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2023-03-31-accounts

Company Registration Number 03965369 Charity Registration Number 1082166

BOLTON CARERS SUPPORT

Trustees' Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 March 2023

BOLTON CARERS SUPPORT

Trustees' Report and Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 March 2023

CONTENTS Page
Report of the Directors and Trustees 2
1
Reference and administrative details		 3
2
Message from the Chair		 4
3
Structure, governance and management		 6
4
Objectives and activities		 7
5
Achievements and performance		 8
6
Financial review		 15
7
Trustees' responsibilities		 16
Independent Examiner’s Report 18
Statement of Financial Activities 19
Balance Sheet 20
Statement of Cash Flows 21
Notes to the Financial Statements 22

Page 1

BOLTON CARERS SUPPORT

Trustees' Report and Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 March 2023

A carer is someone who supports a family member, a relative or a friend who cannot manage on his or her own because of illness, disability, addiction or old age.

There are 5.7 million carers in the UK. This means that around 9% of people are providing unpaid care.

According to the 2021 Census, there are 25,980 carers in Bolton. Of these, 8,601 carers provide 50 hours or more care each week.

Unpaid carers in England and Wales contribute a staggering £445 million to the economy every day – that’s £162 billion per year (Petrillo and Bennett, 2023). The value of unpaid care is equivalent to a second NHS in England and Wales, which in 2020/21 received an estimated £164 billion in funding (Petrillo and Bennett, 2023).

Bolton Carers Support identifies hidden carers and provides information on local services, as well as offering a listening ear and emotional support, opportunities for a short break, courses on a range of topics, and benefits advice to help carers maximise their income.

Page 2

BOLTON CARERS SUPPORT

Trustees' Report

For the year ended 31 March 2023

Directors' Report for the purposes of section 417 of the Companies Act 2006 and Trustees' Report for the purposes of part 8 of the Charities Act 2011

The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2023. The Trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) “Accounting and Reporting by Charities” (FRS 102) in preparing the annual report and financial statements of the charity.

1 REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Charity Name: Bolton Carers Support
Charity Registration: 1082166
Company Registration: 03965369
Registered Office: Thicketford Centre
Thicketford Road
Tonge Moor
Bolton
Greater Manchester
BL2 2LW
Trustees: David Ruane Chair
Sue Foster Vice Chair
Simon Thompson Honorary Treasurer
Enid Brooks
Harendra Purshotam Mistry
Frances Ayleen Benischke
Caroline Hilton
Tracy Lee
Elizabeth Pickles resigned 24 November 2022
Ian Bury appointed 21 April 2022 ; resigned 16 August 2023
Ann Lowton appointed 24 October 2022 ; resigned 28 March 2023
Company Secretary: Georgette Kay
Bankers: Santander UK PLC
Briddle Road
Merseyside
L30 4GB
Independent Examiner: Mr Michael Garrett FCA
Kay Johnson Gee Limited
100 Barbirolli Square
Manchester
M2 3BD

We would like to express our thanks to trustees Elizabeth Pickles, Ian Bury and Ann Lowton, who stepped down from their committee roles during this reporting period.

