding up.

Page 14

Care for the Carers

(A company limited by guarantee)

Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2023

Statement of Trustees' responsibilities

The Trustees (who are also the directors of the Company 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 Company 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 Company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Company 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 Company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Page 15

Caro for the Carern (A company Ilmited ty guaranteel Trustees. report (continu￿) for the year ended 31 Marctt 2023 Stat¢mont of Tru¥kn$' ￿SpOnsibl1111eS {conllnu•l) Ol•ciowr• of In￿rmatIOn to audAor¥ Each oftho p¢rtsons who aro Trustees atthe tim&when Ihis TTUSte85' r•port is appMV￿ has confim￿d that.. so lar as Ihat Trusts8 B •ware. thorn rdevant aud IF}knnatK￿ of tho ch8rty$ auditots are unawa￿. and that Trustee has taken all the steps that wght to have been taken as a Trustee ￿ order to be awar• of any rnlwnt ¥udrt M)ft>mts¢)n and to establBh that thè dw11￿ auditors af* awar• oflhal mformatKJn. Approved by order oftht rnrrt>ers ofthe board of T￿￿￿•$ and svJn•d on th&ir behaK by. N•ll Churchlll 08E Chair Date. ￿110/ Page 16

Care for the Carers

(A company limited by guarantee)

Independent auditors' report to the Members of Care for the Carers

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Care for the Carers (the 'charitable company') for the year ended 31 March 2023 which comprise the Statement of financial activities, the Balance sheet, the Statement of cash flows and the related notes, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion the financial statements:

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditors' responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the United Kingdom, including the Financial Reporting Council's Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the Trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the Trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Page 17

Care for the Carers

(A company limited by guarantee)

Independent auditors' report to the Members of Care for the Carers (continued)

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the Annual report other than the financial statements and our Auditors' report thereon. The Trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the Annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the Trustees' responsibilities statement, the Trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the Trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the Trustees are responsible for assessing the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Page 18

Care for the Carers

(A company limited by guarantee)

Independent auditors' report to the Members of Care for the Carers (continued)

Auditors' responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

We have been appointed as auditor under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with the Act and relevant regulations made or having effect thereunder.

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an Auditors' report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:

Capability of the audit in detecting irregularities, including fraud

Based on our understanding of the charity and the sector as a whole, and through discussion with the Trustees and other management (as required by auditing standards), we identified that the principal risks of noncompliance with laws and regulations related to health and safety and employment law. We considered the extent to which non-compliance might have a material effect on the financial statements. We also considered those laws and regulations that have a direct impact on the preparation of the financial statements such as the Charities SORP (FRS 102) Second Edition (released October 2019), the Companies Act 2006 and other relevant charity legislation. We communicated identified laws and regulations throughout our team and remained alert to any indications of non-compliance throughout the audit. We evaluated Trustees' and management’s incentives and opportunities for fraudulent manipulation of the financial statements (including the risk of override of controls) and determined that the principal risks related to posting inappropriate journal entries to increase income or reduce expenditure and management bias in accounting estimates and judgemental areas of the financial statements. Audit procedures performed by the engagement team included:

Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance.

As part of an audit in accordance with ISAs (UK), we exercise professional judgment and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also:

Page 19

Care for the Carers

(A company limited by guarantee)

Independent auditors' report to the Members of Care for the Carers (continued)

We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charitable company's trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company's trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an Auditors' report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and its members, as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Kreston Reeves LLP

Chartered Accountants Registered Auditors Plus X Innovation Hub Lewes Road Brighton East Sussex BN2 4GL 13 October 2023

Kreston Reeves LLP are eligible to act as auditors in terms of section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006.

