REGXSTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 04024413 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1084930 REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 FOR THE CARERS CENTRE Clemence Hoar Cummlngs Chartered Accountants Riverside House 1-5 Como Street Romford Essex RM7 7DN
THE CARERS CENTRE CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 Page Report of the Trustées I to 10 IndepÉndent Examiner's Report li Statement of Flnanclal Activities 12 Balance Sheet 13 Cash Flow Statement 14 Notes to the Cash Flow Statement 15 Notes to the Financial Statements 16 to 23 Detailed Statement of Financlal Activities 24 to 25
THE CARERS CENTRE REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES POR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 On behalf of the Carers Centre, Tower Hamlets l am proud to present our Annual Report and Accounts covering the oper8Uonal year 2024 to 2025. This report hlghllghts the activltle5 and achievements during a tlme of Increased demand and complexity. We start thls annual report by thanking carers for everything they do. Carers play a vital and often ovedooked role. Caring roles and experiences are unique and dlfferent for each person. The contrlbution carers make across our community Is enormous, with people In a variety of sltuatlons providing care for someone else. Tower Hamlets Is a dlverse Inner-London communlty where the role provlded by unpald cèrers Is Increaslngly relled upon. Over the past year, our team identifled and supported 2,000 unpaid carers, demonstratlng their commitment, dedlcatlon and reslllence In addresslng the needs of a growing population. We want all unpald carers to Ilve fulfilllng lives. In dolng so the team manages a demandlng and busy workload. They set hlgh standards and have been consistent, positive and productlve In thelr efforts In supporting carers to achleve personal outcomes. We know not having access to the right 5UPPOrt can leave unpaid carers Isolated, unable to take breaks from caring, struggllng to look after thelr physlcal and mental health, struggling to manage flnanclally, and qulte often, unable to stay In work or education. l am proud of how our team has Increased the range of activities that support Improvements to health and wellbelngi so carers can contlnue to care, and have a life alongslde carlng. Havlng Ilstened to the changlng needs of our carers, an increaslngly varfed portfolio is on offer and contlnues to grow. Examples include, supportlng mental wellbelng through our counselllng and emotlonal Support Services. Whlle a more varied range of educatlonal and lelsure actlvltles Is avallable, to support the quallty of Ilfe for carers. Incredlbly, the team secured £1,010,644 of welfare benefits and £23,898 In direct grants for carers. Supportlng the flnanclal wellbeing of carers durlng one of the toughest years, where the cost-of-llvlng and energy crlsis disproportlonately Impacted our communlty. We contlnue to work collaboratlvely, strengthenlng the partnershlps and networks requlred for Identtfylng and reachln9 carers. Emphasls remalns on ensuring access to informabon, advlce and resources, the Hospital Carers Support servlce at the Royal London Hospital, Is a great example of thls. Slncere thanks to our funders and supporters who have contributed and supported u5 in expandlng our reach and Impact withln the Tower Hamlets communlty. I would also Ilke to acknowledge the contrlbutlon to the organisation both Indlvldually and collectlvely of our Trustees, whlch 15 valued and appreclated. Our Twstee Board brings a variety of skllls and knowledge to thelr governance role. Some are currently In a caring role and others have cared In the past. All share a genulne commitment to Influenclng and shaping servlces that identify, engage, inform, Involve and support carers. The future strategy for the Carers Centre Tower Hamlets recognlse5 the challenges unpald carers continue to face. Thls strengthens our determinab.on to hold onto the relationshlp of trust we hold In the communltyt to remain a front door both pracdcally and virtually where all carers have access to the rlght support and contlnue a5 a visible communlty hub. Our role as an advocate, ralslng Issues and providlng a volce for our communlty of carers, rernalns Vital. Working wlth our stakeholders and partners together we can continue to make a meaningful difference In the lives of unpald carers. Thank you for your unwavering support, and together, we will ensure that unpald carers in our communlty recelve the recognition and a55iStance they so rightfully deserve. Hasan Kawsar Chowdhury Chair of Trustees Page I
THE CARERS CENTRE REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 The financlal statements comply wlth the Charities Act 2011, the Companles Act 2006, the Memorandum and Artlcles of Association, and Accounting and Reporting by charities: Statements of Recommended Practlce applicable to charltles preparing thelr accounts In accordance with the Flnancial Reportlng standard appllcable In the UK and Republic of Ireland {FRS 102) (effecuve l January 2015) - (Charity SORP (FRS 102) Revised). Charitable Objects: To help allevlate mental and physlcal dlstress attributable to carlng amongst Carers by the glving of practlcal help, organisation, support, advocacy, and Informatlon to those people carlng or have cared for others who are dependent on them through dlsability arising from age, physlcal or mental dlsablllty wlthln the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. To advance educatlon concemlng caring amongst Carers and the publlc. Maln Actlvltles to Support Objectlves: All actlvitie5 operated throughout the year are designed prlmarlly to respond to local need and provide better quallty servlces to Carers In the London Borouoh of Tower Hamlets. Thls year we have continued to focus our activities on targetlng speciftc Carers. needs and the Carers Centre has supported 2,008 Carers with provlslon of dlrect services. Thls year we have provlded the following servlces: Contlnued to provlde a comprehenslve car$ Independent Advocacy Servlce to ensure that Carer's need5 are assessed falrly and addressed as outlined in The Care Act 2014. Welfare Beneflts & Appeals servlce ensurlng that the Carer and thelr cared-for recelve the correct beneflts and other statutory payments that they are entitled to We provlded beneflts advice to 726 carers Secured for carers £1,010,644 worth of welfare benefits Carers Support Servlce generic informatlon, specific advlce, and tailored support Is provlded to Carers to ensure that they have relevant and tlmely SLJPPOrt enablin9 them to undertake thelr carlng role as stress free a5 Possible La5tlng Power of Attorney, we