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2024-03-31-accounts

Age UK Redbridge, Barking and Havering Ltd

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

Annual Report

for the year ended 31 March 2024

Charity Number: 1088435

Company Number: 04246504

Legal and Administrative Information

BP5

Charity Name:

Age UK Redbridge, Barking and Havering Ltd

Charity Registration Number:

Company Registration Number:

1088435 04246504

Principal Address and Registered Office

4[th] Floor 103 Cranbrook Road Ilford Essex IG1 4PU

Website

www.ageuk.org.uk/redbridgebarkinghavering/

Trustees

Ms Alima Qureshi Chair, Director Mr Mike Smith Treasurer, Director Mr David Pomfret Director Mrs Geetika Kaushal Director Mrs Tayvanie Nagendran Director Mrs Angela Patel Director

Senior Management Team

Mrs. A Albu Chief Executive

Mrs. P Mistry Senior Manager for Advisory and Wellbeing Services Mrs M Elliott Senior Manager for Engagement and Day Opportunities. Mrs K Walsh Senior Manager Escorted Discharge and Home Support Services,

Auditors

Pocknells Audit Limited, Chartered Accountants, Suite 1 & 2, Nash House, Hackman’s Lane, Purleigh, Chelmsford Essex, CM3 6RP

Bankers

HSBC Bank plc, 126 High Road, Ilford, Essex, IG1 1DA

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Report of the Trustees and Directors for the year ended 31 March 2024

Introduction

The Trustees and Directors are pleased to present their report together with the audited financial statements for the year ending 31 March 2024. The audited financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in the notes to the financial statements, comply with the Charity’s governing document, the Companies Act 2006 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland published on 2 October 2019.

Structure, Governance and Management

Governing Document

Age UK Redbridge, Barking and Havering Ltd is a company limited by guarantee, Company No. 4246504, governed by its Articles of Association (dated 6[th] December 2013), and a registered charity, Charity No.1088435.

Appointment of Trustees

The Trustees who have served during the period and since the period end are set out on page 1. The Chair and Trustees are elected at the charity’s AGM and serve for three years from the date of their election and are eligible for re-election save that the Chair may serve for a maximum of six consecutive years. Members of the Association are listed in Appendix 1.

All Trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no benefits from the charity. Any expenses reclaimed by Trustees from the Charity are set out in note 4 to the accounts.

Trustee Induction and Training

New Trustees attend an induction meeting with the Chair and Chief Executive. At this meeting they are briefed on their legal obligations under charity and company law, the content of the Articles of Association, the decision making process (including access to recent Trustee Board papers), the Development plan and recent financial performance of the charity. They are provided with copies of: the Articles of Association; the Trustees Annual Report; and the Charity Commission publication ‘The Essential Trustee’. Opportunities are provided for them to meet with staff members to familiarise themselves with the day to day operation of the Charity. Trustees are encouraged to attend appropriate external training events where these will facilitate their role.

Trustee Indemnity Insurance

The charitable company maintains trustee indemnity insurance.

Organisation

The Board of Trustees, which can have up to 9 members, administers the charity. The Trustees meet on a bimonthly basis as an Executive Committee. The Finance and Investment Sub-Group and HR and Remuneration Sub-Group meet as required and report to the Board of Trustees. The Board takes overall responsibility for ensuring that the financial, legal and contractual responsibilities of the charity are met and that there are appropriate systems for financial and other controls. It decides on policy and strategy and ensures the organisation fulfils its objectives.

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A scheme of delegation is in place and day to day responsibility for management of the organisation rests with the Chief Executive and Senior Management Team to fulfil the Charity’s objectives. The Chief Executive reports to the Chair and Board. The Chief Executive’s role is defined in a job description and limits of authority, e.g. Expenditure, are detailed in various organisational policies.

The HR and Remuneration Sub-group periodically reviews the pay and remuneration of all staff including key management personnel, comparing this to charity sector benchmarks. The HR and Remuneration Sub-group will then make recommendations for the Board of Trustees to consider.

Related parties

Age UK Redbridge, Barking and Havering Ltd is a Brand Partner of the national charity Age UK and the relationship is governed by a legal document. Age UK Redbridge, Barking and Havering Ltd is a member of the Age England Association. Age UK Redbridge, Barking and Havering Ltd contributes to the Age England Association and Age UK in a number of ways. As well as paying subscription fees to the Association and contributing to the cost of regional meetings and networks, Age UK Redbridge, Barking and Havering Ltd raises policy and practice issues that may benefit from work at a national or regional level. Age UK Redbridge, Barking and Havering Ltd provides ideas and input into discussions on policy matters affecting older people. Age UK Redbridge, Barking and Havering Ltd can also apply to Age UK for time limited amounts of funding for specific project work and receives support and practical assistance from the national charity.

Risk Management

The Trustees have in place a formal risk management process to assess risks and implement risk management strategies. This process includes review by Trustees and Senior Management. The process identifies the types of risks the Charity faces, prioritises them in terms of likelihood of occurrence and potential impact and identifies the means of mitigating these risks. Trustees have given consideration to the major risks to which the charity is exposed and satisfied themselves that systems or procedures are established in order to manage those risks.

Reserves

A key element of managing financial risk is the setting of a reserves policy. The charity conducts an annual review of the level of unrestricted reserves in the contingent liability fund by considering risks associated with the various income streams, expenditure items and balance sheet items. This enables an estimate to be made of the level of reserves that are sufficient to:

Risks and issues considered in making the judgement on the level of unrestricted reserves include:

The target for unrestricted level of reserves in the contingent liability fund is estimated at the equivalent of four months of the Charity’s general expenditure budget. The unrestricted reserve held in the fund as at 31 March 2024 is £377,000 which represents approximately four months of the general expenditure budget.

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Objects and Activities for the Public Benefit

The object of the Charity, as set out in the Charity’s Articles of Association (dated 6[th] December 2013) is to promote the relief of older people in and around the London Boroughs of Redbridge, Havering and Barking & Dagenham.

The Mission Statement of the charity is:

Age UK Redbridge, Barking and Havering Ltd exists to improve and maintain the quality of life for older people living in the London Boroughs of Redbridge, Havering and Barking & Dagenham.

We seek to achieve this aim by:

The Trustees confirm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the Charity’s aims and objectives and in planning future activities.

The majority of the charity’s services are provided free to our service users. However where fees are charged, Trustees give careful consideration to the accessibility of the service for those on low incomes when setting those fees. In addition, we provide a ‘benefits check’ and assistance with claiming social security benefits to all service users where fees apply.

Equal access to our services is important to us. We have had an Equalities and Diversity policy for a number of years and routinely monitor access to our services in terms of gender, age and ethnicity. We compare this information to the community profile of older people in Redbridge, Barking & Dagenham and Havering. We are pleased to report that minority ethnic elders are well represented amongst our service users.

The current context for the charity is a national economic climate of reduced public spending and the funds available to local authorities and the NHS. This is coupled with increased numbers of older people reaching very old age, which can be correlated with frailty and multiple health problems, and increased costs for health and social care. This makes for a very competitive funding environment for our charity whilst the need for our services is growing. Despite these challenges we remain optimistic about the future.

The Charity’s principal objectives for 2023-2024 were:

Age UK Redbridge, Barking and Havering measures its performance with reference to the above strategic aims. This strategic approach is reflected in the next section on Achievements and Performance. Measures used to assess performance and consequently success are detailed below, but typically include: numbers of older beneficiaries using services; outcomes for older people including additional income generated; and feedback from service users.

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Achievements and Performance

1. Objective 1 - Advisory Services

Information and Advice

Our Advice and Information Service is available to residents of Redbridge, Havering and Barking and Dagenham. The service is funded by London Borough of Redbridge, NEL Integrated Care Board, Age UK’s E. ON Programme, Age UK Emanuel Hospital Foundation and Age UK Cost of Living Fund.