Page 20

Care for the Carers

(A company limited by guarantee)

Statement of financial activities (incorporating income and expenditure account) for the year ended 31 March 2023

Note
Income from:
Donations and legacies:
4
Donations and legacies
Charitable activities
Other income
5
Total income
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
6
Charitable activities
Total expenditure
Net (expenditure)/income before net
(losses)/gains on investments
Net (losses)/gains on investments
Net (expenditure)/income
Transfers between funds
15
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward
Net movement in funds
Total funds carried forward
Restricted
funds
2023
£
16,968
378,797
-
395,765
-
469,655
469,655
(73,890)
-
(73,890)
19,139
(54,751)
144,784
(54,751)
90,033
Unrestricted
funds
2023
£
12,292
986,750
56,454
1,055,496
39,236
859,731
898,967
156,529
(37,277)
119,252
(19,139)
100,113
2,214,489
100,113
2,314,602
Total
funds
2023
£
29,260
1,365,547
56,454
1,451,261
39,236
1,329,386
1,368,622
82,639
(37,277)
45,362
-
45,362
2,359,273
45,362
2,404,635
Total
funds
2022
£
53,263
1,047,075
45,851
1,146,189
33,853
915,371
949,224
196,965
80,287
277,252
(10,201)
267,051
2,092,222
267,051
2,359,273

The Statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

The notes on pages 25 to 45 form part of these financial statements.

Page 21

Care for the Carers

(A company limited by guarantee) Registered number: 03677361

Balance sheet as at 31 March 2023

Note
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
11
Investments
12
Current assets
Debtors
13
Cash at bank on notice
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors: amounts falling due within one
year
14
Net current assets
Total net assets
Charity funds
Restricted funds
15
Unrestricted funds
Designated funds
15
General funds
15
Total unrestricted funds
15
Total funds
382,943
174,961
710,376
1,268,280
(321,918)
2,052,917
261,685
2023
£
17,665
1,440,608
1,458,273
946,362
2,404,635
90,033
2,314,602
2,404,635
236,161
173,871
660,134
1,070,166
(209,053)
1,857,997
356,492
2022
£
20,275
1,477,885
1,498,160
861,113
2,359,273
144,784
2,214,489
2,359,273

Page 22

Car• for th• Car•r IA corty#ny limlted by guorantse) Balance Sheet Icontlnued) as at 31 March 2023 Th¢ enty entrtled to exerFyknn from audit under se(thn 477 ofth• Conwan AL 2006. Th¢ membgfs have not requred the entiy to Obta￿ an audit fry thè in quéslion ￿ accordanee section 476 ofthe Comynies Art 2008. HoYrtveT. an audit is reqund in accovd8nce ith seCI￿n 145 of the Chants'os Act 2011. The Trugtees acknowledge their reyponsibdÉli•s for corrw.ng wrth th¢ rnquirtyn￿ts of the Ac respect to accounting records gnd prpar4tbn of fnancl Btatements. The financkql statements ha￿ b••n pr•p•r•d In th￿)￿ance ￿ryth the sxovw'orts appkxble to errtitias subJ8Ct to the 6mall companies regirr. Th& ffinanewql statsrnnts wre approved 8nd aLthonsed for issue bythe TNstees and suned on thèir by. kJJ-A I N•ll Cttur¢hlll OBE Chair Dote. IZI 1>122 The n¢)tes on pag•3 25 to 45 fom) of11￿ f￿ne111 stat•mèrs. Page 23

Care for the Carers (A company limited by guarantee)

Statement of cash flows
for the year ended 31 March 2023
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash used in operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities
Dividends and interest received
Purchase of tangible assets
Net cash provided by investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities
Net cash provided by financing activities
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year
The notes on pages 25 to 45 form part of these financial statements
2023
£
1,304
56,454
(6,426)
50,028
-
51,332
844,207
895,539
2022
£
177,431
45,851
(11,094)
34,757
-
212,188
632,019
844,207

Page 24

Care for the Carers

(A company limited by guarantee)

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023

1. General information

The charity is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The members of the company are the Trustees named on page 1. In the event of the charity being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £1 per member of the charity.