Page 3

BOLTON CARERS SUPPORT Trustees, Report Forthe year ended 31 March 2023 MESSAGE FROMTHE CHAIR Once agaln the last twelve months at Btsltcn Carers Supp)rt has been thèllengln& eventful afid rewardln8 In equal measure, At the turn of ih? year we were dellghted and extremdy proud to be Jwarded the Boltsn au811ty Mark after a serie¥ of audlts and scruuny on our policle4 PrO￿dureS rnanagememt SVSteffl5 by an external IndÈpendent a8pn¢y. Thi5 award Is testament lo the hard worK dedlcatlon and commltrnent to stsff and volunEeer5 Past and pre5errt that have bullt a system Jf mbust and compfiant polide5 and pro¢edures. that not onty help to beneflt our unpald ¢èrers but èlso Inst115 cDnfideTr￿ lrt funders and str•te8k partners. As a result ol last yeaes Queens Award for Voluntary SeM¢e Award ￿ were also Very proud to be ab￿ to send two ¢f our hard worklng management commlttpe trustees. AWeEn and Harry down to BuEktn¥ham Pala￿ to ropreseni our or¥3n15at5on tthe Royal fjèrden Party thatwas hosted by the Prtneo and Pdncess of Wales, and happlty they fflana8ed to h4ve a ceuple of mlnutes wlth the Pdncess of W•ksto expla[• wthowe were andwhatwedo. P05t pandemlc we aro find5n8 that we are havlng to thante aod adapt some of our re5plte and sodal events ind offerlny 0$ many carers Stlll have the effects of COVID fresh In thelr minds and also added on to thls the cost of livlThg erfsls, thot even th￿Sh wo heavlW subsklise paid for event& we kmw th•t thts may stdl be an Issue. So that in mlnd wa intend t¢ •mbark on a serle5 of surveys wlth our ¢areTs to see what they would w•nt US to provlde that theywould be able to flel sifE and engaged wlth and ultlmètdy provlde short ￿rtod$ of qu•llty resplte. A5 1 talk resplte ev•nts ind actl¥ll* I cannot let th• 5wd passlng Of Charflo Wallwisrk 80 by wlihout a trlbute to a 8ro?t frfend of 8CS and muth loved ¢ampère to all of our carerand cartd for m•a15 for mary m•ny years. c￿rITe lot to know many ol our¢ar•rn by n•me and a￿4¥$ mad? a polntof 'm1n8h￿￿Urtmg events. hls and humourwlll besadty mlssad and wlll b• very dlfflcul¢ tc repl8e•. We Ob￿0Y$l¥ contlnue to send ourlove and supportts Chidlds famlly. Next ywrwe win roo¢h a mlle5tone of 30ytars of arhifor￿r unpahj carer4 and VA wtll be pushlrJRtho bo8tout In plannln4 rfés of events •nd acllvTWes to celebrate th55 remarkablo athlevement. l Once a8aln need to a mass1￿ •mount of thank5 and watltttd• to all the man•pmenL sufi•nd volunteers who hpve (ontrlbuted so much over the 1è5t ttv•fv4 months In k¢•pin8 our orynludon on the front foot In ¢¥rfn8 for our carers. whllst we 4re adaptln8 ènd plannlng for a more strateiic approath to OVT work wi are also bwtoly aware Df the need for us to be rn4crive at5hort not￿¢¢ and I have total roTrfidence In this 8roup thatthoywlll contlrbUÈto do thls prDfe¥lonally and effi¢l¢ntly. Novernber sees u510se o flnanthl wdlbelrbg olftc¢r post due io the rele￿￿1 fundlns comln8 tD an end but WP COAtlnue to oNer a beneflt$ 3dvlce servlc• and ar• 8ts0 very exdted to be oblo to odd a vohJTbteer ctrordln#tor posltlDn ta oyr sralf ranks whlth we èll agree wlll add tn ¢¥tra layer of SLbPPtrrt and reslNence for our or8anl$atsorn th15 posltlon has been made p9551ble throLTih a successful fvJndln8 applk•tlDh and wlll run fiK two years. thls was ye•t new5 we contlnuo to hce vncertalnty Dn fvture fvndlnB from both stabrtoryand pthate streams and is inother that we VAII be contlnvlng to work hard to secure our se￿£tOfferInY. We were all suny to seE that we thrne uf our vwknd trustee5 thts year due to and other charlknbl• ￿MmItMeTrts and I would Ilke tD express my thanks for thelr str￿cE but l Im also dellkntd that we have rerrulted two more equallv valuable trustee5 who brfn8 vAth them extenslve knowledge and eXPe￿ente of NHS prlmaryand secondary ¢are overmany eEade5and we l¢ok forward to b#Theflth8 fAJrn thelrc0n1rtbukno￿. We alsosald 8oodby•to Elalne HolL W•hre BenefftsAdvk•Worker.whD retlred In October 2022. Elalne hassupported mlny carots, ènd we ￿5h her well durt￿ h￿rett￿Meth￿ On a fjnol note we conttnue to plèy a prominent role in a5515knngour sr4tutory parthers In the plannlng ond Implementatjon of pollcles and procedures de5iEned io help all age unpald rarers in the borouEh and we do thls in the spirit of cooperatlon and Pathershlp and whllst w2 hope that thts Y•ill conilnue to be a successful and productive arrandernent we must ngt lose sl8ht of our own con#ituted goals and ?Ims and the rto5onforoure￿tenre of supportinuunpald carw. Take Cai¢. Chairof Bolton C•rer5 Support Date 201,,125 Page 4

BOLTON CARERS SUPPORT

Trustees' Report For the year ended 31 March 2023

3 STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Registered charity and company limited and guarantee

Bolton Carers Support is a company limited by guarantee without share capital and was registered under the Companies Act 1985 on 5 April 2000 with the registration number 03965369. Bolton Carers Support is also a registered charity, number 1082166, and was registered with the Charity Commission on 25 August 2000.

Membership

Bolton Carers Support is a membership organisation. Full membership is available to carers, former carers and representatives of local groups who have registered with the charity. Associate membership is also available to carers’ workers and local, regional and national voluntary and statutory organisations with an interest in carers’ issues.

Carers are involved throughout the organisation as trustees and as volunteers. The knowledge and skills carers contribute ensures Bolton Carers Support is carer-led and delivers services carers need.

Governing body

Our governing body, the Board of Trustees (the 'Management Committee'), is responsible for the overall governance, policy and work of the charity, as outlined in our Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 5 April 2000. The Management Committee can have between 3 and 16 members and there is a requirement in the Memorandum and Articles of Association that "the company shall seek to ensure that at all times the majority of Management Committee members are carers".

The trustees are volunteers and do not receive any remuneration for their services but may claim reasonable expenses (such as travel costs) incurred through attending meetings and training sessions or through other duties.

The Management Committee usually meets formally every two months and is responsible for directing the affairs of the charity and ensuring that it is solvent, well run and delivers charitable outcomes for the benefit of carers.

Trustees' appointment, induction and training

Trustees bring a wealth of skills and insight based on their years of caring, and are passionate about improving services and support for carers in Bolton. The charity ensures that anyone interested in standing as a trustee is fully informed of what the role involves. Potential candidates meet with the Chair and Chief Officer before joining the Committee.

Following their appointment, new trustees are given a detailed ‘Essential Guide for Trustees’ and attend an induction session at the charity’s offices. All trustees receive regular correspondence from the charity and are invited to training sessions (on topics such as: role responsibilities and expectations, equal opportunities, safeguarding, finances), planning for the future workshops, and charity events to help keep them up-to-date and engaged in its work.

Organisational structure and decision making

A Human Resources and a Finance Sub-Committee meets regularly to deal with matters relating to policies and procedures, personnel, premises and finance. The Sub-committees are attended by the honorary officers (the Chair, Vice Chair, Honorary Treasurer) and trustees with a particular interest in the remit of the Sub-committees. Minutes of meetings go to the Management Committee for approval.

Management

The Management Committee delegates operational planning and day-to-day management, including financial authority and staff management, to the Chief Officer. The performance of the Chief Officer is overseen by the Management Committee through reports and briefings presented by the Chief Officer, and through regular meetings with the Chair of the Management Committee.