Advice continues to be through is phone, email, in person at our offices and outreach locations. We also carry out home visits where a disability or a caring responsibility prevents people leaving home. The holistic, person centred approach in which referrals are dealt with means that, in addition to responding to the initial enquiry (perhaps for help with a benefits form or find out information about local services) we carry out an assessment of the client’s situation and ascertain any additional needs they may have.

We offer a holistic approach in assessing the client’s needs so a person coming to get a benefit check will not only get advice and support with benefits but the holistic approach means that we will also advise, provide information, signpost and refer to relevant services. We provide support to access Care Needs Assessment, to apply for life line, blue badge, taxi card, grants as well as help register people on utility companies’ priority register etc. The client/family member calling is able to get a wide range of information and advice in one place from one allocated Advice & Information Worker. We provide advice on the following topics:

The Advice & Information Service continues to see an increase in the number number of benefit related enquiries. The cost of living, particularly the increasing fuel costs has resulted in enquiries where people are finding it difficult to pay for all their fuel bills whilst also paying rent, mortgage and food costs. This has resulted in the A&I Service being more of an emergency service trying to resolves issue very quickly.

The biggest demand for support has remained the same, being a need for support with applying for Attendance Allowance and Personal Independence payment. We continue to support with online applications for Housing Benefit, Council Tax Support and Blue Badge applications; all three boroughs continue to accept only online applications. We have helped a large number of people complete Council Tax relief, Housing Benefit and Blue Badge applications online. For older people without Internet access we provided support to complete applications via telephone or by creating hotspots using staff work mobiles during home visits.

We continue to attend various meetings, consultations and working groups in relation to Advice & Information as well as other Working Groups across all the 3 boroughs.

Key Successes

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It has been a very successful year for the service adapting to changing rules and online applications. 2211 clients have been assisted through signposting and casework of which 1074 was casework cases involved benefits, Finance, Community Care, Transport etc related casework). 1137 clients were supported with one of signposting and information which was mainly through telephone calls.

In total, the annual income gained for older people was £1,576145.48 (20% increase from the previous year). This does not include clients who have not informed us of outcomes of their benefit applications by the end of the financial year. We have also obtained one-off backdated arrears payments with benefits applications totalling an income of £125,101.83, from clients who have reported details of backdated arrears to us, although most fail to report to this. During the Winter we successfully distributed 600 Winter Warmth Packs to Redbridge Residents on behalf of the London Borough of Redbridge.

We continue to work with key partner organisations locally as well as being involved in the Age UK Regional A&I Network and Redbridge Information & Guidance Collective. We continue to have a good relationship with the Regional Age UK Advice & Information Development Adviser via the Senior Manager – Advisory Services as they have worked together locally in partnership projects so there is a good professional relationship for support to the service.

Case study illustrating the extent of our work:

Client aged 66 years old, with multiple health conditions and homeless. Previous landlord threatened eviction and started removing her belongings. Client was scared and felt she had no choice but to leave – and had been staying at various friends’ houses – sleeping on sofa. She works part time and has been trying to apply for a Freedom Pass but is having difficulty because she has no permanent address.

A & I worker assessment revealed client’s difficulties with money, travel and housing. A&I worker advised that based on her health conditions and difficulties with day to day personal care tasks she would be eligible for Attendance Allowance.

Client mentioned she forgets things easily and not remembering to take her medication, she reported her daughter and son-in-law has to check on her regularly to ensure she is safe.

Advice and Information Worker supported with the following:

Attendance Allowance application – An application for Attendance Allowance was made. Client was successfully awarded AA higher rate of £108.55 and received a backdated payment. Client was very grateful, she expressed her appreciation in words to Advice worker and Manager.

Freedom Pass - Freedom Pass application was made and was successful.

Housing Register - Application for housing was made as Mrs G reported she pays about £600 monthly for a shared room at a friend’s house as a personal arrangement and no tenancy agreement. She has since had a response stating that she will be able to bid as the 1-bedroom accommodation becomes available, there is no time frame as this depends on availability. Client has requested to put in auto bid so it will be automatically bid for her once accommodation becomes available.

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Sheltered housing - Application under medical grounds with medical evidence was also made to IDS Housing.

Enabled client to access Attendance Allowance and increase her income in order to pay for care and support she requires.

Client was very grateful that Age UK staff listened and advised, whilst giving practical support like getting her Older persons’ freedom pass, and exploring various housing options rather than just advising and no obvious positive outcome(s)

Service User Feedback:

“ Thank you very much for talking to me. I was so much in depression because I had no help from anyone I contacted regarding my PIP application after being rejected for the PIP award. After talking to you I felt so good and calm. I do appreciate your help and I ‘m ever so grateful that you took time out from your busy schedule to talk to me. Bless you once again thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

“Thank you so much, you’re an angel. There are people who would step over those in the street and pass by, you are one who would stop and help. You and Age UK are marvellous” “I have peace of mind with financial help. I shall definitely advise my friends and others to contact Age UK RBH for advice & help”.

Early Intervention Service (Dementia)

Funded by LB Redbridge, this service provides information and support to those who have concerns about their memory, developing memory loss or have had a formal diagnosis of dementia. The service provides support to people with dementia and their families and carers within Redbridge. Age UK produces a range of helpful advice booklets, including ‘Living with Early Stage Dementia’, ‘Caring for Someone with Dementia’ and ‘At Home with Dementia’. The most important thing for these clients is timely information, which is not overwhelming people with anxiety about the future, but opens the door to services or benefits or enables people to come to terms with their dementia or that of a loved one.

During the year, the service referrals involving extensive case work to put services and support in place. This is a 20% increase in referrals from the previous year. 483 were people with dementia and 19 were Carers. The work done with clients has also involved liaising closely with carers. We have continued to see an increase in the complexity of the casework including clients for whom their dementia has progressed quite quickly and who need more intense support. The number of referrals has increased from last year and that is due to the fact the majority of referrals come to us from the memory clinic and now more patients are being seen and assessed.

We continue to provide a weekly Drop-In Surgery at the Redbridge Memory Clinic.

We continue to work in close partnership with the Redbridge Memory Clinic, Community Admiral Nurses and the BHRUT Admiral Nurses as well as key voluntary sect6or organisations and Adult Social Care.

We have supported LBR in the work to re-establish the Redbridge Dementia Partnership and to design the update Redbridge Dementia Information Packs.

We are members of the BHRUT Dementia Steering Group and attend the meetings.

Although the service only covers Redbridge, our Senior Manager for Advisory & Wellbeing Services attends the Dementia Working Groups in Havering and Barking & Dagenham.

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Early Intervention Service client and carer feedback:

“Thank you so very much for your help and support during the past months. My wife and I really do appreciate your kindness. I do not think I could have managed the process of dealing with social services. As you know it was a difficult time for all of us. Thank you once again.”

“This is a difficult time for both of us and you made us feel very comfortable and at ease.”

“What’s been incredible for me & so heartening in meeting you, your expertise. Whereas I was a confident, decisive person, within the dementia-land world, I’ve certainly fallen short as daily firefighting is a mind blower but …. since your meeting here at home, it’s given me back my confidence that my husband & I can do ‘this’.”

“Thank you again Jane, without your expert help we wouldn’t have been awarded the Attendance Allowance, so efficiently, which in turn enabled me to apply for the Council Tax Discount.”

“I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you once again for your assistance, which is greatly appreciated in more ways than one”.

My Health Matters – Havering

My Health Matters is a community health project commissioned and funded by Public Health Havering. The aim is to promote healthier, more active lifestyles throughout the borough, helping people to lead longer, healthier and more fulfilling lives.

The team attend events around Havering promoting current health campaigns, and giving away free health literature.

We also recruit potential Health Champions from the community (aged 18+), and offer a one-day free training course, leading to a QCA Level 2, RSPH accredited award in Understanding Health Improvements. Once qualified, Health Champions receive a free directory and additional free training modules on various health related topics.

Health Champions receive training, support and guidance from our dedicated My Health Matters staff to equip them with the with confidence and tools to promote health and wellbeing within the local community, encouraging local people to make positive choices to improve health.

