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2023-06-30-accounts

ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023

BENCH OUTREACH

(A company limited by guarantee)

CHARITY REGISTRATION No: 1077933 COMPANY REGISTRATION No: 3751509

BENCH OUTREACH (A company limited by guarantee)

CONTENTS

Page 3 Legal and Administrative Information Pages 4 to 10 Report of the Trustees Page 11 Statement of Financial Activities Page 12 Balance Sheet Pages 13 to 20 Notes to the Financial Statements Page 21 Independent Examiner's Report

BENCH OUTREACH (A company limited by guarantee)

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

CHARITY NUMBER 1077933 COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER 3751509 DATE OF INCORPORATION 13 April 1999 START OF FINANCIAL YEAR 1 July 2022 END OF FINANCIAL YEAR 30 June 2023 DIRECTORS Paul Chapman (Chair) Errol Chambers Sabrina Pathan (appointed 15/03/23) Philippe Granger (appointed 18/03/24) Jodie Wilkinson (resigned 15/03/23) Stephen Mathers (resigned (15/03/23) Janet Mathers (resigned 15/03/23) Shaun Simon (resigned (15/03/23) CHIEF EXECUTIVE Belinda Wallace COMPANY SECRETARY Philippe Granger GOVERNING DOCUMENTS Memorandum & Articles of Association, incorporated 13 April 1999 Articles of Association updated 16 November 2015 OBJECTS

PUBLIC BENEFIT STATEMENT

Bench Outreach's charitable purpose is enshrined in its objects and the Trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty in Section 4 of the Charities Act 2006 to have due regard to the Charity Commission's public benefit guidance.

REGISTERED ADDRESS 14 New King Street INDEPENDENT Dominique Wells FCA Deptford EXAMINER 10 Lakeswood Road London SE8 3HS Petts Wood Kent BR5 1BJ BANKERS HSBC Bank Plc 85 Lewisham High Street London SE13 6BE

BENCH OUTREACH (A company limited by guarantee)

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023

The trustees, who are also the directors of the charity for the purposes of Company Law, present their report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ending 30 June 2023.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in pages 11 and 12 and with applicable UK accounting standards, the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006, 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 2015) and the Charity's governing document.

The legal and administrative information set out on page 3 forms part of this report.

Structure, Governance and Management

Bench Outreach is a registered charity (No. 1077933) and a company limited by guarantee (No. 3751509). Our operations are governed by the Memorandum and Articles of Association adopted on 13 April 1999 and amended by a special resolution of the members on 16 November 2015.

The Board meets between 4 and 6 times a year and is responsible for the good governance of the organisation and its strategic direction including approving the annual budget. The CEO attends all meetings. New trustees are appointed by the trustees and are recruited taking regard of the Board's need for a range of skills, experience, and diversity. Prospective trustees will attend a Board meeting before being put forward for appointment and are provided with copies of the Articles of Association, latest accounts, and the minutes of recent trustee meetings.

Vision and Mission

Bench Outreach's vision is a society where homelessness, hunger, inequality, and exclusion are the exception rather than the rule, and where people have the resources to lead lives of meaning and purpose. To achieve this, we:

Our service delivery is informed by an understanding of trauma and the intricate and pressing challenges faced by individuals experiencing homelessness and poverty. From mental health struggles to housing instability, our holistic approach at Bench Outreach aims to tackle the underlying causes of social exclusion and to provide comprehensive support to those in need. We subscribe to the person-centered approach, believing empathy, congruence and unconditional positive regard will create the necessary conditions for the actualisation of the individual.

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BENCH OUTREACH

(A company limited by guarantee)

Needs in the local community

Situated in the heart of Deptford in North Lewisham, Bench Outreach is surrounded by seven 'Lower Layer Super Output Areas' (LSOA) in the 2nd decile of deprivation as measured by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities. LSOAs are a geographic hierarchy designed to improve the reporting of small area statistics in England and Wales and report on seven domains:

Levels of deprivation currently experienced in Lewisham and surrounding areas contribute to multiple and interlocking exclusion. Inequality is the over-arching cause of need. Etched into the fabric of the community is the impact of a decade of austerity preceded by many years of underinvestment and neglect.

