OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

2022-12-31-accounts

- BRITISH LIMBLESS EX SERVICEMEN’S ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR YEAR END 31 DECEMBER 2022

1

BLESMA - The Limbless Veterans

British Limbless Ex Service Men’s Association

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATION

Charity Number 1084189 Company Limited by Guarantee Number 4102768 Registered in Scotland SC010315

Head Office: 115 NEW LONDON ROAD, CHELMSFORD, ESSEX, CM2 0QT

Tel: 020 8590 1124 E-Mail: info@blesma.org Website: www.blesma.org

Patron: HRH The Duke of Gloucester KG GCVO Vice Patron: The Rt Hon the Baroness Willoughby de Eresby DL

The Board of Trustees

National Chairman: Gen Sir Adrian Bradshaw KCB OBE DL Vice Chairman: Mr S White Honorary Treasurer: Mr M Ambler Mr S Croxford (until February 2023) Ms A Grant Mr R Gilbert Mr R Kerrigan Mr L Maguire Mr C Rouse MBE Mr R Watts Mr B West (until June 2022)

Head Office Blesma :

Chief Executive: Mr J D Bryant OBE Operations Director: Mr T R Bloomfield Director Independence and Wellbeing: Mr I G Harper (until April 2023) Finance and Support Director: Mr B C Mwense

Solicitors:

Forsters LLP, 31 Hill Street, London W1J 5LS

Bankers:

National Westminster Bank plc, Princes Street, London EC2R 8PA

Auditors:

2

Crowe U.K. LLP, Chartered Accountants, 2[nd] Floor, 55 Ludgate Hill, London, EC4M 7JW

Investment Managers:

Cazenove Capital Management, 1 London Wall Place, London, EC2Y 5AU

OUR THANKS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We are a charity and we seek to use every donation wisely and well. We also gratefully accept all manner of support and collaboration in our various endeavours. This Report cannot possibly thank and acknowledge all who have helped us make a difference in 2022 so, as ever, the list below is but an example:

• All our supporters: those who donate, those who fundraise for the Association, those who provide grants to support our work, those who partner with us to assist our Members, all those who enable our Members to push their boundaries and achieve amazing things, those who give up their time for us, advise us and spread the word.

• All the organisations who provided restricted funding this year including, but not limited to:

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust for generously supporting aspects of our Activities programme, Blesma Support Services in the North of England and Outreach work in both Scotland and the South-West of England.

The Office of Veterans’ Affairs Afghan Veterans’ Fund managed by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, for supporting specific regional and national Blesma activities to support recent conflict veterans.

The Forces in Mind Trust for sponsoring the second Caring & Coping study into the family experience of living with loss of use of limb, which will report in 2023.

The National Lottery Community Fund, Awards for All programme for supporting specific Outreach activities for Blesma Members and their families in Yorkshire and the North East of England.

The Sir James Reckitt Charity who kindly supported our work with Blesma Members this year with a one-off donation from their Centenary Fund, in additional to their regular donation.

• To our corporate supporters who have engaged staff, held fundraising events and sponsored a range of fundraising activities. In particular JP Morgan Chase, Brace Creative Agency, Corps of Commissionaires Management Ltd, MBDA UK, Agility plc and BAE UK staff from sites throughout the UK.

• Our colleagues in Cobseo – The Confederation of Service Charities, who work on behalf of service charities for the benefit of the whole service community.

• The Staff at the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre, Stanford Hall and the Defence Personnel Recovery Centres, for all they continue to do for our present and

3

future Members and for supporting Blesma’s work.

• The Staff of Veterans UK at Norcross, Blackpool, for their assistance and advice to our Members and those who support them.

• Officials and Ministers in the Ministry of Defence, the Office of Veteran’s Affairs and the Department of Health. NHS England and the devolved National Health Services, Armed Forces Health and all those staff who understand our needs and strive to deliver, particularly through the Limb Centres.

• All those who partner with Blesma in our ventures at home and abroad, for helping our Members to push their boundaries and realise their potential.

HOW YOU CAN HELP Blesma

We need to raise at least £2.7m in 2023 in order to continue all our vital work.

At present, Blesma looks after over 2,600 Members and Widow beneficiaries and provides support to their families. Our elderly membership continues to increase and all Members face uncertainty over the provision of adequate care. Serving personnel and veterans also continue to suffer accidents and injuries.

Your support means we can ensure that our oldest Members can continue to live a dignified life and that our youngest Members can face the challenge of a lifetime dealing with disability. All those we support know that they can reach out to others in similar circumstances. Limb loss is for life - so Blesma is too.

Our Members have been busy supporting each other throughout this difficult year by volunteering, fundraising, sharing their experiences and looking out for each other. Our welfare services continue to advise and assist our Members from Head Office, through our regional Support and Outreach Officers and our Branch and Volunteer networks. None of this would be possible without your ongoing support and donations.

If you would like to help or make a donation, please contact our Fundraising Team by telephone on 020 8548 7089 ; by email on fundraising@blesma.org ; through our website on www.blesma.org or write to us at the address below:

Fundraising Team Blesma – The Limbless Veterans 115 New London Road Chelmsford Essex CM2 0QT

Your contribution towards Blesma will make a real difference to the lives of our disabled servicemen and women who have given so much.

4

TRUSTEES’ REPORT 2022

CONTENTS

Subject Page
Strategic
Objectives 7
Activities 10
Achievements and Performance 11
Plans for the Future 22
Financial Review 23
Governance & Administration 28
Structure, Governance & Management
Independent Auditor’s Report 34
Financial Statements 39

5

THE Blesma MISSION

To assist limbless veterans to lead independent and fulfilling lives

STRATEGIC REPORT

INTRODUCTION

Blesma is a specialist Service charity, an Association. Its Members are the war wounded, disabled veterans and their dependants. Blesma shall work tirelessly to meet the challenges of injury, to bring comfort, and to help its Members realise their fullest potential.

Blesma entered its 90[th] year in 2022 anticipating a challenging year as the country took time to recover from the Covid pandemic. The Russian invasion of Ukraine in February had significant economic consequences that were then made worse by considerable political and economic upheaval at home. The cost-of-living crisis caused by huge increases in global energy prices had a major effect on household incomes towards the end of the year, while market uncertainty also impacted on investment performance. The consequences for Blesma were an increase in the need for charitable support for its Members, a more difficult fundraising environment and a loss on the market value of the Association’s reserves. Whilst the Charity made a conscious decision to maintain existing levels of service by drawing on these reserves in 2022, it will continue to closely scrutinise and prioritise its spending in order to meet its commitment to provide life-long support.

Our Blesma Support Officers, Outreach Officers and volunteers maintained close contact with our Members throughout the year, visiting in person whenever possible and increasing the number and scope of regional and online outreach events that kept Members in touch with each other. Although the backlog from the pandemic continues to affect the delivery of statutory services, staff have been actively engaged with other agencies to overcome obstacles and help coordinate the delivery of support. The Association also took the decision to assist Members when energy prices rose significantly in the Autumn, offering all our Members a £200 grant to help with high inflation and the additional living costs that are often incurred by people with disabilities.

6

Approximately two thirds of the membership took up this offer, with many commenting on the difference Blesma’s support made at a critical time.

With the ending of most Covid restrictions in March, Blesma was finally able to re-start a full activities programme at home and overseas. As well as skiing trips, sailing, cycling events and fitness and lifestyle courses, Members travelled to Flanders for a battlefield tour. Closer to home others took part in family glamping events, widows and seniors weeks and a wide range of group activities across the UK. Other Members were supported in their own personal challenges, including mountaineering, motor sports, endurance events and competitive sport. Our 90[th] Anniversary was commemorated at a hugely popular Members Weekend in June, and the Association thanked its many partners and supporters for their unstinting commitment to our injured veterans at a special Anniversary Reception at the Royal Hospital, Chelsea in October.

Although UK Forces were not directly involved in major combat operations in 2022, UK personnel were once again heavily committed. As well as deterrence operations, soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen conducted intensive training and provided vital logistic support. Others stood-in at short notice to sustain essential services during industrial action. The year reminded us that conflict is never far away and the world remains a dangerous place. Blesma will maintain its ability to react to conflict when necessary.

This year Blesma conducted a Membership Survey in order to ensure that the views of Members would inform its next strategy review in 2023. The initial survey will be followed-up with Member interviews from across the Association.

During 2022 we welcomed 152 new Members into the Association, providing advice, assistance and the friendship and support of others familiar with the experience of limb loss. Sadly we also learned of the loss of 164 Blesma Members, widows and widowers over the year. Our sympathies go out to their families and friends.

This report summarises Blesma’s objectives, activities and financial position for 2022. Financial results and considerations have been reflected in the Financial Review and Independent Auditors Report.

The Association remains steadfast in its determination to be there for its Members, through life.

OBJECTIVES FOR 2022

OUR CHARITABLE OBJECTS

7

Blesma is there:

To promote the welfare and wellbeing of all serving and Ex-Service men and women who have lost a limb or limbs or one or both eyes as a result of Service in any Branch of Her Majesty’s Regular or Auxiliary Forces as may from time to time be defined.

To promote the welfare and wellbeing of all those serving and Ex-Service men and women who suffer loss of a limb, permanent loss of speech, hearing; or the loss of sight in one or both eyes; or the loss of use of a limb.

To assist needy Widows, Widowers and dependants of the above.

LINES OF OPERATION

Blesma is not just a charity provider that has beneficiaries in the normal sense; it is an Association with the Membership (contributors and beneficiaries) central to all aspects of its existence and purpose. As a matter of principle and as far as practicable, Member is encouraged to help Member to overcome the challenges of serious injury.

The membership’s interests are pursued in 4 principal ways, termed Lines of Operation, these being: Security , Identity , Connectivity and Resourcing . Within these lines in 2022 we sought to achieve the following:

Security:

Identity:

8

Connectivity:

Resourcing :

Looking forward, the priority for the Board was to continue to provide appropriate support to Blesma Members during the recovery from the Covid pandemic.

PUBLIC BENEFIT

The Trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty in Section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the Charity Commission’s three-part guidance on public benefit.