The team trained 102 new Health Champions throughout the contract year ending March 2024 exceeding the contract target of 80 Health Champions to be trained per year. This brings the total number of Health Champions on the Service at 533.

We supported the LB Havering Workplace Wellbeing team with webinars on Nutrition, Menopause, WorkPlace Wellbeing Event at the Town Hall and also Menopause at Work talk.

Other topics covered in line with Public Health and Workplace Wellbeing calendars included Winter Wellness (vaccinations), Tobacco Harm Reduction, Suicide Prevention, Dry January promotion, Bowel & Prostate Cancer, Time to Talk Day, World Sleep Day, No Smoking Day and Stress Awareness Month (March).

The Public Health Healthy Weight Strategy Consultation was fully supported by My Health Matters and covered in our Focus Group in January.

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We continue to work closely with our colleagues in LB Havering and the NHS by training Social Prescribers, Health & Wellbeing Coaches, Care Coordinators, Local Area Coordinators and Core20 Health Connectors.

With 1,935 people engaged this contract year and 2,946 health conversations, the team and volunteers covered more than 12 health topic areas – and these are just the official figures. Health Champions are trained to have the confidence to start health conversations in their everyday life and be part of the wider Public Health workforce, so signposting and brief interventions are happening daily and will go unrecorded which is why it is difficult to measure the impact of this project.

To assist with signposting to trusted sources, Health Champions receive mailouts at least twice a month plus newsletters to stay informed of the latest health updates, surveys, training opportunities, webinars and Focus Group.

Our Health Directory is updated and sent out regularly as a pdf – this can also be accessed via a link on the Age UK website and is used by not only Champions but also GP receptionists, pharmacists, Core 20+5 Connectors, Social Prescribers and residents.

Throughout the year, we have continued to use our translated leaflets and links with the Food Pantries, Hubs, BME Forum, HASWA, HOPEC, ELOP and Homes for Ukraine help us to strive towards

Pledges from Health Champions following Health Champion Training

“ It has been helpful with my client’s as I use open questions to help them more” “I wore my Health Champion Badge to Weight watchers and have had a few conversations on physical and mental health with others based on my experiences. I now help at the Harold Hill hub once a month”

“I have been using the Decision Based Matrix and smart goals to encourage and empower others”

“I wanted to help at more events and get more involved. I have attended the Nutrition Course and have gone on to qualify as a Nutrition Adviser”

“My commitment is “Every Health Matters” and I have been signposting in the pharmacy”

2. Objective 2 – Preventative and Maintaining Independence Services

Falls Prevention Service

We have a longstanding Falls Prevention service in Redbridge jointly commissioned by London Borough of Redbridge and the Redbridge CCG. We also provide Strength and Balance exercise opportunities in Barking and Dagenham and Havering, funded by the local Barking and Dagenham and Havering CCGs.

Between April 2023 and March 2024, the service supported 861 people across (20% increase from the previous year) with 491 referrals received by the service and 273 people screened for the falls pathway at level one across the three boroughs. All referrals are asked to complete the Level One Assessment and from those returned, we are able to establish whether to refer on to NELFT for a Level Two Assessment. All referrals are sent a ‘falls pack’ which includes Top Tips For Preventing Slips & Trips, a Falls Diary, a flyer on exercises to do at home, an information sheet on risk factors in the home, information on healthy eating, social activities, a flyer of current exercise classes

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available and the Staying Steady booklet, along with a list of helpful contact numbers of organisations who may be able to support them. A selection of our own service leaflets is also included.

We have 8 tutors working across the three boroughs providing Strength and Balance classes, incorporating Otago. The exercises offered a wide range from easy chair based exercises to Tai Chi and Nordic Walking.

Annual service evaluations evidence positive results on reducing falls and improving balance and wellbeing for older people. E.g. The service evaluation across the three boroughs showed high success in reducing falls with 86.84 % of participants reporting no falls after joining exercise classes, 100% health and wellbeing increase, 94.29% independence increase, 95.41% balance improvements, 97.2% improved mobility and 99% stamina increase.

A Get Up and Go Test is carried out when service users first join a class and again at 10 weeks to establish outcomes. A Confident Balance evaluation form is also completed at the beginning and end of 10 weeks. This has proved invaluable in showing how simple, gentle strength and balance classes can have a positive impact on mobility and general health and wellbeing.

We recorded 9693 attendances to our classes with over 464 people attending 793 exercise sessions.

Our Falls Prevention Co-Ordinator regularly gives talks at sheltered schemes, coffee mornings and various groups across the three boroughs to promote the service and provide advice and information.

Client feedback:

"I have osteoporosis and this class has improved my overall health. The instructors are very good and offer advice when required. "

"It started in May of this year. I have a lot of illnesses but now I can see a lot of improvement in my ability to do more. I have arthritis in both knees carpal tunnel in both hands anxiety depression and many more, I started to do more walking and get to use my hand more. I am so grateful for my friend who had a fall and was invited to do an exercise class due to her ability to walk on her own I was invited to accompany her to the classes. Sami is a very excellent teacher and her class helps with most of my illness she is a very good teacher we need more like her."

"Great classes with a really big community atmosphere. Heidi is a wonderful teacher and explains what we are actually achieving and encourages us to practice at home. The group is also very friendly and the falls pack useful to refer back to."

Befriending Service

This service, funded by LB Redbridge, continues to be provided for people aged 60+ who are socially isolated for a range of reasons, but often through poor health or disability. They are often quite vulnerable, often having no connection via social media, with only the television or radio for company. Many have dementia and volunteers are trained to manage telephone conversations with people whose memory is limited or who are confused or repetitive. For the majority, the service is a lifeline – sometimes the only conversation they will have during the day.

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During April 2023- March 2024 the service also received funding from South Havering Primary Care Network to recruit Befriending Volunteers and support housebound patients in Havering.

Across all three boroughs the service received 519 referrals and supported 523 clients throughout the year with 507 clients receiving regular telephone calls. 21542 phone calls were made by our 43 telephone volunteers.

Annual service evaluation evidenced that:

Comments from service users : -

“Very happy with the volunteer, has a nice chat with me. Age UK has helped me a lot since 2003”. “Very happy with the calls, lifeline for me as I can have a chat. I find everyone very helpful and friendly”.

“I am happy with the calls. Volunteer is very good and we have a chat about all sorts of things”.

“Very happy with the calls. Volunteer is very nice. I appreciate the calls”.

“I am happy with the volunteer. I really value the conversations and they have helped me to remain independent. I enjoy the chats”.

“I get on well with the volunteer and enjoy the conversations”.

“Several different befrienders have been ringing me recently. Their cheerful voices are so uplifting on some of the worst weather days we have had this Autumn/Winter. I so look forward to hearing the phone ring on a Wednesday morning. Thank you all”.

Each of the referrals received a telephone assessment from the Co-Ordinator with signposting and onward referral where the FMN service was not appropriate.

Our team of visiting volunteers continued to support older people with regularly weekly visits.

Di’s Diamonds

The charity continues to support Havering residents through London Borough of Havering funding and Redbridge and Barking & Dagenham via National Lottery funds.

We offer coffee mornings, lunch meetings, book clubs and various events such as museum and theatre trips as well as our regular sessions at The Hub in Harold Wood and regular meet ups in Langton’s Gardens. We also work with other organisations such as Create and Space Studios, etc. and also independent artists to deliver a programme of activities for older people across the three boroughs. These activities included watercolour, drawing, photography, poetry, embroidery. The service has a full calendar which is circulated to all the members monthly and our Facebook page shares interesting stories, jokes and keeps members connected. It is also a good tool to advertise the work of the service and the charity generally.

Throughout the year, over 1279 were supported via the service, with both online and face to face activities and telephone support with over 9,300 attendances by over 640 members to our events.

Our last survey showed 98% reported their quality of life has improved and have had more opportunities to socialise.

