2023-12-31-accounts

Registered Charity: 1095416

OUR ANNUAL REPORT Jan - Dec 2023

@sheffieldmefm @sheffieldmefm © 0 facebook.com/SheffieldMEandFibromyalgiaGroup www.sheffieldmegroup.co.uk [e-mail]

Introduction

----- Start of picture text -----
Our charity
----- End of picture text -----

We are a registered charity supporting people in South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire living with ME/CFS, fibromyalgia and/or long Covid. 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 a growing 608 members in the area.

• 1.To relieve those suffering from the illnesses variously known as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) or post-viral fatigue syndrome (PVFS) and fibromaylgia and in particular by the provision of help and assistance through mutual support and information exchange.

• 2.To educate the general public through the promotion and dissemination of knowledge about ME/CFS/PVFS.

Our annual report is structured following the 3 strategic outcomes of our charity:

• 1.Our members make more informed life choices by accessing quality information about their illness and support available

• 2.The economic situation of our members is maximised

• 3.Our members increase their links and active engagement with other sufferers, carers and allies to reduce their social isolation

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

2

Letter from the Chair...

Welcome to our 2023 Annual Report, a very busy year for our charity. We managed to return to holding our AGM in person and online, and decided that going ‘hybrid’ is the way forward to best accommodate everyone’s needs. Becca Gransbury and myself were elected as Co-Chairs and it has been a delight working closely with her. Our Trustees supported the charity through a number of staff changes so that by the end of the year we had secured a highly skilled team and longer term stability.

Our 5 year Lottery funding ceased at the end of December and Trustees worked with staff to successfully secure core funding for the charity for a further 3 years which we are delighted about. So by the end of 2023 the charity was in a strong position with an experienced and excited staff team ready to tackle 2024. Membership continues to increase steadily embracing people with long Covid, fibromyalgia and ME/CFS and we worked hard with Healthwatch and other local community groups to raise the profile of long Covid in our area. Nationally we contributed to a new ‘Delivery Plan’ led by the Dept for Health and Social Care for those living with ME/CFS and worked with other groups across the UK to put pressure on for the NICE guideline for ME/CFS to be implemented. We’ll keep you updated.

As ever our welfare benefits team have steadily continued offering free advice and support and have achieved significant wins - we are so grateful to them for skilfully supporting members through the highly stressful process of claiming their entitlement to benefits. We’ve had some brilliant volunteers working in the office to help get records online and reduce clutter so a huge thanks to them for sharing their time. A big thanks also goes to Sheila Broadhead for her work as our treasurer, helping with financial reports and putting budgets together for funding bids.

So, we are feeling very positive about the charity’s ability to support members during the year ahead, and we will build on our relationships with our local NHS services, local and national groups to represent members’ interests. If you would like to talk about becoming a Trustee or volunteering for our group, please get in touch!

Carolyn Leary, Co-Chair

3

Our Trustees

• Simon Briggs (until Sept)

• Becca Gransbury Co-Chair (from May)

• Beatrice Greenfield

• Isabel Hemmings

• Carolyn Leary - Chair (until May), Co-Chair (from May) Alison Millar

• Ellen Roy (from May)

• Emma Saville (until Sept)

• Duraiya Kapasi (until Sept)

Associate Trustee

Sheila Broadhead - Treasurer

Our Staff

• Elyane Bardou - Charity Manager

• Amy Palmer - Charity Manager (Feb-Oct)

• Emma Kirby - Senior Benefits Adviser (joined in March)

• Ayan Farrah, Ellie Jones, Helen Walkington - Benefits Advisers (short term)

• Pippa Line - Engagement Officer (until August), Assistant Project Worker (from Sept) Emma Biczyk - Admin Worker (joined in Oct)

• Maddy Whitby - Admin Worker (Feb-Sept)

• Emma Isaac - Communications Development Officer (joined in Oct)

• Clare Bateman - Bookkeeper (joined in Oct)

Our Patron

Our patron is the ever supportive Berlie Doherty.