The registered office and principal place of business of the charity is:

Highlight House 8 St Leonards Road Eastbourne East Sussex BN21 3UH

2. Accounting policies

2.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) - 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 Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.

Care for the Carers meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy.

2.2 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.

Whilst the impact of the current general economy has been assessed by the Trustees, so far as is reasonably possible, due to its unprecedented impact on the worldwide economy it is difficult to evaluate with any certainty the potential outcomes on the Charity's future activities. However, taking into consideration the Charity's level of reserves, the Trustees believe that the Charity will be able to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future.

2.3 Income

All income is recognised once the Company has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.

Grant income is recognised over the period for which it is granted.

Donations and gifts are recognised when receivable.

Investment income is recognised when receivable.

Page 25

Care for the Carers

(A company limited by guarantee)

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023

2. Accounting policies (continued)

2.4 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. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent.

Support costs are those costs incurred directly in support of expenditure on the objects of the charity and include project management carried out at Headquarters. Governance costs are those incurred in connection with administration of the charity and compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements.

Costs of generating funds are costs incurred in attracting voluntary income, and those incurred in trading activities that raise funds.

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

Grant expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a partner, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

2.5 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.

2.6 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

A review for impairment of a fixed asset is carried out if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of any fixed asset may not be recoverable.

Tangible fixed assets are carried at cost, net of depreciation and any provision for impairment. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost of fixed assets, less their estimated residual value, over their expected useful lives on the following bases:

2.7 Investments

Fixed asset investments which consist of listed investments are a form of financial instrument and are initially recognised at their transaction cost and subsequently measured at fair value at the Balance sheet date, unless fair value cannot be measured reliably in which case it is measured at cost less impairment. Investment gains and losses, whether realised or unrealised, are combined and shown in the heading ‘Gains/(losses) on investments’ in the Statement of financial activities incorporating income and expenditure account.

Page 26

Care for the Carers

(A company limited by guarantee)

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023

2. Accounting policies (continued)

2.8 Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid.

2.9 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.

Cash at bank on notice includes cash which is held with a notice period in excess of 60 days.

2.10 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.

2.11 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.

2.12 Employee Benefits

The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee's services are received.

Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.

2.13 Operating leases

Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to the Statement of financial activities on a straightline basis over the lease term.

2.14 Pensions

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme and the pension charge represents the amounts payable by the charity to the fund in respect of the year.

Page 27

Care for the Carers (A company limited by guarantee)

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023

2. Accounting policies (continued)

2.15 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 Company and which have not been designated for other purposes.

Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the Trustees for particular purposes. The aim and use of each designated fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the Company 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.

3. Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgment

Estimates and judgments are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.

Critical accounting estimates and assumptions:

Allocation of wages to the correct fund.

The Charity makes estimates and assumptions in relation the allocation of wages to funds. Allocation is based on staff members estimated time split between each of the charity's activities. These estimates and assumptions are completed by informed members of management and management accounts are reviewed by the Board monthly.

4. Income from donations and legacies

Donations
Grants
Restricted
funds
2023
Unrestricted
funds
2023
£
£
16,968
12,292
378,797
986,750
395,765
999,042
Total
funds
2023
£
29,260
1,365,547
1,394,807

Page 28

Care for the Carers

(A company limited by guarantee)

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023

4. Income from donations and legacies (continued)

Donations
Grants
Total 2022
Restricted
funds
2022
£
2,550
166,025
168,575
Unrestricted
funds
2022
£
50,713
881,050
931,763
Total
funds
2022
£
53,263
1,047,075
1,100,338

5. Investment income

Interest received
Investment income
Interest received
Investment income
Unrestricted
funds
2023
£
6,737
49,717
56,454
Unrestricted
funds
2022
£
1,535
44,316
45,851
Total
funds
2023
£
6,737
49,717
56,454
Total
funds
2022
£
1,535
44,316
45,851

Page 29

Care for the Carers

(A company limited by guarantee)