For people in work, salaries are below the UK average. A paucity of employment opportunities, and a reliance on poorly paid "gig economy" jobs, negatively impacts income levels. This is evident across the spectrum, from the ubiquitous fast food delivery rider to the development of a “precariat” – short-term contract workers – among teaching staff in our local university. Reductions in Universal Credit have plunged people who cannot find work and are reliant on benefits into poverty – this before the cost-of-living crisis. We have the highest proportion of working-age residents in London on out-of-work benefits at 14.9%, child poverty rates at 33% and reliance on food banks increasing by 60% annually for unemployed and employed alike.

According to the Department for Communities and Local Government’s 2019 Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD), the borough is ranked as the 63rd most deprived local authority out of 326. This means Lewisham is within the 20% most deprived Local Authorities in England and 7th most deprived borough in London.

The link between poverty and ill-health, particularly mental ill-health, is well established and Lewisham residents are more likely to have a long-term mental health problem than the London or England average. Mental health issues contribute to increased substance abuse and the area has higher than average heroin use, with crack cocaine use double the national average. Premature mortality is higher than the national average, with physical health impacted by low income, poor diet, and lack of engagement with health services.

Increased substance abuse is correlated with higher levels of street crime and violence. The borough of Lewisham has the fourth-highest rate of domestic violence in London.

While the area scores better in education, skills and training, the local further education college has experienced swinging cuts in recent years and has been forced to reduce the number and quality of courses available. Educational achievement is lower in Lewisham than the national average, with 40.9% of 19-year-olds without a level 3 qualification. Almost half the population, 48.5% is black or minority ethnic with large numbers of first-generation migrants. There are over 170 mother tongue languages spoken by pupils in Lewisham schools, and education provision does not reflect the opportunities this diversity presents with a reduction in ESOL provision across the borough.

Nowhere is exclusion better observed than in the housing market. Mean property rental costs in Lewisham are £1,611 compared with the national average of £1,238. Properties in Lewisham costs on average £435,000, or nearly 18 times the average income. The area has

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BENCH OUTREACH

(A company limited by guarantee)

the 12th highest homelessness rate in England.

The local authority, which has seen its budget reduced by around 60% since 2010 can no longer invest as much in local organisations engaged in community development, with the burden to provide a vibrant cultural life falling on the charitable and faith sectors.

Highlights of the year - impactful Services and activities

Throughout the year, Bench Outreach has been a beacon of hope for over 1,000 individuals, delivering vital services such as Access to Housing and Benefits, specialising in working with those who are insecurely housed or need support to navigate the welfare and benefits system. Bench Outreach adopts an integrated approach to tackling the inequality affecting our clients, offering signposting, advice, advocacy, housing, tenancy sustainment support, and help to combat food and fuel poverty.

Our core service - Access to Housing and Benefits service – helps people obtain their housing and benefit entitlements. Austerity has created a hostile environment for people relying on the welfare system as a safety net. Through our advisers, people who are homeless or vulnerably housed, living in poverty, and struggling to deal with the demands of housing providers or the social welfare system, receive a range of support from signposting right through to advocacy at tribunal or court level. This service now operates at four locations in Lewisham and Greenwich. Access to Housing and Benefits service assisted over 1,000 clients and this was made possible with the expansion of our satellite services in the most deprived areas in the borough thus extending our reach and delivery in securing permanent accommodation and attending PIP (Personal Independent Payment) tribunals with an incredible success rate, helping clients maximise their income in defense to the ongoing financial cost of living crisis.