4

The people making this possible

Our charity is run by people with ME/CFS, fibromyalgia and/or long Covid and their carers. Lived experience of the conditions, or other invisible illnesses, is common among our volunteers, staff, and trustees. Our work is highly member-led, and decision-making is informed by the continuous collection of ideas and feedback from our community.

Staff team - 5 years ago, we had 2 benefits advisers and 1 info & communications officer. By the end of 2023, we managed to form a more robust staff team detailed above. Every staff member in our new team is highly skilled and experienced in their role, with a strong dedication to helping the people we support, which makes us very confident and excited in the future work of our charity.

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!

Big thanks to our volunteers!

We are so grateful for the 40+ volunteers who dedicated time helping our charity and community in so many ways throughout this year: being a trustee, contributing to and editing our magazine, moderating our facebook group, befriending a member, hosting meet-ups and activities, decluttering our office and digitalising our paperwork, being a treasurer...

In the year ahead, we will continue to provide volunteering opportunities for our members and other volunteers including students, as we continue to grow our charity both online and in-person.

Our membership

Our membership has more than doubled in the last 4 years, increasing between 14% and 31% each year to reach 608 members at the end of 2023.

48% of our members have a recurring membership, demonstrating the value of our long-lasting support and community.

Thank you to everyone who has joined us or helped raise awareness of our support. You make our community what it is!

----- Start of picture text -----
Our membership growth over time
----- End of picture text -----

5

Outcome 1 Our members make more informed life choices by accessing quality information about their illness and support available gg This includes information, updates, tips & tools to manage symptoms, signposts and more. Point of 700 Website e-news contact email queries answered 47,575 76 Oe O28 C views of our website digital newsletters sent to 172 35,459 976 phone queries answered views of our pages dedicated to recipients information sharing.

with relevant updates and information about activities, expert talks, latest research etc.

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

Topics: benefits, educational talks, management of symptoms, support available.

Sharing information on what our charity is doing, activities and opportunities for members to be Facebook involved, relevant activities and events Twitter organised by others in our region, and page accurate information from reputable 2,018 1,012 sources on national developments, followers followers policy and research relevant to ME/CFS, fibromyalgia and long Covid. Ol IC Gut Microbes as Cause Science to and Treatment of ME/CFS your sofa

Prof Simon Carding - Research Leader, Gut Microbes in Health and Disease, Quadram Institute, Norwich.

Co-hosted with Cinnamon Days CIC

Viewers included people living with the condition(s), carers and workers in related fields.

1,240

viewers across Zoom, Facebook and YouTube

6

Quarterly magazine

Created by 20

All our members receive our magazine via email or post volunteer members 24 pages or more! + staff Informative, entertaining, to keep in touch with the community and the wider world.

• informative articles on:21

• Benefits updates and advice

• Acces to Work

• Wheelchair accessible trails in the area

• Care plans update with Sheffield ME/CFS Service

• Genetic research on ME/CFS

• Gamechangers - tips and tricks from the community to manage the conditions

• Write-ups of our online science talks

• Updates on our activities & projects

• Nutrition

Regular A total of 68 weekly and fortnightly sessions wellbeing hosted by professional tutors activities The details of these activities is described in Outcome 3. | |

These qigong, mindfulness and singing activities not only provide a safe and accessible space for our members to practice healthy activities and to make new social connections, but it also provides them with

tools to practice at home and help relieve symptoms in their daily life.

“Mindfulness has given me the skills to help manage the many symptoms of ME.“

“[Singing sessions] have been helpful for managing the breathing issues I experienced with long covid and I believe are a great tool for my efforts to soothe the vagus nerve which effects my symptoms of M.E.”

We secured a Long Covid Community Grant with Healthwatch/VAS to create resources for people with long Covid and healthcare professinals:

----- Start of picture text -----
New
resources
----- End of picture text -----

• Family and Friends leaflet, explaining in simple words what it is like to live with the illness; Long Covid NICE guideline for patients, a 3-page summary of the guideline;

• Long Covid NICE guideline for GPs, a 1-page summary with key information that your GP should know;

• Long Covid Symptom Tracker, to be used as a helper for medical appointments.

