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← Bench Outreach

2024-06-30-accounts

ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED

30 JUNE 2024

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 9 Report of the Trustees
Page 10 Statement of Financial Activities
Page 11 Balance Sheet
Pages 12to 19 Notes to the Financial Statements
Page 20 Independent Examiner's Report

BENCH OUTREACH

(A company limited by guarantee)

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

CHARITY NUMBER

CHARITY NUMBER 1077933 COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER 3751509 DATE OF INCORPORATION 13 April 1999 START OF FINANCIAL YEAR 1 July 2023 END OF FINANCIAL YEAR 30 June 2024 DIRECTORS AT 30 JUNE 2024 Paul Chapman (Chair) Errol Chambers Sabrina Pathan (Resigned November 2024) Philippe Granger

CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Belinda Wallace

GOVERNING DOCUMENTS

Memorandum & Articles of Association, incorporated 13 April 1999 Articles of Association updated 16 November 2015

OBJECTS

REGISTERED ADDRESS

BANKERS

14 New King Street Deptford INDEPENDENT London SE8 3HS EXAMINER

HSBC Bank Plc 85 Lewisham High Street London SE13 6BE

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

Page 3

BENCH OUTREACH

(A company limited by guarantee)

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024

The trustees, who are also the directors of the charity for the purposes of Company Law, present their report together with the financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2024.

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 Accounting and Reporting By Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) applicable to charities preparing accounts under the Financial Reporting Standard applicable Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015) and the Charity’s governing.

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, and later amended by a special resolution on 16 November 2015.

The Board of Trustees meets 4 to 6 times per year and is responsible for ensuring good governance, strategic oversight, and annual budget approval. The CEO and Finance Manager attend all Board meetings to provide operational and financial updates.

Trustee Recruitment & Induction:

New trustees are appointed by the existing trustees, with careful consideration given to ensuring a diverse range of skills, experience, and perspectives.

Prospective trustees:

This process ensures that trustees are well-equipped to contribute effectively to the governance and strategic direction of Bench Outreach.

Vision and Mission

At Bench Outreach, we envision a society where homelessness, hunger, inequality, and exclusion are rare exceptions rather than inevitable realities. Our mission is to create a world where every individual— regardless of their background, identity, or circumstances—has the resources and support necessary to live with dignity, stability, and purpose.

Intersectionality is at the core of our approach. We recognize that challenges such as homelessness and poverty are not isolated issues but are often compounded by overlapping factors—such as race, gender, disability, mental health, and economic inequality. Effective solutions must address these complexities head-on, providing tailored support that acknowledges and responds to these intersecting realities.

Page 4

BENCH OUTREACH

(A company limited by guarantee)

Our commitment to intersectionality drives us to:

Our guiding principles:

Bench Outreach is dedicated to amplifying the voices of those impacted by systemic injustice, ensuring that their lived experiences inform policy, community support frameworks, and advocacy efforts. By prioritizing intersectionality in all that we do, we aim to build a future where equity and opportunity are not aspirations—they are realities.

Highlights of the Year: Transformative Services and Activities

Bench Outreach has been a beacon of hope for over 1,000 individuals this year, delivering vital services that empower those facing homelessness and financial insecurity. With a focus on an integrated approach to addressing inequality, our key achievements include:

Access to Housing and Benefits Service

Bench Housing First Project

Support for Young Families

Community Impact

Partnerships and Collaborations

Bench Outreach’s strategic partnerships have been pivotal in amplifying impact and fostering systemic change. Collaborations this year included:

Page 5

BENCH OUTREACH

(A company limited by guarantee)

Recent Staff Changes and Adaptations

The sudden loss of our former CEO marked a significant challenge. However, proactive measures ensured service continuity and organizational resilience:

The Access Project

Bench Outreach’s Access Team provides tailored advocacy and support:

Housing First Project

Since 2014, Bench Outreach has championed Housing First:

Public Benefit

Bench Outreach benefits the public through impactful initiatives:

Financial and Strategic Overview

Economic instability, government funding cuts, the need to adapt to new technology, and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis have posed challenges for Bench Outreach’s fundraising efforts, as is the case across the charity sector. However, with continued determination, we have maintained our commitment to service expansion and delivery, achieving growth in staff capacity and outreach through targeted developmental training.