ferred 17 Carers In the settlng up of a Lastlng Power of Attorney, enabling them to act for another person In spedfled or all legal or financlal matters or maklng declslon on that person's health.. Young Adult Carers Project to address the needs of Carers aged 16 to 25 resldlng in the borough. We provided monthly Information sesslons on speclfic toplcs Ilke mental health, healthy eatlngi relationshlps, and careers to 256 Young Adult Carer5 Slgnposting worked with partner oryanlsatlons to develop a 'llbrary' of community servlces to whlch to both signpost Carer5 and to facllltate the engagement In community support Inltiatlves. Outreach 'virtually' took our work and support tools out Into the communlty through undertaklng outreach Initiatives vla soclal medla and vldeo conferencing to both highlight the Important role of Carers In the communlty and to raise our proflle to ensure that Carers and health and soclal care professlonals know how to access our seNlces.. Monthly e-bulletlns sent to 2,362 Carers and health and soclal care professlonals, provldlng informatlon about the Carers Centre's activltie5, and hlghllghting Issues affectlng Carers Facllltated social activltles to help those Carers who due to thelr circumstances would have no social Ilfe wlthout our activitle5 Respite and Therapy we provided 387 resplte and wellbeln9 activities Including relaxatlon and mlndfulnes5 5esslon, art sessions with Create and physical activitles We provlded training to 786 carers covering a range of tralnlng opportunltles such as Frallty and Dementla as well as a monthly Carer Induction to infortn new carers about the servlces available to them Art therapy workshops for Carers in partnership with Create Art Training opportunltles through the Carers Wellbeirtrg Academy enabling Carers to better manage their caring role and also to prepare Carers for life beyond carlng and general life skllls vla training such as manual handling and digital ski115 trainlng.. Facilltated monthly Carers Forums to influence Improvemenb in servlce provision and act a5 the volce of Carer5 Page 2
THE CARERS CENTRE REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 The Carers Centre aim5 to improve the lives of Carers and by extension the lives of those they care-for. Our services are all designed in collaboration with cars, and we strive to ensure that those services are both relevant to the needs of the carer population of Tower Hamlets and can be accessed by them In the manner of their choosing. A caring role can often be a very stressful, daunting, frustrating, emotlonally, and physically exhausting experience. As a result, the pressure on the long-term Carer bullds up over time. Carer5 become soclally excluded and isolated by their caring role, and they often tend to be so busy carlng that they forget the importance of looklng after themselve5 as well as those they a caring for. AIMS The Carers Centre uses Its services to: Help Carers to avoid becomlng socially Isolated. Enable Carers to pmvlde better quallty of care. Persuade Carers to take time for and look after themselves. Provide Carers with the servlces and inforfflation they are entltled to by the relevant leglslation e.g.1 Carers Recognition & Servlces Act 1995 and the Carer5 (Equal Opportunltles) Act 2004, The Care Act 2014. Glve Carers a cruclal volce and makes sure they a heard. Represent the needs of Carers in strategic plannlng. Identlfy gaps In servlces and unmet needs. Provlde a unlversal basic advlce, Informatlon, and slgnpostlng servlce available to any Carer. In thls way, the charlty supports Carers so that they can continue in thelr carlng role for as long as they wlsh to do so and are confldent In the knowledge that support is avallable locally If they should need It. Slgnlflcant Actlvltles: The Carers Centre went from strength to strength In 2024-25. We supported more carers then ever at a tlme when need and complexlty was rlslngi wlth carers facing multiple challenges. The cost-of-llvlng crlsls cast a long shadow and wlll contlnue to impact carers In a dlverse range of ways: l. Support services have been restrlcted or lost 2. Carlng roles have Increased due to worsenlng health conditions 3. Carers gave up work due to thelr carlng roles or were stNggllng to balance thelr carlng role wlth the return to offices Desplte thls, we have been adaptable to meet carers. Increaslng and changing needs In the followlng ways: Provided 7252 hours of dlrect I:1 casework, advocacy, advlce & informatlon, and Indlvidual support servlces to 1,938 Adult Carers. 18,946 direct contacts wlth Carers Informatlon and advlce support servlces to both new and exlstlng Carers We supported 1,938 unpaid carers who in turn support 2,058 Tower Hamlets resldents. 641 were new carer5 who had not prevlously been Identified or accessed support. We supported a dlverse range of carers, 690kn are from a BAME communlty and 21% of carers recelved a servlce in a community language {Sylhetl, Bengall, Somall. Urdu) allowing the majority of the local communlty to access our servlces seamlessly with no need to walt for interpreters. Provlded welfa Rights Advice to 699 carers and those they care for. We generated £1,010,644 in benefits for carers. Provided Carers Independent advocacy services In accordance wlth the Care Act 2014 Supported carers to gain Lastlng Power of Attorney enabling them to manage the affalrs of the person they are caring for when that person loses the capability to tnake their own declsions and cholce5 Undertook 401 Carers Assessments on behalf of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets to support Carers to access dlrect payments, respite, and care packages from the local authorlty Continued to grow the Carers Wellbeing Academy. an innovatlve Initiative to support carers wellbelng. The car$ Wellbeing Academy provided 1,746 wellbeing Interventions for carers such a5 massage, yoga & meditatlon, cultural trlps as well a5 peer support and condition specific workshops to inform and empower Cars. Page 3
THE CARERS CENTRE REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 Dellvered the Hospital Carers Support - based both at the Royal London Hospital and the Mlle End Hospital the aims of thls service are to support carers within the hospital to liaise wlth staff, wlth dlscharge, arranging community support as well as practical 5UPPOrt,' housing; beneflts; and home adaptations. Distributed 12 E-bulletins on a monthly basis giving informatlon about our actlvities, servlces available to Carers, and national and local entitlement5 for carers. Thls was sent to 2,362 Carers and health and soclal care professlonals. Page 4