The resources can be found on our website.

7

Outcome 2 The economic situation of our members is maximised > A good year for our benefits service, which for the time includes a senior benefits adviser thanks to the new staff team structure. There has been a lot of work done on ironing our Benefits & processes and procedures, and making referrals more streamlined and accessible. social care advice 120 clients supported, from initial advice to challenging decisions CU 73 one-off advice provided on benefits, housing, social care 1 online information session on changes to the work capability assessment

Casework support

Casework support includes: first claims, reviews, challenging decisions, benefits checks, social care checks, accessing further support in the area of housing, mobility, aids and adaptations.

“Peace of mind”

“It helps me be able to feel a bit like me again” £ 456,8k “PIP allows me to compensate for Yearly 100% the ways that my illness affects increase 97% me, and participate in my life to a success fuller extent. Having the support success rate when of the benefits team in order to £ 128k rate support maintain this is invaluable for my Arrears provided quality of life.” before the MR stage “Tremendous positive difference to help with the cost of living and additional expense that I face.” Mobility support & other 4.7/5 ESA, Universal Credit client satisfaction Mandatory Reconsideration rating (MR) Area of casework Appeal supported Personal Independence Stage of Payment (PIP) claim supported Renewal “I have been able to buy aids such as a light weight kettle, light New Claim weight cutlery, lightweight pens. “ a. 70 “The message I would like to leave is thank you for listening to me and supporting me and helping me navigate the complexities of the benefits system! Emma is very good at providing support and cares and is compassionate which is rare these days!”

8

Outcome 3

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

A total of social and wellbeing activities offered free of charge147 throughout the year. Hosted by professional tutors and volunteers.

Weekly Mindfulness

Weekly Qigong

30 sessions hosted by Jane, a professional tutor

33 sessions hosted by Orla, a professional tutor

Our regular online social & wellbeing activities

“I find these very beneficial in helping with stress and symptoms and also very important in providing social interaction as I rarely leave the house and have very few social interaction besides the classes.”

“I have found the qigong invaluable. It is one of the few activities I am able to do as with ME/CFS one cannot do normal exercise. It helps relieve symptoms and is energising. It is also good to be able to mix with other people as I am alone in my house much of the time.”

Monthly French conversation

“Very accessible and welcoming and there is no pressure to be on top form, either in terms of your French or your health!”

10 sessions hosted by Tina, a volunteer member

Fortnightly Singing

“Having access to the singing group is a great boost to my general well-being and gives me a sense of connection to the world which I otherwise would not have.”

22 sessions hosted by Helen, a professional tutor

“Some [singing] sessions I’m moved to tears by the music and communal feeling and every session I end up with a big smile on my face. [...] I feel a genuine fondness for the other members and miss them when they don’t attend.”

In-person 33 meet-ups meet-ups hosted by our members

"The meet-ups are always enjoyed by everyone. It's great to be with people in the same situation and, whilst we talk about all manner of things, a lot of useful information is always exchanged."

Pilates, Warm water swimming

3 sessions hosted by a tutor (pilates) or volunteer (swimming) The swimming group is keeping in touch on whatsapp

New wellbeing activities

“I was really fragile, and it was so nice to be supported to do this.”

Skill- Arts & Craft, British Sign Language, Cartooning, Writing workshop focused 17 sessions hosted by a tutor or a Really good fun, easy to do and great to activities volunteer member try something different. [cartooning]

Really good fun, easy to do and great to try something different. [cartooning]

9

Our 30 AGM particiants

Our first ever hybrid AGM - both in the Circle, and online on Zoom. Our special guest was Adam Lowe, explaining his role as a lay person in the NICE guideline development committee for ME/CFS, resulting in the new guideline being published in October 2021. Adam is also a performance poet and performed some of his work for us.