For the financial year ending 30 June 2024, Bench Outreach saw an income increase of 5.6% to £554,302 (2023: £524,898), while expenditure decreased by 16.9% to £587,531 (2023: £707,311). Although there is an overall deficit of £33,229, this is significantly smaller than the previous year (2023: £182,413), reaffirming the charity’s prudent financial management. Unrestricted reserves stood at £182,569, reflecting a 4.5% increase compared to the previous year’s reserves of £174,783. This level of reserves equates to 4.64 months of operating costs, providing a secure financial cushion to manage unforeseen circumstances and invest in future initiatives.

Key Achievements and Developments

Page 6

BENCH OUTREACH

(A company limited by guarantee)

Bench Outreach continues to build on the success of its Women’s Housing First service, with plans to strengthen and establish Women’s Health and Specialist Services. The organisation is actively seeking funding to pioneer an initiative supporting women affected by homelessness, menopause, and mental health challenges.

Additionally, Bench Outreach has partnered with Lewisham Council on the Housing First Partnership Initiative, identifying and housing 10 of the most entrenched rough sleepers in the borough.

Looking ahead, Bench Outreach remains committed to strengthening its financial position by exploring new funding opportunities and enhancing cost-effectiveness. The trustees remain confident in the charity’s ability to fulfil its mission while maintaining sound stewardship.

Risk Assessment and Reserves Policy

Trustees identified funding shortfalls as the primary risk and mitigated challenges through:

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. 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.

The level of reserves we wish to retain are 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 Plans and Commitments

Looking ahead, Bench Outreach remains committed to deepening our impact and strengthening the support we offer to some of the most marginalised members of our community. Our strategic priorities over the coming year and beyond include the following key areas:

Expanding the Housing First Partnership Initiative.

We aim to broaden the reach and capacity of our Housing First model, working in close collaboration with local authorities and sector partners to ensure that individuals facing chronic homelessness are provided with stable, permanent housing and wraparound support. This expansion will include a greater focus on integrating mental health, substance misuse, and trauma-informed care into personalised support plans.

Page 7

BENCH OUTREACH

(A company limited by guarantee)

Growing the Access to Housing and Benefits service.

As housing insecurity and economic hardship continue to affect many across our borough, we will strengthen and scale up our frontline services that assist individuals in navigating complex housing systems and securing the benefits to which they are entitled. This includes widening our outreach, increasing appointment availability, and providing targeted advocacy for those most at risk of eviction or destitution.

Developing women’s health services with a focus on intersectionality.

Building on the success and momentum of our Shades of Wellness programme, we are committed to expanding culturally competent, trauma-informed support for women—particularly women of colour—who face multiple barriers to accessing care. Our future plans involve creating a sustainable model of women’s health provision that responds to intersecting challenges such as menopause, mental health, housing insecurity, and systemic discrimination.

Implementing a five-year financial sustainability plan.

In response to a changing funding landscape and increased demand for our services, Bench Outreach will implement a long-term financial strategy designed to build resilience and ensure continued delivery of high-impact programmes. This plan includes diversifying income streams, strengthening grant management, and developing new strategic partnerships to secure multi-year funding.

Together, these priorities reflect our ongoing commitment to holistic, person-centred support and our belief that everyone—regardless of circumstance—deserves safety, dignity, and hope for the future.

Acknowledgments

The Trustees of Bench Outreach would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has contributed to our work over the past year. We are deeply grateful to our dedicated staff, volunteers, and peer mentors whose commitment and compassion continue to drive meaningful change in the lives of those we support. We also wish to acknowledge our funders, partners, and local authority colleagues for their ongoing trust and collaboration. Special thanks go to those with lived experience who have shared their voices and shaped the direction of our services—your insight remains central to all we do. We are honoured to stand alongside others working toward housing justice, equity, and community well-being—change is always a collective act. Together, we are building a more just, inclusive, and supportive community.