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Member Feedback

“Thank so much for a lovely afternoon, and for all the hard work put into making it a success. See you at another Di's diamonds event somewhere” ” I think without your cheerful faces, kindness, resourcefulness and helping everyone, you make my day when I attend one of the events”.

“Since retiring I’ve found I’m suffering with depression and anxiety and I’ve much improved since joining. Still suffer sometimes but not as bad”. ” Thank you and thank you for everything you all do for Dis Diamonds. It's very much appreciated by us all”

The great benefit of this service is that it keeps people both physically and mentally active, as well as socially involved and supported. Research has shown that isolation, lack of activity and lack of stimulus are triggers for depression, poor health and even, potentially, dementia, so keeping people as active as they can be is an excellent way of reducing dependency on services and preventing health problems.

Home Support Services

Our Home Support Service is CQC registered and provides cleaning, shopping, bathing, reenablement, sitting service, gardening, Nail Cutting Service and hairdressing. These are all charged for services.

Over the course of the financial year 2023/2024, we supported an average of 120 people per month, an increase of 26% from last year. We received 237 referrals/enquiries to the service from which 47 assessments were undertaken and 51 new servicers users took up the service. A total of 3333 visits were made by the Home Support Workers and 168 by the hairdressers.

The money received in the previous year from Age UK London Special Reserve to develop the Nail Cutting Service enabled us to employ a Nail Cutting Technician and work with 83 service users since its inception. We were also able to relaunch the Gardening Service this year with 52 visits being made.

Care Navigation

In the last year we have dealt with 1,888 referrals. These clients have been supported through guided conversations, and helped to access relevant support with 726 referrals/signposts to other internal and external services being made.

The service continues to work with health and social care partners including BHRUT King George & Queens Hospital.

We have also developed a link with the Age UK East London Home From Hospital Service so we receive details of all patients living in Redbridge discharged from Whips Cross Hospital.

The service continues to work with the Acute Frailty Service. The service supports transformational, multiagency working between health, social care and voluntary sectors to improve health outcomes and prevent hospital admissions for over 65s. We are active members of the Acute Frailty Service Steering Group and Board, attending regular meetings. We continue to attend the Acute Frailty Operational meetings and Steering Group meetings. This work involves working very closely for the Beech Frailty Unit at King George Hospital and also the Queens Hospital Frailty Unit. The Acute Frailty Care Navigator attends weekly Multi-disciplinary team meetings online with the Beech Frailty

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Unit at King George Hospital. We have been involved in the working group to set up the Virtual Frailty Wards.

We continue to be part of the Home First Project at Queens Hospital with the majority of referrals coming from the Home First Project.

We continue to run 2 Coffee group meetings at Hornchurch Fire Station once a week for Care Navigation clients who do not feel confident to attend large social groups such as Di’s Diamonds.

We attend numerous working groups to promote the work of the Care Navigation Service which includes the Acute Frailty Working Group, Proactive Care MDT, Housebound Patients Working Group Long Term Conditions Board, Long Covid Support Service Working Group, Early Intervention First Response Working Group, COCWP Operational Working Group and many more.

Care Navigation Case Study

Home First referral- Client was admitted to hospital with congestive cardiac failure and she was not managing to look after herself at home. After discharge she had Re- Ablement carers to get her back to her baseline. Client is a widow, she has no children and lives alone.. She suffers with anxiety and depression andis under The Older Adults Mental Health Team. JB lives in a 1[st] floor flat and is unable to get down the stairs without assistance. She has weakness in her legs and then needs to use a wheelchair.

The Care Navigator visited client at home to establish what support was needed: She mentioned her mattress was too deep and she could not get in and out of bed. The mattress, had been taken off and replaced with a thinner mattress but she needed to get rid of the old one, which had been left leaning against the bedroom wall. She lives in a small 1 bed flat and is sleeping on the sofa at present as there is no room for her to move around in the bedroom, which could increase potential risk of falls.

Care Navigator advised client to contact the council and arrange for the mattress to be taken away. Client contacted the council and the Care Navigator arranged for the mattress to be taken down the stairs and left for the council to take it away.

She needed help with housework and so a referral was made to the Age UK RBH Home Support Service.

The Care Navigator made a referral to the Age UK RBH Advice and Information service to assist to with a claim for Attendance Allowance. With the support of the Advice & Information Service client is now in receipt of Higher Rate Attendance Allowance and has also received a significant amount in backdated payment which she said was very helpful towards ongoing costs and bills. She now gets an additional weekly income of £108.55 per week

The Care Navigator discussed- Care line, Age UK RBH Telephone Befriending Service, joining social activities, applying for help with transport egg, Taxi Card or Dial a Ride. Declined Age UK RBH Home Support Service when they called her. All suggestions were declined.

Client was grateful for the help to get rid of the mattress and said she is now sleeping better in her bed rather than the sofa.

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Service User Feedback:

Computer training and digital inclusion

Age UK Digital Champions Programme

Around 3.1 million people in the UK over the age of 65 are not online and face digital exclusion. In September 2022 we started a 14-month project, funded by Age UK to recruit and train Volunteer Digital Champions and promote older people’s access to digital services. The project was overseen by a Project Coordinator supported by a Digital Outreach Workers and a team of Digital Health Champion Volunteers.

In November 2023 our place in the project via Age UK national ended as they prepared to repeat the exercise in different geographical locations. The momentum we had gained from the first 14 months however was considerable with outreach promotional work reaching over 3000 people in the 3 boroughs and 324 individual older people being supported in dedicated sessions. Age UK RBH exceeded all set targets in terms of outreach, participants and tablets loaned out. Due to the success, the decision was made for Age UK RBH to continue the digital champion scheme independently

The 7 volunteer digital champions recruited, have remained in situ and the digital support classes are as popular as ever in various locations throughout the week. An average month comprises of approximately 18 referrals, 20 support sessions held (2 hours each ), with 75 different individuals being supported. We have 10 loanable tablets and chargers so learners can practice what they’ve learnt over an agreed period.

IT support sessions

The programme provides digital training sessions to help those who want to learn how to get online, to build their essential digital skills and confidence to live a more included and independent life including online services such as: banking, shopping and health appointment booking. For those without a device, a tablet loan scheme is provided to ensure Services Users can become proficient and understand the benefits of being digitally connected, thus allowing them to make an informed choice about purchasing their own device if they choose so to do.

IT support can be one to one or small groups of no more than five members, we have found that smaller groups encourage learners to support each other, boost participation and lessen embarrassment, we believe a larger group would discourage members from taking part, impact learning and exclude those less able. IT sessions are discussed with learners prior to booking and

14

venues and times are offered to suit. We provide home visits for those less physically/medically able and where IT support is required within the home, i.e., support with a home computer, printer etc.

Venues

We continue to provide weekly IT support within our Age UK office Ilford, for two days per week, Wanstead Day Centre for one morning per week, Romford Baptist Church for one morning per week and Hornchurch Theatre as and when required. We also have good links with libraries

We introduced IT support within some Age UK services which was proven a success and now continues regularly. Digital Champion volunteers regularly attend Di’s Diamonds Monday Harold Wood Hub, Di’s Diamonds Thursday afternoon group along with the Care Navigation Tuesday coffee morning and afternoon groups.

Digital Champion Volunteers

The Digital Champion Volunteers continue to support the programme with success. Each volunteer has their own personal reason for volunteering, whether to share their skills, increase their friendships, improve their own knowledge or connect with the community. Our volunteers enjoy their volunteering roles and continue to improve and add to the Digital Support Programme success. The Digital Champion Volunteers enjoy being part of a team, they are able to share ideas and input for the programme with the freedom of non-commitment responsibility.

Exit Strategy and partnerships

Our small, pre booked IT support sessions, allows learners to form friendships and support one another, empowering those struggling with confidence and supporting those battling with loneliness. We ensure each learner has a relevant contact number for seeking further support in the future. We continue good working relationships and partnerships with external agencies including Redbridge CVS, Housing 21, St Francis Hospice, Carers Hub, NHS Long Covid support teams, Memory Services, Social Prescribing Teams, Local Council departments and more.