Bench Housing First - a project over the last 10 years, has established itself as one of the organisation’s pioneering client-led homelessness solutions in partnership with the local authority. Bench Housing First helps people with histories of rough sleeping, living in hostels, or with multiple experiences of imprisonment to live independently. Started in 2014, this project has established the Housing First approach as an effective housing solution for homeless people in the London Borough of Lewisham. It is based on the principle that housing is a basic human right. Placing people in their own independent accommodation and providing them with the support they need to keep it, breaks the cycle of homelessness and exclusion. This service has been recommissioned by Lewisham Council until March 2025.

Including our ongoing work with ex-offenders, our practical support work enables the most vulnerable to sustain their accommodation and empowers those most marginalized to live more fulfilling lives. Supporting over 30 clients into permanent tenancies over the course of the year, the Bench Housing First project saw a 15% increase in successful placements, providing stable housing for individuals with complex needs.

These initiatives have not only offered immediate assistance but have also empowered individuals to reclaim their independence and dignity.

The Evening Service - our oldest service and a partnership with the Bear Church in Deptford, addresses food poverty and serves as an entry point for people to engage with our other services or those of our partner organisations. Operating thirty-six nights a year and mainly delivered by volunteers, it offers people from different circumstances and backgrounds the opportunity to meet and get to know each other, breaking down barriers and stimulating community cohesion.

Clyde School - With our existing partnerships in one of our satellites based in The Clyde school in Deptford we were also able to support 10 of the most underprivileged young children and their families obtain school uniforms. This type of support is at the core of what we do as we work relentlessly to bridge

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BENCH OUTREACH

(A company limited by guarantee)

poverty gaps and support those most in need.

Community Impact - the impact of our work extends beyond numbers and statistics. It is measured in the lives transformed, as our "I see you" approach reinforces clients' positive regard for self, thus strengthening our communities. Through our collaborative efforts, we have seen individuals overcome adversity, rebuild their lives, and become agents of change in their communities.

Partnerships and collaborations

Our strategic collaborations with local authorities, third-sector organisations, and community partners have been instrumental in amplifying our impact and reach. Together, we have harnessed collective resources and expertise to advocate for systemic change, expand service provisions, and ensure equitable access to support services for our community members .

Alongside our statutory partner, the London Borough of Lewisham, we enjoy the support of many third-sector colleagues, locally and nationally. Through our participation in Lewisham and Greenwich Homelessness Forums and our input into Lewisham’s Vulnerable Adult’s Pathway Planning Group and the Rough Sleepers’ Task and Targeting Group, we maintain relationships with several housing providers and local and national charities including Lewisham Homes, Dinardo, L&Q, Phoenix Community Housing, LRMN, 2000 CAC, Deptford Reach, the Jericho Road Project, SHP, St Mungo’s, Greenwich Winter Night Shelter, and Reach.

The charity is also grateful to all the local faith communities who help our clients, especially the Bear Church in Deptford and Kings Church in Catford.

Expansion of Partnership with the 999 Club - we are excited to announce the expansion of our partnership with the 999 Club to provide holistic support to individuals experiencing housing insecurity. Our collaborative efforts will involve seamless integration of services, with the 999 Club providing initial support and referrals to our advocacy and support services. Together, we will create a supportive ecosystem that addresses the multifaceted needs of our community members, promoting long-term stability and well-being.

Single Homeless Accommodation Program (SHAP) - new projects in the pipeline will see Bench work alongside our long-term partners in the borough of Lewisham to provide the support and property management to 10 vulnerable high complex need clients. This initiative Single Homeless Accommodation Program (SHAP) will deliver support to address gaps in homelessness pathway provision and will be the first of its kind in the London Borough of Lewisham.

Recent Staff Changes and Adaptations

In response to recent staff changes, Bench Outreach has undergone a period of adaptation and revaluation. While transitions can be challenging, they have also provided an opportunity for growth and renewal within our organisation. This has allowed us to become more agile and responsive to emerging needs. We have taken proactive steps to ensure a strong continuity of service delivery, including redefining roles, identifying key roles within the organisation, and ensuring the ongoing development of our succession plan. This proactive approach helps mitigate the impact of unexpected departures.