Page 8

BENCH OUTREACH (A cornpany limited by guarantse) Trustees Rosponsibilities In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees a￿ required to.. select suitable accounb'ng policies and then apply Ihem consistently. observe the methods and principles of the Charities SORP, make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent. slate whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements. prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in operation. The Truslees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose wllh reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of th8 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 of18w 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 thal 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 infomiation. This report reflects the achievements, challenges, and commitments of the charity during the year ending 30 June 2024, while outlining the vision for the future. This re approved by the Trustees, Signed on behalf of the Board of Trustees: Paul Chapman Chair Date.. 26 March 2025 Page 9

BENCH OUTREACH

(A company limited by guarantee)

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024

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
2024
2023
£
£
£
£
50,982
322,012
372,994
291,892
18,258
162,250
180,508
230,797
800
-
800
2,209
70,040
484,262
554,302
524,898
-
-
-
604
62,254
525,277
587,531
706,707
62,254
525,277
587,531
707,311
7,786
(41,015)
(33,229)
(182,413)
174,783
32,015
206,798
389,211
182,569
(9,000)
173,569
206,798

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 12 to 19 form part of these financial statements.

Page 10

BENCH OUTREACH (A company Ilmlted by guarantee) BALANCE SHEET AS AT 30 JUNE 2024 Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds TOTAL 2024 TOTAL 2023 Notes Fixed Assets Tangible Assets 1,138 1,138 97 Current Assets Cash at Bank and in Hand 179,792 (66.344) 113.448 170,263 Debtors 3,194 114,938 118,132 83,953 182,986 48,595 231,581 254,216 Creditors: amounts lalling Jue within one year (417) (40,733) (41,149) (29.515) Net Current Assets 182,569 7.862 190,431 224,701 Total Assets less Current Liabilltles 182,569 9,000 191,669 224,798 Provisions for Liabilities 10 {18,000) (18,000 118,0001 NET ASSETS 182,569 9,000 173,569 206,798 Funds of the Charlty General Funds 182,569 182.569 174,783 Restricled Funds 6b (9,000) (9,000) 32,015 TOTAL FUNDS 182,669 9,000 173,569 206,798 Thèse fin8ncial statements have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 ('the Acr) relating to small companiès, and with Accounting and Reporting by Charities.. Statement of Recommended Practice IFRS 102). For the year ended 30 June 2024, the company was entitled to the exemption from audit under Section 47712) of the Act. The members have not required the company to obtsin an audit of its accounts for this financial period in accordance with Section 476 of the Act. The trustees acknowledge their responsibility for., ensuring the company ke8ps accounting records which comply with Section 386; and preparing accounts that give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company as al the end of the financial year, and of its net incoming resources for the financial year, in accordance with the requirement5 of Section 393, and otherwise comply with the requirements of the Act relating to accounts, insofar as ttrEy are applicable to the company. The financial Statements on pages 9 to 19 were approved by th8 Trustees on 26 March 2024 and signed on their behalf by Trustee P Chapman Page 11

BENCH OUTREACH

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024

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.

Page 12

(A company limited by guarantee)

BENCH OUTREACH

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024

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:

l Fixtures and Fittings 25% l Office Equipment 25%

Page 13

BENCH OUTREACH

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024

2 DONATIONS AND LEGACIES Unrestricted Restricted TOTAL TOTAL
Funds Funds 2024 2023
£ £ £ £
Donations and Legacies
Donations 50,982 322,012 372,994 291,892
50,982 322,012 372,994 291,892
3 See Note 6a regarding Donations for Unrestricted Funds of £50,982
See Note 6b regarding Donations for Restricted Funds of £342,868.
INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
Unrestricted
Restricted
Funds
Funds
£
£
Contracts
-
162,250
Nyon Grove
18,258
-		 TOTAL
2024
£
162,250
18,258		 TOTAL
2023
£
200,000
30,797
18,258 162,250 180,508 230,797