Page 5

BOLTON CARERS SUPPORT

Trustees' Report For the year ended 31 March 2023

3 STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT (continued)

The staff team

Chief Officer and Company Secretary Georgette Kay Activities Co-ordinator Peter Harmer Fundraising and Strategic Development Lead Alison Caunce Welfare Benefits Adviser Elaine Holt - ended 31.10.22 Welfare Benefits Adviser Helen Saarma - 15.11.22 - 29.9.23 Financial Wellbeing Worker Christine Horrobin - from 15.11.22 Carers Information and Advice Service Officer Bev Strang Carers Information and Advice Service Assistant Angela Pagett Carers Information and Advice Service Assistant Khadija Patel - from 28.7.22 Carers Information and Advice Service Assistant Sharon Fairbrother - from 23.6.22 Outreach Worker and Key Worker Zoe Hill - additional Key Worker role from 3.1.23 BAMER Outreach Worker and Key Worker Nireexa Solanki - additional Key Worker role from 3.1.23 Telephone Befriending Co-ordinator Laurent Fernandez-Moreno

Public benefit

The trustees have complied with the duty in Section 4 of the Charities Act 2006 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission and this is detailed in the Objectives and Activities section of the Trustees Annual Report.

4 OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Constitution policies and objectives

Bolton Carers Support provides information, emotional support, training and short breaks to carers over the age of 18 who live in Bolton or who care for someone living in Bolton. A carer is someone who supports a family member, relative or friend who cannot manage on his or her own because of illness, disability, addiction or old age. They do not have to live with the person nor be the only one who does the caring.

The Memorandum and Articles of Association states that Bolton Carers Support's objects are:

"To pursue any charitable purpose for the benefit of carers, in particular but not exclusively, to educate the public about the issues affecting carers and the stresses experienced by them, to provide information, support and services to carers living in or caring for someone in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton".

Bolton Carers Support has a 29-year track record of delivering high quality information and support to carers (having been in existence since 1994). Currently, 5,180 carers are being supported (as at 31 March 2023).

Our Vision

Bolton Carers Support wants all carers to feel valued and to receive the information, care and support they deserve.

Page 6

BOLTON CARERS SUPPORT

Trustees' Report

For the year ended 31 March 2023

4 OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES (continued)

Our 7 Aims

Summary of our main activities

Carers Helpline

Carers can ring the helpline for information or emotional support, as well as for signposting information about aids and equipment, benefits, support groups, help at home, respite care, health services and other topics. The helpline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including bank holidays.

Carers Information and Advice Information and advice appointments are held at the office so carers can talk face-to- Appointments face to a member of staff and discuss their caring situation in detail. Carers Contact Newsletter A free quarterly newsletter is sent to all carers registered with Bolton Carers Support, packed full of useful information on local services, forthcoming events and activities and carers' life stories.

Benefits Advice Carers are helped to claim any benefits they may be entitled to, with one-to-one appointments offered at the charity's offices and home visits. Short Breaks A wide variety of group breaks (of a few hours duration - meals out, day trips, visits to places of interest) are arranged for carers to have some respite from their daily responsibilities. Training Carers' workshops, short courses and learning days are held with topics covering health, exercise, arts and crafts, IT, relaxation and mental well-being. Support Groups Carers support groups are held at different locations around the borough, offering opportunities for friendship and mutual support. Awareness-raising Our outreach work raises awareness about carers, identifies 'hidden carers', and promotes Bolton Carers Support's services. Work with health and social care Bolton Carers Support works with partners on joint initiatives to help identify, support professionals and refer carers. Carers' issues are highlighted within a range of local plans and strategies. Telephone Befriending A service that offers carers more regular and personalised support. It allows a carer a regular check-in call to support their wellbeing and carer support for their specific needs.

Please see our website www.boltoncarers.org.uk for more information Twitter @boltoncarers Facebook @boltoncarers

Page 7

BOLTON CARERS SUPPORT

Trustees' Report For the year ended 31 March 2023

5 ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

Identifying carers

Carers come from all walks of life, all cultures and can be any age. Many feel they are doing what anyone else would in the same situation; looking after their partner, parent or child. They may not realise help is available. We identify hidden carers as this is the first step to getting support.

As part of our commitment to raise awareness about our work, we link into many local networks and meetings to ensure we keep up to date with local developments as well as sharing information about our service to encourage referrals from other groups and organisations.

During the year we identified 425 new carers through talks and presentations, information displays at events, social media, referrals from partner organisations, and noticeboards in GP surgeries. The total number of carers registered with Bolton Carers Support and receiving regular information at 31 March 2023 is 5,180.

Outreach Work to identify hidden carers in the community included:

Zoom Groups:

Carer drop in activities:

Presentations to Professionals/Community Groups:

Unlocking Wellbeing is a 3-year project which started 1st January 2023 – following on from the one-year test and learn Unlocking Wellbeing pilot project.

The project includes a Key Worker role hosted by Bolton Carers Support, initially working in Breightmet. The purpose of the role is to identify and support carers, connect them to the health and care system and understand their issues/themes and feed their learning into a Steering Group to effect change. A key focus of this element would be on working to understand the community, ensuring that we get the basics right and ensuring that when a carer presents to a service ‘no door is the wrong door’ and they would receive the support they need. Key Workers support individual carers and link into wider initiatives in neighbourhoods including Community Champions and Social Prescribers to make best use of existing networks.

Page 8

BOLTON CARERS SUPPORT

Trustees' Report

For the year ended 31 March 2023

5 ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE (continued)

Events taken place so far:

Kings Church events – 2 sessions Breightmet Library – 2 sessions Red Lane Primary School Dunston GP Surgery Breightmet Library Withins UCAN Centre

BAMER Reaching Out Outreach Work was a 1 - year project to connect with communities to identify and support carers from black, Asian, minority ethnic, and refugee communities who have suffered disproportionately during the coronavirus pandemic. The BCS Reaching Out Outreach Worker was tasked with finding, and connecting with, as many hidden carers aged 18+ from the BAMER communities as possible.

