Registered number: 03946296 Charlty number: 1102847 Sheppey Matters (A company limited by guarantee) Unaudited Trusteos. report and financlal ststoments for the year ended 31 March 2024 Sheppey Matters (A company limited by guarantee) Contents Page Reference and administrative details of the Charity, its Trustees and Advisers Trustees. report Independent examlner's report Statement of financial activiti8S 2-20 21 22 Balance sheet 23 Statement of cash flows 24 Notes to the flnanclal statements 25-40 TRUSTEES REPORT 2023124 Trustees Mlchael John Brown, Principal Christlne White Kenneth Pugh Paul Murray MBE Joe Rook MBE Gareth Dyson lappointed 18 July 2023) Company registered number. 03946296 Charity registered number 1102847 Registered office Sheppey Leisure Centre Broadway Sheerne55 Kent ME12 IHH Company secretary Nigel Martin Swale Borough Councll Representatlve Elliott Jayes Independent Examiner Samantha Rouse FCCA DChA Kreston Reeves LLP Chartered Accountants Montague Place Quayside Chatham Maritime Chatham Kent ME44QU Page 1 Trustees, report for the year ended 31 March 2024 The Trustees present their annual report together with the audited financial statements of the Charitv for the year l April 2023 to 31 March 2024. The Annual report serves the purposes of both a Trustees, report and Directors, report under company law. The Trustees confirm that the Annual report and financial statements of the Charity comply with the current statLrtory requirements, the requirements of the Charity's governing document and the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice {50RPI applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) (effective l January 2019). Since the Charity qualifies as small under section 382 of the Companies Act 2006, the Strategic report required of medium and large companies under the Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Directors, Report) Regulations 2013 has been omitted. Objectives and activities . Policies and objectives The objects of the Charity are: To promote and protect the good health of people living on the Isle of Sheppey, in particular by the provision of a healthy living centre. To advance education in the benefits of good health and social well-being. To provide or assist in the provision of facilities in the interest of social welfare for recreation or other leisure time occupation of individuals who have need of such facilities because of theiryouth, age, disability, financial hardship, or social circumstances. Sheppey Matters is an independent charity, and the Trustees meet at least four times a year to make major policy decisions and review progress. Other times limited working groups are set up when a particular topic needs more detailed consideration by the Trustees. The Chief Executive Officer takes overall day-to-day responsibility for steering the charity in accordance with the strategic direction set by the Trustees. He meets the chair of Sheppey Matters on a weekly basis and has a regular email and telephone contact between meetings. Administrative staff based at Sheppey Healthy Living Centre (HLC) take responsibility for room bookings and supporting projects. Sheppey Matters ha5 a service level agreement with Swale CVS, which provides financial administration services, carried out by a designated officer. Additional day-to-day financial management support is provided by the director of Swale CVS. In setting objectives and planning for activities, the Trustees have given due consideration to general guidance published by the Charity Commission relating to public benefit, including the guidance 'Public benefit: running a charity (PB2}'. b. Strategies for achlevlng objectNes The Trustees, policy Is to work in partnership with local agencles from the community and voluntary sector, and statutory sector to run projects at Sheppey HLC and outreach projects elsewhere on the island. In this way, the Charity can make a bigger impact, draw on the expertise of specialist agencies. and avoid duplication of local projects. Page 2 Trustees. report for the year ended 31 March 2024 The charity is also increasing its environmental responsibilities through various initiatives- Collecting used ink cartridges, stamps, and batteries- all within Sheppey Matters and other third parties- collected and recycled, with the charity earning a small donation. Increased activity in the Sheerness and Eastchurch allotments - growing fruit and vegetables for community benefit. Checking the distance travelled whilst making online purchases - can items be acquired more locally, reducing the carbon footprint, and supporting local businessesP Calculating the shortest routes for minibuses whilst undertaking community bus transport services on and off the island. Achievements and performance a. Revlew of artivities The Trustees have further updated the business plan for Sheppey Matters, which has been implemented by the CEO and his team and continued during 2023/24. The experience of COVID 19 and the continuing challenges of the cost-of-living crisis have remained a focus for all staff and volunteers. The 2023124 year was extremely challenging