See Note 6b regarding Contracts for Restricted Funds of £162,250

4 EXPENDITURE ON CHARITABLE ACTIVITIE EXPENDITURE ON CHARITABLE ACTIVITIE Unrestricted
Restricted
TOTAL
TOTAL
Catering Notes Funds
Funds
2024
2023
£
£
£
£
-
854
854
592
Client Welfare 948
20,919
21,867
32,943
Depreciation -
180
180
637
Office Devices, Softwares & Accessories -
648
648
795
Licences & Subscriptions -
4,119
4,119
6,214
Postage, Printing & Stationery -
646
646
2,012
Office Costs -
40,500
40,500
40,500
Nyon Grove - Client Accommodation 27,527
722
28,249
35,703
Professional Fees 69
24,340
24,409
41,685
Staff 11 31,539
402,052
433,591
510,378
Sundry Expenses 1,090
2,126
3,216
3,668
Telephone & Internet 530
16,356
16,886
14,706
Training -
1,718
1,718
6,982
Travel & Subsistence -
3,500
3,500
2,538
Volunteer Expenses -
689
689
1,187
Bank Charges -
101
101
91
Insurance 10 151
4,207
4,358
4,076
Independent Examiner's Fees 400
1,600
2,000
2,000
62,254
525,277
587,531
706,707

Page 14

BENCH OUTREACH

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024

5 TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

Cost as at 1 July 2023
Additions
Cost as at 30 June 2024
Depreciation as at 1 July 2023
Charge
Depreciation as at 30 June 2024
Net Book Value as at 30 June 2023
Net Book Value as at 30 June 2024		 Fixtures &
Office
Fittings Equipment
£
£
-
3,329
-
1,222
-
4,551
-
3,232
-
181
-
3,413
-
97
-
1,138		 TOTAL
£
3,329
1,222
4,551
3,232
181
3,413
97
1,138

The annual commitments under irrevocable operating leases and capital commitments are £Nil (2023 £Nil).

6a UNRESTRICTED FUNDS

Bear Church
Deptford Challenge Trust
Jessica Mathers Trust
Jubilee Resource Ltd
Leathersellers
Rushey Green Time
Regular Individual Donations
Other Individual Donations
Albert Hunt Trust
Total		 Income
2024
£
1,800
-
24,000
1,500
10,000
2,000
9,169
2,513
-
50,982		 Income
2023
£
1,800
15,396
24,000
1,500
10,000
-
9,579
1,600
7,000
70,875

Individual Donations include £2,400 donated by trustees (2023 £3,000).

Page 15

BENCH OUTREACH

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024

6b RESTRICTED FUNDS

Grant
Big Lottery
Henry Smith
Henry Smith
Garfield Weston
Big Lottery
The Mrs Smith & Mount Charity
The Sackler Trust
The Benefact Trust
City Bridge Trust
Rushey Green Time
Jessica Mathers Trust
Various small grants
Total Restricted Grants
Contracts
LB Lewisham
Lewisham Refugee & Migrant Network
Total Contracts
Total Restricted Funds		 B/f
1 July
2023
£
-
46,265
-
-
-
3,750
-
-
-
-
-
-
50,015
-
-
50,015		 Deferred
Deferred
Income
C/f
Income
Grants
2024
Income
Expenditure
30 June
2023 Receivable
(Note 9)
2024
£
£
£
£
£
£
-
66,414
-
66,414
(66,414)
-
-
90,000
-
90,000
(127,265)
9,000
10,000
30,000
-
40,000
(40,000)
-
13,333
-
-
13,333
(13,333)
-
-
19,600
(17,967)
1,633
(1,633)
-
-
-
-
-
(3,750)
-
-
20,000
-
20,000
(20,000)
-
-
15,333
(7,667)
7,667
(7,667)
-
-
34,664
(2,889)
31,775
(31,775)
-
-
9,600
-
9,600
(9,600)
-
-
40,500
-
40,500
(40,500)
-
-
1,090
-
1,090
(1,090)
-
23,333
327,201
(28,523)
322,012
(363,027)
9,000
-
162,250
-
162,250
(162,250)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
162,250
-
162,250
(162,250)
-
23,333
489,451
(28,523)
484,262
(525,277)
9,000