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023

6. Expenditure on raising funds

Costs of fundraising

Unrestricted
funds
2023
£
Other fundraising costs
1,228
Fundraising staff costs
38,008
39,236
Unrestricted
funds
2022
£
Other fundraising costs
878
Fundraising staff costs
32,975
33,853
Total
funds
2023
£
1,228
38,008
39,236
Total
funds
2022
£
878
32,975
33,853

Page 30

Care for the Carers

(A company limited by guarantee)

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023

7. Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities

Support & Advice
Groups
Tools & Resources
Information & Communication
Carer Awareness
Involvement
Development
ESCC Hastings PC Project
ESCC Mental Health
Carers Review Project
Activities Project
Children in Need
Dementia Group
Photography
Parent Carers
Young Carers
Volunteering
Making Carers Count
Big Lottery
Small Grants to Partners
Restricted
funds
2023
Unrestricted
funds
2023
£
£
2,996
418,740
-
15,548
26,758
9,581
-
54,273
-
77,971
-
28,111
-
41,276
-
76,921
-
74,351
-
40,890
14,523
9,460
-
-
3,227
-
1,462
-
1,635
-
61,876
-
-
12,394
9,654
-
106,119
-
241,405
-
469,655
859,516
Total
funds
2023
£
421,736
15,548
36,339
54,273
77,971
28,111
41,276
76,921
74,351
40,890
23,983
-
3,227
1,462
1,635
61,876
12,394
9,654
106,119
241,405
1,329,171

Page 31

Care for the Carers

(A company limited by guarantee)

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023

7. Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities (continued)

Support & Advice
Groups
Tools & Resources
Information & Communication
Carer Awareness
Involvement
Development
ESCC Hasting PC project
Activities Project
Children in Need
Dementia Group
Photography
Parent Carers
Young Carers
Volunteering
Restricted
funds
2022
£
-
-
28,093
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
13,561
12,948
5,748
9,663
8,637
78,650
Unrestricted
funds
2022
£
397,875
13,857
9,753
44,268
73,192
46,817
42,802
67,347
43,696
21,529
7,907
-
-
-
-
769,043
Total
funds
2022
£
397,875
13,857
37,846
44,268
73,192
46,817
42,802
67,347
43,696
21,529
21,468
12,948
5,748
9,663
8,637
847,693

Page 32

Care for the Carers

(A company limited by guarantee)

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023

8. Analysis of expenditure on support costs

Support & Advice
Groups
Tools & Resources
Information & Communication
Carer Awareness
Involvement
Development
ESCC Hastings PC Project
ESCC Mental Health
Carers Review Project
Activities Project
Children in Need
Dementia Group
Photography
Parent Carers
Young Carers
Volunteering
Making Carers Count
Big Lottery
Small Grants to Partners
Activities
undertaken
directly
2023
£
328,716
13,164
34,082
34,673
60,479
21,440
31,304
76,921
74,351
40,890
18,618
-
3,227
1,462
1,635
61,876
12,394
9,320
56,261
-
880,813
Restricted
funds
2023
£
-
-
162
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
335
10,637
241,405
252,539
Support
costs
2023
£
93,020
2,384
2,095
19,600
17,492
6,671
9,972
-
-
-
5,364
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
39,221
-
195,819
Total
funds
2023
£
421,736
15,548
36,339
54,273
77,971
28,111
41,276
76,921
74,351
40,890
23,982
-
3,227
1,462
1,635
61,876
12,394
9,655
106,119
241,405
1,329,171

Page 33

Care for the Carers

(A company limited by guarantee)

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023 Analysis of expenditure on support costs (continued)