THE CARERS CENTRE REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 STRATEGIC REPORT Achievement and performance arer Involvement Our Policy Is to Involve Carers in a range of opportunib'e5 ft)r Carers to Influence national and local servlce provislon wherever possible bearing in mlnd that thelr tlme is probably thelr most preclous yet most Ilmlted commodlty. We continue to seek out different ways of encourèglng Carers to take full benefit or the services we offer and enable their contributlons whilst belng careful to limit the impact on their tlme or carlng role. Thls year Carers have: o Taken part in & chalred Carers Forums for Carers o Partlcipated In governance of the Carers Centre by serving on the Board of Trustees o Developed and facilitated the Carers Forutns o Partlclpated in a number of Health & Soclal Care consultations and a Carers Worklng Group facllltated by ihe Local Authorlty across the Tower Hamlets, In particular those relaung to the Improvement of servlces to carers o Partlclpated more fully In external events of interest to Carers Forum members and cascaded Informatlon from those events to the Carers FONM membershlp. Publlc Benefit In shaping our objectlves for the year and plannlng our actlvities, the trustees have con51dered the Charity Commission's guldance on public benefit, includlng the guldance 'publlc benefit: running a charlty (PD2). The achlevements and activllles above demonstrate the publlc benefit arlsing through the Charlty'5 actlvltles. Volunteer Involvement Involvlng volunteers In a small organlsatlon Is severely Ilmlted by stafflng capaclty. We have by necesslty, purposely restrlcted volunteer Involvement to tasks which can be managed effectlvely; to thls end we recrulted nlne volunteers to support the Carers Academy and to contact Carers on a weekly basls a5 part of our new 'check in, servlce. We developed a partnership wlth Tower Hamlets Workpath to recrult a volunteer who Is lookin9 to develop thelr employment skllls. Our Board of Trustees are all volunteers. Carer acts as Chalr of the Carers Forum and represents Carers at events where the Indlvldual Carers, voice needs to be heard but thelr organisatlons are excluded. Grant Maklng Pollcy We were successful In applylng to the Carers Trust to access grants to support Indlvldual carers experlenclng Anancial hardshlp we applled on behalf of and awarded grants to 78 carers totalllng £25,987, the grant enabled them to buy essentlal household goods. We also successfully applled to The Canary Wharf Group for £3,000 to provlde social actlvitie5 to 65 young Adult Carers enabllng them to enjoy outings and expertences and take sotne tlme away frorn their carlng responslblllties Fundralsing We only undertake fundralsing activlties for speclflc pleces of work by way of formal fundlng bld5. We do not employ any fundralsers, engage In street collections, dlrect marketing, face-to-face fundraislng etc. and therefore do not set annual fundralslng objectlves, nor do we have any current need for materlal expendlture to be related to future income generatlon. Independence We often have to defend our Independence and wlllingness to ralse Carers Issues & whllst this may make us unpopular in some quarters, we are stlll able to proclaim that our servlces represent the views and Interests of Carers in Tower Hamlets. The Carers Centre has contlnued its efforts to ralse awareness of its servlces to Indlviduals, organisatlons and the wlder communlty and has placed particular emphasis on forglng links with national and local organisatlons which offer services that might benefit our service users or the people they care for. We have contlnued to pariicipate In the on9olng development of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets Carers Strategy and other ad- hoc groups. We have worked with our statutory and voluntary sector partners to improve Carers, awareness of and access to services which car) often help them to provide care for as long a5 they wlsh to do so and to maintain their own health and wellbelng. We have also been actively engaged with the NHS local GP nelworks to raise both our profile and the needs of carers. Page 5
THE CARERS CENTRE REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 We contlnue to raise awareness of Carers. Issues, aaS of unmet need and change5 in leglslauon Ilkely to impact upon Carers and their families, Maln Objects for the Year Thls year we: o Continued to focus our servlces to target those Carers In 9atest need. o Continued to pivot our in-person servlces to a supported hybrld model that provides an on-llne and virtual seNices In response to the changlng needs of access by Carers o We developed a number of partnerships Wlth other community providers whlch enabled us to expand our service offer to carers and leverage in additional skills and resources. o Increased the efflclency of The Carers Centre to Impmve the quallty and range of support services offered. o ContSnued our Involvement In strateglc plannlng and areas of work Ilkely to have signlflcant Impact upon Carers. o We contlnue to utlllse our Outromes Framework to enable us to systematlcally measure the impact of our work and use it to learn from and adapt our services accordlngly. We embedded the natlonally recognlsed 'Carers Outcome Starf whlch has enabled us to map a carerfs journey of change and ensure that we are reportlng our Impact using an evidence-based approach. o Improved the skllls and knowledge base of The Carers Centre wlth extenslve tralnlng for staff. o Utlllsed the learnlng from the Advlce Quality Stanijard awarded to us by the Advlce Servlces Alllance In March 2022 and revalldated In March 2024 whlch demonstrates our robust processes and best practice In provldlng adv1 to our clients - unpald carers Strategles for achieving our objectlves We have.. o Contlnually revlewed our pollcies and procedures and Introduced new ones as required o Improved the staff skills base by provldlng on-line trainlng o Undertook a Skllls Audlt of the Trustees, identlfylng the Board's tollectlve strengths and Its development needs o Successfully recrulted one Trustee who Is a local communlty leader brlnglng In new skllls and enhanclng the Board's experlence and expertlse across a range of buslness dlsciplines. o Further developed our Internal record keeplng and Information systems. o Partlclpated in external strateglc plannlng & operatlonal groups throughout the borough. o Continued to strengthen the Carers Centre's posltlon as the first port of call for Carers and professlonals. o Improved our webslte and maxlmlsed our social medla platforms to Improve our onllne presence Page 6