Living with limb loss or loss of use of limbs is an everyday challenge, often a painful one. It is a condition that must be managed for the rest of life. For many Blesma Members the effects can be compounded, battlefield blast injury in particular carrying complications far beyond those that might be experienced with other elective and non-elective forms of amputation. The most severely injured of recent conflicts benefit from the advance of medical treatments and are grateful to have their lives, but we have little experience of the long-term effects. Other veterans are affected by limb loss in later life. Our Members and

9

their families must learn to cope with all this; Blesma is here to help them take their full and rightful place in society. The Association continues to push the bounds of rehabilitation, prosthetic knowledge and capabilities for veterans and the wider nation alike, encouraging deeper expertise in health services and supporting academic research. Knowing Blesma is there, should they suffer traumatic incident, reassures the Service community. This is Blesma’s contribution to the nation.

ACTIVITIES IN 2022

With its focus on meeting the needs of its Members, Blesma acts as the specialist Service charity dedicated to those serving or ex-Service personnel who have lost limbs or the use of limbs. It will know all its Members individually and will strive to understand and meet their needs to live independent and fulfilling lives. It will be recognised as the authoritative voice in its field. In 2022 its ongoing operations are summarized as:

Identity – respect and realisation of potential .

• Connectivity – external outreach, and internal community communications .

Connectivity between Members is the foundation of Blesma’s proposition to its Members. It is why Blesma exists. The Association uses a variety of communications to foster close links between its Members and with other agencies. The Association participated on many bodies of influence in 2022. These included:

10

In broader context we played a role and consulted widely with:

OUR ACHIEVEMENTS and PERFORMANCE

IN 2022

The fundamental principles that guide Blesma’s operation remain unchanged year on year in that supporting our Members is undertaken on a daily basis, in person wherever possible, as it always has been. The vital support our Members themselves and their families provide each other comes from lived experience and first-hand knowledge, gained over decades. In this respect our perspective is unique. We know about living with limb loss in all stages of adult life. Members tell us their stories in their own homes and we strive to understand and to deliver appropriate and timely support. Our principal beneficiaries are also Members with a vote on how Blesma is run. Their guidance and scrutiny promotes genuine impact and efficiency, ensuring Blesma is responsive and relevant in what it does.

DELIVERING THE PRIORITIES

11

In accordance with the Blesma Strategic Plan, the Charity’s Lines of Operation, Priorities and Outputs are mapped out in the Table below. Explanatory notes follow.

Line of Operation and
Priority		 Delivery Outputs and Outcomes
Security:
Confirm the full extent of
Members’ needs; refresh
constantly, ensuring
relevance, determining
partnerships with other
charities to meet need in full.
Understand all Government
and Administrations’ position
and provision for limb loss,
and loss of use, and be
geared to act on judged
gaps.
Deliver the Blesma position
on later life care and the
most vulnerable focusing
upon any lack of, or
distressing, statutory
provision.
Personal access to the
relevant support officer or
outreach officer.
Timely and responsive grant
assistance.
“In-person” specialist
support on limb loss and
loss of use treatment,
compensation and social
care provision to ensure
prescribed standards are
met fully, consistently and
fairly.
Support and representation
with statutory bodies,
specialist providers and
Limb Centres.		 950home visits,111online
meetings,8,713other
contacts and
communications, including
letters, emails, texts, phone
calls and social media
contact.
1,003grants to603
recipients.
163referrals.to other
charities.47collaborative
grants.
A total of2,008Hardship
grants paid to Blesma
Members.
11active tribunal cases, in
addition to PIP Assessments
and Mandatory
Reconsiderations.
370Veteran’s Prosthetic
Panel grants secured in
2022, totalling £2,345,148.
190Referrals to the NHS
Veterans Trauma Network
328individual counselling
sessions.
Identity:
Continue to bring Members’
Activity programmes,
including high-end events
such as the Paralympics, to
a position of prominence.
Extend the programmes to
meet the widest possible
range of individual
membership and whole
Association needs, for
example the_Making_
_Generation R_Programme.		 Opportunity to lead, support
and partake in activities of
interest.
Communication to Members
to inspire and motivate
fellow Members.
Access to physical, mental
and social engagement
focused activities, to unfold
new horizons, potential,
confidence and self-respect.		 242live and46virtual
activities conducted, with
3,654Members, family
members and carers
participating.21Member-led
events.
28Members supported at
elite level by the Venture
programme (4 in 2020).

12

Line of Operation and
Priority		 Delivery Outputs and Outcomes
Connectivity:
Grow our inclusive, positive
and crisply responsive
communications network,
exploiting the latest
communication technology
but not to the exclusion of
those unfamiliar with the
digital age.
Grow voluntary support
across the network, at the
hub of communities, and
reaching out, including best
use of Members’ skills and
commitment, especially
reinforcing the impact of the
Activity programmes.
Actively promote the
Association, making sure
that all who are eligible to
join the Association know of
us and our offer.		 A connected Outreach
programme.
Regular magazine, bulletin,
website and social media
news.
Introduction to fellow
Members and civilian user
groups.
Opportunity to volunteer and
support Blesma and its
members.		 14.4 millionpeople saw
Blesma content on social
media in 2022.
Blesma has68,000
followers across social
media.
£21,000of donations raised
via Facebook and
Instagram.
Blesma was featured34
times in national and local
print media articles with982
online articles.
Making Generation R–58
active Members reached an
audience of14,959- this
brings the total number of
people who have heard a
Blesma Member’s story
through the MGR
programme to141,799since
2016.
86active volunteers gave
819working days in support
of our Members in 2022.
152new Members in 2022
Resourcing:
Establish a broad range of
Fundraising functions that
are able to engage with
funders/
donors
across
multiple mediums from video
calls to live streamed events.
Provide a welcoming, safe,
and covid free environment
for Members, staff,
volunteers and supporters.
Operate a fit for purpose
support and operational
structure for Blesma.		 A well-established, cost
effective, agile, and efficient
fundraising function with the
ability to quickly adapt to
new methods of fundraising
as the situation dictates.
Prioritise g the Health and
wellbeing of Members, staff,
volunteers and supporters.
Efficient and timely delivery
of support services to the
Association while keeping a		 A return on investment of
3.02(2021: 2.7).
22Pence of every Pound of
income in 2022 is planned to
be spent to raise funds in
2023 (2021: 21p)

13

tight lid on overheads and related support costs.

SECURITY

Throughout 2022 Blesma’s Support and Outreach Officers, supported by specialist head office staff have continued to deliver advice, assistance and welfare support to our 2,697 Members in the UK and abroad. In addition, our 86 active volunteers selflessly provided over 800 days of additional support to Members and their families.

In the early part of 2022, a spike in Covid cases partially interrupted “face to face” service provision. The experience gained throughout the pandemic was put to good use before we were able to revert back to the more traditional model of welfare delivery, supplemented by online and telephone services being provided by Support Officers, Outreach Officers and Branch and regional welfare volunteers. In total there were 9,774 contacts with our members during 2022, of which, 950 were home visits and 111 were on-line consultations. Our work to counter digital isolation has continued throughout 2022 with Members engaging online with families, friends and other Members across the country and overseas.

In total, Blesma awarded 1,003 welfare grants to 603 members in 2022, providing support across a range of member’s needs including powered and manual wheelchairs, mobility scooters, stairlifts, disabled bicycles, and white and brown goods. We also assisted with adaptions to bathrooms, kitchens, access to homes, car ports and gardens. Members were also provided with equipment and training for employment.

Feedback from Blesma’s Support Officers indicated that casework during 2022 continued to follow a similar theme to 2021 by becoming more complex, professionally demanding and time intensive. This was largely attributed to the impact of the Covid legacy and financial pressures on statutory service delivery, particularly where support to Members required a multi-agency intervention. Where this was evident, Support Officers continued to coordinate with other providers in multi-disciplinary teams to ensure Members receive the joined-up support they needed.

During 2022, all NHS limb centres returned to a delivery model of in-person prosthetics support. Many centres reported longer than normal waiting times for appointments as most were required to maintain social distancing on site which reduced the numbers of patients that could be seen on any given day. This, coupled with an increase in complexity of issues post-Covid, led to waiting times of around 6 weeks after the request, compared to 2 weeks pre pandemic. Most limb centres in England now manufacture new sockets offsite using a central fabrication approach which, on occasions, led to additional delays, particularly when problems with sockets were identified at the fit and delivery stage. In 2022 we continued to monitor developments in prosthetic

14

provision to our Members across the UK. At an individual level, Blesma advocated directly for 106 Members who required support locally at their NHS Limb Centres. We continued to raise awareness of limb loss within the NHS, delivering four regional GP veteran’s awareness training sessions over the year.

Blesma’s support to the Defence Recovery Capability was affected by Covid restrictions as visits by Members to Complex Prosthetics Assessment Clinics were suspended during the year. However, the Association helped 190 members with attributable injuries access specialist clinical care via the NHS Veterans Trauma Network (VTN). Blesma was represented on the VTN programme board and was actively involved in 22 VTN Multi-Disciplinary Teams which directly benefited our Members. We were pleased that the vital work of the Network was recognised by the award of the 2022 Health Service Journal Awards in the category of “Military and Civilian Partnership Award” this year.

Blesma continued to maintain its close links with the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre at Stamford Hall, where we enjoy good working relationships with both the clinical staff and the Veteran Welfare Service. There were significant pressures on the social care team due to staff vacancies and absences in 2022, however, they maintained close contact with Blesma and continued to send referrals for new Members whom we directly supported at this critical stage. Although in-person visits were suspended, the Complex Prosthetic Assessment Clinics continued to run smoothly, accepting 10 member referrals. Following the re-introduction of the successful Osseointegration programme, several Blesma Members completed their rehabilitation at Stamford Hall during the latter part of the year, with positive outcomes for all.