Employee wellbeing has been a key focus. We recognize the potential impact of staff changes on morale and wellbeing and we have offered support such as reflective practice, counselling, and enhanced training programs, thus fostering a supportive work environment for our dedicated team.

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BENCH OUTREACH

(A company limited by guarantee)

Risk Assessment

The trustees conduct an annual review of its controls and review the major risks that the charity faces on a regular basis. As with many small charities in the current climate, we believe that the major risk is if insufficient funds are raised to meet our planned expenditure. This year, unlike previous years, the organisation has not been successful in fully funding the Housing First project, raising 66% and 48% of the ACCESS project, and would thus need to double down on fundraising to meet the level of previous years. The trustees have looked at new/other funding sources to meet the projects’ needs amidst the challenges and thus sustain a continuous funding process of the projects.

The charity’s biggest assets are its strong reputation, agility, and responsiveness, with the ability to be innovative and collaborate with others - this positions the charity well to adapt its strategy to attract new funding that will resonates with funders who are fuller aware of the kind of emerging needs that this charity has the reputation to address with great success.

Financial Review

The cost-of-living crisis, government cuts and the looming economic recession made raising funds difficult for charities and we were not an exception in this regard. With rising bills, falling real income value, and uncertainties due to fluctuating government policies, donors and funders were constrained to review their prior giving levels. This brought significant financial challenges, particularly with cash flow as guaranteed grants and donations began to fall through. Despite these challenges, it was another year of growth for Bench Outreach with a total staff count of 20 (19 in 2022). Expenditure increased by 5.7% to £707,311 (2022 £668,870), though income dropped by 16.6% to £524,898 (2022 £626,259). There was also a decrease in unrestricted donations by 39% to £103,881 (2022 £169,595). However, unrestricted reserves at the end of the year stood at £174,783 (2022 £171,798).

Bench Housing First has continued to enjoy being a commissioned service (which began in April 2020) within the London Borough of Lewisham and the contract was renewed in 2021. This project also received a four-year grant, awarded in October 2020 by Henry Smith Charity, which includes the salary of a specialist women’s worker.

In 2022, the Henry Smith Charity also awarded the ACCESS project a three-year grant.

We have retained the continuous support of most of our major funders.

Reserves Policy

The trustees have considered the level of reserves they wish to retain appropriate to the charity's needs, based on the charity's size and the level of financial commitment. We consider this to be unrestricted funds equivalent to a minimum of three months' total expenditure and a maximum of twelve months' total expenditure. This should enable the trustees to ensure that the charity will be able to continue to fulfill its charitable objectives even if there is a temporary shortfall in income or additional unexpected expenditure. The trustees will endeavour not to set aside funds unnecessarily.

Future and commitments

As we look to the future, Bench Outreach remains committed to innovation, co-production, and delivering services with excellence. We are optimistic for the next phase of our journey as we continue to contribute towards the lives of the people we serve.

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BENCH OUTREACH

(A company limited by guarantee)

Bench Outreach remains steadfast in its commitment to enhancing service delivery and adapting to evolving community needs. We are dedicated to scaling up our supported housing capacity, expanding our Housing First initiatives, and innovating new solutions to address emerging challenges. Our goal is to foster an inclusive and supportive environment where every individual can thrive.

The numbers now approaching us for help indicate the need for our services to continue and to expand. Our plans include an increase to the capacity of Bench Supported Housing in partnership with Lewisham Council, and with J49 this will further establish Bench’s commitment to supporting the most complex clients in the Lewisham Borough, the expansion of our Housing First service to work with an additional new cohort with lower support needs , and the addition of another satellite service to our Access to Housing and benefits Team in one of the boroughs most deprived wards in Downham.

