OpenCharities

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

2022-12-31-accounts

Registered Charity: 1095416

OUR ANNUAL REPORT 2022

@sheffieldmefm facebook.com/SheffieldM E andFibromyalgiaGroup

www.sheffieldmegroup.co.uk

info@sheffieldmegroup.co.uk

We are a registered charity supporting anyone in South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire living with ME/CFS, fibromyalgia and/or long COVID, in particular by the provision of help and assistance through mutual support and information exchange. We are also committed to raising awareness of the conditions and promoting positive changes to local service provision for people living with these illnesses. We currently support 508 members in the area. Our patron is the ever supportive Berlie Doherty.

Thank you to our funders who this year have been the National Lottery Reaching Communities, Sheffield City Council, Healthwatch and The People's Postcode Lottery. They have funded our welfare benefits service, activities programme, and information service to support our members and the wider community across South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire.

Our charity is run by people with ME/CFS, fibromyalgia and/or long COVID and their carers. Lived experience of the conditions is common among our volunteers, staff, and trustees. We 'get it', so we can provide a safe space and are committed to growing our impact.

However you've got involved this year - providing feedback, suggesting new ideas, volunteering or participating in our activities - we want to say 'Thank you' for being part of our community!

1

-

Chairperson's report

It's been a significant year for the Sheffield ME and Fibromyalgia Group as we have begun to emerge from the many restrictions of previous years. We have felt compelled to respond to the clear and growing need that many living with long COVID are experiencing both similar symptoms to those with MECFS and similar responses from health care professionals. Our Facebook Long Covid group went from strength to strength and led to regular face to face meet-ups, as requested by members. Thanks to Alison Millar for coordinating these. As our online activities of previous years helped reach many more people, during 2022 we offered both online and some face-to-face meet-ups for our members.

The new NICE guideline for MECFS was published in October 2021 and throughout 2022 we engaged with key partners nationally and locally to raise awareness among health care professionals, leading up to our SpeakUp project, described here in the report. We continued actively participating in the Network of local ME groups across the country that we had jointly set up in 2021 and contributed to the Department for Health and Social Care Delivery Plan. Some real highlights for us locally in 2022 locally were: our Art Exhibition, celebrating 20 years since we became a charity (though the group has been running many years longer than that). Many members showcased their art and craft talents, which you can still see on our website and featured in our winter 22 magazine.

We hope this report gives you a sense of our vibrant charity which has much input from members living with these conditions. There are many people to thank for their support during the year, but I would want to give a special mention Becca Gransbury who does an incredible job curating our magazine every quarter. We were very sad when we found that our Charity Manager Elyane was going to be leaving to travel, but we are delighted we have successfully recruited a full skilled and experienced team to take us forward in 2023.

Carolyn Leary, Chairperson

Trustees & staff

Trustees

Staff

2

Thanks to our volunteers!

As ever, our charity benefits from a huge amount of support from volunteers. Their contributions range from being Treasurer - a special shout out to Sheila Broadhead, to contributing to and publishing our quarterly magazine, to helping memebrs engage safely online through our digital inclusion project, and helping with our benefits service (special thanks to Mandy!). Our social media, especially Facebook, is well supported by members who keep a watchful eye and alert us when needed. Our office 'listening ear' service is enhanced by the befriending service set up with trained volunteers, based on learning from best practice locally. This year, the Trustees have accessed fundraising training, essential for our sustainability next year. In the year ahead we really hope we can develop more opportunities for memebrs and volunteers including students as we continue to grow our charity.

Our membership

Our membership has very nearly doubled since 2019 and we finished 2022 with 520 members. Thank you to everyone who has joined us or spread the word. You make our community what it is!

----- Start of picture text -----
Cumulative membership over time
----- End of picture text -----

Outreach

Our membership growth Our membership is not evenly spread across the whole of south Yorkshire nor does it include the diversity of people affected by the conditions so we have put more enegry into reaching out to underrepresented communities. Funds from the Tackling Inequalities Fund (Sheffield City Council) has enabled us to reach out to more populations who experience ME/CFS, fibromyalgia and Long COVID.