THE CARERS CENTRE REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 STRATEGIC REPORT Flnancial review Financial posltlon The Statement of Financlal Activitie5 showed a net surplus of £91,832 (2024 - 83,572) for the year and reserves stand at £657,262 (2024 - £565,430). Principal funding sources The prlncipal Funding source for the charlty was vla the London Borough of Tower Hamlets Council's Integrated Commi551onlng Team that commlssioned the Carer5 Unk seiCe contract whlch funds the organlsatlon's running costs. Aside from that contract we derive additional Income generated from grant maklng Independent charltable trusts and bank InteSt, consultancy, occaslonal room rental and a small number of donations. All funds have been used to support and further the objectlves of the charityi by being used to provlde the Infrastructure and staffing SOurceS required to enable the orgor)isation to deliver and Improve its dlrect Services to Carers in the Borough and to develop and dellver the servlces 5peclfled to the targets set by the London Borough of Tower Hamlets In Its Servlce Level Agreement speclflcatlon. Investments The carS Centre does not hold any Investments. All reserves are therefore held In cash In bank or bulldlng soclety accounts and readily avallable. Reserves Pollcy The Charlty's reserve pollcy is to have mlnimum of between three-and slx-months runnlng costs in free reserves. Free reserves are consldered to be total unrestrlcted funds less the dundan¢Y provlslon, building maintenance fund and outstandlng leases In the designated fund whlch comes to £439,227 for the year ended 31 March 2025. Redundancy Provlslon Glven that all charltles are now requId to tender for contrarts to dellver future services and that success cannot be guaranteed In any tender competitlon, the Boèrd considered It prudent to agaln make speclflc provision for all accrued Ilabllltles, whlch wlll be adjusted acconllngly In future years, Designated Funds o The Board has set aside £290,000 as 'deslgnated funds, to cover future Ilabllltle5 In any eventuallty. Page 7
THE CARERS CENTRE REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 STRATEGIC REPORT Future plans Dursng the new financlal year, we plan to continue to work on improving the quallty and range of services we offer to Carers In Tower Hamlets by: o Havlng re-won the contract with Tower Hamlets Council for three years to dellver the Unpaid Carers Service In Tower Hamlets, we will systematically review all servlces offered to enhance the provlslon to carers, includlng developing a comprehenslve virtual offer. o Further develop the Carers Centre's presence at the Royal London Hospital and other healthcare settlngs. o Contlnue to increase and expand dlgltal innovatlon In accesslng infomatlon and servlces, to both Identlfy and engage wlth 'hidden' carers and to offer a virtual servlce to fit in wlth carers. carlng role. o Continuing to Improve the functlonality of our website and its Information content making It more Interactlve. o Posltlvely supportlng the local borough's Carers Strategy reflectlng the Increaslng soclal Importance of the Caring Role" and ensurlng that It offers the support Carers need and can access It. o Continulng to develop and Improve Ilnks wlth other oryanlsations able to provlde servlces for Carers. o Improvlng systems & Ilnks for dlstrlbution of informatlon for Carers Borough-wlde. o Carrylng out Carers Assessments offered as part of the Care Act 2014 implementatlon on behalf of the local councll. o As a result of frontllne staff havlng been successfully trained to NVQ3 level In Independent Advocacyi we wlll contlnLJe to develop the Independent Advocacy Servlce for Carers throughout Tower Hamlets. o The charlty wlll also apply for the Excellence for Carers Quallty Mark issued by the Carers Trust demonstrating robust processes and best practice In providing person-centred support to carers, o The charity conslders portner5hlp working as key to both Its sustainablllty and In Improving serv15 for carers. We wlll identlfy potential Ilke-minded organlsations to develop robust and appropriate partnershlps with, both on an infornial and formal basls. STRUCTURE. GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Governing document The charlty Is coristituted as a Company Llmlted by Guarantee Incorporated on 30th June 2000 and Is therefore governed by a Memorandum and Artlcles of Associatlon. It was reglstered as a charity wlth the Charlty Commlsslon on 8th February 2001. In the event of the company being wound Upi all trustees present and 12 months past are requlred to contrlbute an amount not exceedlng £1, The name of the Company was changed to The carS Centre on 5th August 2011. The Memorandum & Artlcles of A550ciatlon were also amended to reduce the number of Dlrectors needed for a quorum to 3. Recruitment and appolntment of new trustees Members of the Board of Trustees are volunteers, and some are also carS l.e. Servlte Users, The Board of Trustees is requlred to have a minlmum membership of 5 Trustees wlth a maxlmum of 10 Trustees, and as requlred by the Memorandum & Articles of Association, must have carer5' Input, to ensure the dlrectlon of the organlsatlon remalns focused on the needs of carers. New Trustees are recrulted as and when necessary, by advertlslng the vacancy in our quarterly new51etter, Invlting Indlvldua15 to express an interest. When the Charity needs to bring In Trustees with partlcular skills or knowledge, It casts the net wider to Include other organisations and profe5slonal5, Intested partles will then meet the Chief Executlve andlor the Chair to obtaln more information on the role required of Trustees and the responsibilltles Involved. Prospectlve Trustees wlll then complete an appllcatlon form, supplylng two referees and then Invlted to attend a Board meeting as an observer and to meet all the other Board member5. On recelpt of satlsfactory references. successful appllcants are then invited to join the Board of Dlrectors and become a Trustee. Professional Trustees are sought for their knowledge or expertlse and may be recruited from time to tlme. Such members are co-opted onto the Board of Trustees by invitation from the Yoard. The Board discusses recrultment of trustees on a regular basis and member5 are constsntly on alert for new volunteers interested In Jolnlng the Board. Page 8