Like all small charities, the charity is experiencing increasing difficulty in procuring funding. As local authorities reduce funding, the pressure on grant-making trusts funding the third sector increases. To mitigate the impact of this tightening of the purse strings, we continue exploring and developing ways to promote client independence to create eco systems of support through coproduction and continued work to influence system change to enable a community that seeks to empower itself rather than the reliance of a revolving door of apathy and hand to mouth support. This will consolidate our funding base to allow us to continue to develop these novel approaches to help our clients overcome the disadvantages they face. For the first time since our foundation, we have employed a Sourcing and Grants Coordinator to work with our senior leadership team to create sustainable funding pipelines for our services and develop our core funding. We also plan to increase our income from individual donations and fundraising events.

Acknowledgements and Gratitude

The charity’s vision remains a world of equality, where people feel empowered, involved, and treasured. We are grateful for the continued support of our donors and partners, whose generosity has made our work possible. We continue to rely on the generosity of funders and are fortunate to have the support of several renowned grant-making trusts including the Henry Smith Charity, the Garfield Weston Foundation, the Leathersellers' Charity, the Drapers' Charitable Fund, the Tudor Trust, the Deptford Challenge Trust, the Lee Charity of William Hatcliffe, and the Big Lottery Fund. The Benefactor Trust, The Sackler Trust and Lewisham Local have all provided invaluable support to the work of Bench Outreach.

We are especially thankful to the Jessica Mathers Trust. This local charity has supported us for many years and makes much of what we do possible.

We extend our sincere appreciation to our funders, volunteers, staff, and stakeholders for their unwavering support and dedication. Their collective contributions have been instrumental in driving our success, and we are deeply grateful for their ongoing partnership and commitment to our shared mission.

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BENCH OUTREACH (A company limited by guarantee)

Trustees Responsibilities

In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the charity’s assets and taking reasonable steps to prevent or detect fraud and breaches of law and regulation.

So far as each of the trustees is aware, there is no relevant information that has not been disclosed to the charity’s examiner and each of the trustees believes that all steps have been taken to make them aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the examiner has been made aware of this information.

This report was approved by the Trustees, signed on behalf by:

P Chapman, Chair

Date: 26 March 2024

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BENCH OUTREACH (A company limited by guarantee)

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023

Notes
INCOME
Donations and Legacies
2
Income from Charitable Activities
3
Income from Investments
TOTAL INCOME
EXPENDITURE
Expenditure on Raising Funds
Expenditure on Charitable Activities
4
TOTAL EXPENDITURE
NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
Total Funds Brought Forward
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD		 Unrestricted
Restricted
TOTAL
TOTAL
Funds
Funds
2023
2022
£
£
£
£
70,875
221,017
291,892
296,768
30,797
200,000
230,797
331,885
2,209
-
2,209
606
103,881
421,017
524,898
629,259
604
-
604
257
100,292
606,415
706,707
668,613
100,896
606,415
707,311
668,870
2,985
(185,398)
(182,413)
(39,611)
171,798
217,413
389,211
428,822
174,783
32,015
206,798
389,211

Movements on all reserves and all recognised gains and losses are shown above. All of the organisation's operations are classed as continuing.

The notes on pages 11 to 18 form part of these financial statements.

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BENCH OUTREACH

(A company limited by guarantee)

BALANCE SHEET AS AT 30 JUNE 2023

Notes
Fixed Assets
Tangible Assets
5
Current Assets
Cash at Bank and in Hand
7
Debtors
8
Creditors:amounts falling due
within one year
9
Net Current Assets
Total Assets less Current Liabilities
Provisions for Liabilities
10
NET ASSETS
Funds of the Charity
General Funds
Restricted Funds
6b
TOTAL FUNDS		 Unrestricted
Restricted
TOTAL
TOTAL
Funds
Funds
2023
2022
£
£
£
£
-
97
97
734
165,336
4,927
170,263
332,620
10,341
73,612
83,953
101,842
175,677
78,539
254,216
434,462
(894)
(28,621)
(29,515)
(27,985)
174,783
49,918
224,701
406,477
174,783
50,015
224,798
407,211
-
(18,000)
(18,000)
(18,000)
174,783
32,015
206,798
389,211
174,783
-
174,783
171,798
-
32,015
32,015
217,413
174,783
32,015
206,798
389,211.00

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 ('the Act') relating to small companies, and with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice (FRS 102).