A few quotes from members:

“Extremely efficient service from start to finish, both staff and Digital Champion Volunteer were very helpful and I have now purchased my own digital device to enjoy, I would not have had the confidence to do this without attending the IT support sessions and taking part with the tablet loan scheme. A big thank you to all involved”

“I really enjoyed attending Digital Champions, Volunteers have been really helpful and very patient. I need things explained very simply and I have the need to have things repeat. Volunteer will go over things until I am happy, I understand. I thoroughly enjoy these sessions and am extremely grateful I have the opportunity to improve my digital skills

“I would like to say a big thank you to Digital Champion Volunteers I am now able to use my mobile, look online, I can now use my email account have had it 8 years and never had the confidence to use it”

Wanstead Activity Centre (The Allan Burgess Centre)

The centre offers: physical activity sessions such as Zumba, seated chair exercise and yoga; Crafts ranging from painting to knitting and sewing, and the social offer including a book club, music, poetry sessions, bridge and chess. As part of our ongoing work to address the ‘digital divide’, IT classes are proving very popular with surplus interest being signposted to our Digital Support programme, in order to accommodate waiting lists. And a digital champion volunteer has been in attendance at

15

the centre once a week for a free drop in session, which has proved very popular. Our activities operate throughout the week, mornings and afternoons, and remain affordable at £4 per session, to maximise opportunities to attend. An average week consists of 10 classes with approximately 90 different people in attendance.

Lunch, which is made on the premises and served daily is also very popular with an average weekly attendance of 75 and some months April 2023 – March 2024 have exceeded 300 lunches served. A Christmas lunch was provided to nearly 80 members in December 2023.

Assisting the Manager are two employed part time cooks as well as a dedicated team of 15 volunteers, both long-serving and new, representing a diverse range of ages and ethnicities.

Last year 240 service users attended the centre. Our end of year survey for Wanstead members revealed that 85 % felt that the quality of the service at the Activity Centre was exceptional with no negative responses. 95% said it was excellent value for money, which showed that members were able to absorb our nominal increase to classes and meals the previous year. 60% of members visited the centre more than once per week.

Case study

Wanstead Visitor enquired on behalf of her friend who had recently had a fall and had been discharged from hospital about benefits support and Activity Centre offer. Staff provided information on benefits support from our Advice and Information team and Wanstead Centre lunch and activities offer including timetable and pricing information and instructions of how to book for lunch Staff also provided details of the next falls prevention talk at the WAC which may help the person in question. A few weeks later the service user and her friend who had originally enquired on her behalf came in and have been attending for lunch together ever since.

Safeguarding Older People

In addition to being a member of the Redbridge Safeguarding Board, Age UK Redbridge, Barking and Havering continued to host and chair the Older People’s Safeguarding Forum.

We continue to train all staff and volunteers in the safeguarding policy and procedures, looking at good practice and ensuring an understanding of what mental capacity and deprivation of liberty safeguards are all about. Information explaining to the public what safeguarding is and who to contact if they are worried about someone, has been put up in the Ilford office reception area as well as at The Wanstead Activity centre. This is in response to our Age UK safeguarding awareness survey (Redbridge specific) carried out in early 2024 which revealed that 44% of older age respondents were unable to specify what ‘safeguarding adults’ meant and 26% said they would not know who to contact if they were worried about someone. The findings were passed on to the Redbridge Safeguarding Adults Board.

3. Objective 3 – Enabling Voices of Older People

Age UK Redbridge, Barking and Havering Ltd.’s mission statement includes ‘ensuring that older people have choice and that their voices are heard’. Listening to older people, helping them to consider their options and supporting their choices is therefore a part of all our services, every assessment we carry out and all our interactions with them. At induction, we always tell new staff and volunteers that when doing an assessment of someone’s needs we do an assessment ‘with’ the person, not ‘of’ them, which puts their concerns, needs and choices at the heart of the conversation. Recognising that they are not just recipients of services but people whose lives have been rich and full and who still have much to offer, means that their views and opinions matter to us.

16

Each year, we carry out satisfaction surveys for our services, with detailed enquiries about how people find the welcome they receive, the friendliness and approachability of staff, whether the service met their need, whether we supplied them with the information that would enable them to make choices about services and support and whether the outcomes they wanted were achieved. Some of the services carry out feedback phone calls or send out feedback forms once we’ve provided the service. This applies to short term services like help with benefits applications and other advice work or assistance in bringing people home from hospital and supporting them to regain their independence. With our digital support, we ask people to complete a small evaluation form at the end of every course.

Our Voices of Experience Service

Our Voices of Experience Service, funded by North East London Integrated Care Board, is specifically designed to consult with those aged 60+. It has a panel of 25 citizens that meets monthly, a larger questionnaire group of approximately 130 people, regular focus groups on a range of topics and several consultation visits each quarter to community groups and any of the 50 or so independent living (sheltered accommodation) units in the London Borough of Redbridge. It’s role is to obtain people’s views on local services, proposals for new developments, issues of concern to older people and strategic developments, so that their voice is heard by planners, service providers, statutory authorities and specialist organisations.

Sometimes we work with our national organisation, Age UK, on a nationwide campaign; on other occasions we may be approached by a local authority or a health trust when they need people’s views on changes to services; and sometimes we generate a questionnaire because we have listened to concerns raised by a number of people suggesting that there is an issue that needs to be researched. Reports are generated after the statistics are analysed, and these are forwarded to key personnel who need to be informed where there are local or national concerns.

In the past year, we have consulted on the following topics:

We aim to produce 4 questionnaires/reports per year and attend multiple outreach and community meetings monthly both in person and online Additionally, the Coordinator keeps in contact by phone and email with the Voices of Experience Panel members and all Voices of Experience Questionnaire group members receive the bi monthly newsletter. More information about Voices of Experience reports and Newsletters can be found on our website

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/redbridgebarkinghavering/our-services/user-involvement/

Other Achievements

Volunteering

We have 122 volunteers supporting our services and this figures includes 28 new volunteers to the organisation. These include our Trustees, Voices of Experience Panel members, administrative support, telephone and visiting befrienders (around a third), IT tutors, Wanstead Activity Centre volunteers (including Activity Leaders and outreach facilitators), Advice and Information volunteers (including Receptionists), Exercise Class Assistants, Care Navigation volunteers and Di’s Diamonds

17

Additional volunteering support was provided by administration volunteers who regularly attended the office to assist staff with mail outs and any administrative duties needed.

There are new roles emerging all the time so, no matter how many volunteers we already have, we always need more. Roles can be generated by the creation of a new project or an emerging need within one of our traditional services. We cannot praise our volunteers highly enough because many of our volunteers, in addition to their regular weekly roles, step up time and again to meet a specific need, such as covering a gap in the rota created by holidays or illness or someone moving on or help with a one-off task. These emergency requests can, for example, include assisting with our Saturday coffee mornings or helping with a mail-out or assisting with translation when we are carrying out a consultation where English is not an individual’s first language.

As a way of thanking our volunteers, we held a social gathering at Wanstead Library and a trip to Hyde Hall for the day.

It is estimated that if we had to pay our volunteers it would cost us over £300k per year. The minimum wage equivalent for the Wanstead Activity centre alone in volunteer hours would be £35,000.

Financial Review

The Charity has continued to operate within a framework of increased constraints on public expenditure.

The principal funding sources for the Charity are currently by way of contract and grant income from London Borough of Redbridge, London Borough of Havering and North East London Integrated Care Board. The charity recognises the risk associated with over dependency on any single source of income and this year has attracted funds from Age UK, Age UK London and a range of trusts and foundations, including National Lottery, City Bridge Trust, Henry Smith Foundation, to support expansion of Di’s Diamonds, Advice and Information and Care Navigation services.

The total funds held by the Charity as at 31 March 2024 are £814,319, of which £329,311 are restricted and not available for general purposes. Reserves that are unrestricted, undesignated and not associated with fixed assets amounted to £16,604.