THE CARERS CENTRE REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Oryanlsational structure The Carers Centre is governed by a Board of Trustees, which determines the strateglc dlrection of the organisation. Govemance issues are dealt with by the Board of Trustees which meets bi-monthly. The charlty reviewed and updated the 'Trustee Board Terms of Reference, and the 'Trustee Role Descriptlon,, both approved and adopted by the Board In February 2024. Management dedslons are made by the Chlef Executive, who tables a report to each 8oard meeting. Delegatlon of Authority Pollcy deflnes the extent of the Chlef Executive's power to take declslons on behalf of the Board of Trustees. Induction and training of new trustees Upon Inductlon, new trustees are provided wlth an Infomiation pack about the organlsatlon and Its servlces, coples of all policy documents and the statement indicatlng Trustees, responsibllltles and a role description. The Chief Executlve provldes trustee training and support Including tralnlng on roles and responsibllltles of Trustees and Honorary Officers, the dlfferences between governance and management, confidentiality, equal opportunities and service users actlng as Board members. Board members wherever posslble and available also attend an Inductlon course speciflcally deslgned for Trustees of voluntary organlsations. New Trustees wlll also attend other tralnlng where avallable and approprlate to their role, glven that many are carers and therefore the tlme avallable to them Is usually extremely Ilmlted. Board Sub-Groups The Flnance and Fundralslng Sub-commlttee met bl-monthly two weeks before the maln Board meetlng to provlde dedlcated overslght of the financlal health of the charlty and make necessary recommendatlons to the Trustee5. Related partles The Carers Centre Is afflliated to Carers UK the natlonal organlsatlon for Carers led by Carers. The Carers Centre Is also a full partner of the Carers Trust whlch provldes both grant opportunities to bld for and valuable learning and networklng opportunltles. Rlsk management The Board recognlses the rlsks assoclated with the organisatlon and where possSble have Implemented strategles to avold or mlnimlse that risk as far as posslble. Each rfsk is assessed for Its likellliood and posslble impact and a speclflc person Is nomlnated to tske responslblllty for Its management, REFERENCE AND ADMINIsfRATIVE DETAILS Reglstergd Company number 04024413 (England and Wale5) Reglstered Charity number 1084930 Reglstered offlce 21 BrayFord Squa Stepney London EI OSG Page 9
THE CARERS (ENTrE REPORT OF TRUSTEES FQR ThE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 Triistees Sharron Ellzabeth en Currle Carer H New (reslgned 24.2,25) Z Portlocl< (reslgned 30.4.24) NItU Kumar Arora Consultant Zunalra Ashraf Flnanclal Strateglst F J K Twynlng Ireslgned 17.9.241 C Groom (reslgn8d 30.4.24) Safta Jama Chleff E.xecutlve Emmèlln8 De Falbe Flnanclal Servlc& Lr15tJna Sllvp t)eslgner and Curator (appDlnted 17.9.241 Gllllan Anlle Bannlster Rettred (appolnted 17.12.24) Ha5an Kawsar Chowdhury Dlrector (appolnted L7.9.24) Mohammed JubaÈl Ahmed Admlnlslrotor (appolnted 17.9.24) Company Sewitsry Graham Colllns Xndependeht Ex•mlner aemence Hoar Cijmmlngs Chartered Accountai)t$ Rlverslde House 1-5 Como street Romford Essex ftM7 7DN Report of tho trustees, Inc(wa¥ng a strategk report, approved by order of th8 board of trustees, as the company dlrectors, on ... . and slgned on the board'$ behalf by,. Hiisan Kawsar Chowdhury - frustee Page 10
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE CARERS CENTRE Independent examlner's report to the tfVStees of The Carers Centre ('the Company.) I report to the charlty trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31st March 2025. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity's tru5tee5 of the Company {and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responslble for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companles Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act,). Having satlsfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audlted under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eliglble for Independent examinallon, I report In respect of my examlnation of your charity's accounts as carrled out tsnder Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 {'the 2011 ACVI. In carrylng out my examinatlon I have followed the Dlrectlons given by the Charlty Commlssion under Section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act. Independent examlner's statèment Slnce your charity's gross Income exceeded £250,000 your examlner must be a member of a Ilsted body. I can conflrm that l am quallfied to undertake the examlnats.on because I am a member of the Assoclation of Chartered Certlfied Accountants, whlch is one of the listed bodle5. I have completed my examlnatlon. I conflrm that no matters have come to my attentlon In connectlon with the examinatlon glvlng me cause to believe: ccounting records were not kept In respect of the Company as requlred by Sectlon 386 of the 2006 Act. or the accounts do not accord wlth those records. or the accounts do not comply wlth the accountlng requirements of Sectlon 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requlrement that the accounts glve a true and fèlr view whlch is not a matter consldered as part of an Independent examinatlon. or the dccounts have not been prepared In accordance with the methods and princlples of the statement of Recommended Practlce for accountlng and reportlng by charities (applicable to charlties preparlng thelr accounts In accordance with the Flnanclal Reportlng Standard appllcable In the UK and Republlc OF Ireland IFRS 102)). I have no concerns and have come across no other matters In connettlon wlth the examlnation to whlch attentlon should be drawn In thls report In order to enable a proper understandlng of the accounts to be reached, Z6L Lee Blunden FCCA CTA Clemence Hoar Cummings Chartered Accountants Riverslde House 1-5 Como Street Rornford Essex RM7 7DN Date: 8.0 AuscAS.g.. 2oZ5 Page 11
THE CARERS CENTRE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 2025 Total funds 2024 Total funds Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Notes INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donatlons and legacies 3,637 22,898 26,535 35,764 Charitable activities Support & InformaLion 654,651 187,389 842,040 774,564 Investment Income 8,541 8,541 6,234 Total 666,829 210,287 877,116 816,562 EXPENDITURE ON Charitable activities Support & Informatlon 583,372 201,912 785,284 732,990 NET INCOME 83,457 8,375 91,832 83,572 RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total fund5 brought forniard 565,430 565,430 481,858 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 648,887 8,375 657,262 565,430 The notes form part of these financial statements Page 12