For the year ended 30 June 2023, the company was entitled to the exemption from audit under Section 477(2) of the Act. The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for this financial period in accordance with Section 476 of the Act.

The trustees acknowledge their responsibility for:

The financial statements on pages 9 to 18 were approved by the Trustees on 26 March 2023

and signed on their behalf by Trustee

P Chapman

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BENCH OUTREACH (A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023

1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Preparation

The charity is a public benefit entity.

The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis of accounting and in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice (FRS 102).

The charity has taken advantage of the exemption to prepare a statement of Cash Flows as per Update Bulletin 1 of the Charity SORP (FRS 102) February 2016.

Income

Recognition of Income

This is included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when:

Income with Related Expenditure

Where income has related expenditure (as with fundraising or contract income) the income and related expenditure are reported gross in the SOFA.

Grants and Donations

Grants and donations are included in the SOFA when the charity has entitlement to the income. Where a grant is awarded for use against expenditure over a specified period, only that proportion of the grant relating to the financial period is recognised in the SOFA.

Tax Reclaims on Donations and Gifts

Income from tax reclaims is included in the SOFA in the same financial period as the gift to which it relates.

Contractual Income and Performance Related Grants

This is only included in the SOFA once the related goods or services have been delivered.

Gifts in Kind

Gifts in kind are accounted for at the lower of a reasonable estimate of their value to the charity and the amount actually realised. Gifts in kind for sale are included as gifts on receipt at fair value. Gifts in kind for use by the charity are included in the SOFA as income when receivable.

Donated Services and Facilities

These are only included in income (with an equivalent amount in expenditure) where the benefit to the charity is reasonably quantifiable, measurable and material. The value placed on these resources is the estimated value to the charity of the service or facility received.

Volunteer Help

The value of any voluntary help received is not included in the accounts but is described in the Trustees' Annual Report.

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BENCH OUTREACH

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023

Investment Income

This is included in the accounts when receivable.

Expenditure and Liabilities

Liability Recognition

Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources.

Grants with Performance Conditions

Where the charity gives a grant with conditions for its payment being a specific level of service or output to be provided, such grants are only recognised in the SOFA once the recipient of the grant has provided the specified service or output.

Grants Payable without Performance Conditions

These are only recognised in the accounts when a commitment has been made and there are no conditions to be met relating to a grant which remain in the control of the charity.

Support Costs

Support costs include central functions and have been allocated to activity cost categories on a basis consistent with the use of the resources, eg allocating property costs by floor areas, or per capita, staff costs by the time spent and other costs by their usage.

Provisions for Liabilities

Provisions are recognised when the entity has an obligation at the reporting date as a result of a past event; it is probable that the entity will be required to transfer economic benefits in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be estimated reliably. Provisions are recognised as a liability in the statement of financial position and the amount of the provision as an expense.

Provisions are initially measured at the best estimate of the amount required to settle the obligation at the reporting date and subsequently reviewed at each reporting date and adjusted to reflect the current best estimate of the amount that would be required to settle the obligation. Any adjustments to the amounts previously recognised are recognised in profit or loss unless the provision was originally recognised as part of the cost of an asset.

Fixed Assets

These are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year, and cost at least £1,000. They are valued at cost or, if gifted, at the value to the charity on receipt.

Depreciation

Depreciation is calculated at a rate to write off the cost of tangible fixed assets on a straight line basis over their estimated useful lives. The rates applied per annum is as follows:

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BENCH OUTREACH (A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023

2 DONATIONS AND LEGACIES Unrestricted Restricted TOTAL TOTAL
Funds Funds 2023 2022
£ £ £ £
Donations and Legacies
Donations 70,875 221,017 291,892 296,768
70,875 221,017 291,892 296,768
See Note 6a regarding Donations for Unrestricted Funds of £70,875
See Note 6b regarding Donations for Restricted Funds of £221,017
3 INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES Unrestricted Restricted TOTAL TOTAL
Funds Funds 2023 2022
£ £ £ £
Contracts - 200,000 200,000 232,694
RB Greenwich - - - 64,344
Nyon Grove 30,797 - 30,797 34,847
30,797 200,000 230,797 331,885