For those with Service attributable amputations, the Veterans Prosthetic Panel continued to provide an excellent route for funding components in England. In 2022, Blesma achieved 370 successful advanced prosthetic component applications (95% success rate in submissions) for our members valued at £2,345,148. The Veterans Prosthetic Panel and NHS England continued to support Blesma Member applications to replace out of warranty prosthetics through residual funds. Eligible Members living in the devolved administrations had similar access to prosthetics through national care pathways, again supported by Blesma.

Blesma’s BSO Prosthetics continues as a member of the NHS England Prosthetic Service Review board which is at the stage of designing and drafting an NHS-wide Service specification which will be publicised and subject to public consultation in 2023. Blesma are also represented on the Direct Skeletal Fixation (Osseointegration) Policy Working Group which has submitted a policy draft and evidence review to NHS England for consideration of further surgical intervention for prosthetic users who have a low tolerance of conventional prosthetic sockets.

15

The Pattenmakers . In 2022, Blesma was pleased for the first time to engage with the Worshipful Company of Pattenmakers, and particularly delighted that through their generous donation, we were able to assist one member to have a pair of bespoke leather boots made by Bill Bird Shoes which corrected a significant mobility issue. We look forward to further engagement and support in 2023.

Blesma has be grateful for the financial support provided by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (AFCT) scheme which has helped fund activities in several Blesma regions. Of note was the success of the South West photography group which delivered a total of 100 activity sessions including, 15 physical activities, 15 online craft activities, 70 photography workshops and a photography exhibition staged at the University of Plymouth. The AFCFT also facilitated a grant from the Office of Veteran’s Affairs in support of veterans of recent conflicts.

Blesma’s membership enquiries and application process continued to benefit from the move to an online process in 2021 with 152 new members joining the Association during the year. At any one time, Blesma has around 30 applications underway awaiting confirmation of Service or eligibility criteria.

Blesma’s Benefits and Social Care Advisor successfully resolved 75 benefit enquiries submitted via BSOs and a further 88 directly from members. She also conducted at home consultations with BSOs to advise and support members with particularly complex cases. Blesma continued to engage with the DWP and its providers to ensure the Association kept staff and members up to date with legislation and processes.

BSOs also continued to directly support individual Members who wished to challenge their War Pensions, Armed Forces Compensation Scheme Awards or DWP benefits. This also included representing them at Hearings and Tribunals. Blesma continued to engage with the DWP and delivery partners, highlighting issues affecting veterans. This included monitoring and publishing changes to existing policy which may affect Members.

Research. In 2022 Blesma and Anglia Ruskin University concluded a two year research study into living with loss of use of limb, in particular the effects on families. This followed an earlier study on the effects of living with limb loss. The project was kindly and generously funded and supported by the Forces in Mind Trust, who also allowed for further investigation into the experiences of female veterans and their families. The final report promises to shine a light on some key areas of need whilst proposing a practitioner’s tool that will help inform and improve future clinical practice.

Blesma also applied for a £200,000 research grant from the Office for Veteran’s Affairs through the Health Innovation Fund. If funded, this research

16

will examine the benefits of using commercially available mobility devices to enhance the quality of life of users.

Work with Devolved Governments .

Blesma continued to work with Social Security Scotland to help shape their new disability benefit system, specifically where it has impact on veterans. The Adult Disability Payment is the Scottish equivalent to the Personal Independence Payment. Staff have taken part in stakeholder events to help develop the claim process and help design the claim form. The Association has also inputted into the Scottish Government’s Enhanced Administration and Compensation Recovery consultation process.

In Wales, Blesma continued to attend the Cross-Party Group for Armed Forces and maintained a strong relationship with the Welsh Government Armed Forces Team. The Association continued to highlight gaps in support for Veterans and their families in Wales, while supporting initiatives to improve service provision, reduce social isolation for veterans and improve prosthetics provision. BSO (Wales and West) collaborated directly with the new Wales Veterans Commissioner and now sits as Vice Chair of the Wales Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committee (VAPC).

In Northern Ireland the Association worked closely with the NI Veterans Support Office (NIVSO) to coordinate support and raise awareness of veteran’s issues. Blesma also contributed to the success of six veteran’s information roadshows hosted by the Veterans Commissioner. BSO (Prosthetics) and BSO Scotland & Northern Ireland are members of the NI Armed Forces Liaison Forum and work with the Musgrave Park Limb Centre on issues affecting prosthetic provision in the Province.

Branch Network

Blesma’s five regional branches continued to support and connect our Members through their local networks of Members and volunteers, supported by regional BSOs and Outreach Officers.

In 2022 the Bournemouth and District Branch held its 75[th] anniversary to coincide with D Day on 6[th] June in Dorchester. Members were also able to congratulate their Branch Secretary on receiving the Blesma Earl of Ancaster award for exceptional volunteer services to the Association. The Branch were delighted to have also received a gracious response from Her Majesty to the Chairman’s loyal greetings on her Diamond Jubilee, which in the light of her passing, has made her reply that more memorable.

Sutton and Merton and Districts branch met regularly throughout the year and saw several new members expanding its ranks. The Branch invited Merton Council to brief Members on their new initiative supporting veterans with

17

housing issues, employment and welfare support in early 2023. In June the Chairman received a Certificate and Shield in recognition of her Long and Meritorious Service to Blesma.

The Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft Branch was very active and increased its membership numbers in the year. The Branch looked to widen its membership catchment area and held an event in Norwich for the first time. Other highlights included a well-supported and attended Blesma stand at Armed Forces Day in Lowestoft and large Member get-togethers at Dunston Hall and Oulton Broad.

In a similar vein, the Nottingham Branch was very active supporting members both in person and via regular telephone call check-ins within its catchment area. The Branch are looking to continue to expand their numbers and diversify their activities and meeting times in 2023, in order to attract and engage a wider and younger cohort of membership.

Southampton Branch continued to actively support its members, with regular online advice and engagement augmented by face to face social meetings in Totton. Sadly, the Portsmouth Branch became unsustainable and closed down in 2022, although over half of its members transferred to the Southampton Branch to maintain their strong links with local Members.

IDENTITY

Blesma’s 90th year began under Covid restrictions, with some international events including January’s skiing trip to France having to be cancelled due to travel restrictions imposed because of the Omicron covid variant. By March these restrictions were eased and international travel could restart, enabling the second planned skiing trip to France to take place. This was the first overseas Blesma activity to take place in two years.

The lifting of travel restrictions also meant that the twice-postponed Race Across America (RAAM) cycle event could take place in June. This event was probably the most challenging of any group activity that Blesma has organised, with Blesma’s team of cyclists and support crew “digging deep” to overcome the loss of their captain after a bike crash as well as their team bus to a mechanical breakdown. Thanks to the determination of those taking part and the enthusiastic support of their American hosts the Blesma team were able to adapt, overcome and battle their way to the finish line.

National Activities were also able to take place throughout most of the year as the threat of Omicron receded. Family glamping trips, seniors and widows’ weeks, fitness and lifestyle camps, Blesma’s second surf week and a weeklong photography event in Shetland all provided opportunities for Members and their families to re-connect.

18

Further to the Members Weekend taking place between lockdowns in October 2021, we were able to return to our usual month of June for Members Weekend 2022. Once again this event took place in Chesford Lodge in Warwickshire. Some 250 Members, family members and guests took part in a celebration and commemoration of Blesma’s 90[th] Anniversary. The event included the first inperson Annual General Meeting since 2019, with some Members attending remotely. Once the formalities were over Members took part in a wide variety of games, workshops and displays. The weekend ended with a Barbeque and several promises to “see you next year!”

The 90[th] Anniversary commemorations continued with Blesma hosting a reception in the State Apartments of the Royal Hospital Chelsea. Members, trustees and staff from across the Association hosted a wide range of guests, including individual donors, corporate supporters, representatives from the armed forces, government ministries, the NHS and other military charities to say thank you for making Blesma’s work possible.

Other representational events in 2022 included the Belfast Military Tattoo where Blesma was selected as the chosen military charity. Members were hugely touched as they received a standing ovation from the crowd. Remembrance events in November were well-supported, with Members attending the Cenotaph parade and conducting a wreath laying ceremony at West Ham Football Club’s London Stadium.

Blesma’s Venture Fund continued to support Members taking part in personal sporting challenges. Members competed in the Winter Paralympics and Invictus Games, while others were able to pursue their ambitions in a wide variety of sports including polo, aerobatic flying, motorsports, archery, ice hockey and sailing. Mountaineering successes included Member Les Binns summiting Mount Everest, Andy Reid’s successful expedition to Mount Kilimanjaro and Martin Hewitt summiting Mt Vinson in Antarctica on his way to completing the incredible Adaptive Grand Slam of reaching both poles and summiting the highest peaks on all seven continents.

The Making Generation R programme was able to return to face-to-face training and presentations in 2022. After running this hugely successful programme for six years the Association commissioned an external evaluation of the programme to seek the views of Members, audiences and supporters before deciding on its future. After an extensive review, the Association decided to continue delivering presentations to youth audiences for one more year, then to transition into a Storytelling programme focusing upon Members being able to tell their story to audiences of their choice. This new programme is planned to launch in mid-2023 for a trial period of two years.

CONNECTIVITY

Blesma continued to maintain the vital connectivity between our own Members through an expanding programme of social events and activities, delivered

19

regionally by our 10 Outreach Officers. This led to the successful delivery of 288 activities (46 virtual and 242 face to face) to 3,654 members and their families in 2022. Feedback was hugely positive and showed that these popular activities help maintain the comradeship between our Members. Online activities continued to link our regional networks with Members across the country and beyond. These included all manner of arts and craft activities, a drama project, health and wellbeing workshops, quizzes and get-togethers over home-cooked recipes. Face to face activities included a huge variety of days out, dry slope skiing and snowboarding, golf, target rifle and clay pigeon shooting, carriage driving, wheelchair sports, coarse fishing, canal boating and sailing.