Carers were identified through a varied range of outreach activities, and information, advice and outreach was offered to carers across the borough, signposting to other services appropriate to their needs. The outreach worker connected with many organisations, including, Bolton Hindu Forum, Bolton Christian Community Cohesion, King’s Church, Asian Elders.

Support and advice

Information, support and advice form the cornerstone of Bolton Carers Support services. Carers who contact the helpline receive information and advice and can often be referred or signposted onto other organisations for additional support.

Our Carers information and Advice Service, covers our helpline, website, information and advice appointments, factsheets, and newsletter. Our partnership with Careline provided by Bolton at Home, enables the helpline to be open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and on bank holidays, ensuring that carers can access support and advice at a time when they most need it.

The nature of the calls/queries/concerns have been varied, but the complexity has increased. Calls to the helpline can be varied in length.

Telephone Befriending Service

The telephone befriending is now fully established. It has close to 200 referrals in the two years since it was started. There continues to be a steady flow of referrals, usually around 5 a month. The majority of these come from within Bolton Carers Support. Carers are identified by the helpline staff as requiring more frequent contact.

Befriending relationships have been started this year with 60 carers and, as of today, there are 73 active relationships. Each relationship varies both in length of call and depth of conversation. Most carers receive a fortnightly call which, on average, lasts for about 30 minutes but there are 5 minute check-ins and calls that last over an hour.

There is no time limit to the length of relationship, that depends on the individual. Some are quite brief, usually if referred by a third party, whilst others are open ended. The first carer contact continues to have regular contact.

Carers referred into the befriending service tend to be identified as having more on-going complex needs - mental health, bereavement and loss, lack of family support, loneliness self-identified, change to relationship. They have a need for friendship/communication/contact – people have felt lonely. They are communicated with as the person that they are. There is no emotional attachment so they can just be themselves – sharing their present, past and future. Carers are being supported with use of compassion-based therapy techniques and goal setting.

Page 9

BOLTON CARERS SUPPORT

Trustees' Report

For the year ended 31 March 2023

5 ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE (continued)

The support offered to the individual focuses on understanding their present situation, the support they have, the services involved and in guiding them to access support according to their present needs - carer support, carers assessment, assessment of needs, specialised dementia services etc.

Carers are given encouragement to talk about their likes, interests and activities - present and past.

Health matters are discussed, and a conversation is held about their own well-being and the importance of looking after self. Risk and safeguarding are also monitored.

Benefits Advice Service

Our Benefit Advice Service, funded by both the The National Lottery Community Fund and The Bolton Fund, continued to offer carers practical help to claim benefits. Within this reporting year we have had a change of staff team, which meant that it was necessary that time was allocated for recruitment and training.

The total benefit gain during the year was £179,675.55. The benefits advice service provided:

Workshops:

Activities for carers (outings/events & workshops)

After the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns, the delivery of short respite breaks for carers and the people they care for began getting back to normal with the provision of more ‘face to face’ events, learning days and information events. There continues to be reluctance from some carers to engage due to concerns and fear of infection however the majority and many ‘new carers’ are now getting involved, albeit in smaller numbers that pre-Covid.

We continue in our efforts to upskill carers with knowledge and confidence in relation to the use of digital technology, with more workshops being planned for the future, working in partnership with Bolton Community College.

During the course of the year, Bolton Carers Support was also responsible for the delivery of blankets, socks, slow cookers and food and white goods vouchers to unpaid carers who were becoming particularly vulnerable due to the cost of living crisis. To date over 80 carers have benefitted from this project.

Page 10

BOLTON CARERS SUPPORT

Trustees' Report

For the year ended 31 March 2023

5 ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE (continued)

The following table outlines the respite breaks delivered over the 12-month period:

----- Start of picture text -----
Carers
Event Type of event Comments
attending
Crafting group Learning Day Weekly sessions 10
Men’s carers group General event Monthly 9
Carer’s consultation roadshow General event 9 sessions throughout Bolton 36
Queen’s Platinum Jubilee lunch Carer & Cared For (plus same number cared for) 32
Carers Information Day General event Carers Week 104
Bolton Little Theatre Carer Only 12
Consultation feedback sessions General Event 2 x sessions 8
Digital Hub Champions General event Monthly 6
Planning your future Learning Day 2 x sessions 15
Achari restaurant Carer only 26
Queen’s Award presentation General event 12
Queen’s Award celebration afternoon tea General event 20
Summer lunch Carer & Cared For (plus same number cared for) 37
BAMER Carers information event General event 30
Gentle yoga Learning Day Fortnightly for 6 sessions 8
Mindfulness and relaxation Learning day Fortnightly for 6 sessions 6
Sokrates restaurant Carer only 24
Halloween lunch Carer & Cared For (plus same number cared for) 33
AGM & Carers Information Day General event Carers Rights Day 95
Christmas crafts Learning Day 6
Christmas lunch (C & CF) Carer & Cared For (plus same number cared for) 34
Christmas Lunch..Red Lion. Carer only 36
Cooking on a budget workshop Learning Day 12
Energy saving workshop Learning Day 12
Digital skills workshops Learning Day 6 sessions 8
Nature & Wellbeing workshop Learning Day 7
Distribution of slow cookers, blankets,
Household Support Fund project socks and food / white goods vouchers. 10
To date, 81 carers have benefitted.
----- End of picture text -----

Page 11

BOLTON CARERS SUPPORT

Trustees' Report For the year ended 31 March 2023

5 ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE (continued)

Consulting with our carers

Throughout the year we have been proactively contacting our carers and listening to the need and support required with 9 specific carer-consultation sessions, in each of the neighbourhoods within Bolton.