See Note 6b regarding Contracts for Restricted Funds of £200,000

4 EXPENDITURE ON CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES EXPENDITURE ON CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES Unrestricted Restricted TOTAL TOTAL
Funds Funds 2023 2022
Notes £ £ £ £
Catering 111 481 592 2,481
Client Welfare 5,196 27,747 32,943 36,233
Depreciation - 637 637 832
Office Devices, Softwares & Accessories 158 637 795 4,729
Licences & Subscriptions 455 5,759 6,214 4,665
Postage, Printing & Stationery 555 1,457 2,012 1,305
Office Costs - 40,500 40,500 40,500
Nyon Grove - Client Accommodation 35,703 - 35,703 34,401
Professional Fees 45 41,640 41,685 36,895
Staff 11 51,693 458,685 510,378 478,427
Sundry Expenses 703 2,965 3,668 1,268
Telephone & Internet 2,123 12,583 14,706 13,883
Training 1,644 5,338 6,982 4,641
Travel & Subsistence 99 2,439 2,538 2,561
Volunteer Expenses 758 429 1,187 578
Bank Charges - 91 91 123
Insurance 10 649 3,427 4,076 3,591
Independent Examiner's Fees 400 1,600 2,000 1,500
100,292 606,415 706,707 668,613

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BENCH OUTREACH (A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023

5 TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
Fixtures & Office
Fittings Equipment TOTAL
£ £ £
Cost as at 1 July 2022 - 3,329 3,329
Additions - - -
Cost as at 30 June 2023 - 3,329 3,329
Depreciation as at 1 July 2022 - 2,595 2,595
Charge - 637 637
Depreciation as at 30 June 2023 - 3,232 3,232
Net Book Value as at 30 June 2022 - 734 734
Net Book Value as at 30 June 2023 - 97 97

The annual commitments under irrevocable operating leases and capital commitments are £Nil (2022 £Nil).

6a UNRESTRICTED FUNDS

Bear Church
Deptford Challenge Trust
Jessica Mathers Trust
Jubilee Resource Ltd
Leathersellers
Prendergast School
Rushey Green Time
Regular Individual Donations
Other Individual Donations
Albert Hunt Trust
Total		 Income
Income
2023
2022
£
£
1,800
1,875
15,396
20,000
24,000
24,000
1,500
1,500
10,000
10,000
-
875
-
1,000
9,579
9,543
1,600
1,005
7,000
-
70,875
69,798

Individual Donations include £3,000 donated by trustees (2022 £3,000).

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BENCH OUTREACH

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023

6b RESTRICTED FUNDS

RESTRICTED FUNDS RESTRICTED FUNDS
B/f

1 July
2022
Grant
£
Big Lottery
76,963
The Lee Charity of WH
-
Henry Smith
157,500
Henry Smith
-
Garfield Weston
-
The Mrs Smith & Mount Charit
-
Tudor Trust
950
Jessica Mathers Trust
-
Various small grants
-
Total Restricted Grants
235,413
Contracts
LB Lewisham
-
Lewisham Refugee & Migrant Network
Total Contracts
-
Total Restricted Funds
235,413		 Deferred
Deferred
Income
C/f
Income
Grants
2023
Income
Expenditure
30 June
2022 Receivable(Note 9)
2023
£
£
£
£
£
£
76,963
-
157,500
-
-
t
-
950
-
-		 -
20,417
-
-
5,000
-
-
90,000
-
-
50,000
(10,000)
13,333
20,000
(13,333)
-
5,000
-
-
-