More widely the Association continued to advocate on behalf of its Members with the Ministry of Defence, the Office of Veterans Affairs and the Ministry of Health and Social Care. Our Independence and Wellbeing staff maintained close ties with both national and local agencies to deliver joined up support, often through multi-disciplinary teams focussed on individual cases. Blesma continued to develop its working relationship with Veterans UK by holding regular meetings with staff. This collaboration was strengthened in 2022 with Blesma being invited to participate in a Veterans UK communications review, a Lived Experience event and two training sessions at Norcross for Veterans UK staff delivered by Blesma BSOs to promote a better understanding of the issues faced by our Members. This will be supplemented in 2023 by further online sessions provided to Veterans UK Welfare Service staff.

During the year the Association provided detailed feedback and advice on several government consultation papers on health, disability, and the provision of care services. We continued to work closely with the Scottish Parliament on the Scottish Social Security Review and represented veterans in Wales through the Welsh Armed Forces Prosthetic Forum.

Blesma continued to be represented on the executive boards of Cobseo, the Confederation of Service Charities and Veterans Scotland, while collaborating with other charities supporting disabled veterans through the Disabled Veterans Charity Partnership with Help for Heroes and Blind Veterans UK. The Association also submitted a joint case with Help for Heroes to the Treasury for the restoration of the Veterans Mobility Fund, which previously used money raised through LIBOR fines to provide prosthetics and mobility equipment to veterans with attributable injuries.

In 2022 Blesma streamlined its own Communications and Marketing operations in order to focus on informing Members, supporters and the wider public about our Members and the different ways in which Blesma assists them to live independent and fulfilling lives.

The year saw the successful relaunch of the Blesma magazine which now contains the Blesma Bulletin within it, rather than as a separate publication. This reduction in publications from seven to four meant that each issue of the

magazine could have more attention and the quality of the publication could increase. The new look magazine and bulletin was widely complimented by Members across the Association.

A review of the Blesma Connects app found that audience and usage figures had not met expectations and the app had struggled to meet its goals. A lot of the information on the app was available elsewhere and many of Blesma’s Members preferred to use other social media platforms to communicate. The decision was made to close the app and focus on other digital media outputs.

In 2022 Blesma commissioned a Membership Survey in order to improve its understanding of Members in terms of numbers, lifestyles, work and family. Members were invited to describe how they had used Blesma’s services and activities, in order to establish what kinds of needs they might have going forward in terms of welfare support, activities and communications. The intention is to use this information to make recommendations on how Blesma should develop its strategy over the next five years. The survey received over 400 responses, representing approximately 15% of the membership. These responses have been followed up with more detailed one-to-one interviews. Results will be shared with the membership in 2023.

Press and social media coverage of Blesma focussed upon the achievements of Members at the Paralympics and Invictus games, the Everest and Kilimanjaro climbs and the Land’s End to John o’ Groats fundraising challenges completed by Member trustee Stu Croxford and supporter George Bromley. Blesma Member Fran Townsend’s experiences with the England polo team in Argentina were covered by The Daily Mirror in December. The 40[th] Anniversary of the Falklands War and Blesma’s own 90[th] Anniversary were highlighted through videos describing our Member’s experiences and the support provided by the Association. The best performing piece of social media content in 2022 was a tweet about Blesma Member Ricky Ferguson MC which reached 94,500 people. Our social media following has continued to grow, with an 11% increase since 2021 taking the number to 68,000 followers.

RESOURCING

In 2022, 76% of all income came from general fundraising in the form of donations and legacies; 18% from the investment portfolio and investment property (rent); 5% from grants; and 1% from miscellaneous sources. Although general fundraising income (excluding legacies) was down 23% compared to 2021, it was above the target set at the start of the year by 9%, an achievement considering the significant economic and fundraising challenges experienced in 2022. Legacy fundraising recovered well from 2021, with an 80% increase in receipts. We anticipate that fundraising conditions will remain particularly challenging in 2023, and that 22p ( 2021:21p ) in every pound of income raised in 2022 will be used to raise funds in 2023. The Association remains determined to make the most of every pound that is raised and prioritise outputs in support of its Members.

21

We remain vigilant and continue to abide by GDPR stipulations in all our fundraising activities and ensure that the Fundraising Regulator’s guidelines on personal information and fundraising (consent, purpose and transparency) are adhered to. Blesma does not employ agencies to raise funds from the public in the name of Blesma. Our fundraising activities are monitored closely. Our fundraising ethics and promise, complaints policy and privacy policy are published. Our safeguarding policy toward vulnerable people is adhered to in our fundraising activities. There were no formal complaints relating to Blesma’s fundraising methods in 2022.

PLANS FOR THE FUTURE

The Board of Trustees regularly review Blesma’s 5 year rolling Strategic Plan in step with the Board’s annual cycle of governance. A thorough review of the Plan was undertaken in 2018 to take the horizon forward to 2023. The purpose of the Plan is to:

The Blesma Board plans to include the views of Members in a strategy review in 2023. In future the Plan will address:

Security:

22

Identity:

Connectivity:

Resourcing :

FINANCIAL REVIEW

GENERAL PERFORMANCE IN 2022

During the year ended 31 December 2022, the Association recorded an operating loss of £2,398,491 ( 2021: £1,173,351). The net expenditure after the loss on investments of £3,402,348 , was £5,800,840 ( 2021: £2,264,127 net income after investment gain of £3,437,478 ) owing to the major challenges facing the economy due to the legacy of the pandemic, the economic crisis impacting upon investment performance and the squeeze on incomes as inflation hit a 40-year high at the end of the year.

23

Donations, legacies, grants and other income amounted to £3,956,288 ( 2021: £4,225,724 ) and these included:

Total Incoming Resources less the cost of generating funds amounted to £2,893,816 ( 2021: £3,118,440). This included net Investment Income of £537,670 ( 2021: £475,241 ). The total decrease in income was 6 % on the previous year overall.

Expenditure on Blesma’s charitable activities was £5,292,307 ( 2021: £4,291,792 ), an increase of 23% over the previous year largely due to increasing demand for welfare grants, inflation and the one-off payment of hardship grants to our Members to cushion the impact of high energy prices caused by the war in Ukraine. This included:

FUNDRAISING

Total fundraising income was £3,024,554 ( 2021: £3,013,749 ), a slight increase on the previous year by 0.4% despite the significant economic challenges experienced. The performance of individual income streams in 2022 was as follows:

24

INVESTMENT POLICY AND PERFORMANCE

The Association’s funds are invested in line with direction given by Trustees to its Fund Managers, Cazenove Capital Management, in the form of investment policy. Trustees delegate matters of policy development and general supervision to the Finance and Investment Sub Committee. It delegates dayto-day policy management to the National Treasurer and to the Chief Executive and Finance and Support Director who remain in close contact with Fund Managers. The Fund Managers present the Investment Report to the Finance & Investment Sub Committee twice a year, and Trustees receive quarterly Reports. An ethical ‘look through’ is conducted annually.

Investment Objective

Blesma’s investment objective is to have an optimum level of income commensurate with operational requirements to meet the needs of Members, whilst maintaining the real value of the investments over the longer term. A total return target for income in 2022 was given to the Fund Managers and achieved.

Asset Allocation and Benchmarks

During 2022 Trustees and Managers reviewed and confirmed the asset allocation being set within the following ranges:

25

----- Start of picture text -----
Strategy Ranges
UK Equities 22% 50% - 80%
Overseas Equities 43% 50% - 80%
Fixed Income 14% 5% - 30%
Alternatives (including Property) 19% 5% - 30%
Cash 2% 0 - 10%
----- End of picture text -----

Investment Restrictions

Not to invest in unquoted securities, individual Futures, Warrants or Commodities, in property directly, or to participate in underwriting. Fund Managers are not to invest directly in foreign currencies or Chinese government securities without prior agreement with Trustees. Total equity allocation should not exceed 80% and not fall below 50%.

Investment Performance

Invested funds decreased to £32.8m ( 2021:£36.7m ) over the period. The net income was £537,669 ( 2021: £475,241 ) - a yield of 1.6% (2021: 1.3%). Stock markets rounded off a tumultuous year with gains in the fourth quarter. Within the Blesma portfolio the return on equities exceeded the global equity benchmark. The most significant contribution came from the allocation to UK equities, which were aided in part by the country beginning to recover from the “mini-budget” crisis. Government bond yields edged up (meaning prices fell) towards the end of the fourth quarter, reflecting some market disappointment at the hawkish tone from some central banks despite mounting evidence of slowing economic growth.

RISK MANAGEMENT

At a strategic level the Charity Commission’s guidance, Charities and Risk Management, on the four basic approaches of transferring, avoiding, managing or accepting risk has been followed. Strategic and operational level risks are reviewed quarterly by the Board using a traffic light system of risks against performance and management, including mitigation and trend analysis. The two most concerning strategic risks are:

26

In the opinion of the Trustees the Association has the established resources and the review systems in place, which should allow risks identified by them to be managed appropriately.

CHARITY RESERVES

Blesma’s Free Reserves (i.e. investment portfolio plus cash at bank) at the balance sheet date stood at £36m ( 2021: £41m ), a decrease of 12% as inflation surged to 40-year highs leading to an unprecedented series of interest-rate increases, with significant impact on markets that continued into the end of the year. The total Fund balance was £38,628,599 ( 2021: £44,429,439 ) of which Unrestricted Funds stood at £38,081,435 ( 2021: £43,735,520 ) and Restricted Funds £547,164 ( 2021: £693,919 ). Blesma’s resources are needed to meet its main charitable objectives. Through-life support for present Members must be sustainable. The need to maintain contingency for the casualties of future conflict requires readiness, as do unforeseen issues such as those we have experienced over the last three years. Apart from its office building Blesma has no assets of monetary value beyond the investment portfolio managed by Cazenove.

20 per cent of Free Reserves is allocated to an increase in spending on more comprehensive services to Members as defined in the Strategic Plan.

20 per cent of Free Reserves is allocated to funding the increased cost of supporting care for the most infirm and those in later life, specifically in the longer term under the Blesma grants scheme. There was increasing demand for welfare grants in 2022 and the State is under increasing and significant pressure to deliver appropriate health and social care provision, particularly for those in later life. This is reflected across the NHS and at Local Authority/ Integrated Care Board level. Where State provision is found wanting in a definite way, and on the understanding Blesma is not replacing the State in a wholesale manner, grants are made to relieve distress and meet immediate need.