Activities
undertaken
directly
2022
£
Support and Advice
314,787
Groups
11,590
Tools & Resources
35,678
Information & Communication
26,977
Carer Awareness
57,369
Involvement
37,506
Development
32,826
ESCC Hasting PC Project
67,347
Activities Project
43,696
Children in Need
21,529
Dementia Group
17,145
Photography
12,947
Parent Carers
5,748
Young Carers
9,663
Volunteering
8,637
703,445
9.
Auditors' remuneration
Fees payable to the Company's auditor for the audit of the Company's
annual accounts
Fees payable to the Company's auditor in respect of:
All non-audit services not included above
Support
costs
2022
£
83,088
2,267
2,034
17,291
15,823
9,311
9,976
-
-
-
4,323
-
-
-
-
144,113
2023
£
6,750
1,650
Total
funds
2022
£
397,875
13,857
37,712
44,268
73,192
46,817
42,802
67,347
43,696
21,529
21,468
12,947
5,748
9,663
8,637
847,558
2022
£
5,350
2,696

Page 34

Care for the Carers

(A company limited by guarantee)

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023

10. Staff costs

Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Contribution to defined contribution pension schemes
2023
£
778,360
53,869
14,845
847,074
2022
£
661,104
41,301
11,611
714,016

The average number of persons employed by the Company during the year was as follows:

2023 2022
No. No.
Staff 37 32
No employee received remuneration amounting to more than £60,000 in either year.
During the year, no Trustees received any remuneration (2022 - £NIL).
During the year, no Trustees received any benefits in kind (2022 - £NIL).
During the year, one Trustee received reimbursement of expenses totalling £41 (2022 - £NIL).
Tangible fixed assets
Office Computer
equipment equipment Total
£ £ £
Cost or valuation
At 1 April 2022 9,864 106,397 116,261
Additions - 6,426 6,426
At 31 March 2023 9,864 112,823 122,687
Depreciation
At 1 April 2022 9,864 86,122 95,986
Charge for the year - 9,036 9,036
At 31 March 2023 9,864 95,158 105,022
Net book value
At 31 March 2023 - 17,665 17,665
At 31 March 2022 - 20,275 20,275

11. Tangible fixed assets

Page 35

Care for the Carers

(A company limited by guarantee)

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023

12. Fixed asset investments

Cost or valuation
At 1 April 2022
Revaluations
At 31 March 2023
Net book value
At 31 March 2023
At 31 March 2022
Debtors
Due within one year
Trade debtors
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
Trade creditors
Other taxation and social security
Other creditors
Accruals and deferred income
2023
£
285,999
-
96,944
382,943
2023
£
34,243
15,439
4,700
267,536
321,918
Listed
securities
£
1,477,885
(37,277)
1,440,608
1,440,608
1,477,885
2022
£
630
277
235,254
236,161
2022
£
17,141
12,026
159,674
20,212
209,053
2022
£

13. Debtors

14. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year

Page 36

Care for the Carers (A company limited by guarantee)

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023

15. Statement of funds

Statement of funds - current year

Unrestricted
funds
Designated
funds
Staffing Reserve
Sustainable
Development
of Non-
Statutory
Services
Reserve
Capital Fund
Reserve
Sustainable
Development
of Digital
Resources
General funds
General Funds -
all funds
Total
Unrestricted
funds
Balance at 1
April 2022
£
69,500
210,612
1,477,885
100,000
1,857,997
356,492
2,214,489
Income
£
-
-
-
-
-
1,055,496
1,055,496
Expenditure
£
-
-
-
-
-
(898,967)
(898,967)
Transfers
in/out
£
132,197
-
-
100,000
232,197
(251,336)
(19,139)
Gains/
(Losses)
£
-
-
(37,277)
-
(37,277)
-
(37,277)
Balance at
31 March
2023
£
201,697
210,612
1,440,608
200,000
2,052,917
261,685
2,314,602

Page 37

Care for the Carers

(A company limited by guarantee)