The charity ended the year with an increase to reserves of £145,077.

Investment Policy

Age UK Redbridge, Barking and Havering Ltd has the power to invest contained within its Articles of Association.

Responsibility for sanctioning and approving investments lies with the Trustees as advised by the Treasurer and Chief Executive. The broad investment policy of the Board is:

18

Plans for Future Periods

In line with the charity’s strategy and development plan for the period 2022 – 2025 our aims for the next year will be to:

19

Statement of disclosure to auditors

The trustees confirm that so far as they are aware, there is no relevant audit information (as defined by section 418(3) of the Companies Act 2006) of which the charitable company’s auditors are unaware. They have taken all the steps that they ought to have taken as trustees in order to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the charitable company's auditors are aware of that information.

This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions relating to small companies within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.

Approved by the Executive Committee of Trustees and signed on their behalf

Chair of Trustees 29'" November 2024

20

Appendix 1

Member Organisations

Carers Trust EHHR Early Young Retired Guide Dogs for the Blind Holy Trinity Outreach Group Jewish Care

League of British Muslims NHS Retirement Fellowship Redbridge Carers Support Service Redbridge Citizen Advice Bureau Redbridge Gujerati Welfare Association Redbridge Indian Social Klub Redbridge Indian Welfare Association Redbridge Pensioners Forum Redbridge Voluntary Care Southwest Essex Townswomens Guild St. Barnabas Social Club and Luncheon Club

The Salvation Army Friendship Club Vishwa Hindu Panished Young at Heart

21

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF AGE UK REDBRIDGE, BARKING AND HAVERING LTD A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Age UK Redbridge, Barking and Havering Ltd (the 'charitable company') for the year ended 31 March 2024 which comprise the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet, the statement of cash flows 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:

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

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees’ 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 entity'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 other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. 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 course of 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.

22

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS REPORT (CONTINUED) TO THE MEMBERS OF AGE UK REDBRIDGE, BARKING AND HAVERING LTD A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the trustees’ report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the trustees’ responsibilities statement set out on page 25 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

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.

The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:

Discussions with and enquiries of management and those charged with governance were held with a view to identifying those laws and regulations that could be expected to have a material impact on the financial statements. During the engagement team briefing, the outcomes of these discussions and enquiries were shared with the team, as well as consideration as to where and how fraud may occur in the entity.

23

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS REPORT (CONTINUED) TO THE MEMBERS OF AGE UK REDBRIDGE, BARKING AND HAVERING LTD A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements - continued

The following laws and regulations were identified as being of significance to the entity:

« Those laws and regulations for which non-compliance may be fundamental to the operating aspects of the business and therefore may have a material effect on the financial statements include the Data Protection Act, Disability Discrimination Act, Employment Law, Equalities and Human Rights legislation, Health & Safety legislation and Domiciliary Care Agency legislation.

Audit procedures undertaken in response to the potential risks relating to irregularities (which include fraud and noncompliance with laws and regulations) comprised of: inquiries of management and those charged with governance as to whether the entity complies with such laws and regulations; enquiries with the same concerning any actual or potential litigation or claims; inspection of correspondence with regulators; testing the appropriateness of journal entries; and the performance of analytical review to identify unexpected movements in account balances which may be indicative of fraud.

No instances of material non-campliance were identified. However, the likelihood of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is limited by the inherent difficulty in detecting irregularities, the effectiveness of the entity's controls, and the nature, timing and extent of the audit procedures performed. Irregularities that result from fraud might be inherently more difficult to detect than irregularities that result from errar. As explained above, there is an unavoidable risk that material misstatements may not be detected, even though the audit has been planned and performed in accordance with ISAs (UK).

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

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 auditors' 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.

q . th December 2o2h“ ;

Philip Robert Hern (Senior Statutory Auditor) for and on behalf of Pocknells Audit Limited Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditor 46 Hullbridge Road, South Woodham Ferrers, Chelmsford, Essex, CM3 5NG

24

AGE UK REDBRIDGE, BARKING AND HAVERING LTD

Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities

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

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the trustees must prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). Under company law the trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period.

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

The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charitable company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

25

AGE UK REDBRIDGE, BARKING AND HAVERING LTD

Statement of financial activities Including the income and expenditure account for the year ended 31 March 2024

Notes
INCOME FROM:
Donations and legacies
14
Charitable activities
Grants
13
Contracts
13
Sundry
15
Home Support fees
15
Other trading activities
Sale of meals
15
Training
15
Investments
Bank interest
Investment income
Total incoming resources
EXPENDITURE ON:
Raising funds
Sale of meals
16
Charitable activities
Advisory services
17
Prevention and independence
17
Enabling voices of older people
17
Other
Governance costs
18
Total resources expended
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward
NET INCOME / (EXPENDITURE)
FOR THE YEAR
Change in fair value of current asset
investments		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Total
funds
funds
2024
2023
£
£
£
£
29,692
7,500
37,192
49,066
15,602
386,625
402,227
220,207
662,249
-
662,249
543,377
13,488
-
13,488
8,498
104,140
-
104,140
91,816
795,479
386,625
1,182,104
863,898
21,967
-
21,967
15,801
3,200
-
3,200
14,327
25,167
-
25,167
30,128
4,951
-
4,951
1,282
5,790
-
5,790
-
24,894
-
24,894
(12,514)
885,973
394,125
1,280,098
931,860
12,862
-
12,862
10,577
132,939
70,867
203,806
194,962
596,669
220,421
817,090
707,239
51,205
-
51,205
57,401
780,813
291,288
1,072,101
959,602
50,058
-
50,058
44,801
843,733
291,288
1,135,021
1,014,980
42,240
102,837
145,077
(83,120)
442,768
226,474
669,242
752,362
485,008
329,311
814,319
669,242

26

AGE UK REDBRIDGE, BARKING AND HAVERING LTD

Balance sheet 31 March 2024

2024 2023
Notes £ £
Fixed assets
Tangible assets 5 51 3,933
Current assets
Debtors 6 157,173 139,235
Investments 7 370,799 245,905
Cash at bank and in hand 406,606 403,129
934,578 788,269
Liabilities
Creditors: Amounts falling due within
one year 8 120,310 122,960
Net current assets 814,268 665,309
Total net assets 814,319 669,242
The funds of the Charity
Restricted income funds 10 (a) / 11 329,311 226,474
Unrestricted funds: 410/11
Operational reserves 16,610 42,219
Designated Funds 468,398 400,549
Totalcharityfunds 814,319 669,242

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.

Approved by the Board of Trustees on 29th November 2024 and signed on their behalf by

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Mrwelurdhyvel .
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Mike Smith Trustee / Treasurer

Charity Number: 1088435 Company Number: 04246504

27

AGE UK REDBRIDGE, BARKING AND HAVERING LTD

Statement of cash flows for the year ended 31 March 2024

Notes
Operating activities:
Receipts from donations and legacies
Receipts from grants
Receipts from contracts
Receipts from the supply of goods and services
Other operating receipts
Payments to suppliers of goods and services
Payments to and on behalf of staff
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
20
Investing activities:
Purchase of investments
Receipts from interest and dividends
Net cash povided by (used in) investing activities
Cash flow for the year
Opening cash and cash equivalents
Closing cash and cash equivalents		 2024
£
37,192
432,541
594,018
138,789
4,951
(271,099)
(835,905)
100,487
(100,000)
2,990
(97,010)
3,477
403,129
406,606
-		 2023
£
49,066
158,112
527,984
146,259
1,282
(249,557)
(763,238)
(130,092)
-
-
-
(130,092)
533,221
403,129

28

AGE UK REDBRIDGE, BARKING AND HAVERING LTD

Notes to the financial statements

for the year ended 31 March 2024

1 Accounting policies

The charity is a public benefit entity. The financial statements are prepared under the historical convention and in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice - Accounting and Reporting by Charities (effective January 2019), FRS 102 and the Companies Act 2006. The particular accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the financial statements are set out below:

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the company. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

At the time of approving the financial statements, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the Trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

Incoming resources

All income is recognised in the statement of financial activities when the conditions for receipt have been met, there is reasonable assurance of receipt and the monetary value can be reliably measured.