20 per cent of Free Reserves is allocated to providing instant funds for the support of casualties in a future conflict and to absorb increased costs in the provision of services resulting from medical advances and a more holistic approach. Blesma must be ready for unexpected and violent scenarios.

40 per cent of Free Reserves will remain as such (approximately 26 months of operating costs) to ensure business continuity, thus demonstrating to beneficiaries, funders and the public the charity’s continuing resilience and

27

capacity to manage unforeseen financial difficulties. Free Reserves are the only asset available to Blesma to meet ongoing, and future, commitments to support the membership for life should current income streams be jeopardised.

At the balance sheet date, the Trustees are satisfied that the level of Free Reserves is adequate for the purpose, given the requirement to address a backlog in health provision, ongoing economic uncertainty and increasing pressure on household incomes that is likely to continue to impact on charitable donations. The Board will continue to review the Association's reserves and its policy annually; more frequently if circumstances dictate. Trustees pay particular attention to the ratio of Free Reserves to operating costs.

GOING CONCERN

Despite reporting an operating loss and a reduction in the value of investments during 2022, the Trustees are satisfied that Blesma retains sufficient free reserves to meet its commitments in the foreseeable future and is therefore a going concern. The Blesma Strategic Plan continually looks forward five years matching policy, resources, programmes and projects, ensuring prudent balance is maintained. In 2022 Blesma made use of its reserves to sustain charitable outputs as intended. Should the financial effects of economic uncertainty exceed expectations to the point that the reserves may be significantly reduced, savings measures such as structural adjustments and/or redundancies will be considered before significant reductions in expenditure on activities or welfare provision.

GOVERNANCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE

REPORT

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT

CONSTITUTION

Charity Number 1084189 Company Limited by Guarantee Number 4102768 Registered in Scotland SC010315

Blesma The Limbless Veterans is a national charity for those who lose limbs or the permanent use of limbs, or lose the sight of eyes, or suffer permanent loss of speech or hearing, in Service or as a result of Service in Her Majesty’s Forces, or Auxiliary Forces, and for ex-Service men and women who lose limbs

28

or sight of eyes, or in certain circumstances use of limbs, after Service. While the majority of its Members are ex-Service men and women, there are a number who are still serving. Membership is also open to all men and women of civilian status who lose a limb or an eye, or suffer the loss of use of limb as a result of War Service or enemy action, or terrorist action against Her Majesty’s Forces with which those of civilian status are employed, or volunteer, to provide direct support, or in exceptional circumstances subject to the approval of Trustees.

The Association also accepts responsibility for the dependants of its Members and in particular their Widows as beneficiaries. The Association is governed by its most recent Articles of Association and Rules adopted at the Annual General Meeting on 3 June 2021.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AND APPOINTMENT OF TRUSTEES

The Blesma AGM was held during the 2022 Members Weekend on 19[th] June 2022. A full report on proceedings was included in the Autumn Association Magazine .

The maximum number of elected Trustees is 11. One third of trustees are required to resign and stand for re-election, if they so wish, at each AGM. Additionally, any Trustee over the age of 70 must do likewise every year. The Board aims to achieve an appropriate balance of knowledge and experience; at least half the trustees should be full or associate Blesma Members while the remainder are granted honorary membership. This promotes connectivity across the Association and the right blend of experience, knowledge and expertise to fulfil all Board responsibilities. Blesma acknowledges the Charity Governance Code, abides by the Code’s principles and works to implement the recommended practice. Blesma is a full Member of the Confederation of Service Charities.

TRAINING OF TRUSTEES

Following election to the Board, each Trustee is provided with relevant Charity Commission publications covering responsibilities and essential knowledge, and these are updated when necessary. Trustees also receive regular briefings on issues affecting charities at their quarterly meetings. New Trustees receive a full induction programme covering both their generic and specific responsibilities and the spectrum of Blesma business, including externally provided training.

29

ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE

The Board. The Board of Trustees exercises supervision by holding four meetings each year. The agenda cycle is Fiduciary and Strategy (March/April), Performance and Risk (June), Strategy Review and Programme Proposal (September) and Programme Approval (December).

The Board of Trustees:

National Chairman: Gen Sir Adrian Bradshaw KCB OBE DL Vice Chairman: Mr S White Honorary Treasurer: Mr M Ambler Mr S Croxford Ms A Grant Mr R Gilbert Mr R Kerrigan Mr L Maguire Mr C Rouse MBE Mr R Watts Mr B West (until June 2022)

Mr C Rouse was extended in post as a trustee for 2022/23 in order to retain his specialist knowledge of Member events and activities.

The Finance & Investment Sub Committee (FISC). The FISC meets twice a year under the chairmanship of the Honorary Treasurer. Its terms of reference including delegated powers are laid down in an appropriate Blesma Governance Instruction. At each bi-annual meeting the FISC is briefed by the Association’s investment managers from Cazenove Capital Management Limited.

The Remuneration Sub Committee (RSC). The RSC meets once a year routinely, under the chairmanship of the Vice Chairman. It reports to the full Board to make recommendations upon the specific remuneration and terms and conditions of service for the Chief Executive and Senior Management Team, and remuneration policy in general for all staff.

The Governance Sub Committee (GSC). Governance matters and Blesma’s policies are reviewed on a regular basis by the GSC under the chairmanship of the Vice Chairman. Blesma’s Governance Standing Instructions are reviewed annually.

The Executive. The Chief Executive Mr J D Bryant OBE runs the Association on a day-to-day basis from Chelmsford in Essex.

The key structure is:

30

There are no trading subsidiaries of Blesma.

KEY MANAGEMENT – REMUNERATION

The remuneration of key management personnel is set by the Trustees, upon recommendation of the Remuneration Sub Committee, with the policy objective of ensuring that they are provided with appropriate incentives to encourage strong performance and are, in a fair and responsible manner, rewarded for their individual contributions to the Charity’s success. The appropriateness and relevance of remuneration is reviewed annually, in particular noting role responsibilities and including reference to comparisons with sector and national statistics to ensure that Blesma remains sensitive to the broader issues of pay and employment conditions elsewhere. The key management are the Chief Executive, the Director of Operations, the Director of Independence and Wellbeing and the Finance and Support Director, collectively known as the Senior Management Team (SMT). The staff salary bands and sum of remuneration are noted in the Charity Accounts. The Chief Executive and SMT are employed on the same terms as all other staff and the Charity does not pay bonuses. Trustees normally receive no remuneration or benefits other than expenses incurred.

DATA PROTECTION

Trustees are briefed regularly on matters surrounding data protection and personal information, and ensure policies are appropriate and kept up to date. Blesma continues to closely monitor its compliance with General Data Protection Regulations and the Blesma Privacy policy is published on the Blesma website.

31

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The trustees, who are also the directors under company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ 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 have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice for Charities (SORP 2015) issued October 2019, Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.

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 charity and of the profit or loss of the charity 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 charity’s transactions and 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 assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Insofar as each of the trustees of the company at the date of approval of this report is aware there is no relevant audit information (information needed by the company’s auditor in connection with preparing the audit report) of which the company’s auditor is unaware. Each trustee has taken all the steps that they should have taken as a trustee in order to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the company’s auditor is aware of that information.

32

This Report which incorporates the Strategic Report, was approved by the Trustees on 6[th] April 2023, and signed on their behalf.

General Sir Adrian Bradshaw KCB OBE DL National Chairman

6[th] April 2023

33

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE - MEMBERS OF THE BRITISH LIMBLESS EX SERVICE MEN’S ASSOCIATION

OPINION ON THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

We have audited the financial statements of the British Limbless Ex-Service Men’s Association for the year ended 31 December 2022 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet, the Cash Flow Statement, and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion the financial statements:

give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company’s affairs as at 31 December 2022 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the year then ended;

have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and

have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and Regulations 6 and 8 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (amended).

Basis for opinion

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

Conclusions relating to going concern

34

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

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

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

Other information

The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion based on the work undertaken in the course of our audit the information given in the trustees’ report, which includes the directors’ report and the strategic report prepared for the purposes of company law, for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and

the strategic report and the directors’ report included within the trustees’ report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In light of the knowledge and understanding of the charitable company and their environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material

35

misstatements in the strategic report or the directors’ report included within the trustees’ report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

adequate and proper accounting records have not been kept; or

the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or

certain disclosures of trustees' remuneration specified by law are not made; or

we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the trustees’ responsibilities statement set out on page 30, the trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

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

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

We have been appointed as auditor under section 44(1)(c) of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and under the Companies Act 2006 and report in accordance with the Acts and relevant regulations made or having effect thereunder.

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

36

Details of the extent to which the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, are set out below.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

Extent to which the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We identified and assessed the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements from irregularities, whether due to fraud or error, and discussed these between our audit team members. We then designed and performed audit procedures responsive to those risks, including obtaining audit evidence sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks within which the charitable company operates, focusing on those laws and regulations that have a direct effect on the determination of material amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The laws and regulations we considered in this context were the Companies Act 2006 and the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and fundraising regulations, together with the Charities SORP (FRS102) 2019. We assessed the required compliance with these laws and regulations as part of our audit procedures on the related financial statement items.

In addition, we considered provisions of other laws and regulations that do not have a direct effect on the financial statements but compliance with which might be fundamental to the charitable company’s ability to operate or to avoid a material penalty. We also considered the opportunities and incentives that may exist within the charitable company for fraud. The laws and regulations we considered in this context for the UK operations were Charity Commission regulations, fundraising regulations, taxation legislation, employment legislation, General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Health and safety legislation.