THE CAReRS CENTRE (REGXSTERED NUMBeR¥ 04024413) BALANCE SHEET 31ST MARCH 2025 2025 Total funds 2024 Total funds UnbiCted funds Restricted funds FIXED ASSETS Tanglbla assets li 16,023 16,023 12,596 CURREKf ASSETS Debtors Cosh at baftk and In hand 12 23,858 036,017 23,858 694,392 14,045 571,596 58.375 659.875 71&250 585,641 CREDITORS Amounts falllno due wlthln one year 13 (27,011) (50,000) [77,011) 132,807) NET CURRENT ASSEYS 632,864 8,375 641,239 552,834 TOTAL ASSETS LESS CIIRRENT LIABILITIES 648,887 8.375 657,261 565,430 NET ASSETS 648,887 8,375 057,262 565,430 PI]NDS Unr@SLrlrted lunds Rasl"rlcLed funds Is 648,887 8,375 565,430 TOTAL FUNDS 657,262_ 565,110 The ch)rltBblfj company Is entitled to exemptlon from oudt under SOn 477 of tl)e CUmpleS Act 2L)06 for the ye?r ended 31st March 2025. The members have not requlred the company to obtsln ali audlt of Its flnanclal statementF for the ye4r ended 31st March 2025 In ar£ordance wlty) Sectlon 476 of the Compantes Art 2006. The trusiee8 acknowledge thelr respon51bllltles for (BJ ensurfng thal. the tharltable company k8eps accounttng records that ctsmpty wlth Sedions 386 and 387 of the Companles Act 2006 and (b) prepailng flnanclal statements whkh glve a tNe and fèlr vlew of the sl'ate of aff4lrs of the eharltable company as at the end of each flnanclal ye8r and of its Surplus or deflclt for eadi vinan¢i?l year In accordance wlth the requlrements of Sectlons 394 and 395 and whlch othdrwlsa CDmply wlth the requlrements of tlie Companles Act 2006 relatlng to financial statsmants, so far as appllcable to the charftsble wnpany. The fln nclal State rE upproved by the Board of Trustees and authortse(l 15suè on and were 51gnÈd on Its behalf by: alr raf- Trugtse The notes form part of thgse flnaThial statements Page 13
THE CARERS CENTRE CASH FLOW STATeMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 2025 2024 Notes Cash flows from operating activities Cash generated from operation5 124,809 62,787 Net cash provided by operating activities 124.809 62,787 Cash flows from investlng activities Purchase of tangible flxed assets Interest received {10,554) 8,541 (2,600) 6,234 Net cash (used in)/provlded by Investlng actlvltles (2,013) 3,634 Change In cash and cash equlvalents In the reportlng period Cash and cash equivalents at the beginnlng of thè reporting period 121796 66,421 571,596 505,175 Cash and Cash equivalents at the end of the reportlng period 694,392 571,596 The notes form part of these financlal statements Page 14
THE CARERS CENTRE NOTES TO THE CASH FLOW STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME TO NET CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 2025 2024 Net income for the reporting period {as per the Statement of Financlal Activities) Adjustments for: Depreciation charges Interest received Increase in debtors Incre3sel(decrease) in credltors 91,832 83,572 7,128 (8,541) (9,813) 44,203 7,007 (6,234) (7,322) (14,236) Net cash provlded by operatlons 124,809 62,787 ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET FUNDS At 1.4.24 Cash flow At 31.3.25 Nèt cash Cash at bank and In hand 571,596 122,796 694,392 571,596 122,796 694,392 Total 571,596 122,796 694,392 The notes fomi part of these financial Statements Page 15
THE CARERS CENTRE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 ACCOUNTING POLICIES Basls of preparlng the financlal statements The financlal statements of the charitable company, which Is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charlties.. Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charlties preparing their accounts In accordance wlth the Flnancial Reporting Standard applicable In the UK and Republic OF Ireland (FRS 102) (effective l January 2019),, Financlal Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland. and the Companles Act 2006. The flnanclal statements have been prepared under the hlstorlcal cost convention. Income All income Is recognlsed In the Statement of Financial Actlvlties once the charlty has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the Income w511 be recelved and the amount can be measured reliably. For legacles, entitlement 15 taken as the earller of the date on whlch elther; the company Is aware that probate has been granted, the estate has been finalised and notificatlon has been made by the executor(s) to the Trust that a dlstribution wlll be made, or when a distrlbution Is recelved from an estate, Recelpt of a legacy, In whole or In part, 15 only considered probable when the amount can be measured rellably and the Company has been notlfled of the executorfs Intentlon to make a distrlbutlon. Where legacies have been notified to the Companyi or the Company Is aware of the grèntlng of probate, and the crlteria for Income recognition have not been met, then the legacy Is treated as a contingent asset and dlsclosed If material. Grants recelvable and Local Authorlty fees credlted to the Statement of Financlal Actlvltles (SOFA) in the year in whlch they are receivable. Income Is deferred only when the Charlly has to fulfll condltlons becoming entitled to It or where the donor has specifled that the Income Is to be expended in a future period. Donaled servlce5 or faclllties are recognlsed when the company has control over the Item, any condltlons assoclated with the donated Item have been met, the recelpt of economlc benefit from the use of the company of the Item Is probable and that economic beneflt can be measured reliably. In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102), the general volunteer tlme of the Frlends Is not recognised and refer to the Trustees, report for more Infomatlon about thelr contrlbutlon. On recelpt, donated professlonal servlces and donated facllltles are recognlsed on the basls of the value of the glft to the Company whlch is the amount Ihe Company would have been wllllng to pay to obtaln services or faci5itles of equivalent economlc benefit on the open market. a correspondlng amount Is then recognised In expendlture In the perlod of CeIpt. Income tax recoverable in relatlon to donatlon5 recelved under Gift Ald or deeds of covenant Is recognlsed at the tlme of the donation. Income tax recoverable In relatlon to investment Income is recognlsed al the time the investment Income Is recelvable. Expenditure Uabllitles a recognised as expenditure as soon as there Is a legal or constructlve obligation commlttlng the charity to that expenditure, It Is probable that a transfer of economlc benefits wlll be requlred in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured rellably. Expendlture Is accounted for on an accruals basls and has been cla551fied under headlngs that aggregate all cost related to the category. Charitable activities Charltable activities are costs incurred on the company's edLJcatlonal operations, Including support costs and costs relating to Ihe governance of the company apportloned to charltable activltles. Where costs cannot be direttly attributed to partlcular headings they have been allocated to aclivitles on a basis conslstent with the use of resources. Page 16 continued...