We used this money to pay our staff additional hours to reach out to 3 key populations to raise awareness and engage those living with the conditions: young people, people from black and minority ethnic communities and LGBTQIA+ people. We linked up with 47 organisations including the NHS ME/CFS Service, Long COVID Hub, IAPT, Sheffield City Council, 12 BAME focussed organisations (ISRAAC, Shipshape, Broomhall Centre) 17 young adults focused groups (Chilypep, Sheffield Young Carers, SAYiT) and more.

We also had media appearances through articles in People Keeping Well, Bradway Bugle, Now Then & InterAction magazines, and interviews/podcasts with BBC Radio Sheffield, Help Sheffield, and Yorkshire Live Examiner.

3

Coming together in 2022...

Our conditions are very isolating. This year we have come together with others who 'get it' through regular activities, meet ups, and projects to share our lived experience and encourage each other in the pursuit of activities.

----- Start of picture text -----
Activities
Mindfulness Qigong Singing Forest bathing Art workshops
25 sessions. 17 sessions. 17 sessions. 6 sessions. 8 sessions.
>16 members >14 members >23 members >14 members >10 members
Meet-ups & picnic Online socials Philosophy Seated thai chi Online French Long COVID group
14 events 3 sessions with 2 sessions with conversation Monthly
23 people making it out! 10 members. 5 members 8 sessions with
10 'membres'.
----- End of picture text -----

"Since being diagnosed in 2019 I have received virtually no support from the medical field. [...] I've felt totally alone and cut adrift whilst my life and health have steadily deteriorated. For this reason Sheffield ME & Fibromyalgia Group is a lifeline. A welcoming and supportive community offering the chance to both learn and interact. Keeping abreast of current developments relating to the illness offers hope for a brighter future. Also the range of ways you can physically or virtually get involved means no one is excluded. A true lifeline." Beck

Creating new friendships. Support in using devices & internet. 131 hrs over phone and letters. Facilitated by students/volunteers. Digital 8 members befriended and Befriending 17 face-to-face sessions - 9 inclusion 7 volunteer befrienders. supported Our Facebook groups have grown as platforms for people to support each other. They ask questions, share tips, news and experiences. We host 3 groups: Peer Private & confidential members only group - 375 community members support Open group for allies, friends & carers - 1900 community members Long COVID information sharing group - 152 community members

181 phone queries answered..

Topics of queries: health, support regarding specific issues, benefits, membership, our activities , specific event or idea, or simply needing a listening ear.

Point of contact

4

Info & practical support in 2022...

"The quality of Sheffield ME Fibromyalgia is second to none from the activities to the support, information, reducing isolation and always developing new ways of helping." - Anne, member

Casework support: benefit checks, social care applications, UC/ESA/IB, and PIP advice. We supported 67 benefit applications with 29 successful awards so far. Online sessions: Topics included starting a PIP claim, PIP renewals, mandatory reconsiderations and appeals. Recording and write-ups were provided to our whole community.

Benefits & social care advice

----- Start of picture text -----
Information
sharing
Quarterly
magazine
----- End of picture text -----

Content included articles on:

----- Start of picture text -----
Website
----- End of picture text -----

Online All talks were recorded and uploaded on our YouTube and website. Follow-up emails to talks by participants included links to the resources mentioned. Write-ups of the talks were included in our magazine. experts

Participants included people living with the conditions, carers and healthcare professionals.

Microclots with Prof Resia Pretorius & Dr Caroline Dalton.

Vascular pathology in post viral conditions: the role of microclots.

2,300 people reached.

Long COVID Q&A with Gez Medinger, investigative science journalist & co-author of The Long COVID Handbook. Communicating with GPS, pacing, new research, viral persistence 13,380 people reached.