Auditing standards limit the required audit procedures to identify noncompliance with these laws and regulations to enquiry of the Trustees and other management and inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any. We identified the greatest risk of material impact on the financial statements from irregularities, including fraud, to be within the override of controls by management. Our audit procedures to respond to these risks included enquiries of management and the Board of Trustees about their own identification and assessment of the risks of irregularities, sample testing on the posting of journals, reviewing accounting estimates for biases, reviewing regulatory

37

correspondence with the Charity Commission, including Serious Incidents reported, and reading minutes of meetings of those charged with governance. Owing to the inherent limitations of an audit, there is an unavoidable risk that we may not have detected some material misstatements in the financial statements, even though we have properly planned and performed our audit in accordance with auditing standards. For example, the further removed noncompliance with laws and regulations (irregularities) is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely the inherently limited procedures required by auditing standards would identify it. In addition, as with any audit, there remained a higher risk of non-detection of irregularities, as these may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal controls. We are not responsible for preventing non-compliance and cannot be expected to detect noncompliance with all laws and regulations.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charitable company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and the charitable company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Andrew Thomas Senior Statutory Auditor For and on behalf of Crowe U.K. LLP Statutory Auditor London Date:

38

RESTRICTED
2022
2021
Notes
FUNDS
FUNDS
TOTAL
TOTAL
BRITISH LIMBLESS EX-SERVICE MEN'S ASSOCIATION
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCORPORATING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
UNRESTRICTED		 RESTRICTED
2022
2021
Notes
FUNDS
FUNDS
TOTAL
TOTAL
BRITISH LIMBLESS EX-SERVICE MEN'S ASSOCIATION
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCORPORATING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
UNRESTRICTED		 RESTRICTED
2022
2021
Notes
FUNDS
FUNDS
TOTAL
TOTAL
BRITISH LIMBLESS EX-SERVICE MEN'S ASSOCIATION
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCORPORATING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
UNRESTRICTED
£
Income
2
2,718,267
664,868
44,849
-
23,084
732,801
3,451,067
Expenditure on raising funds
Fundraising
5
934,274
Investment Management fees
127,198
1,061,472
Membership Services - Welfare
6
3,249,893
Membership Services - Activities
7
1,078,668
Awareness and Representation
8
312,771
4,641,332
5,702,804
Operating (loss)/surplus
(2,251,737)
12
(3,402,348)
(5,654,085)
Transfers between funds
-
Net movement in funds for the year
(5,654,085)
Balances brought forward 1 January 2022
17/18
43,735,520
BALANCES CARRIED FORWARD 31 DECEMBER 2022
38,081,435

Identity
Connectivity
Total Expenditure
Net (loss)/gain on investments
Net income/(expenditure)
Security
Donations and Legacies
Investment Income
Total Income
Expenditure
Resourcing
Expenditure on charitable activities
Other Income
Grants
Investment Income - Other		 £
306,287
-
-
198,934
-
198,934
505,220
1,000
-
1,000
611,812
39,163
-
650,975
651,975
(146,755)
-
(146,755)
-
(146,755)
693,919
547,164		 £
£
3,024,554
3,013,749
664,868
599,509
44,849
40,749
198,934
165,379
23,084
406,338
931,734
1,211,975
3,956,288
4,225,724
935,274
983,016
127,198
124,268
1,062,472
1,107,284
3,861,705
3,152,136
1,117,831
762,029
312,771
377,626
5,292,307
4,291,792
6,354,779
5,399,076
(2,398,491)
(1,173,351)
(3,402,348)
3,437,478
(5,800,840)
2,264,127
-
-
(5,800,840)
2,264,127
44,429,439
42,165,312
38,628,599
44,429,439

The Notes on pages 42-57 form part of these financial statements.

39

BRITISH LIMBLESS EX-SERVICE MEN'S ASSOCIATION BALANCE SHEET (Company number: 04102768) AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2022

2022
TOTAL		 2021
TOTAL
Notes
Fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets
11
Intangible fixed assets
11(b)
Investment properties
11(a)		 £
2,143,755
18,023
839,345		 £
2,217,756
66,095
857,150
Investments
12		 32,769,056 36,661,070
Current Assets
Stocks
Debtors
13		 35,770,179
15,771
515,210		 39,802,071
13,754
431,840
Balances at bank and in hand 2,838,237 4,596,194
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
14
Provision for liabilities and charges
14 (a)
Net current assets
Net Assets
FUNDS
Unrestricted funds
17
Restricted funds
18
Total Funds		 3,369,218
458,363
52,434
2,858,420
38,628,599
38,081,435
547,164
38,628,599		 5,041,788
285,811
128,609
4,627,368
44,429,439
43,735,520
693,919
44,429,439

Approved by the Board of Trustees on 6 April 2023 and signed on its behalf by: General Sir Adrian Bradshaw KCB OBE M Ambler J Bryant OBE

-

The Notes on pages 42-57 form part of these financial statements.

40

2022
2022
2021
£
£
£
BRITISH LIMBLESS EX-SERVICE MEN'S ASSOCIATION
CASH FLOW STATEMENT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022		 2022
2022
2021
£
£
£
BRITISH LIMBLESS EX-SERVICE MEN'S ASSOCIATION
CASH FLOW STATEMENT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022		 2022
2022
2021
£
£
£
BRITISH LIMBLESS EX-SERVICE MEN'S ASSOCIATION
CASH FLOW STATEMENT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022		 2021
£
Investment income
Purchase of investments
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
Proceeds from the sale of investments
(Increase)/decrease in amounts awaiting investment
(a)
Cash at bank and in hand
(b)
Adjustments for:
Net (gain)/loss on investments
Investment income
Depreciation and amortisation
(Increase) / decrease in stocks
(Increase) / decrease in debtors
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
Net (expenditure)/ income
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
Cash flows from financial activities
Net cash provided in (used by) financial activities
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the
reporting period
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the
reporting period
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the
reporting period
Analysis of cash and cash equivalents
Reconciliation of cash flows from operating activities
as per the Statement of Financial Activities		 709,717
(8,607,825)
(50,883)
9,264,224		 (2,906,458)
599,509
(9,580,445)
(19,942)
9,374,809
1,315,234
742,818
(166,733)
(1,757,957)
4,596,194
2,838,237
2022
£
2,838,237
2,838,237
2022
£
(5,800,840)
3,402,348
(709,717)
163,269
(2,017)
(83,370)		 (1,497,807)
373,931
742,818
(166,733)
(381,058)
4,977,252
4,596,194
2021
£
4,596,194
4,596,194
2021
£
2,264,127
(3,415,402)
(599,509)
157,792
9,366
86,924
Increase/(decrease) in creditors
Prior year adjustment		 96,377
27,491		 (1,105)
-
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities (2,906,458) (1,497,807)

The Notes on pages 42-57 form part of these financial statements.

41

BRITISH LIMBLESS EX-SERVICE MEN’S ASSOCIATION NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022

1. CHARITY INFORMATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES

British Limbless Ex-Service Men’s Association is a Member charity specialising in and helping limbless and loss of use of limbs veterans.

The charity is a private company limited by guarantee (registered number 4102768) and was established in 1932 (charity number 1084189) and incorporated in 2000. The charity is also registered in Scotland (registered number SC010315). The address of the registered office is 115 New London Road, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 0QT.

Accounting policies

The following accounting policies have been applied consistently for all years in dealing with items that are considered material in relation to the financial statements of the Charity.

i) Basis of preparation. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities under the historic cost convention, as modified for the revaluation of certain investments and properties measured at fair value, and in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) Accounting and Reporting by Charities , 2[nd] edition, published in 2019, Financial Reporting Standard 102 ‘ The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland ’, the Charities Act 2011, the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, and the Companies Act 2006.

The Charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.

ii) Going concern. As stated in the Trustee’s Report, Trustees believe there are no material uncertainties that call into doubt the Charity’s ability to continue as a going concern and the accounts have therefore been prepared on the basis that the Charity is a going concern. In light of the current climate in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic the Trustees have reviewed the charities finances. In the short term cash holdings are sufficient to ensure adequate cashflow for the foreseeable future. In the medium to long term plans for, and the structure of, Blesma remain extant and will continue to be reviewed regularly.

iii) Fund accounting. Donations for specific capital projects are transferred to the fixed asset fund. Income received for specific expenditure is restricted for that purpose, as analysed under Note 18. Capital expenditure not funded by donations is allocated from the general fund. Annual depreciation is transferred

42

from the fixed asset fund to the general fund so that the fixed asset fund is always equal to the book value of the fixed assets.

iv) Income. All income is included in the Statement of Financial Activities when the Charity is entitled to it and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income:

v) Expenditure. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all the costs related to a category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular category they have been allocated to activities based on staff head count full time equivalents (FTE), as shown in Note 10. Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.

vi) Estimates and judgements. Estimates and judgements are continually evaluated and are based on experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Estimations that have a significant effect on the amounts recognised in the financial statements are summarised below:

Depreciation – is calculated based on the useful life of the asset and written off accordingly.

Provision for Care Home Residents – is an estimate for third party assistance to care for Blesma Members resettled in care homes shown as part of Note 14(a).

vii) Governance Costs. Governance costs are those incurred in compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements and are shown as part of Note 10.

viii) Tangible Fixed Assets. Tangible Fixed Assets are stated at cost less depreciation and are capitalised at a value of £1,000 and above. They are depreciated at rates intended to reduce their cost to their residual value over their estimated useful life on a straight-line basis as detailed below:

43

o Freehold Property 2.0% on cost o Furniture, Fittings and Equipment 10.0% on cost o Computer Equipment 33.3% on cost o Motor Vehicles 25.0% on cost o Coaches and Buses 12.5% on cost

ix) Intangible Fixed Assets. Intangible fixed assets are capitalised at a value of £1,000 and above and include software costs. They are amortised over 3 years i.e. 33.3% on cost over their estimated useful life on a straight-line basis.

x) Investment Properties. Investment properties are included in the accounts measured at fair value. The properties are reviewed annually for impairment. Any change in fair value is reflected through the Statement of Financial Activities.

xi) Investments. Fixed asset investments are stated in the Balance Sheet at market value. Realised gains and losses on disposal and unrealised gains on investments are shown in the statement of financial activities.

xii) Stocks. Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value.

xiii) Pension Costs. The charity contributes to a Group Personal Pension scheme with AEGON which is a defined contribution scheme. The amounts charged in the accounts are the employer’s contributions payable in the financial year.

xiv) Operating Leases. Rentals applicable to operating leases are charged to the statement of financial activities in the period to which the cost relates. Operating lease commitments are highlighted under Note 20.

xv) Financial assets and liabilities. Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised when BLESMA becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. Additionally, all financial assets and liabilities are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into. Financial assets and liabilities are initially measured at transaction price (including transaction costs) and are subsequently re-measured where applicable at amortised cost.