A jolly, hybrid, family-friendly event to get together! 50 Live carols & singalong with Stan Edge and the Belle Haggs quartet \ Our Professional juggling show by Chris Marley Christmas particiants Quiz, poem, raffle and chatter 30 in person and social A free, healthy buffet to suit all diets 20 online 30 prizes won, in-person and online ! =e Content from the community included: Quarterly Another way to - Details of members’ meet-ups magazine share among - Tips & tricks for everyday life the community - Poems, storys, music, craft, photos -) - Entertainment: quiz, jokes “At times I feel so alone and had not spoken to a single person for a number of days, I Thank you to our 4 128 welcome the call & always look forward to it.” long-standing Befriending phone calls volunteers who have been opening their hearts to new “The befriending scheme is 115 wonderful, it has made a positive friendships. hours over the difference in my life. I’m looking We would like to 4 phone forward to each call. The calls often further develop this long lasting break up long periods of time of invaluable scheme friendships being on my own - I can spend days over the coming year. without talking to anyone.”

Peer Private Public Long Covid 394 2041 186 support Facebook Facebook Facebook members members members platforms group group group

Our Facebook groups continued to be a platform for people to ask questions, share tips, news and experiences, and most of all support each other.

10

Looking forward

Becoming completely hybrid

We are aiming at significantly increasing our in-person activities offer. This would mean continuing our in-person meet-ups and organising more in-person activities in Sheffield and in the rest of our area of benefit (South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire). These would be organised as much as possible outdoors, or indoors with appropriate communication around safety measures in place. The success of our hybrid Christmas party demonstrated that we are capable of offering completely hybrid events to our community, which we aim to do for our major events like our AGM.

Reaching out beyond Sheffield

Currently, the majority of our membership lives in Sheffield. We wish to reach out to the rest of our area of benefit by engaging with individuals, community groups, local authorities, Voluntary Action offices and Healthwatch branches, and organising activities in those areas.

Long Covid outreach

We intend to collaborate with long Covid Hubs and long Covid support groups across South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire for as long as they exist to reach out to individuals and provide sustainable longterm support and a wider engagement platform for people through our membership.

Increasing active engagement of our members

We wish to offer new inclusive opportunities for our members to volunteer, share skills, share opinions, take initiative and participate in projects. These will be both online and in-person. For some members we hope this can be a step-by-step approach to re-discovering previous skills and interests, and growing in confidence. Our small swimming group has been a prime example of this, with people returning to the pool after 6 years and more.

Diversifying our income

We will look into developing new ways of raising vital funds for our charity, to support our growing membership, make a difference locally, sustain and develop our current staff team, and to enable us to take on more projects and ideas coming from our community.

Big thanks to our Funders!

And a huge to all who donated to our charity this year Thesk Vv

11

Get in touch!

Our address (office open Monday to Thursday, 10.45am to 2.15pm) The Circle 33 Rockingham Lane Sheffield S1 4FW

Our phone line (open Monday to Thursday, 10.45am to 2.15pm) 0114 2536700

Our email Our website [e-mail] www.sheffieldmegroup.co.uk @ Our social media - follow us! Facebook facebook.com/SheffieldMEandFibromyalgiaGroup Twitter @sheffieldmefm Instagram @sheffieldmefm (ge .

Printed by The Print Shop Level 1, Adsetts Learning Centre, Arundel Gate. Sheffield. S1 1WB | Tel: [phone]

SHEFFIELD ME AND FIBROMYALGIA GROUP

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

for the year ended 31 December 2023 (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 AND FIBROMYALGIA GROUP

Legal information

Trustees

Carolyn Leary Chair Simon Briggs Becca Gransbury Beatrice Greenfield 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 AND FIBROMYALGIA GROUP

Trustees' report

The trustees are pleased to present their report and financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2023.

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 and Fibromyalgia 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. At the end of 2023, our staff team totalled 99 weekly hours.

Objects of the charity

The objects of the charity are:

• to relieve those suffering from the illnesses known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME)/ chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)/ post-viral fatigue syndrome (PVFS), fibromyalgia, and long Covid.

• to educate the general public through the promotion and dissemination of knowledge about the conditions.