DecodeME study with Prof Chris Ponting. DecodeME is the world’s largest study into ME/CFS,

investigating whether it may be partly genetic &, if so, help pinpoint causes. 3,000 people reached.

Making the new NICE guideline work for people with ME with Dr Shepherd, Hon Medical Adviser of the ME Association /NICE committee member on ME/CFS. AImed at healthcare professionals. 3,700 people reached.

5

Voice & awareness

"A service that other people cannot provide. An expertise that other people cannot provide. Being able to contact someone who understands is priceless." - RN, member

----- Start of picture text -----
SpeakUp!
project
----- End of picture text -----

Our SpeakUp and outreach work initiated meaningful collaborations with local decision makers. Highlights of the work done so far (collaboration is still ongoing):

Long COVID: we are now an active part of the Long COVID steering group run by VAS and Healthwatch, shaping better support for patients.

51 members volunteered for admin, leafleting, interviewing, & creating a leaflet for GPs. 112 people surveyed 38 participants in focus groups

Helping improve health and social care provision for people with ME/CFS and fibromyalgia. We collaborated with Healthwatch Sheffield to gather our community’s experiences in accessing support, to identify barriers, find solutions and engage decision makers to implement positive changes.

We presented our findings at a stakeholder engagement event gathering 10 senior policy and decision makers from the NHS and Sheffield City Council and other local organisations who also support our client group, with a followup meeting a month later. Our collaborative work continues next year with further meetings arranged with senior officers and policitians committed to making a difference.

----- Start of picture text -----
Arts
exhibition
38
members
volunteered
----- End of picture text -----

Marie's 2021 fundraiser supported a 2-week exhibition in Sheffield Winter Gardens, featuring member artwork & an info desk. We raised awareness of our conditions, lives, the work of our charity, and spread hope to others facing the conditions.

Members contributed artwork, designed layouts, wrote contributions, and hosted the stall.

We uploaded the whole exhibition to our website, to sahre it with members who are housebound, bedbound or living far away.

189 people have watched it online.

"Looking at the whole exhibition, it felt really powerful and emotive: expressions of grief, lament and the devastating illness that ME is, mixed with signs of hope and things to hold onto, and some light-hearted fun interspersed." - Alison, member

6

Nutrition project

Trustee and therapeutic nutritionist Isabel Hemmings provided our members with webinars and nutrition sessions to help us understand the role of what types of food we eat in maitaining energy levels.

We hope this will lead to further work around diet and managing chronic health conditions in future.

Our impact

The data demonstrating our impact has been collated from: survey (85 members participants) and feedback forms, interviews with beneficiaries, quotes and stories submitted via email or phone call, and our casework software Charitylog.

1

Members make more informed life choices by accessing quality information about their illness and support available

feel more informed about their illness, how to manage it 98% and the support available to them

"This group is invaluable to its members and for some activities non-members. Provides valuable information in an area where it is hard to be found. Gives hope, understanding and support." - GW

" I have learnt a lot that I can use to try to manage my condition. "

----- Start of picture text -----
£ 37.8k
£ 2764 Arrears
Weekly
increase
Other
Social
care Casework
area
PIP
----- End of picture text -----

2

The economic situation of our beneficiaries is maximised

This year, we supported our clients to win:

"I am now able to pay for a home help, which is a huge support. I have also been able to purchase a mobility scooter. This helps me get out and about more, and gives me better access to the local open spaces, and shops."

"I wouldn't have been able to complete the process without them as it is SO stressful. Their reassurance and guidance was essential and helped reduce my anxiety levels significantly."

"The extra income means I can now heat the house properly, "A huge difference, less stress day to also having PIP mobility means I day with worry about money. Being able have a disabled bus pass, so I to pay for prescriptions and travel." can use buses more."