Funding

We wish to express our thanks to The National Lottery Community Fund, Bolton Council, Eric Wright Charitable Trust and Bolton's Fund for continued funding for supporting our work, and to the new funders we have met this year.

Once again, we have seen a steady succession of grants awarded and are very proud to say that we achieved 100% success in funding applications during the year. We have been fortunate enough to secure funding to continue our work with minoritised and marginalised communities in Bolton, both as part of a partnership, and some activities co-ordinated in-house.

Early in the year we were awarded funding from Warburtons to re-build our website, led by carers to ensure that it meets their needs, and also to develop a digital hub. This is proving to be an exceptional partnership, that we are very grateful for, as it is proving to be a catalyst for wider developments than those initially intended.

We received our third donation as a result of your participation in our partnership lottery with Bolton Hospice. This is an easy way for you to help both us, and the hospice, and also have the chance to win a substantial prize for yourself. We are also receiving disbursements from Easyfundraising and would urge you to sign up for this very simple, free way to help us raise income.

The year saw us successfully secure continuation funding for our Connected and Informed Project from the National Lottery Community Fund. This funding will end in October 2025 and we are now actively seeking to diversify the sources of our income in advance of this date being reached. We continue to build on the trust our funders have shown in us to continue delivering what you, as carers, need and are building partnerships and networks to ensure our work aligns with local and national strategies for carers whilst ensuring we don’t lose our ability to offer our friendly and personalised touch to all support we provide.

Appreciation of volunteers

The contribution made by carers and former carers who are volunteers is enormous. Volunteers help staff members with: newsletter mail-outs; events for carers; and deliver workshops and craft activities. The staff and trustees wish to thank all our volunteers.

Feedback from carers

----- Start of picture text -----
“I love my chats. I can moan, cry & laugh with Laurent.
“The only pragmatic He can’t solve my caring problems but sharing them “Thanks for the
help I’ve received from gives me a new lease of life. We talk about events in listening ear during our
Bolton Carers support our lives- this reminds me that there is still life and 1 – 1 appointment and
since the start of the laughter out there.” all the information
pandemic. A lifeline!!” sent to me since then –
I almost felt
‘empowered’ after the
appointment and have
already put some
structure/barriers in
place to try and make
the situation more
"Even though we spoke for a short amount of time, I felt supported and that I will be
manageable”
able to live my life well even though I am a carer. A term I never thought of being
before because of the stigma surrounding the age of carers. I also recognised that I
have always been a carer of my family in many different capacities since the tender
age of 9.
Thank you so much."
----- End of picture text -----

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BOLTON CARERS SUPPORT

Trustees' Report

For the year ended 31 March 2023

5 ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE (continued)

----- Start of picture text -----
“Really enjoy using the befriending service. I
can laugh or cry. They listen and give any
advice to help the situation. Good for mental
health to be able to speak to someone who
“It is good to be able to talk to
listens to me. It is never a miserable phone
someone outside of my family
call. I laugh a lot with Laurent but I am able
and say what I feel about how
to get rid of any stress that’s hanging about.
things are going in my life.”
A very good service.” PM
“I find that the
befriending service "I can say anything that is on my mind
has and is helping me even the negative thoughts. He will
thank you. It has remind me that I am not alone or awful
helped to focus on because others think & say the same in my
life with your help position. He also reminds me to try &
and supported me think about my needs which I do neglect.”
with my grief.”
"Thank you so much for being
"A lot of people must be so helpful earlier, you have put
grateful for this service and my mind at ease a lot. You
were very kind and helpful,
would, probably, be feeling a bit
and I appreciate it, as I was
vulnerable without it. Thank you
well out of my depth today."
for providing these services
they are my lifeline.".”
"This service is absolutely essential possibly more so highlighted by the pandemic when vulnerable
people were very isolated. I found my contact really essential during my role as a full time carer for
my wife. Sadly, she is now in a home full time. Thankfully my support hasn't ended. I wasn't trained
to be a carer. It is something that I had to adapt to. The older you are, I feel the more this service is
essential."
----- End of picture text -----

----- Start of picture text -----
“Although I can’t get to coffee " Recharging my
mornings and events because I am batteries and
busy looking after my son. It is meeting up with
reassuring that I can speak to people I now call
someone if I have any problems my friends. Thank
and it is very nice to be able to you."
have a chat with someone on the
phone."
----- End of picture text -----

Page 13

BOLTON CARERS SUPPORT

Trustees' Report

For the year ended 31 March 2023

5 ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE (continued)

----- Start of picture text -----
"Very enjoyable away "The meals out are really "Art on Zoom.. is quite an experience
from the pressure of good, and meeting other in which the group are able to
caring for my husband like-minded carers makes
challenge drawing all together and
and able to relax in you realise that you’re not each give their own creation.. very
other’s company…. alone." therapeutic and great company that is
Oh, and the food was good for mental health."
excellent."
“I enjoy my chats and am able to
talk about things that are getting
"I enjoy immensely the zoom quiz, it's something I look forward to every
me down, things that I have done
week. We have great fun with it and help each other out. We all take it in the which are enjoyable or, on the
spirit it was intended, a fun enjoyable time. other hand, everyday tasks that I
The zoom art club I've only done one session so far. I surprised myself by have struggled to cope with. I feel,
managing to do a landscape picture, something I never thought I could do. I
through our chats, that I have
got praise from all of my family for doing it, I feel I want to carry on with art known Laurent for a number of
and will try and do some drawing on my own, as well as of course continuing
years, he is so good and a very
with the zoom art."
good listener.”
" I really appreciate
you calling, Your calls
"Nice to be able to recharge the batteries. Allows you to get away
are so helpful. It's
from the daily pressures and worries for a short while, and be with
valuable having
like-minded carers, who understand".
someone to just
listen."
"I really enjoy the
carers walks, meeting
other carers and
"I am so glad I found Bolton Carers Support, I have really having a chat really
enjoyed coming along to the coffee morning and being cheers me up."
able to bring my husband is so beneficial for both of us. I
am looking forward to attending the wellbeing morning in
November as unfortunately we missed out on the one last
week due to a prior appointment."
"I'm looking forward
to more of both zoom
activities as I find both
so enjoyable. And feel
that it helps me relax
“I feel so much better after talking again today and having some of
and enjoy life more."
the things explained. The support from BCS has been amazing, I
can't begin to express what a difference it makes knowing I can turn
to BCS. I really do appreciate their time and effort.”
----- End of picture text -----