We do this through our benefits and social care service, helpline, magazine and information sharing, wellbeing and social activities, peer support groups, befriending and educational talks. We also network with local organisations to raise awareness and improve local support provision for our community. We do not give medical advice nor do we offer individual treatment programmes. Where possible we signpost to relevant bodies and resources. We are an independent charity relying on grants, donations and income from our nominal membership fee.

Public Benefit Statement

Sheffield ME and Fibromyalgia Group is a registered charitysupporting those with ME/CFS/PVFS, fibromyalgia and long Covid, their families and carers. Our impact on our members is reduced social isolation, enhanced wellbeing, empowerment and improved understanding of their illness and support available, maximised welfare benefits entitlement and social care support. Our wider aim is fighting stigma through education, and improving local support provision.

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.

3 trustees report cntd..

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 £33,142 based on the 2024 budget. The Group met this target during 2023, the unrestricted funds being £43,156 at 31 December 2023.

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:

• select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently

• make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent

• prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.

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.

11.06.2024

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

----- Start of picture text -----
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
over
----- End of picture text -----

Carolyn Leary 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 2023, 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:

• examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;

• to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145 (5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and

• to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

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 have not been met; or

(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper

Signed:

Craig Williamson White Rose Accounting for Charities The Ghyll Threapland Aspatria CA7 2EL Date: (| & (22ers

5

SHEFFIELD ME GROUP

Receipts and Payments Account for the year ended 31 December 2023

Notes Receipts 1 Grants and donations 2 Members' subscriptions Gift aid received 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 Professional fees Bank , Paypal & WIX charges Other Total payments Net receipts/(payments) for the year Cash and bank balance at 01/01/2023 Correction to fund allocation at 01/01/2023 Revised cash and bank balance at 01/01/202 Cash and bank balance at 31/12/2023 4	Unrestricted funds £ 3,890) 6,102) - 447- - --	Restricted funds £ 73,794) 0) 0) 0)	Total 2023 £ 77,684) 6,102) 447) 0)	Total 2022 £ 105,719) 5,292) - -- - 30-
	10,439)	73,794)	84,233) 82,816) 304) 120) 373) 6) - 32- 5,279) 5,148) 1,066) 989) - 444- 1,129) 142) 2,667) 1,234) 0) 215) 175) 206) 60) 102,405) (18,172) 104,438) 0) 104,438) 86,266)	111,041)
	17,518) 0) 0) 0) 0) 0) 3,610) 0) 0) 0) 269) 0) 0) 176) 0) 0) 0) 175) 206) 60)	65,298) 304) 120) 373) 6) 32) 1,669) 5,148) 1,066) 989) 175) 1,129) 142) 2,491) 1,234) 0) 215) 0) - -- - --		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) 0) - 154- (179)
	22,014)	80,391)		84,022)
	(11,575) 28,554) 26,177)	(6,597) 75,884) (26,177)		27,019) 77,419) 0)
	3 54,731)	49,707)		77,419)
	43,156)	43,110)		104,438)

6

SHEFFIELD ME GROUP

Statement of assets and liabilities as at 31 December 2023

	2023		2022
	£		£
Monetary assets
Balance at bank and cash	86,266)		104,438)
	86,266)		104,438)
	£		£
Liabilities
Rent and room hire	0		1,324)
Independent examination	215		205)
Postage	0		207)
ICT	0		127)
Telephone, internet and website	440		12)
Equipment	0		9)
Service review	0		286)
Printing	0		326)
Qigong sessions	0		80)
Bank, paypal and Wix charges	5		0)
Payroll processing	165		0)
Singing sessions	480		0)
Events	250		0)
	1,555)		2,577)

11.06.2024 Signed on behalf of the Trustees on……………………………….. by Trustee ………………………………………………………………………….. PRINT NAME:………………………………………………………………… Carolyn Leary[sey] ..