7

Members increase their links and active engagement with other 3 sufferers, carers and allies to reduce their social isolation

94% feel more socially connected, less isolated

"The digital "I hope the group is able to continue to "It has meant a lot to be able to come together with other inclusion offer so much help to people with ME, people experiencing similar things and to do things gently support gave particularly when so many people are and with understanding that we may be struggling with our me another housebound like me and have little to health. [...] This is particularly so while I'm too unwell to go window to look forward to without the group." - AC out of the house and am starved of human company." communicate with. I am now "I really really appreciate all that SMEFG does to serve and include our community ME/CFS/FM/LC in using all sorts of whatever way we can engage. Always looking to and investigating new ways to tackle our heterogenous apps like Gmail conditions. Including everyone of us, in whatever way & whenever we can join in, THANK YOU !!!!!" - JO and Google."

"It has meant a lot to be able to come together with other people experiencing similar things and to do things gently and with understanding that we may be struggling with our health. [...] This is particularly so while I'm too unwell to go out of the house and am starved of human company."

"I have found organising and hosting the S11 Meet Ups incredibly beneficial. [...] and have now made three local friends. [...] The people who attend regularly often tell me how the Meet Ups have been a godsend for them as ME is obviously isolating."

feel heard/seen 88% and supported

feel more positive 87% and hopeful

"I felt empowered to be part of an exhibition that got our voices heard. I also felt seen, which is a big deal for someone who's not physically well enough to be out and about much."

"A refuge from the disbelief and contempt from the NHS and general public/ neighbours"

"ME, Fibromyalgia and Long Covid can be very tough to live with. Being a member of the group prevents me from feeling alone in dealing with them. I cannot express how positive and empowering an experience being part of the wonderful SMEFG community is. The value of being connected to other local people who "get it", is invaluable." - AM

"It's very comforting to know the ME/CFS group is there for you, it makes you feel less isolated and just knowing there are other people going through the same and to know you can reach out for help or just a little conversation to help you feel better."

79% feel empowered to speak up and to do more

"I feel valued, connected and my voice heard through my Craft in spite of my absence. Subsequently I feel empowered and encouraged to do more art and craft to raise awareness of the invisible ME community. This left me feeling good about yourself and proud of my work."

"Volunteering at the art exhibition and charity means I have met new people and engaged with the public. After stopping work this year due to ME and fibro it was nice to communicate with others. It has distracted me from my own health issues, gave me a sense of purpose and has been fun. It has made me think about volunteering more on the days I feel well." - AC

" This exhibition [...] inspired me to get creative again, (and to do something different than the usual life activities) [...] It also helped me to feel included and by having a purpose and focus to be part of something positive that is happening in the city whilst also feeling empowered to help raise awareness to others in Sheffield and beyond as to what having CFS / Fibro can be all about. "

8

Looking forward

Pursuing our game-changing work with local decision-makers

We aim to pursue the ongoing joint work with the ME/CFS Service, Sheffield City Council Adult Health and Social Care, Long COVID Hub, IAPT, Healthwatch and VAS in improving support for people living with the conditions in our area. We are looking forward to taking the learning from the SpeakUp! project forwards, and as well as sharing our symptom management knowledge with the growing Long COVID community. We know, from being part of the ME Local Network, that our work is seen as a model of best practice by local support groups across the UK. We will be using our position as the only ME/CFS benefits service to inform negotiations between the DWP and ME advocates around PIP.

Hiring a skilled & diverse team

We wish to hire a senior benefits adviser to fill the benefits adviser role which has remained vacant since July. On top of their advisory role, they will monitor and promote the service, and actively support our members with additional cost of living issues. Conscious that our current manager’s role entails a significant amount of admin work, we wish to bring the charity manager’s role down to 0.8fte and hire a 0.35fte admin support worker. This will enable queries to be handled more efficiently and will allow the manager to focus on partnership working, fundraising and growth of the charity.

Securing funds for after November 2023

We will need to secure funds to enable our work into 2024 and beyond. Our funding strategy is up-to-date and we aim to start applying in the new year, following recommendations from SYFAB advisers.