Page 14

BOLTON CARERS SUPPORT

Trustees' Report

For the year ended 31 March 2023

6 FINANCIAL REVIEW

The 2022-2023 financial year saw continuing funding from Bolton Council and The National Lottery Community Fund.

Principal funding sources

The principal funding sources have been provided by:

The trustees wish to thank all our funders for their support.

Funding in 2022/23

----- Start of picture text -----
£120,000
£100,000
£80,000
£60,000
£40,000
£20,000
£0
The National Lottery Community Fund Bolton Council
----- End of picture text -----

£116,719 £108,719

Page 15

BOLTON CARERS SUPPORT

Trustees' Report

For the year ended 31 March 2023

7 STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES RESPONSIBILITIES

Compliance with Accounting Standards

The trustees (who are also the directors for the purpose of company law) are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the trustees must prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). 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 charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company 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 charitable company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable 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.

The trustees confirm that so far as they are aware, there is no information relevant to these financial statements of which the charitable company’s independent examiner is unaware. They have taken all the steps that they ought to have taken as trustees in order to make themselves aware of any relevant information and to establish that the charitable company's independent examiner is aware of that information.

Internal controls and risk management

The trustees have overall responsibility for ensuring that the charity has an appropriate system of controls, including financial controls. The charity's systems of internal controls are designed to provide reasonable assurance against material financial misstatement or loss to the charity.

Trustees examined the major strategic, business and operational risks which the charity faces and a formal risk management process is in operation across the charity, with a risk management policy and disaster recovery plan in place, and reviewed and updated annually. Potential risks are assessed as to their likelihood and impact and the consequent actions necessary taken to manage those risks. Other management processes in place include:-

The trustees are satisfied that appropriate actions are being taken to manage risk and that the charity's internal controls comply with the guidelines issued by the Charity Commission.

Liabilities

In the event of the company winding-up, members and those who have ceased to be a member within one year of such an event have guaranteed the liabilities of the company to the sum not exceeding one pound each.

Page 16

BOLTON CARERS SUPPORT Trustees, Report Forthe year ended 31 March 2023 Y STATEMENTOFTRUSfEES RESPONSIBIUTIES l£onUnuedl Investm•nt pollcy Ind ob￿ctI Thetru5tets inve5tsurplusfunds In high rate deposlta£counts unul reqU￿¢d forth8 u Reser¥05 poII£v The charlty's pgllcy is to Invest its funds In the ongalnK Expanslon of the and rFath of the thartty bytto retsln suffidÈnt l@v¢15 of unre5t¥ict¢d reseThe5 to ersoble usto continue our Core 5tratryt acrfviUe5. In OTdÈr to ollow trustees to meet tbelr da to4ay re5ponsibllitles and to eD5urethat It contlnuesto opvateon o y>uThd baslk The trustees conlder th¢ flnanual posltlon to ￿ sitthctw and funds held are $ufflclent for. the purchase or replacement of equlprnEnt furniiiire; servke developmentto allow forthe settlnB up of new proJeEts arbd exMdlA8 extsting prole¢is,' contlniency rwurce5to •llow thè th)r￿t9 bv wound upln •n ordertyf85hlon In the ev•ntthat It cease$ to operète. fjalnll Can￿M The trustee$ besleve that there Jre Tro matrrlal uncethlntles that Into doubt thè tharfty's abl1￿ to conttnue Its •¢tMtlei. Th? accothnts have thet4fore been prep•red ort the b•sIst￿tthe ch8rfty Isa gotTh8 ¢oricqm. Th•trust•ei reportwai iPPTowd bythe Min•8ement C+)mmitt•¢and s*Th•d on its bth•lfby. Ch#lr ol Bolton core￿ Support D•te 20/,,/sg Page 17

BOLTON CARERS SUPPORT

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Bolton Carers Support As at 31 March 2023

I report to the trustees (who are also Directors for the purpose of company law) on my examination of the financial statements of Bolton Carers Support (‘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 related notes.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of charitable company you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (‘the 2006 Act’).

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

An independent examination does not involve gathering all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently does not cover all the matters that an auditor considers in giving their opinion on the financial statements. The planning and conduct of an audit goes beyond the limited assurance that an independent examination can provide. Consequently I express no opinion as to whether the financial statements present a ‘true and fair’ view and my report is limited to those specific matters set out in the independent examiner’s statement.

Independent examiner’s statement

Since the charitable company’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of ICAEW, which is one of the listed bodies.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

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

Use of my report

This report is made solely to the charity’s trustees, as a body, in accordance with section 145 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 this 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 as a body, for my work, for this report, or for the opinions I have formed.