7

SHEFFIELD ME GROUP

Notes to the accounts

for the year ended 31 December 2023

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 2018 - 2023 Big Lottery Fund 2024 - 2026 Healthwatch Long Covid Community Grant Stage 2 ME Local Network University of Sheffield Sub total Donations Total grants and donations	Unrestricted funds £ - -- - -- - 2,000- - -- 0	Restricted funds £ 31,072) 38,722) 0) 3,000) 1,000)	Total 2023 £ 31,072) 38,722) 2,000) 3,000) 1,000)
	- 2,000- - 1,890-	73,794) 0) 73,794)	75,794) 1,890)
	3,890)		77,684)

3 Staff costs Staff costs during the period were:- Gross salaries and employers pension Employer's national insurance Number of staff: 6 part time staff	£ 82,816) - --
	82,816)

4 Restricted funds

Restricted funds
Big Lottery Fund Lottery 2018 - 2023 Big Lottery Fund Lottery 2024 - 2026 Tai Chi Classes restricted donation Fundraising (Emer's fundraising) ME group Derby Postcode Neighbourhood Trust ME Local Network University of Sheffield	Balance at 01/01/2023 £ 49,271) 0) 436) - 420- - 3,750- - 22,007- - -- - --	Correction to Unrestricted £ - -- - -- - -- - 420- - 3,750- - 22,007- - -- - --	Revised Balance at 01/01/2023 £ 49,271) 0) 436) 0) 0) 0) 0) 0) 49,707)	Receipts £ 31,072) 38,722) - -- - -- - -- - -- - 3,000- 1,000)	Payments £ 79,491) 0) - -- - -- - -- - -- - 171- - 729- 80,391)	Balance at 31/12/2023 £ 851) 38,722) 436) 0) 0) 0) 2,830) 271)
	75,884)	(26,177)		73,794)		43,110)

8

SHEFFIELD ME AND FIBROMYALGIA GROUP

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

for the year ended 31 December 2023 (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 AND FIBROMYALGIA GROUP

Legal information

Trustees

Carolyn Leary Chair Simon Briggs Becca Gransbury Beatrice Greenfield 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 AND FIBROMYALGIA GROUP

Trustees' report

The trustees are pleased to present their report and financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2023.

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 and Fibromyalgia 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. At the end of 2023, our staff team totalled 99 weekly hours.

Objects of the charity

The objects of the charity are:

• to relieve those suffering from the illnesses known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME)/ chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)/ post-viral fatigue syndrome (PVFS), fibromyalgia, and long Covid.

• to educate the general public through the promotion and dissemination of knowledge about the conditions.

We do this through our benefits and social care service, helpline, magazine and information sharing, wellbeing and social activities, peer support groups, befriending and educational talks. We also network with local organisations to raise awareness and improve local support provision for our community. We do not give medical advice nor do we offer individual treatment programmes. Where possible we signpost to relevant bodies and resources. We are an independent charity relying on grants, donations and income from our nominal membership fee.

Public Benefit Statement

Sheffield ME and Fibromyalgia Group is a registered charitysupporting those with ME/CFS/PVFS, fibromyalgia and long Covid, their families and carers. Our impact on our members is reduced social isolation, enhanced wellbeing, empowerment and improved understanding of their illness and support available, maximised welfare benefits entitlement and social care support. Our wider aim is fighting stigma through education, and improving local support provision.

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.

3 trustees report cntd..

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 £33,142 based on the 2024 budget. The Group met this target during 2023, the unrestricted funds being £43,156 at 31 December 2023.

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:

• select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently

• make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent

• prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.

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.

11.06.2024

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

----- Start of picture text -----
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
over
----- End of picture text -----

Carolyn Leary 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 2023, 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:

• examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;

• to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145 (5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and

• to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

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 have not been met; or

(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper

Signed:

Craig Williamson White Rose Accounting for Charities The Ghyll Threapland Aspatria CA7 2EL Date: (| & (22ers