Big Thanks to our Funders

9

SHEFFIELD ME GROUP

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

for the year ended 31 December 2022

(Registered Charity Number 1095416)

Contents Page
Legal information 2
Trustee's report 3-4
Independent examiner's report 5
Receipts and payments account 6
Statement of assets and liabilites 7
Notes to the accounts 8

SHEFFIELD ME GROUP

Legal information

Trustees

Carolyn Leary Chair Simon Briggs Becca Gransbury Beatrice Greenfield appointed 22 November 2022 Isabel Hemmings Duraiya Kapasi Alison Millar Emma Saville

Registered Charity Number

1095416

Principal address

The Circle 33 Rockingham Lane Sheffield S1 4FW

Bank

Lloyds TSB Church Street Sheffield

Independent examiner

Craig Williamson White Rose Accounting for Charities The Ghyll Threapland Aspatria CA7 2EL

2

SHEFFIELD ME GROUP

Trustees' report

The trustees are pleased to present their report and financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2022.

The trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) "Accounting and Reporting by Charities", issued in March 2005, in preparing the annual report and financial statements of the charity.

Organisation

Sheffield ME Group is a registered charity and is governed by a constitution dated 11 October 2001, as amended 8 December 2002, and was entered on the register of charities on 15 January 2003.

The group is managed by a voluntary committee who are elected at each Annual General Meeting. Since 2002, part-time staff have been employed (60 hours total).

Objects of the charity

The objects of the charity are:-

We do this by providing online and in-person wellbeing and social activities and drop-ins, talks relevant to the conditions as well as seeking media coverage and liaison with other voluntary and statutory organisations. We do not give medical advice nor do we offer individual treatment programmes. Where possible we signpost to relevant bodies and resources. We are a self-help group with finite resources and we are, therefore, restricted to providing the above services.

Public Benefit Statement

Sheffield ME group is a self-help group which encourages and helps support those with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and their families and carers to use their own resources so that they are better able to manage the illness and the changes it has made to their lives. We do this by providing a wide range of services tailored to meet a variety of needs and/or circumstances and by raising awareness of the condition.

The trustees regularly give due consideration to the Commission's guidance in deciding what activities they should undertake, by reviewing the needs of their beneficiaries, by ensuring that the service is fully inclusive and that no detriment or harm arises from the organisation by carrying out its activities.

We operate with respect to each individual person and we aim to give each one an opportunity to have their say and to become more involved in the group, whilst working within our adopted policies and guidelines.

Our core values are based on our charitable objectives as stated in our constitution.

trustees report cntd…………………………………

3

SHEFFIELD ME GROUP

Trustees' report (continued)

Reserves policy

Sheffield ME Group aims to hold free reserves of 3 months running costs, which would equate to £28,386 based on the 2023 budget. The Group met this target during 2022, the unrestricted reserves being £28,554 at 31 December 2022.

The reserve fund will be ring-fenced to offer protection to employees, to meet any outstanding overhead costs, contracts and leases plus payment of any other outstanding liabilities.

Trustees' responsibilities for the financial statements

The trustees are responsible for preparing financial statements for each financial period which show the state of affairs of the Charity and of the surplus or deficit of the Charity for that period. In preparing those financial statements the trustees are required to:-

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and enable the trustees to prepare financial statements.

The trustees are responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention of fraud and other irregularities.

Signed on behalf of the trustees on………………………………………….. By

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

Print name……………………………………………………………………………….. Trustee

4

SHEFFIELD ME GROUP

Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of SHEFFIELD ME GROUP

I report on the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2022, which are set out on pages 6 to 8.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