Grants for specific purposes during the year were:-

1) A grant of £86,014 from the Big Lottery Fund towards the Housing First and Access projects.

2) A grant of £34,664 from City Bridge Trust towards Outreach Access services, part of a £184,353 grant over five years.

Page 16

BENCH OUTREACH (A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024

6b RESTRICTED FUNDS (continued)

iv) A grant of £15,333 from The Benefact Trust towards the HF project (part of a £46,000 grant over three years)

Contracts entered into during the year

7 CASH AT BANK AND IN HAND

Cash at Bank
Cash in Hand		 Unrestricted
Restricted
TOTAL
TOTAL
Funds
Funds
2024
2023
£
£
£
£
176,313
(66,344)
109,969
168,359
3,480
-
3,480
1,904
179,792
(66,344)
113,449
170,263

8 DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

Income Receivable
Tax Refund on Gift Aid
Prepayments		 Unrestricted
Restricted
TOTAL
TOTAL
Funds
Funds
2024
2023
£
£
£
£
625
113,750
114,375
80,491
1,572
-
1,572
1,572
997
1,188
2,185
1,890
3,194
114,938
118,132
83,953

Page 17

BENCH OUTREACH (A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024

9 CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

Unrestricted Restricted TOTAL TOTAL
Funds Funds 2024 2023
£ £ £ £
Deferred Income - 28,523 28,523 23,333
Sundry Creditors and Accruals 417 12,210 12,627 6,182
417 40,733 41,150 29,515

See Note 6b regarding Deferred Income for Restricted Funds of £28,523.

10 PROVISIONS FOR LIABILITIES

As at June 2023
Charge to Insurance Expenditure
As at 30 June 2024		 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		 2024
£
391,662
29,959
11,970
433,591		 2023
£
459,745
36,670
13,963
510,378

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

2024 2023
16 20

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

Page 18

BENCH OUTREACH (A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024

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 19

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 anded 30 June 2024 s•t on pages 10 to 19. This report is made solely to ihe Trustees in accordance with Section 154 of the Charities Act 2011. My work has be8n undertaken so that I might state to the charity's Trustees those matters l am required to state to them in an independent examiners 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 exam•n8ts'on Work, for this report, or for the opinions I have fomed. Respectlve rnspon8lbllltl•s of Truste0$ and examlner The charity's Trustees (who are also directors of the company for th8 purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The chanty'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 l am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified m8mb8r of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Engl8nd and Wales. Having been satisfied that the charity is not subject to audit under company law and 18 eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to.. examine the accounts (under Section 145 of the Act), to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commisslon (under Section 145(51(bl of the Act), and lo state whether particular matters have come to my attention. B•sl8 of Independ•nl examlnerfs statement My examination was carrled out In accordance with General Directions given by the Charity Commis3ion. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the account8 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 cons8qU8ntly 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 ihe st8tement below. Independent examlnefs Statement In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention.. which givas me raasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the Trustees have not met tha requirements to show that". accounting records are kept {in accordance with Section 130 of the Charities Act 2011), and accounts are prepared which agree with the accounting records and comply with th8 accounting requirements of the Companies Act 2006, the Charities Act 2011 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice (FRS 102) or to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be roached. Dominique Wells FCA Chartered Accountant 10 Lake5wood Road Petts Wood Kent BR5 1 BJ Date: 26 March 2025 Page 20