Financial assets held at amortised cost comprise of cash and bank, together with accrued interest and other debtors.

Financial liabilities held at amortised cost comprise of creditors and accruals.

44

2022
£
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
BRITISH LIMBLESS EX-SERVICE MEN'S ASSOCIATION
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS		 2022
£
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
BRITISH LIMBLESS EX-SERVICE MEN'S ASSOCIATION
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS		 2021
£
2. Donations and legacies
Community and Lotteries
Corporate
Direct mail
Major donors
Organised events
Trusts and foundations
Legacies		 492,251
50,894
355,518
166,125
78,366
640,727
1,240,673
3,024,554		 462,181
203,503
407,713
198,500
75,281
978,989
687,583
3,013,749

Included in Trusts and foundations income is an amount of £175,000 (2021: £450,000) from the Antioch Settlement Trust.

Legacy Pipeline

The charity has been able to identify from incomplete bequests through pecuniary and residuary legacies confirmed and expect to receive approximately the sum of £267,533 (2021: £650,606). The bequests have not yet met all criteria for income recognition.

45

----- Start of picture text -----
BRITISH LIMBLESS EX-SERVICE MEN'S ASSOCIATION
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
2022 2021
TOTAL TOTAL
4. Total Staff Costs £ £
Salaries and wages 1,870,324 1,760,484
Social security 204,684 183,072
Pension and life cover 96,889 95,422
Other staff costs 47,962 49,698
2,219,859 2,088,676
Actual number of staff employed (headcount average over 12 months):
Membership Services 27.6 25.3
Activities and Events 4.0 4.0
Fundraising 10.6 10.5
Awareness and Representation 2.8 4.0
Support 6.9 6.3
51.9 50.1
Total redundancies and settlement costs of £0 (2021: £0) were made in the year.
Key personnel
The charity has four key personnel in the salary bands shown below (there are no bonus or benefit schemes).
Staff salary bands:
£60,000 - £70,000 1 2
£70,000 - £80,000 1 1
£80,000 - £90,000 1 -
£90,000 - £100,000 1 1
Total remuneration paid to key management personnel during the year is £366,809 (2021: £347,885).
----- End of picture text -----

BLESMA contributes to a Group Personal Pension scheme with AEGON and new employees are auto-enrolled upon joining.

Total reimbursement of travel and other expenses to members of the Board of Trustees was £2,206 (2021: £435). Trustees are remunerated when they undertake paid work for Blesma approved by the Board of Trustees. The total paid in 2022 was: £2,700 ( 2021: £3,010 ).

46

BRITISH LIMBLESS EX-SERVICE MEN'S ASSOCIATION NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022

----- Start of picture text -----
2022 2021
£ £
5. Fundraising Costs
Staff costs 376,778 361,341
Database costs 26,642 23,680
Advertising costs 12,787 12,181
Community 13,160 14,727
Challenge and Events 17,121 13,225
Direct Mail costs 259,446 340,071
Other related costs 43,081 38,942
Attributable support costs 186,258 178,849
935,274 983,016
2022 2021
6. Membership Services - Welfare £ £
Staff costs 1,185,696 1,079,178
Welfare grants to members (all categories) 1,413,585 951,480
Continuing assistance to widows (all categories) 1,040 2,600
Chiropody 1,772 1,157
Welfare visiting 27,287 16,249
Other related costs 378,226 362,328
Members' annual conference 91,234 85,696
Special events 41,068 10,235
Research 16,822 5,000
Members' BLESMAG costs 184,850 144,569
Branch welfare activities 11,788 9,402
Branch support costs 880 1,938
Attributable support costs 507,457 482,305
3,861,705 3,152,136
----- End of picture text -----

Included in welfare grants is a total of £368K (one-off individual grants of £200) paid to Members to help cope with high energy prices caused by the war in Ukraine.

7. Membership Services - Activities
Staff costs
Activities and Events
Venturers program
Inspiration and Individual Recovery (Includes MGR)
Other related costs
Attributable support costs		 2022
£
159,163
451,129
131,321
302,915
8,864
64,439		 2021
£
151,720
104,794
145,726
284,031
11,451
64,307
1,117,831 762,029

47

BRITISH LIMBLESS EX-SERVICE MEN'S ASSOCIATION NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022

----- Start of picture text -----
2022 2021
£ £
8. Awareness and Representation
Staff costs 129,540 173,717
General media costs 116,998 106,338
Subscriptions and fees 9,761 9,958
Other related costs 8,142 7,229
Attributable support costs 48,329 80,384
312,771 377,626
----- End of picture text -----

48

BRITISH LIMBLESS EX-SERVICE MEN'S ASSOCIATION NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022

10. SUPPORT COSTS

Expenditure recognised in notes 5 to 9 includes Support Costs apportioned by full time employee equivalents (FTE) and is detailed below.

----- Start of picture text -----
|||||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |MEMBERSHIP|AWARENESS &| |FUNDRAISING|ACTIVITIES|2022|2021| |SERVICES|REPRESENTATION| |Basis of apportionment (FTE)|TOTAL|TOTAL| |£|£|£|£|£|£| |Salaries and related costs|87,390|239,372|30,396|22,797|379,955|340,748| |Travel and meetings|402|1,102|140|105|1,750|715| |Motor vehicle expenses|5,670|15,531|1,972|1,479|24,653|35,417| |Postage|2,511|6,877|873|655|10,916|12,276| |Telephone & office supplies|2,643|7,239|919|689|11,490|11,956| |Pensions to retired staff|199|544|69|52|864|829| |Headquarters premises cost|23,486|64,331|8,169|6,127|102,113|82,158| |Publications and subscriptions|1,932|5,291|672|504|8,398|7,189| |Office equipment maintenance|10,758|29,469|3,742|2,807|46,775|39,503| |Other professional fees|1,105|3,026|384|288|4,803|27,816| |Governance costs|10,120|27,719|3,520|2,640|43,999|51,614| |Bank charges|534|1,462|186|139|2,321|3,668| |Depreciation|38,318|102,233|12,982|9,736|163,269|185,323| |Sundries & Presentations|1,190|3,260|414|310|5,175|6,634| |186,258|507,457|64,439|48,329|806,483|805,845|

----- End of picture text -----

Governance costs include the gross annual audit fee of £30,500 incl VAT (2021: £28,500).

49

BRITISH LIMBLESS EX-SERVICE MEN'S ASSOCIATION NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022

11. Tangible Fixed Assets

Cost or valuation:
At 1 January 2022
Additions
At 31 December 2022
Depreciation:
At 1 January 2022
Charge for the year
At 31 December 2022
Net book value
At 31 December 2021		 Freehold
Premises
£
2,369,081
3,922
2,373,003
261,645
47,699
309,344
2,063,659
2,107,436		 Computer
Equipment
£
119,171
30,374
149,545
88,357
40,214
128,571
20,974
30,814
-		 Fittings &
Equipment
£
139,161
8,078
147,239
69,081
19,760
88,841
58,398
70,080		 Motor
Total
Vehicles
£
£
69,613
2,697,026
-
42,374
69,613
2,739,400
60,187
479,270
8,702
116,375
68,889
595,645
724
2,143,755
9,426
2,217,756

11(a) The investment properties value of £839,345 is apportioned on the basis of floor space (sq ft).

Investment Property
Fair value at 1 January 2022
Loss during the period
Fair value at 31 December 2022		 £
857,150
(17,805)
839,345

11(b) Intangible Fixed Assets

Brought forward at 1 January 2022
Additions
At 31 December 2022
Amortisation:
At 1 January 2022
Charge for the year
At 31 December 2022
Net book value
At 31 December 2022
At 31 December 2021		 Computer
Software
£
200,543
8,508
209,051
134,448
56,580
191,028
18,023
66,095

50

----- Start of picture text -----
BRITISH LIMBLESS EX-SERVICE MEN'S ASSOCIATION
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
12. Investments 2022 2021
£ £
Market Value
At 1 January 2022 36,144,018 32,500,903
Purchases 8,607,825 9,580,445
Sales (9,264,224) (9,374,809)
Net Investment gain/ (loss) (3,402,348) 3,437,478
At 31 December 2022 32,085,271 36,144,018
Add: Cash awaiting investment 683,785 517,052
Market Value at 31 December 2022 32,769,056 36,661,070
Cost at 31 December 2022 30,015,784 29,599,972
Analysis of investments at 31 December 2022
UK Quoted investments
Equities:
United Kingdom 3,087,517 3,798,912
Europe / Asia 3,947,112 1,082,896
North America 5,842,532 6,395,512
Global 8,445,845 13,907,425
Total Equities 21,323,006 25,184,745
Bonds:
United Kingdom 772,308 -
North America 823,146 1,715,706
Global 1,356,908 1,574,395
Total Bonds 2,952,362 3,290,101
Alternatives:
Multi-Asset 594,224 617,485
Hedge Funds 574,118 540,581
Property 2,614,627 2,856,538
Commodities & Others 4,026,934 3,654,568
Total Alternatives 7,809,903 7,669,172
Cash 683,785 517,052
32,769,056 36,661,070
----- End of picture text -----

51

BRITISH LIMBLESS EX-SERVICE MEN'S ASSOCIATION NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022

----- Start of picture text -----
|||| |---|---|---| |2022|2021| |£|£| |13. Debtors| |Rent incentive debtor|6,563|10,313| |Other debtors|700|7,500| |Prepayments and accrued income|392,842|414,027| |Accrued legacy income|115,106|-| |515,210|431,840| |2022|2021| |14. Creditors due within one year|£|£| |Trade creditors|82,687|63,211| |Accruals|375,646|218,669| |Other creditors (incl pension scheme)|30|3,931| |458,363|285,811|

----- End of picture text -----

14 (a). Provision

The sum of £52,434 (2021: £128,609) is a provision for third party assistance to care for Blesma Members resettled in care homes. £76,175 of the provision made in 2021 was released in 2022.