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023

15. Statement of funds (continued)

Restricted
funds
Making Carreers
Count
Young Adult
Carers
Carers Card
Carers Grant
Rother Dementia
Lunch Club
Small Grant for
Carers
Health
Appointment
Respite Grants
Parent Carers
Photographer in
residence
Access to work
Activities Project
Dementia Group
ESCC Small
grants
Sussex digital
hub
Young carers
Volunteering
Big Lottery
Total of funds
Balance at 1
April 2022
£
3,479
4,708
396
600
878
233
(10)
1,635
-
-
3,521
3,227
-
18,134
28,440
67
79,476
144,784
2,359,273
Income
£
14,970
-
2,379
21,954
-
1,000
1,338
-
-
2,996
17,768
-
241,406
-
32,088
-
59,866
395,765
1,451,261
Expenditure
£
(9,655)
(4,118)
(2,258)
(22,200)
-
(1,000)
(1,301)
(1,635)
(1,462)
(2,996)
(10,403)
(3,227)
(241,406)
-
(61,876)
-
(106,118)
(469,655)
(1,368,622)
Transfers
in/out
£
(8,794)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1,462
-
-
-
-
-
26,471
-
-
19,139
-
Gains/
(Losses)
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(37,277)
Balance at
31 March
2023
£
-
590
517
354
878
233
27
-
-
-
10,886
-
-
18,134
25,123
67
33,224
90,033
2,404,635

Page 38

Care for the Carers

(A company limited by guarantee)

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023

15. Statement of funds (continued) Statement of funds - prior year

Unrestricted
funds
Designated
funds
Trustee
Contingency
Reserve
Staffing Reserve
Sustainable
Development
of Non-
Statutory
Services
Reserve
Capital Fund
Reserve
Sustainable
Development
of Digital
Resources
General funds
General Funds -
all funds
Total
Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
Making Carreers
Count
Balance at
1 April 2021
£
125,000
2,253
100,000
1,561,704
-
1,788,957
236,310
2,025,267
Balance at
1 April 2021
£
15,973
Income
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
977,614
-
Income
£
8,612
Expenditure
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
(802,918)
(802,918)
Expenditure
£
(14,385)
Transfers
in/out
£
(125,000)
67,247
110,612
(164,106)
100,000
(11,247)
(54,514)
(65,761)
Transfers
in/out
£
(10,200)
Gains/
(Losses)
£
-
-
-
80,287
-
80,287
-
80,287
Gains/
(Losses)
£
-
Balance at
31 March
2022
£
-
69,500
210,612
1,477,885
100,000
1,857,997
356,492
2,214,489
Balance at
31 March
2022
£
-

Page 39

Care for the Carers

(A company limited by guarantee)

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023

15. Statement of funds (continued)

Statement of funds - prior year (continued)

Young Adult
Carers
Carers Card
Carers Grant
Rother Dementia
Lunch Club
Small Grant for
Carers
Health
Appointment
Respite Grants
Health
Appointment
Respite Grants
Parent Carers
Photographer in
residence
Social
Opportunities
for Older
Carers
Access to work
Activities Project
Dementia Group
ESCC Small
grants
Big Lottery
(Hubs/Satelite)
Sussex digital
hub
Total of funds
Balance at
1 April 2021
£
6,040
(448)
554
878
1,233
2,900
(8)
-
18,134
4
3,200
9,453
8,975
67
-
-
66,955
2,092,222
Income
£
350
2,750
23,876
-
-
-
1,354
10,272
-
-
22,372
5,944
-
-
85,872
7,173
168,575
168,575
Expenditure
£
(1,682)
(1,906)
(23,830)
-
(1,000)
(9,663)
(1,357)
(8,637)
-
(3)
(40,691)
(11,876)
(5,748)
(15,438)
(6,396)
(3,694)
(146,306)
(949,224)
Transfers
in/out
£
-
-
-
-
-
6,763
-
-
-
-
43,559
-
-
15,438
-
-
55,560
(10,201)
Gains/
(Losses)
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
80,287
Balance at
31 March
2022
£
4,708
396
600
878
233
-
(11)
1,635
18,134
1
28,440
3,521
3,227
67
79,476
3,479
144,784
2,359,273

Page 40

Care for the Carers (A company limited by guarantee)

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023

15. Statement of funds (continued)

Designated Funds

Trustee Contingency Reserve - Funds which have been set aside to enable the charity to adapt to a future decrease in funding. This fund has been undesignated in 2022 as the Trustees consider the unrestricted general fund holding sufficient.