Basis of independent examiner’s report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner’s statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements: q to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and

q to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act

have not been met; or

(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Signed:______

Craig Williamson White Rose Accounting for Charities

The Ghyll Threapland Aspatria CA7 2EL

Date:______

5

SHEFFIELD ME GROUP

Receipts and Payments Account for the year ended 31 December 2022

Notes
Receipts
1
Grants and donations
2
Members' subscriptions
Fundraising
Total receipts
Payments
Salaries and national Insurance
3
Payroll fees
Recruitment & DBS checks
Staff training
Staff travel
Trustee training
Events, conference, workshops and activities
Premises rental and room hire
Insurance
Telephone, internet and web
Equipment
Postage
Stationery and office
Subscriptions
Publicity and newsletter
Volunteers' travel and social
Accountancy
Bank , Paypal & WIX charges
Other
Total payments
Net receipts/(payments) for the year
Cash and bank balance at 01/01/2021
Cash and bank balance at 31/12/2021
5		 Unrestricted
funds
£
2,093
5,292
30
7,415
-
-
-
-
-
-
141
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
154
(179)
116
7,299
21,255
28,554		 Restricted
funds
£
103,626
-
-
103,626
62,267
352
15
90
301
50
4,244
5,511
982
1,238
3,105
1,445
302
2,120
1,618
61
205
-
-
83,906
19,720
56,164
75,884		 Total 2022
£
105,719
5,292
30
111,041
62,267
352
15
90
301
50
4,385
5,511
982
1,238
3,105
1,445
302
2,120
1,618
61
205
154
(179)
84,022
27,019
77,419
104,438		 Total 2021
£
68,577
4,246
1,655
74,478
55,242
235
115
57
62
-
2,731
5,820
609
714
0
924
93
733
1,104
79
205
107
327
69,157
5,321
72,098
77,419

6

SHEFFIELD ME GROUP

Statement of assets and liabilities as at 31 December 2022

Monetary assets
Balance at bank and cash
Liabilities
Rent and room hire
Independent examination
Postage
ICT
Office telephone calls & mobiles
Equipment
Service review
Printing
Qigon sessions		 2022
£
104,438
104,438
£
1,324
205
207
127
12
9
286
326
80
2,577		 2021
£
77,419
77,419
£
-
205
399
457
503
-
-
-
-
1,564

Signed on behalf of the Trustees on……………………………….. by

Trustee …………………………………………………………………………..

PRINT NAME:…………………………………………………………………..

7

SHEFFIELD ME GROUP

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2022

1 Receipts and payments account

Because the level of income and expenditure is below £250,000, the group has opted for accounts to be prepared on a receipts and payments basis rather than an accruals basis. This is in line with Charity Commission guidelines for small groups and is seen as more appropriate for this group.

2 Grants and donations
Grants:-
Big Lottery Fund
ME group Derby
Postcode Neighbourhood Trust
Sheffield City Council Tackling Inequalities Fund grant
Healthwatch Sheffield - SpeakUp small grants scheme
Sub total
Donations
Total grants and donations
3 Staff costs
Staff costs during the period were:-
Gross salaries and employers pension
Employer's national insurance
Number of staff:
4 part time staff		 Unrestricted
funds
£
-
-
2,093
2,093
£
62,267
-
62,267		 Restricted
funds
£
61,535
3,750
24,341
12,000
2,000
103,626
-
103,626		 Total
2022
£
61,535
3,750
24,341
12,000
2,000
103,626
2,093
105,719

4 Restricted funds

Big Lottery Fund Lottery
ZEST small grants scheme award
Tai Chi Classes restricted donation
Fundraising (Marie's hair-razing fundraising)
Fundraising (Emer's fundraising)
ME group Derby
Postcode Neighbourhood Trust
Healthwatch Sheffield - SpeakUp small grants scheme
South Yorkshire Community Foundation
Sheffield City Council Tackling Inequalities Fund grant		 Balance at
01/01/2022
£
52,363
1,120
750
436
1,075
420
-
-
-
-
56,164		 Receipts
£
61,535
-
-
-
-
-
3,750
24,341
2,000
12,000
103,626		 Payments
£
64,627
1,120
750
-
1,075
-
-
2,334
2,000
12,000
83,906		 Balance at
31/12/2022
£
49,271
-
-
436
-
420
3,750
22,007
-
-
75,884