Grants together with Central Government, Local Authority and Primary Care Trust Contracts, are recognised in full in the Statement of Financial Activities in the year to which they relate, using the performance model. They are classified as restricted where the terms of the grant require that it be used for a specific purpose.

Voluntary income including donations, gifts and legacies is included in full in the Statement of Financial Activities only where there is entitlement, certainty of receipt and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability.

Investment income is recognised on a receivable basis.

Resources Expended

All expenditure is accounted for on an accrual basis and has been allocated on the bases indicated below:

Charitable Activities includes expenditure associated with the strategies to meet the objectives of The Charity i.e. Advisory services, Preventative & Maintaining Independence Services; and Enabling Voices of Older People.

Governance costs include those incurred in the governance of the charity and include items such as audit, legal advice for trustees and costs associated with constitutional and statutory requirements.

Support costs represent the staffing and associated costs of finance, personnel and general administration in supporting the operational programmes of the charity. These are allocated to the relevant cost area on the basis of headcount.

29

AGE UK REDBRIDGE, BARKING AND HAVERING LTD

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 March 2024

1 Accounting policies (continued)

Fund Accounting

The Charity maintains various types of funds as follows:

Restricted Funds

Restricted funds represent grants, donations and legacies received which are allocated by the donor for specific purposes.

Unrestricted Funds

Designated funds are amounts which have been put aside at the discretion of the Trustees. General Unrestricted funds represent funds which are expendable at the discretion of the Trustees in the furtherance of the objects of the Charity.

Tangible Fixed Assets

Assets with a cost of under £1,000 are expensed in the year of acquisition, while assets costing over £1,000 are capitalised.

Depreciation is provided on all tangible fixed assets at rates calculated to write off the cost, less estimated residual value, of each asset on a straight-line basis over its expected useful life.

An impairment review takes place whenever an asset is found to be damaged. In such a case the useful economic life is reviewed and consideration is given as to whether there should be an immediate write down of the net book value.

Leasehold improvements Computer equipment Office furniture & fittings

Useful life December 2023 Useful life 3 years Useful life 4 years

Pensions

The company operates a defined contribution scheme for the benefit of its employees. Contributions payable are charged to the income and expenditure account in the year they are payable.

Leasing

Rentals payable under operating leases are charged against income on a straight line basis over the lease

Financial instruments

Financial instruments are carried on the balance sheet at the value of the consideration payable or receivable. Current asset investments represent an investment in a unit investment fund and are valued in accordance with statements from the fund manager.

30

AGE UK REDBRIDGE, BARKING AND HAVERING LTD

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 March 2024

2
Net incoming resources for the year
Net incoming resources for the year is
stated after charging:
Auditors' remuneration (audit fees)
Auditors' remuneration (non-audit fees)
Operating lease payments
Depreciation (see note 5)
3
Staff costs
Employee costs during the year amounted to:
Wages & salaries
Social security costs
Other pension costs		 Unrestricted Restricted
Total
Total
funds
funds
2024
2023
£
£
£
£
3,768
-
3,768
3,768
1,752
-
1,752
1,752
49,236
20,503
69,739
70,955
2,391
1,491
3,882
4,635
Unrestricted Restricted
Total
Total
funds
funds
2024
2023
£
£
£
£
588,460
173,906
762,366
689,527
35,676
10,510
46,186
38,462
21,117
5,314
26,431
24,898
645,253
189,730
834,983
752,887

Included in staff costs is remuneration paid to key management of £170,630 (2023 - £164,742).

No employee earned £60,000 per annum or more.

The trustees estimate that the cost of paying staff to perform the work of the charity's volunteers would be £315,151 (2023 - £300,000).

The average number of persons, analysed by function, was:
Advisory services
Prevention and independence
Enabling voices of older people
Support
Governance		 2024
2023
6
5
41
35
1
1
4
5
1
1
53
47

4 Trustees' remuneration and expenses

There was no remuneration paid in respect of Trustees (2023 - £Nil). Trustees were reimbursed expenses of £nil (2023 - £nil).

31

AGE UK REDBRIDGE, BARKING AND HAVERING LTD

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 March 2024

5
Tangible fixed assets
Cost
As at 1 April 2023 and at 31 March 2024
Depreciation
As at 1 April 2023 and at 31 March 2024
Charge
As at 31 March 2024
Net book value 31 March 2024
Net book value 31 March 2023
6
Debtors
The following amounts are included in debtors:
Trade debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
7
Investments
The following amounts are included in investments:
Other investments		 Office
furniture &
fittings
Computer
equipment
Leasehold
improve-
ments
Total
£
£
£
£
9,036
13,586
98,960
121,582
9,036
11,546
97,067
117,649
-
1,989
1,893
3,882
-
-
-
-
9,036
13,535
98,960
121,531
-
51
-
51
-
2,040
1,893
3,933
2024
2023
12,074
7,612
145,099
131,623
£157,173
£139,235
£370,799
£245,905

The investment is classified as a financial asset measured at fair value through income and expenditure. It consists of investments in a trust that includes a range of different investment types.

During the year, the company increased its investment by £100,000 and the value was further increased by a fair value adjustment of £24,894.

The most recent valuation report, dated 30 September 2024 shows the value of the investment to be £378,735.

32

AGE UK REDBRIDGE, BARKING AND HAVERING LTD

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 March 2024

8
Creditors
The following amounts are included in creditors due within one year:
Trade creditors
Accruals and deferred income
Taxation and social security		 2024
2023
£
£
23,211
21,265
84,377
92,525
12,722
9,170
120,310
122,960

Deferred income relates to income received before the year end in respect of grants for periods which straddle the year end. All of the income deferred is recognised in the following year.

9

Financial commitments

At 31 March 2024 the company was committed to making the following payments under non-cancellable operating leases:

Within one year 2024
2023
-
52,868
-
52,868

A lease renewal has been prepared, extending the lease term to 24 December 2023, with a break clause available at 25 December 2028. The cost of the lease is £45,380 p.a. plus VAT. Service charges will also be payable, but are not specified in the lease. The lease renewal had not yet been finalised at the year-end, so the company did not yet have a commitment to make these payments as at 31 March 2024.

10 Unrestricted income Funds

The intention of the Contingent Liability Fund is to provide a sum equivalent to a certain number of months worth of the Charity's usual annual costs as a resource, to allow time for reorganisation in the event of a downturn in income; to cover possible redundancies; to protect ongoing work programmes; and to allow the Charity to meet its objectives. The Trustees agreed to maintain the contingent liability fund at 4 months cover of current activities required by the Reserves Policy. The turnover had increased in 2023/24 and as a consequence the Board decided to transfer £33,000 from the Investment in Charitable Services Fund which is no longer needed at the higher level and can be reduced.

The Investment in Charitable Services fund was established to enable the Charity to match funding for projects, where the availabilty of such funds is a requirement for securing third-party funding.

The Care Navigation Services fund will be used from 2024 - 2025 towards the cost of providing care navigation services where restricted funds are insufficient to cover the whole cost.

The purpose of the Accommodation Fund is to provide funding to cover the costs of renewing the lease or securing alternative accommodation in 2024, ongoing lease requirements and disposal of the lease at subdequent date.