THE CARERS CENTRE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued Tangible fixed assets Depreciatlon is provided at the followlng annual rates In order to write off each asset over its estlmated useful life. Fixtures and flttings Computer equipment Stralght Ilne over 5 years 330kn on cost Taxatlon The charity is exempt from corporation tax on Its charttable activltles. Fund accountlng Unre5trlcted funds can be used In accordance wlth the charitable objectlves at the discretlon of the trustees. Restricted funds can only be used for partlcular restricted purposes wlthln the objects of the charity. Restrlctlons arlse when speclfled by the donor or when funds are ralsed for partlcular restrlcted purposes. Further explanatlon of the nature and purpose of each fund Is Included In the notes to the flnancial statements. Hlre purchase and leasing commitments Rentals pald under operatlng leases are charged to the Statement of Flnanclal Actlvities on straight line bashs over the perl¢)d of the lease. Pension costs and other post-retlrement benefits The charltable company operates a deflned contributlon penslon scheme. Conlrfbutlons payable to the charitable company's penslon scheme are charged io the Statement of Flnancial Actlvltles In the period to whlch they relate. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES 2025 2024 Donatlons Grants 3,637 22,898 3,777 31,987 26,535 35,764 Grants received, Included In the above, are as follows: 2025 2024 Carers Trust 22.898 31,987 Page 17 continued...
THE CARERS CENTRE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATÉMENTS - coTrtSnued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 INVESTMENT INCOME 2025 2024 Deposlt account Interest 8,541 6,234 INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES 2025 2024 Actlvlty Support & Infomiation Support & Infom)ation Support & Infomiation Support & Infomation Grants LB Tower Hamlets Age UK East London other income 208,889 604,836 89,978 595,206 70,791 18,589 28,315 842,040 774,564 Grants recelved, Included in the above, are as follows: 2025 2024 Carers Trust London Borough ofTower Hamlets Trust for London Penny Appea Natlonal Lottery Communlty Fund Edward GostlSng Foundation Independent Age Canary Wharf Group Clty of London 2,000 97,389 43,250 4,571 10,417 52,810 2,200 9,980 10,000 16,750 30,000 1,000 18,500 208,889 89,978 CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS Support costs (see note 6) Dlrect Costs Totals Support & Informatlon 389,754 395,530 785,284 SUPPORT COSTS Governance costs Management pmIseS Totals Support & Informatlon 334,679 41,650 19,201 395,530 Page 18 continued,..
THE CARERS CENTRE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) Net Income/(expendlture) is stated after chargingl(credlting): 2025 2024 Depreciation owned assets Other operating leases 7,127 2,180 7,008 2,877 TRUSTEES, REMiINERATION AND BENEFITS There were no trustees. remuneratlon or other benefits for the year ended 31st March 2025 nor for the year ended 31st March 2024. Trustees, expeD$es There were no Trustee expenses for the year ended 315t March 2025 {2024 - NIL). STAFF COSTS 2025 2024 Wages and salarles Soclal securlty COSts other penslon costs 474,925 46,536 15,345 456,712 44,640 15,070 536,806 516,422 The key management personnel of the charty comprlse of the Chlef Executlve Officer and the dlrector of servlces. The total employee benefits of the key management personnel ol the charlly were £100,137 (2024 - £62,801). The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows: 2025 16 2024 16 Total The number of employees whose wnployee benents (excludlng employer pension costs) exceeded £60,000 was: 2025 2024 £60,001 £70,000 10. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES Unrestricted ftjnds Restricted funds Total funds INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacles 3,777 31,987 35,764 Charitable activities Support & Information 694,586 79,978 774,564 Investment income 6,234 6,234 Total 704,597 111,965 816,562 EXPENDITURE ON Page 19 contlnued...
THE CARERS CENTRE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 10. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - contlnued Unrestricted Restricted funds funds Total funds Charitable activltles Support & Information 621,025 111,965 732,990 NET INCOME 83,572 83,572 RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds broLAght forward 481,858 481,858 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 565,430 565,430 11. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS Flxtures and fittings Computer equlptnent Totals COST At 1st Aprll 2024 Additions 91,456 720 29,607 9,834 121,063 10,554 At 31st March 2025 92,176 39,441 131,617 DEPRECIATION At 1st Aprll 2024 Charge for year 88,472 1,088 19,995 6,039 108,467 7,127 At 31st March 2025 89,560 26,034 115,594 NET BOOK VALUE At 31st March 2025 2,616 13,407 16,023 At 31st March 2024 2,984 9,612 12,596 12. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 2025 2024 Trade debtors Prepayments 14,388 9,470 14,045 23,858 14,045 Page 20 continued...