8

SHEFFIELD ME GROUP

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

for the year ended 31 December 2022

(Registered Charity Number 1095416)

Contents Page
Legal information 2
Trustee's report 3-4
Independent examiner's report 5
Receipts and payments account 6
Statement of assets and liabilites 7
Notes to the accounts 8

SHEFFIELD ME GROUP

Legal information

Trustees

Carolyn Leary Chair Simon Briggs Becca Gransbury Beatrice Greenfield appointed 22 November 2022 Isabel Hemmings Duraiya Kapasi Alison Millar Emma Saville

Registered Charity Number

1095416

Principal address

The Circle 33 Rockingham Lane Sheffield S1 4FW

Bank

Lloyds TSB Church Street Sheffield

Independent examiner

Craig Williamson White Rose Accounting for Charities The Ghyll Threapland Aspatria CA7 2EL

2

SHEFFIELD ME GROUP

Trustees' report

The trustees are pleased to present their report and financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2022.

The trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) "Accounting and Reporting by Charities", issued in March 2005, in preparing the annual report and financial statements of the charity.

Organisation

Sheffield ME Group is a registered charity and is governed by a constitution dated 11 October 2001, as amended 8 December 2002, and was entered on the register of charities on 15 January 2003.

The group is managed by a voluntary committee who are elected at each Annual General Meeting. Since 2002, part-time staff have been employed (60 hours total).

Objects of the charity

The objects of the charity are:-

We do this by providing online and in-person wellbeing and social activities and drop-ins, talks relevant to the conditions as well as seeking media coverage and liaison with other voluntary and statutory organisations. We do not give medical advice nor do we offer individual treatment programmes. Where possible we signpost to relevant bodies and resources. We are a self-help group with finite resources and we are, therefore, restricted to providing the above services.

Public Benefit Statement

Sheffield ME group is a self-help group which encourages and helps support those with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and their families and carers to use their own resources so that they are better able to manage the illness and the changes it has made to their lives. We do this by providing a wide range of services tailored to meet a variety of needs and/or circumstances and by raising awareness of the condition.

The trustees regularly give due consideration to the Commission's guidance in deciding what activities they should undertake, by reviewing the needs of their beneficiaries, by ensuring that the service is fully inclusive and that no detriment or harm arises from the organisation by carrying out its activities.

We operate with respect to each individual person and we aim to give each one an opportunity to have their say and to become more involved in the group, whilst working within our adopted policies and guidelines.

Our core values are based on our charitable objectives as stated in our constitution.

trustees report cntd…………………………………

3

SHEFFIELD ME GROUP

Trustees' report (continued)

Reserves policy

Sheffield ME Group aims to hold free reserves of 3 months running costs, which would equate to £28,386 based on the 2023 budget. The Group met this target during 2022, the unrestricted reserves being £28,554 at 31 December 2022.

The reserve fund will be ring-fenced to offer protection to employees, to meet any outstanding overhead costs, contracts and leases plus payment of any other outstanding liabilities.

Trustees' responsibilities for the financial statements

The trustees are responsible for preparing financial statements for each financial period which show the state of affairs of the Charity and of the surplus or deficit of the Charity for that period. In preparing those financial statements the trustees are required to:-

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and enable the trustees to prepare financial statements.

The trustees are responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention of fraud and other irregularities.

Signed on behalf of the trustees on………………………………………….. By

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

Print name……………………………………………………………………………….. Trustee

4

SHEFFIELD ME GROUP

Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of SHEFFIELD ME GROUP

I report on the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2022, which are set out on pages 6 to 8.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