-
-
40,500

-
-
100

-
 20,417

(97,380)
-

5,000

(5,000)
-

90,000

(201,235)
46,265

40,000
(40,000)
-

20,000
(20,000)
-

5,000
(1,250)
3,750

-
(950)
-
40,500
(40,500)
-
100

(100)
-
235,413 13,333
231,017
(23,333)		 221,017

(406,415)
50,015
-
Network		 -
200,000
-
-
-		 200,000

(200,000)
-
-

-
-
- -
200,000
-
 200,000
(200,000)
-
235,413 13,333
431,017
(23,333)		 421,017

(606,415)
50,015

Grants for specific purposes during the year were:-

Page 17

BENCH OUTREACH (A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023

6b RESTRICTED FUNDS (continued)

iv) A grant of £5,000 from The Lee Charity of W H towards the ACCESS service.

Contracts entered into during the year

7 CASH AT BANK AND IN HAND

CASH AT BANK AND IN HAND
Cash at Bank
Cash in Hand		 Unrestricted
Restricted
TOTAL
TOTAL
Funds
Funds
2023
2022
£
£
£
£
163,432
4,927
168,359
329,390
1,904
-
1,904
3,230
165,336
4,927
170,263
332,620

8 DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

Income Receivable
Tax Refund on Gift Aid
Prepayments		 Unrestricted
Restricted
TOTAL
TOTAL
Funds
Funds
2023
2022
£
£
£
£
7,991
72,500
80,491
98,074
1,572
-
1,572
1,572
778
1,112
1,890
2,196
10,341
73,612
83,953
101,842

Page 18

(A company limited by guarantee)

BENCH OUTREACH

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023

9 CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

Unrestricted Restricted TOTAL TOTAL
Funds Funds 2023 2022
£ £ £ £
Deferred Income - 23,333 23,333 13,333
Sundry Creditors and Accruals 894 5,288 6,182 14,652
894 28,621 29,515 27,985

See Note 6b regarding Deferred Income for Restricted Funds of £23,333.

10 PROVISIONS FOR LIABILITIES

As at June 2022
Charge to Insurance Expenditure
As at 30 June 2023		 Restricted
Funds
£
18,000
-
18,000

The provision is for the estimated cost of additional professional indemnity insurance required by LB Lewisham for the twelve years following the expiry of their contract.

11 STAFF COSTS AND NUMBERS

Gross Wages and Salaries
Employer's National Insurance Costs
Pension Costs		 2023
£
459,745
36,670
13,963
510,378		 2022
£
433,495
32,220
12,712
478,427

Employees who were engaged in furtherance of the charity's objectives:

2023 2022
20 19

No employee received emoluments in excess of £60,000.

Page 1 �

BENCH OUTREACH (A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023

12 TAXATION

The charitable company is a registered charity and is generally exempt from income tax and capital gains tax. Irrecoverable VAT is included in the cost of those items to which it relates.

13 PAYMENTS TO TRUSTEES AND RELATED PARTIES

No payments were made to Trustees or any persons connected with them during this financial period. No other material transaction took place between the organisation and a trustee or any person connected with them.

Page 20

BENCH OUTREACH

(A company limited by guarantee)

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT ON THE ACCOUNTS

Report to the Trustees of Bench Outreach on the accounts for the year ended 30 June 2023 set out on pages 9 to 18.

This report is made solely to the Trustees in accordance with Section 154 of the Charities Act 2011. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the charity's Trustees those matters I am required to state to them in an independent examiner's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity's Trustees for my examination work, for this report, or for the opinions I have formed.

Respective responsibilities of Trustees and examiner

The charity's Trustees (who are also directors of the company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's Trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under Section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Act), and that an independent examination is needed. The charity’s total income exceeds £250,000 and I am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

Having been satisfied that the charity is not subject to audit under company law and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to:

Basis of independent examiner's statement

My examination was carried out in accordance with General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the Trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an opinion as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair' view and my report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner's statement

In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

or

Dominique Wells FCA Chartered Accountant 10 Lakeswood Road Petts Wood Kent BR5 1BJ

Date: 26 March 2023

Page 21