----- Start of picture text -----
|||| |---|---|---| |2022|2021| |15. Financial assets at fair value|£|£| |Investments|32,769,056|36,661,070| |Investment Property|839,345|857,150|

----- End of picture text -----

52

BRITISH LIMBLESS EX-SERVICE MEN'S ASSOCIATION NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022

16. Related party transactions

BLESMA has a 20% interest in WSY Holdings Limited (in liquidation), a company established to distribute legacies arising from an estate. During the year BLESMA received £0.

Other related party transactions to report are at note 4.

17. Unrestricted Funds
General Fund
Investment Properties
Intangible Fixed Assets
Fixed Asset Fund		 1 January 2022
£
40,594,520
857,150
66,095
2,217,756		 Income
Expenditure
£
£
3,451,067
(5,702,804)
-
-
-
-
-
-
3,451,067
(5,702,804)		 Investment
Gain (loss)
£
(3,402,348)
-
-
-		 Transfers
139,878
(17,805)
(48,072)
(74,001)		 31 December 2022
£
35,080,313
839,345
18,023
2,143,755
43,735,520 (3,402,348) (1) 38,081,435

The trustees have designated a fixed asset fund in order to represent funds for depreciating assets in the charity.

18. Restricted Funds
1 January 2022
Income
£
£
All restricted funds are held as part of balances at bank and in hand.
Welfare:-
Geographic specific
468,788
254,586
Residential Fees
82,229
-
Specific restrictions - various individuals
2,867
250,634
Wives and widows
110,347
-
Libor Funds
7,182
-
General Welfare
-
-
671,412
505,220
-
Prosthetic Aids
-

-
Research
3,823
-
Chiropody Fund
8,085
-
Branch specific
10,600
-
693,919
505,220		 18. Restricted Funds
1 January 2022
Income
£
£
All restricted funds are held as part of balances at bank and in hand.
Welfare:-
Geographic specific
468,788
254,586
Residential Fees
82,229
-
Specific restrictions - various individuals
2,867
250,634
Wives and widows
110,347
-
Libor Funds
7,182
-
General Welfare
-
-
671,412
505,220
-
Prosthetic Aids
-

-
Research
3,823
-
Chiropody Fund
8,085
-
Branch specific
10,600
-
693,919
505,220		 18. Restricted Funds
1 January 2022
Income
£
£
All restricted funds are held as part of balances at bank and in hand.
Welfare:-
Geographic specific
468,788
254,586
Residential Fees
82,229
-
Specific restrictions - various individuals
2,867
250,634
Wives and widows
110,347
-
Libor Funds
7,182
-
General Welfare
-
-
671,412
505,220
-
Prosthetic Aids
-

-
Research
3,823
-
Chiropody Fund
8,085
-
Branch specific
10,600
-
693,919
505,220		 Expenditure
£
(369,433)
-
(156,335)
(110,347)
(3,188)
-		 Transfers
82,229
(82,229)
-
-		 31 December 2022
£
436,170
-
97,166
(0)
3,994
-
671,412
-
-

3,823
8,085
10,600		 505,220
-
-
-
-		 (639,303)
-
(300)
(1,772)
(10,600)		 - 537,329
-
-
3,523
6,313
(0)
693,919 505,220 (651,975) -
 547,164

53

BRITISH LIMBLESS EX-SERVICE MEN'S ASSOCIATION NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022

19. Net Assets
The net assets of the charity are summarised below:
Fixed Assets
Intangible Fixed Assets
Investment Properties
Investments
Current Assets
Creditors		 Unrestricted
£
2,143,755
18,023
839,345
32,769,056
2,822,053
(510,797)		 Restricted
£
-

-
-
547,164
-		 Total
2022
£
2,143,755
18,023
839,345
32,769,056
3,369,218
(510,797)
38,081,434 547,164 38,628,599

20. Operating lease commitments

As at 31 December 2022, the charity had annual commitments under non-cancellable operating leases of:

Within one year
Between two and five years		 Motor
Vehicles
£
155,712
85,588		 Office
Equipment
2022
£
£
26,738
182,451
80,925
166,513
107,663
348,963
241,300

54

  1. CCthIPARATIVE NOIES 2021 lal coM￿ra￿va Statsm8ntof ACU￿￿88 BRlnSH LIMBLESS EX4ERVICE MEKS ASSCCIATION STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVlnES IINCORPORAMNG IKOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUN FOR THE YEAR ENfED 31 DECEMBER 2￿21 UNRESIPJCTED PESThCTED 2021 Nntp.. FUNDS Fu￿1$ TOTAL Inccrne Donabons and L8gaci85 2.577.811 435.938 3P13,749 Investment Income 599.5(YJ 699,509 Inveslm8nt Income- Other 40.749 40,149 Gtan15 165,379 165,379 Olhar Incom8 2(8) 4￿.338 406,33B 1.046.596 165.379 1211.975 Totsl Income 3.624.408 601.317 4226.724 EKpenditrJ• Exp2fKlitwe on raisiryfund5 Re$4xrcing Fundrdising Inve51ment Ntsnagementfe 983.016 124268 1,107284 983,016 124268 1.107284 Exp8MlltrJ8 on charltable se¢￿ty M8mb8rship S8MC8S -Wdf8re Identity Membership Se￿ice5 -AcliMties ConMd¥Aty Awarene55 qnd Repre5entshon National Volunteer Offite 2.590.820 561.316 3.152,136 629.420 132.609 762,029 377,626 377,626 3.597.867 693.925 4291,792 Totsl Expendi￿re 4,705,151 693,925 5?99,076 OF¥ra￿ng8urk1usI￿0SS> 11 1180.7431 192,6081 11.173.351) Not￿5n￿oSsI cn Invostmonts 12 3.437.478 3A37A78 NetirKome 2A66,736 192.6081 2264,127 Transf8rs b8lw88n funds Nel M0￿ment in fijnds forlho ￿ar 2P56,735 192,6081 2264,127 Balances b￿ught fO￿lard 1 January2021 17n8 41,378,785 786,527 42,165,312 &4LANCES CARFI&J FCIiWARD 31 [EC￿BER2Q2l 43,735,520 693,919 44A29A39

21. COMPARATIVE NOTES 2021 (continued) (b,c) Comparative Unrestricted Funds

BRITISH LIMBLESS EX-SERVICE MEN'S ASSOCIATION NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

17. Unrestricted Funds
General Fund
Investment Properties
Intangible Fixed Assets
Fixed Asset Fund		 1 January 2021
£
38,077,856
879,228
123,769
2,297,932		 Income
Expenditure
£
£
3,624,408
(4,705,151)
-
-
-
-
-
-
3,624,408
(4,705,151)		 Investment
Gain (loss)
£
3,437,478
-
-
-		 Transfers
159,928
(22,078)
(57,674)
(80,175)		 31 December 2021
£
40,594,520
857,150
66,095
2,217,756
41,378,785 3,437,478 (0) 43,735,520

The trustees have designated a fixed asset fund in order to represent funds for depreciating assets in the charity.

18. Restricted Funds
1 January 2021
Income
£
£
All restricted funds are held as part of balances at bank and in hand.
Welfare:-
Geographic specific
392,360
249,858
Residential Fees
97,229
-
Specific restrictions - various individuals
-
304,981
Wives and widows
197,552
-
Libor Funds
68,463
602
General Welfare
-
45,876
755,604
601,317
-

Prosthetic Aids
2

-
Research
8,823
-
Chiropody Fund
9,242
-
Branch specific
12,857
-
786,526
601,317		 18. Restricted Funds
1 January 2021
Income
£
£
All restricted funds are held as part of balances at bank and in hand.
Welfare:-
Geographic specific
392,360
249,858
Residential Fees
97,229
-
Specific restrictions - various individuals
-
304,981
Wives and widows
197,552
-
Libor Funds
68,463
602
General Welfare
-
45,876
755,604
601,317
-

Prosthetic Aids
2

-
Research
8,823
-
Chiropody Fund
9,242
-
Branch specific
12,857
-
786,526
601,317		 18. Restricted Funds
1 January 2021
Income
£
£
All restricted funds are held as part of balances at bank and in hand.
Welfare:-
Geographic specific
392,360
249,858
Residential Fees
97,229
-
Specific restrictions - various individuals
-
304,981
Wives and widows
197,552
-
Libor Funds
68,463
602
General Welfare
-
45,876
755,604
601,317
-

Prosthetic Aids
2

-
Research
8,823
-
Chiropody Fund
9,242
-
Branch specific
12,857
-
786,526
601,317		 Expenditure
£
(173,430)
(15,000)
(302,115)
(87,205)
(61,883)
(45,876)		 Transfers
-
-
-		 31 December 2021
£
468,788
82,229
2,867
110,347
7,182
-
755,604
-

2

8,823
9,242
12,857		 601,317
-
-
-
-		 (685,509)
(2)
(5,000)
(1,157)
(2,257)		 - 671,412
-
-
3,823
8,085
10,600
786,526 601,317 (693,925) - 693,919

The Residential fees fund is restricted to resettled residents of our former Blackpool home. The Wives and widows fund is restricted to wives and widows of Blesma's members. The Libor fund is restricted to Blesma's Outreach programme and one Support Officer (BSO) in Wales.

56

21. COMPARATIVE NOTES 2021 (continued)

(d) Comparative Net Assets

BRITISH LIMBLESS EX-SERVICE MEN'S ASSOCIATION NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

19. Net Assets
19. Net Assets
The net assets of the charity are summarised below:
Fixed Assets
Intangible Fixed Assets
Investment Properties
Investments
Current Assets
Creditors		 Unrestricted
Restricted
£
£
2,217,756
-

66,095
857,150
-
36,661,070
-

4,347,869
693,919
(414,420)
-
43,735,519
693,919		 Total
2021
£
2,217,756
66,095
857,150
36,661,070
5,041,788
(414,420)
44,429,439

57