Basis of independent examiner’s report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner’s statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements: q to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and

q to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act

have not been met; or

(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Signed:______

Craig Williamson White Rose Accounting for Charities

The Ghyll Threapland Aspatria CA7 2EL

Date:______

5

SHEFFIELD ME GROUP

Receipts and Payments Account for the year ended 31 December 2022

Notes
Receipts
1
Grants and donations
2
Members' subscriptions
Fundraising
Total receipts
Payments
Salaries and national Insurance
3
Payroll fees
Recruitment & DBS checks
Staff training
Staff travel
Trustee training
Events, conference, workshops and activities
Premises rental and room hire
Insurance
Telephone, internet and web
Equipment
Postage
Stationery and office
Subscriptions
Publicity and newsletter
Volunteers' travel and social
Accountancy
Bank , Paypal & WIX charges
Other
Total payments
Net receipts/(payments) for the year
Cash and bank balance at 01/01/2021
Cash and bank balance at 31/12/2021
5		 Unrestricted
funds
£
2,093
5,292
30
7,415
-
-
-
-
-
-
141
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
154
(179)
116
7,299
21,255
28,554		 Restricted
funds
£
103,626
-
-
103,626
62,267
352
15
90
301
50
4,244
5,511
982
1,238
3,105
1,445
302
2,120
1,618
61
205
-
-
83,906
19,720
56,164
75,884		 Total 2022
£
105,719
5,292
30
111,041
62,267
352
15
90
301
50
4,385
5,511
982
1,238
3,105
1,445
302
2,120
1,618
61
205
154
(179)
84,022
27,019
77,419
104,438		 Total 2021
£
68,577
4,246
1,655
74,478
55,242
235
115
57
62
-
2,731
5,820
609
714
0
924
93
733
1,104
79
205
107
327
69,157
5,321
72,098
77,419

6

SHEFFIELD ME GROUP

Statement of assets and liabilities as at 31 December 2022

Monetary assets
Balance at bank and cash
Liabilities
Rent and room hire
Independent examination
Postage
ICT
Office telephone calls & mobiles
Equipment
Service review
Printing
Qigon sessions		 2022
£
104,438
104,438
£
1,324
205
207
127
12
9
286
326
80
2,577		 2021
£
77,419
77,419
£
-
205
399
457
503
-
-
-
-
1,564

Signed on behalf of the Trustees on……………………………….. by

Trustee …………………………………………………………………………..

PRINT NAME:…………………………………………………………………..

7

SHEFFIELD ME GROUP

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2022

1 Receipts and payments account

Because the level of income and expenditure is below £250,000, the group has opted for accounts to be prepared on a receipts and payments basis rather than an accruals basis. This is in line with Charity Commission guidelines for small groups and is seen as more appropriate for this group.

2 Grants and donations
Grants:-
Big Lottery Fund
ME group Derby
Postcode Neighbourhood Trust
Sheffield City Council Tackling Inequalities Fund grant
Healthwatch Sheffield - SpeakUp small grants scheme
Sub total
Donations
Total grants and donations
3 Staff costs
Staff costs during the period were:-
Gross salaries and employers pension
Employer's national insurance
Number of staff:
4 part time staff		 Unrestricted
funds
£
-
-
2,093
2,093
£
62,267
-
62,267		 Restricted
funds
£
61,535
3,750
24,341
12,000
2,000
103,626
-
103,626		 Total
2022
£
61,535
3,750
24,341
12,000
2,000
103,626
2,093
105,719

4 Restricted funds

Big Lottery Fund Lottery
ZEST small grants scheme award
Tai Chi Classes restricted donation
Fundraising (Marie's hair-razing fundraising)
Fundraising (Emer's fundraising)
ME group Derby
Postcode Neighbourhood Trust
Healthwatch Sheffield - SpeakUp small grants scheme
South Yorkshire Community Foundation
Sheffield City Council Tackling Inequalities Fund grant		 Balance at
01/01/2022
£
52,363
1,120
750
436
1,075
420
-
-
-
-
56,164		 Receipts
£
61,535
-
-
-
-
-
3,750
24,341
2,000
12,000
103,626		 Payments
£
64,627
1,120
750
-
1,075
-
-
2,334
2,000
12,000
83,906		 Balance at
31/12/2022
£
49,271
-
-
436
-
420
3,750
22,007
-
-
75,884

8