Staffing Reserve - Funds which have been set aside to support an increase to staff salaries, in recognition of the cost of living crisis, as well as to support staff development.

Sustainable Development of Non-Statutory Services Reserve - Funds which have been set aside to absorb a deficit of unrestricted income in relation to unrestricted expenditure in the near future.

Capital Fund Reserve - Funds initially received from Catharine House Trust, which have been set aside for specific additional projects to improve carer services and experience.

Sustainable Development of Digital Resources - Funds to support the development and introduction of the Charity's digital offer to Carers and professionals

Restricted Funds

Young Adult Carers - Donations from various donors to enable Young Adult Carers to get together and engage in a range of activities.

Carers Card - A grant from the local authority to finance the production and distribution of the Care for the Carers 'Carers Card'.

Carers Grants - Small grants from various funders made to individual carers in need, and administered by CftC.

Rother Dementia Lunch Club - Donations from various donors towards a lunch club held for carers and those they care for with dementia, and administered by Care for the Carers.

Small Grants for Carers - A grant from the local authority which supports set up costs for new groups that directly benefit carers and helps established groups to develop their offer.

Activities Project - Grants and donations from various funders and donors to enable an Activities Facilitator to organise activities for carers all over East Sussex.

Writer in Residence - Additional funding received from Heritage Lottery Fund to enable carers to reflect on their experiences and tap into their creativity through workshops and one to one sessions.

Social Opportunities for Older Carers - Funding from the Ex Pat Foundation to provide social activities for older carers.

Health Appointment Respite Grants - A Grant from the local authority which allows carers to access respite to enable them to attend healthcare appointments,training courses or engagement opportunities. The fund has a negative balance of £11 at the year end however future income and activity is expected.

Dementia Groups - Grant from Ernest Kleinwort Charitable Trust and supplemented with Tesco Bags of Help grants to enable carer groups and activities supporting carers of people with dementia.

Evening Groups - Grant from Henry Smith Charity to enable carer groups to run in the evening so working carers can access information, advice and support at a time convenient to them.

Parent Carers - Funding from East Sussex County Council to deliver four 6-week wellbeing courses to promote carer wellbeing and resilience.

Page 41

Care for the Carers (A company limited by guarantee)

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023

15. Statement of funds (continued)

Children in Need - Grant from Children in Need to provide emotional support to Young Carers through counselling. The Teen Talk service reduces feelings of social isolation and improves the health and wellbeing of young carers.

Photographer in Residence - Additional funding from various funders to enable carers to reflect on their caring role and share their experiences of caring and tap into their creativity through photography workshops and exhibitions of their work.

Access to Work - Funding to cover the necessary adaptations for staff workplaces to be accessed independently.

Volunteering - Grant from Ernest Kleinwort Charitable Trust to enable development of our volunteering programme and embed volunteering across the whole organisation. The fund has a carried forward negative balance of £15,371 at the year end however future income and activity is expected.

Big Lottery (Hubs/Satelite) - Grant from Big Lottery to enable two additional satellite carers centre to be opened in Hastings and Uckfield areas. These centres will enable us to reach and support more unpaid carers and also build and strengthen local partnerships so we can work in a more community focused, localised way.

Making Carers Count - This project is led by our partners, Carers Support West Sussex and funded by Carers Trust. The project is delivered by the existing Sussex Carers Partnership which includes Carers Support West Sussex, The Carer Centre Brighton and Hove and Care for the Carers. The aim of this project is to focus on deprived areas, with a higher concentration of diverse ethnic groups, to enhance the current engagement offer and support partnering organisations to create a consistent approach to working with ethnic minority communities across Sussex.