Michael Garrett FCA Kay Johnson Gee Limited 100 Barbirolli Square Manchester M2 3BD

Date 20 November 2023

Page 18

BOLTON CARERS SUPPORT

Statement of Financial Activities (including Income and Expenditure Account) For the year ended 31 March 2023

----- Start of picture text -----
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
Funds Funds Funds Funds
Note 2023 2023 2023 2022
INCOME £ £ £ £
Income from donations and legacies
Core income 38,748 - 38,748 32,595
Investment Income 3 3,220 - 3,220 198
Income from charitable activities 4
- Bolton Council - 108,719 108,719 99,294
- The National Lottery Community Fund - 116,719 116,719 99,051
- E Wright - 35,605 35,605 30,000
- The Bolton Fund - 27,746 27,746 15,393
- Warburtons - 10,000 10,000 -
- Other charitable activites - 11,862 11,862 3,776
Total income 41,968 310,651 352,619 280,307
EXPENDITURE
Expenditure on charitable activities
- Establishment cost 29,806 - 29,806 39,726
- Bolton Council - 109,792 109,792 99,294
- The National Lottery Community Fund - 122,957 122,957 99,051
- E Wright - 35,605 35,605 20,000
- The Bolton Fund - 28,868 28,868 15,393
- Warburtons - 10,000 10,000 -
- Other charitable activites - 10,678 10,678 -
- Governance costs 5 4,667 - 4,667 4,161
Total expenditure 34,473 317,900 352,373 277,625
Net income (expenditure) 6 7,495 (7,249) 246 2,682
Gross transfers between funds 15 (7,249) 7,249 - -
Net movement in funds 246 - 246 2,682
Funds at 1 April 2022 81,494 - 81,494 78,812
Funds at 31 March 2023 81,740 - 81,740 81,494
----- End of picture text -----

Page 19

BOLTON CARERS SUPPORT Balan￿ Sheet As at 31 March 2023 2023 2022 Tan8lblo fLxed assets 436 Current451ets Debtors Cash at bank and In hand 3￿56 I48￿45 318,002 254705 318.190 Cr•dltorx'. amounts falllnidu• wtthlnon•y••r 1170,1751 1237,1321 Nitcurrent451¢1¥ 8L530 81058 Net •ssets 81,740 81J94 Funds R•strfctodfvnds UnrestActed tundi 8L740 Bl494 Totll funds 8L740 81,494 The dlre¢t¥rs ¢onslder thit the company h enYUed to S￿MPlI￿ry tr¢m the requlromtnt to h•ve an iudlt under the provlsl¢ns of sèttlon 4771h• Companles Act 2006 (the Act) and members have not requlred the company ttr gbialn 8n audir for the year In questlon In accordance wlth sectlon 476 of the ACL The dtrectors a(knowled8t th*lr re5ponslbillty for ensurlng that the mpany keeps a£countln8 re¢ord5 whlch cOmp￿wIth s•rtiDn 386 of th& Actarld for prvp4rfn8 fin411clul •t•t¢ments whleh Ilve true and hlrvlew ofthi State ol affalrs of the comp•ny as at 31 Marth 2D23 and of its net Income for the year then ended In accordance wtth the requlrements of sealon$ 394 and 395 of the Act and whlth otherwise ccrnply ￿￿th thè requlrement5 of the C?mpanlesAct2LX)6 rdallr>8 to th•finandal statqmentssa f4r158pplkable to the comp•nv. These accounts are prepèrod in accordance with the spedal wovlslorts of Part 15 of the Companle$ A¢t rElatln8 to small companle5 artd constltute the annual atcounts rnqulred by the CornpanlesAct 2006 and ¥re hr orculatlot) tD members of the company. The fin•ndal ststements on pages 19 to 26were approved by the Bo•rd ofTNstees: Da￿￿ Rugne Trustee SimonThompson Dote Jo/,,/£s Pagtr 20

BOLTON CARERS SUPPORT

Statement of Cash Flows For the year ended 31 March 2023

----- Start of picture text -----
2023 2022
£ £
Net cash flow from operating activities (69,353) 155,577
Cash flow from investing activities
-
Purchase of tangible fixed assets (239)
Net cash flow from investing activities - (239)
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year (69,353) 155,339
Cash and cash equivalents brought forward 318,002 162,663
Cash and cash equivalents carried forward 248,649 318,002
Cash and cash equivalents consists of:
Cash at bank and in hand 248,649 318,002
Net cash flow from operating activities
Net income (expenditure) 246 2,682
Depreciation 226 224
(Increase) decrease in debtors (2,868) 108,283
(Decrease) Increase in creditors (66,957) 44,388
(69,353) 155,577
----- End of picture text -----

Page 21

BOLTON CARERS SUPPORT

Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 31 March 2023

1 General information

Bolton Carers Support is a company limited by guarantee without share capital and was registered under the Companies Act 1985 on 5 April 2000 with the registration number 3965369. Bolton Carers Support is also a registered charity, number 1082166, and was registered with the Charity Commission on 25 August 2000.

The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standards applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued in October 2019 and the Charities Act 2011 and UK Generally Accepted Practice as it applies from 1 January 2019.

2 Accounting policies

Basis of preparation of financial statements

The financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis under the historical cost convention, modified to include certain items at fair value. The financial statements are prepared in sterling which is the functional currency of the charity.

The significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all years presented unless otherwise stated.

Income

All income is included on the Statement of Financial Activities when the charity is legally entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy.

Income from donations is included in the accounts for the period in which payment was received.

Investment income comprises of interest, and is accounted for on a receivable basis.

Grants and contract income receivable is credited to the SOFA in the period in which the charity becomes entitled to receive the grant. Grants which are for a specific future period are deferred to that period.