THE CARERS CENTRE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 13. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 2025 2024 Trade creditors Social security and other taxes Pensions payable Deferred Income Accrued expenses 4,993 11,964 2,499 50.000 7,555 11,527 10,964 2,426 2,100 5,790 77,011 32,807 14. LEASING AGREEMENTS Mlnlmum lease payments under non-cancellable operatlng leases fall due as follows: 2025 2024 Withln one year Between one and flve years 12,290 1,890 15,026 14,180 15,026 15. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS Net movement In funds Transfers betV4een funds At 31.3.25 At 1.4.24 Unrestrlcted funds General fund Deslgnated funds 310,430 255,000 83,457 (35.000) 35,000 358,887 290,000 565,430 83,457 648,887 Restricted funds Natlonal Lottery Communlty Fund 8,375 8,375 TOTAL FUNDS 565,430 91,832 657,262 Net movement In funds, Included In the above are as follows: Incomlng resources Resources expended Movement in funds Unrestricted funds General fund 666.829 (583,372) 83,457 Restrlcted funds Carers Trust London Borough of Tower Hamlets Trust for London Natlonal Lottery Community Fund Older Carers Welfare Rights 22,898 97,389 43,250 16,750 30,000 (22.898) {97,389) {43,250) (8,375} (30,000) 8,375 210,287 (201,912) 8,375 TOTAL FUNDS 877,116 (785.284) 91,832 Page 21 contlnued...
THE CARERS CENTRE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 15. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued Comparatives for movement In funds Net movement in fund5 Transfers between funds At 31.3.24 At 1.4.23 Unrestrlcted funds General fund Designated funds 251,858 230,000 83,572 (25,000) 25,000 310,430 255,000 481,858 83,572 565,430 TOTAL FUNDS 481,858 83,572 565,430 Comparatlve net movement In funds, Induded In the above are as follows: Incomlng resources Resources expended Movement in funds Unrestricted funds Geiieral fund 704,597 (621,025) 83,572 Restricted funds car$ Trust London Borough ofTower Hamlets Trust for London Penny Appeal National Lottery Community Fund 36,558 10,417 52,810 2,200 9,980 (36,558) (10,417) (52,810) (2,200) (9,980) 111,965 (111,965) TOTAL FUNDS 816,562 (732,990) 83,572 RESTRICTED FUNDS The nature of each of the reslricted funds can be summarlsed as follows: Carers Trust - Indlvldual grants awarded to unpald Carers experiendng flnancial hardshlp London Borough of Tower Hamlets covered the costs to develop a centred-person strategy to encourage and enable carers to motlvate themselves, and participate In, related taster sessions to undertake wellbelng attivltles by uslng the Flve Ways to Wellbelng framework Trust for London costs assoclated wlth the provislon of caseworfK and representation for appeals to ihe Flrst Tler and Upper Trlbunal for unpald carers and the d15abled people they Ca for Penny Appeal to provide Young Adult Carers with an electronlc Wi-Fi-enabled tablet to enable them to access on-line content and virtual Servi5 The National Lottery Communlty Fund To support carers to take some 'me tlme, and undertake activitles that improve and maintain thelr health and wellbeing Transfers between funds Durlng the year, there was a transfer of £35,000 {2024- £25,000) from the general fund to the designated fund. This was due to the increased cost of potential redundancies. A detalled breakdown of the deslgnated fund can be seen below: Page 22 continued.
THE CARERS CENTRE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL sfATEMENTS - contlnued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 15. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - contlnued Transfers between funds - continued 2025 2024 Redundancy fund Bulldlng maintenance fund 2 quarters rent outstandlng leases {annual charge) Service delivery (monthly costs x 3) 190.000 io,ooo 10,340 9,660 70.000 170,000 10,000 10,340 9,660 55,000 Total 290,000 255,000 16. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES There were no related party transactlons for the year ended 31 March 2025 or 31 March 2024. Page 23
THE CARERS CENTRE DETAILED STATEMENT OF FENANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 2025 2024 INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS Donations and legacles Donatlons Grants 3,637 22,898 3,777 31,987 26,535 35,764 Invèstment Income Deposlt account interest 8,541 6,234 Charitable actlvltles Grants LB Tower Hamlets Age UK East London other Income 208,889 604,836 89,978 595,206 70,791 18,589 28,315 842,040 774,564 Total incoming resources 877,116 816,562 EXPENDITURE Charltable activities Wages Soclal securlty Penslons Carer costs 275,531 25,373 8,518 80,332 245,692 22,889 7,798 89,363 389.754 365,742 Support costs Management Wages Soclal security Pensions Other operatlng leases Insurance Telephone Postage and statlonery Sundrle5 Legal and professlonal fees Repalrs and renewals Computer running costs staff trainlng Donatlons Advertising Cleanlng costs Travel Consultancy Recrultment costs Plant and machinery Carried forward 199,394 21,163 6,827 2,180 4,005 12,662 3,184 3,113 9,864 5,572 23,036 7,492 216 3,071 11,065 453 10,915 3,339 1,089 328,640 211,020 21,751 7,272 2,877 3,672 10,998 2,218 2,237 5,773 3,822 12,079 3,818 180 2,278 10,757 468 1,902 789 1,166 305,077 Thls page does not fomi part of the statutory financlal statements Page 24
THE CARERS CENTRE DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 2025 2024 Management Brought forward Flxtures and nttlngs 328,640 6,039 305,077 5,841 334,679 310,918 Premises Rent Rates & refuse Llght, power, heating & water 24,119 249 17,282 26,643 222 15,783 41,650 42,648 Governance costs Accountancy and legal fees 19,201 13,682 Total resources expended 785,284 732,990 Net income 91,832 83,572 Thi5 page does not form part of the statutory flnanclal statements Page 25