16. Summary of funds

Summary of funds - current year

Designated
funds
General funds
Restricted funds
Balance at 1
April 2022
£
1,857,997
356,492
144,784
2,359,273
Income
£
-
1,055,496
395,765
1,451,261
Expenditure
£
-
(898,967)
(469,655)
(1,368,622)
Transfers
in/out
£
232,197
(251,336)
19,139
-
Gains/
(Losses)
£
(37,277)
-
-
(37,277)
Balance at
31 March
2023
£
2,052,917
261,685
90,033
2,404,635

Page 42

Care for the Carers

(A company limited by guarantee)

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023

16. Summary of funds (continued)

Summary of funds - prior year

Designated
funds
General funds
Restricted funds
Balance at
1 April 2021
£
1,788,957
236,310
66,955
2,092,222
Income
£
-
977,614
168,575
1,146,189
Expenditure
£
-
(802,918)
(146,306)
(949,224)
Transfers
in/out
£
(11,247)
(54,514)
55,560
(10,201)
Gains/
(Losses)
£
80,287
-
-
80,287
Balance at
31 March
2022
£
1,857,997
356,492
144,784
2,359,273

17. Analysis of net assets between funds

Analysis of net assets between funds - current year

Tangible fixed assets
Fixed asset investments
Current assets
Creditors due within one year
Total
Restricted
funds
2023
Unrestricted
funds
2023
£
£
-
17,665
-
1,440,608
90,033
1,178,247
-
(321,918)
90,033
2,314,602
Total
funds
2023
£
17,665
1,440,608
1,268,280
(321,918)
2,404,635

Analysis of net assets between funds - prior year

Tangible fixed assets
Fixed asset investments
Current assets
Creditors due within one year
Total
Restricted
funds
2022
£
-
-
144,784
-
144,784
Unrestricted
funds
2022
£
20,275
1,477,885
925,382
(209,053)
2,214,489
Total
funds
2022
£
20,275
1,477,885
1,070,166
(209,053)
2,359,273

Page 43

Care for the Carers (A company limited by guarantee)

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023

18. Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash flow from operating activities

Net income for the year (as per Statement of Financial Activities)
Adjustments for:
Depreciation charges
Loss/(Gain) on investments
Dividends, interests and rents from investments
Increase in debtors
Increase in creditors
Net cash provided by operating activities
Analysis of cash and cash equivalents
Cash in hand
Cash on notice
Total cash and cash equivalents
2023
£
45,362
9,035
37,277
(56,454)
(146,191)
112,275
1,304
2023
£
627,530
257,807
885,337
2022
£
277,252
7,078
(80,287)
(45,851)
(154,225)
173,464
177,431
2022
£
578,215
255,789
834,004

19. Analysis of cash and cash equivalents

20. Analysis of changes in net debt

At 1 April At 31 March
2022 Cash flows 2023
£ £ £
Cash at bank and in hand 660,134 50,242 710,376
Liquid investments 173,871 1,090 174,961

21. Pension commitments

The charity operates one defined contribution scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in an independently administered fund. The charity contributes a specified percentage of payroll costs to the retirement benefit scheme to fund the benefits. The only obligation of the charity with respect to the scheme is to make the specified contributions.

The charge to the statement of financial activities in respect of the defined contribution scheme was £15,686 (2022: £11,611). At the 31 March 2023 the amount outstanding in relation to pension contributions was £4,110 (2022: £3,553).

Page 44

Care for the Carers

(A company limited by guarantee)

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023

22. Operating lease commitments

At 31 March 2023 the Company had commitments to make future minimum lease payments under noncancellable operating leases as follows:

Not later than 1 year
Later than 1 year and not later than 5 years
2023
£
4,428
6,035
10,463
2022
£
-
-
-

23. Related party transactions

There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2022: none).

Key management personnel comprise of the Chief Executive Officer, the Director of Services and the Finance and Office Manager. The remuneration of key management personnel is as follows:

Aggregate compensation £153,924 (2022: £110,705)

Page 45