33

AGE UK REDBRIDGE, BARKING AND HAVERING LTD

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 March 2024

10 Unrestricted income Funds - continued

Operational Reserves
Unrestricted designated funds
Contingent Liability Fund
Care Navigation Services
Investment In Charitable Services
Accommodation fund
Total unrestricted designated funds
Total unrestricted funds		 (Transfers)/
Balance
new
(Utilised)/
Balance
01/04/2023 designations increased
31/03/2024
£
£
£
£
42,219
(72,000)
46,391
16,610
272,000
105,000
-
377,000
33,767
-
-
33,767
79,158
(33,000)
-
46,158
15,624
-
(4,151)
11,473
400,549
72,000
(4,151)
468,398
442,768
-
42,240
485,008

10 (a) Restricted income funds

The Advice and Information HQ Fund was established following a generous donation from a private individual. Its use as previously reported was restricted to the provision of Advice and Information services delivered from our Headquarters at 103 Cranbrook Road. The restriction on location has since been withdrawn by the original donor. The remaining monies will be spent by March 2025.

The Falls and Home Services Support Fund was established by a generous donation from a private individual, to help fund an anticipated shortfall in funding for these services. Other funding has improved since this time and by 31 March 2024, the shortfall across these services is minimal, and has been covered from operational reserves. It is anticipated that this donation will be used over a five year period, but this period may be lengthened or shortened depending on the availability of other funding.

Other restricted funds were provided principally to deliver Care Navigation Services for people with multiple long term conditions to support their independence, wellbeing and reduce loneliness. These funds are normally expended within one year of receipt, but replaced by new restricted funds.

Advice and Information Fund
Falls and Homes Support Services Fund
Other restricted funds
Total restricted funds		 Balance
Balance
01/04/2023
Income
Expenditure
Transfers
31/03/2024
£
£
£
£
£
46,681
-
-
-
46,681
92,350
-
-
-
92,350
87,443
394,125
(291,288)
-
190,280
226,474
394,125
(291,288)
-
329,311

34

AGE UK REDBRIDGE, BARKING AND HAVERING LTD

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 March 2024

11 Analysis of net assets between funds

Tangible fixed assets
Debtors
Investments
Cash at bank and in hand
Less:Creditors: Amounts due within one year
Total net assets		 Unrestricted
General
Designated Restricted
Total
£
£
£
£
6
-
45
51
57,427
71,233
28,513
157,173
-
370,799
-
370,799
6,473
31,861
368,272
406,606
(47,296)
(5,495)
(67,519)
(120,310)
16,610
468,398
329,311
814,319
0
0
0

12 Guarantee

The company is limited by guarantee and the members of the charitable company guarantee to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 to the assets of the charitable company in the event of a winding up.

13
Grants and income for service provision
Grants
Age UK Brand Partner
Age UK Cost of Living
London Borough of Redbridge
Tower Hamlets CVS
Vision R.C. & Leisure
Total unrestricted funds		 2024
2023
£
£
Unrestricted Funds
10,000
10,000
3,616
-
-
20,000
1,666
-
320
-
15,602
30,000

35

AGE UK REDBRIDGE, BARKING AND HAVERING LTD

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 March 2024

13
Grants and income for service provision - continued
Age UK Cost of Living
Age UK Digital Partner
Age UK East London Special Reserve
Age UK Emmanuel Hosp
Age UK Eon Fund
Age UK Tackling Inequalities
BHR Hospitals Trust Charity
City Bridge Trust
City Bridge Trust Cost of Living Fund
Henry Smith Advice & Information
London Borough of Barking & Dagenham
London Borough of Havering - Infection Control
London Borough of Havering - Warm Hub
London Borough of Redbridge - Infection Control
London Borough of Redbridge - Winter Packs
National Lottery Cost of Living
National Lottery Di's Diamonds
NHS Nth East London ICB
South Havering PCN Befriending
The Mercers Company
Total restricted funds
Total grants
Contracts
Provided for services delivered
London Borough of Redbridge
London Borough of Havering
Redbridge Primary Care Trust
NHS NELICB
Age UK London Special Reserve
Total contracts		 Restricted Funds
2024
2023
£
£
40,000
-
42,200
31,000
8,940
-
12,500
10,458
21,172
16,616
-
1,473
-
29,830
31,500
45,452
2,520
-
14,325
26,075
-
3,500
-
3,284
14,014
-
-
(1,507)
5,000
-
65,400
-
82,387
12,915
26,667
-
20,000
-
-
11,111
386,625
190,207
402,227
220,207
2024
2023
£
£
217,259
216,665
198,790
163,687
-
32,160
212,428
114,680
33,772
16,185
662,249
543,377

36

AGE UK REDBRIDGE, BARKING AND HAVERING LTD

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 March 2024

14
Donations		 £ £
Unrestricted- Sundry 8,021 6,298
Restricted donations 7,500 -
Legacy - Betty Griffiths - 42,768
Legacy - Gay Kennedy 21,671 -
37,192 49,066
Included in donations are the following items of £500 or more: £ £
In memoriam for C Mitchell 603 -
T & M Linehan 500 -
Redbridge Voluntary Care 7,500 -
Marks & Spencer 744 -
P Yonk-Fook 500 -
B Gardner - 1,000
15
Other income		 Charitable activities
Other trading		 activities
2024 Sundry
Home
Support
fees
Sale of
meals etc.		 Training Total
Sale of goods £
£
£
-
-
21,967		 £
-		 £
21,967
Rendering of services 13,488
104,140
-		 3,200 120,828
Other income -
-
-		 - -
13,488
104,140
21,967		 3,200 142,795
2023
Sale of goods £
£
£
-
-
15,801		 £
-		 £
15,801
Rendering of services 8,498
91,816
-		 14,327 114,641
Other income -
-
-		 - -
8,498
91,816
15,801		 14,327 130,442

37

AGE UK REDBRIDGE, BARKING AND HAVERING LTD

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 March 2024

Notes to the financial statements (continued)
for the year ended 31 March 2024
2024 2023
16 Sale of Meals costs £ £
Food 12,862 10,577
12,862 10,577
Advisory
Preventative
Enabling		 Total
2024		 Total
2023
17 Charitable activities £
£
£
costs		 £ £
Staff & volunteers 149,453
584,071
36,654		 770,178 696,823
Office 33,319
146,207
9,640		 189,166 180,046
Other 1,355
12,262
623		 14,240 19,332
Support 19,679
74,550
4,288		 98,517 63,401
203,806
817,090
51,205		 1,072,101 959,602
2024
Unrestricted funds 132,939
596,669
51,205		 780,813
Restricted funds 70,867
220,421
-		 291,288
Total 2024 203,806
817,090
51,205		 1,072,101
Analysis of support costs
Staff & volunteers 12,726
48,212
2,773		 63,711 -
Office 5,990
22,690
1,305		 29,985 -
Other 963
3,648
210		 4,821 -
19,679
74,550
4,288		 98,517
2023 -
-
-
Unrestricted funds 149,430
561,939
57,401		 768,770
Restricted funds 45,532
145,300
-		 190,832
Total 2023 194,962
707,239
57,401		 959,602
Analysis of support costs
Staff & volunteers 11,126
31,849
3,969		 46,944
Office 3,437
9,839
1,226		 14,502
Other 464
1,326
165		 1,955
15,027
43,014
5,360		 63,401

38

AGE UK REDBRIDGE, BARKING AND HAVERING LTD

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 March 2024

18
Governance costs
Staff & volunteers
Office
Professional fees
Other
Total		 2024
2023
£
£
23,946
28,664
11,527
8,940
12,071
5,520
2,514
1,677
50,058
44,801

19 Related party transactions

There have been no related party transactions during the year, which require disclosure.

Reconciliation of cash flow from operating activities to income

20
Reconciliation of cash flow from operating activities to income
Net Income / (Expenditure) For The Year 2024
2023
£
£
145,077
(83,120)
Change in debtors (17,938)
(56,858)
Change in creditors (2,650)
(7,263)
Depreciation 3,882
4,635
Movement in fair value of investment (24,894)
12,514
Investment income (2,990)
-
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 100,487
(130,092)

The change in debtors includes £2,800 in respect of accrued investment income.

21 Reconciliation of net debt

The SORP requires the preparation of a reconciliation of net debt. As the charity has no debts, there is nothing to disclose beyond what is already shown in the statement of cash flows. Because of this, no reconciliation of net debt has been prepared.

39