Expenditure

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to that category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Expenditure is recognised when it is incurred and is reported gross of related income on the following basis:

Tangible fixed assets

Depreciation on fixed assets is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost of each asset over its expected useful life as follows:

Fixture and Fittings 15% straight line Computer Equipment 25% straight line

At each balance sheet date, the company reviews the carrying amounts of its fixed assets to determine whether there is any indication that any items of tangible fixed assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of an asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss, if any. Where it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of the asset, the company estimates the recoverable amount of the cashgenerating unit to which the asset belongs.

Page 22

BOLTON CARERS SUPPORT

Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 31 March 2023

Fund balances

Unrestricted funds are incoming resources receivable or generated for the objects of the charity, without restriction, and are available as general funds to be applied as the charity sees fit.

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits

The charitable company contributes to Stakeholder pension schemes chosen by individual employees. Contributions payable to the stakeholders pension schemes are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.

Debtors and creditors receivable/payable within one year

Debtors and creditors with no stated interest rate and receivable or payable within one year are recorded at transaction price. Any losses arising from impairment are recognised in expenditure.

Taxation

Bolton Carers Support is a registered charity and has no liabilities to taxation. It is able to recover taxation on Gift Aid and Investment Income.

Going concern

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis as the trustees believe that no material uncertainties exist. The trustees have considered the level of funds held and the expected level of income and expenditure for 12 months from authorising these financial statements. The budgeted income and expenditure is sufficient with the level of reserves for the charity to be able to continue as a going concern.

3
Investment Income
Deposit account interest
4
Income from charitable activities
Bolton Council
The National Lottery Community Fund
E Wright
The Bolton Fund
Warburtons
Other charitable activites		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Total
2023
2023
2023
2022
£
£
£
£
3,220
-
3,220
198
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Total
Funds
Funds
Funds
Funds
2023
2023
2023
2022
£
£
£
£
-
108,719
108,719
99,294
-
116,719
116,719
99,051
-
35,605
35,605
30,000
-
27,746
27,746
15,393
-
10,000
10,000
-
-
11,862
11,862
3,776
-
310,651
310,651
247,514

Page 23

BOLTON CARERS SUPPORT

Notes to the Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 March 2023

5
Governance costs
Unrestricted Expenditure
Accountancy and independent examination fees
Trustee expenses
6
Net income (expenditure)
Net incoming resources are stated after charging:
Independent examiner's fees
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets		 2023
2022
£
£
4,360
3,930
307
231
4,667
4,161
2023
2022
£
£
4,360
3,930
226
224

7 Taxation

The charitable company is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.

8 Staff costs

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

9 Trustee remuneration and expenses

None of the trustees received any remuneration during either of the two years. Expenses reimbursed to trustees amounting to £307 (2022: £231) were paid during the year.

10
Tangible fixed assets
Cost or valuation
At 1 April 2022
Additions
At 31 March 2023
Depreciation
At 1 April 2022
Charge for the year
At 31 March 2023
Net book value
At 31 March 2023
At 31 March 2022		 Computer
equipment
Total
£
£
£
26,767
16,355
43,122
-
-
-
26,767
16,355
43,122
26,457
16,229
42,686
100
126
226
26,557
16,355
42,912
211
-
211
310
251
422
Fixtures &
fittings

Page 24

BOLTON CARERS SUPPORT

Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 31 March 2023

----- Start of picture text -----
11 Debtors 2023 2022
£ £
Trade Debtors 3,056 188
3,056 188
12 Creditors : amounts falling due within one year 2023 2022
£ £
Trade Creditors 1,213 104
Other Creditors 6,280 -
Accruals 13,500 11,586
Deferred income (note 13) 149,182 225,442
170,175 237,132
13 Movement in deferred income Balance at Balance at
1 April 31 March
2022 Utilised Unutilised 2023
Funds £ £ £ £
NHS Bolton CCG 100,000 (100,000) 90,813 90,813
Bolton Council 29,276 (29,276) 20,789 20,789
The National Lottery Community 24,898 (24,898) - -
E Wright 47,769 (47,769) 15,664 15,664
CVS - Leadership Monies 8,500 (8,500) - -
Unlocking Wellbeing - - 12,499 12,499
Health and Wellbeing - - 8,233 8,233
CVS Community Outreach BAMER 13,829 (13,829) - -
CVS Connecting People 1,170 (1,170) 1,183 1,183
225,442 (225,442) 149,182 149,182
----- End of picture text -----

14 Pension commitments

The company operates a defined contributions scheme. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the company in an independently administered fund. The pension cost charge represents contributions payable by the company to the fund and amounted to £15,053 (2022 - £13,086).

Page 25

BOLTON CARERS SUPPORT

Notes to the Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 March 2023

15
Movement in funds
Note
Restricted funds:
Bolton Council
i.
The National Lottery Community Fund
ii.
E Wright
iii.
The Bolton Fund
iv.
Warburtons
Other charitable activites
Unrestricted funds:
General funds
Total funds		 Balance at
Balance at
1 April
31 March
2022
Income
Expenses
2023
£
£
£
£
£
-
108,719
(109,792)
1,073
-
-
116,719
(122,957)
6,238
-
-
35,605
(35,605)
-
-
27,746
(28,868)
1,122
10,000
(10,000)
-
-
11,862
(10,678)
(1,184)
-
-
310,651
(317,900)
7,249
-
81,494
41,968
(34,473)
(7,249)
81,740
81,494
352,619
(352,373)
-
81,740
Transfers

Notes on restricted funds

16
Analysis of total funds
Analysis by type of asset and liability
Tangible fixed assets
Net current assets		 General
Restricted
31 March
31 March
Funds
Funds
2023
2022
£
£
£
£
211
-
211
436
81,529
-
81,529
81,058
81,740
-
81,740
81,494

17 Employees and Directors

The average number of employees during the period was 11 (2022-2022: 9)

Page 26