5

SHEFFIELD ME GROUP

Receipts and Payments Account for the year ended 31 December 2023

Notes Receipts 1 Grants and donations 2 Members' subscriptions Gift aid received 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 Professional fees Bank , Paypal & WIX charges Other Total payments Net receipts/(payments) for the year Cash and bank balance at 01/01/2023 Correction to fund allocation at 01/01/2023 Revised cash and bank balance at 01/01/202 Cash and bank balance at 31/12/2023 4	Unrestricted funds £ 3,890) 6,102) - 447- - --	Restricted funds £ 73,794) 0) 0) 0)	Total 2023 £ 77,684) 6,102) 447) 0)	Total 2022 £ 105,719) 5,292) - -- - 30-
	10,439)	73,794)	84,233) 82,816) 304) 120) 373) 6) - 32- 5,279) 5,148) 1,066) 989) - 444- 1,129) 142) 2,667) 1,234) 0) 215) 175) 206) 60) 102,405) (18,172) 104,438) 0) 104,438) 86,266)	111,041)
	17,518) 0) 0) 0) 0) 0) 3,610) 0) 0) 0) 269) 0) 0) 176) 0) 0) 0) 175) 206) 60)	65,298) 304) 120) 373) 6) 32) 1,669) 5,148) 1,066) 989) 175) 1,129) 142) 2,491) 1,234) 0) 215) 0) - -- - --		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) 0) - 154- (179)
	22,014)	80,391)		84,022)
	(11,575) 28,554) 26,177)	(6,597) 75,884) (26,177)		27,019) 77,419) 0)
	3 54,731)	49,707)		77,419)
	43,156)	43,110)		104,438)

6

SHEFFIELD ME GROUP

Statement of assets and liabilities as at 31 December 2023

	2023		2022
	£		£
Monetary assets
Balance at bank and cash	86,266)		104,438)
	86,266)		104,438)
	£		£
Liabilities
Rent and room hire	0		1,324)
Independent examination	215		205)
Postage	0		207)
ICT	0		127)
Telephone, internet and website	440		12)
Equipment	0		9)
Service review	0		286)
Printing	0		326)
Qigong sessions	0		80)
Bank, paypal and Wix charges	5		0)
Payroll processing	165		0)
Singing sessions	480		0)
Events	250		0)
	1,555)		2,577)

11.06.2024 Signed on behalf of the Trustees on……………………………….. by Trustee ………………………………………………………………………….. PRINT NAME:………………………………………………………………… Carolyn Leary[sey] ..

7

SHEFFIELD ME GROUP

Notes to the accounts

for the year ended 31 December 2023

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 2018 - 2023 Big Lottery Fund 2024 - 2026 Healthwatch Long Covid Community Grant Stage 2 ME Local Network University of Sheffield Sub total Donations Total grants and donations	Unrestricted funds £ - -- - -- - 2,000- - -- 0	Restricted funds £ 31,072) 38,722) 0) 3,000) 1,000)	Total 2023 £ 31,072) 38,722) 2,000) 3,000) 1,000)
	- 2,000- - 1,890-	73,794) 0) 73,794)	75,794) 1,890)
	3,890)		77,684)

3 Staff costs Staff costs during the period were:- Gross salaries and employers pension Employer's national insurance Number of staff: 6 part time staff	£ 82,816) - --
	82,816)

4 Restricted funds

Restricted funds
Big Lottery Fund Lottery 2018 - 2023 Big Lottery Fund Lottery 2024 - 2026 Tai Chi Classes restricted donation Fundraising (Emer's fundraising) ME group Derby Postcode Neighbourhood Trust ME Local Network University of Sheffield	Balance at 01/01/2023 £ 49,271) 0) 436) - 420- - 3,750- - 22,007- - -- - --	Correction to Unrestricted £ - -- - -- - -- - 420- - 3,750- - 22,007- - -- - --	Revised Balance at 01/01/2023 £ 49,271) 0) 436) 0) 0) 0) 0) 0) 49,707)	Receipts £ 31,072) 38,722) - -- - -- - -- - -- - 3,000- 1,000)	Payments £ 79,491) 0) - -- - -- - -- - -- - 171- - 729- 80,391)	Balance at 31/12/2023 £ 851) 38,722) 436) 0) 0) 0) 2,830) 271)
	75,884)	(26,177)		73,794)		43,110)

8