from a fundraising point of view. Two late but much welcome grants were secured which allowed the valuable community development and isolation and loneliness work to continue. The charity continues to seek a wide range of financial support and not relying on a few funders. This is highlighted below. The cost-of-living crisis has seen meals {often as high as 175 per week) being cooked and delivered to identified families and community centres. Early in the new year the Swale Foodbank moved into the healthy living centre- beneficiaries were able to not only access food but also school uniform provislon, hot and cold refreshments, a hot meal and if required, access to third party services such as mental health and drugs and alcohol advice, personal finance support and other visitors. The centre on a Wednesday is now a hlve of activity. The charltls annual Big Bash was cancelled due to bad weather- a replacement event was held in October in the sports hall and attracted over 750 visitors. This Is far more than the usual July event. engaging many residents not usually seen at the charity's sessions. A wide range of fun and informative events were held -feedback was highly positive. Sheppey Matters has collaborated closely with the community and statutory bodies on Sheppey to ensure that SUPPOrt services were working together and benefitting as many people as possible and so reducing duplication. The winter period once again saw warm rooms, school uniform, winter coats, and Christmas presents. Soup and coffee mornings were held round the island to engage as many people as possible and provide a little respite to the cost of living. February saw the launch of two new projects tacking the ongolng issues of loneliness and isolation on Sheppey. The highly successful 'lsle Connect You, project finished its three years in 2023, but thanks to further funding from the National Lottery Community Fund the project restarted under the new name of 'LegacV offering extended delivery hours for those aged over 60 throughout the week. A community development project working with people under the age of 60 complements Legacy and has been possible thanks to funding from the Henry Smith Charity. Trustees, report for the year ended 31 March 2024 Page 3 A Safer Streets project, funded by Swale Borough Council, started in the autumn, and is aimed at anti- social behaviour in the immediate vicinity of the healthy living centre. Residents are being engaged through several community actions Including litter plcking and gardenin8 to Improve the area. Sheppey Matters remains thankful to its many funders for their support throughout 2023/24 and the flexible approach allowed to change our deliveryto support those most in need. The charity continues to build positive relationships with funders, supporters, local authortties, community groups and agencies, without whom Sheppey Matters would not be able to deliver the much-needed support on the Isle of Sheppey. The board, staff and volunteers would like to thank the many funders over this twelve-month period, and acknowledges the donations received from the local community to support our work. The charity is grateful for the support of its funders to enable health and well-being work to be undertaken on the Isle of Sheppey: Kent County Council, BBC Children in Need. The Minerva Fund, Kent Community Foundation, Southern Housin& Swale Borough Council. The National Lottery Community Fund, Tudor Trust. Garfield Weston Foundation. The Henry Smith Charity, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Motability, Swale Borough Council members, Kent Sport, Localgiving.com, Rotary Club of Minster-on-sea, Swale CVS, UK Cycling, Sheerness Town Council, Minster Parish Council, OFCOM, Halfway Houses Primary School, Blakemore Foundation, G & E Pollitzer, Enfinium, and MSE Charity. The royal recognition of the charitys work received in 2022 was further enhanced in 2023 when the charity's community radio station, Sheppey FM 92.2 was named winner of the UK'S best community radio station. During the year, the board of trustees and senior management team have been working with Swale Borough Council and healthy living centre partners to plan and secure a new room layout for the charity in a refurbished centre, made possible by the government's levelling up fund. The work, as June 2024, is expected to commence at the end of the year, requiring the charity to leave the premises for up to 12 months. Alternative accommodation for office staff and delivery sessions is being sought. Below are further details on the projects. Rural Youth The project had a challenging twelve months; the number of participants remained below pre Covid levels for most of the sessions. Notice that funding for general youth work would be ending in March 2024 was given in late 2023, but that for 5e55ions for young people with additional needs was thankfully maintained. The Monday art group has been well supported following a change in delivery style during the year, which along with the Friday ADHD support group were the mainstays of the project. Other mainstream and older age group special needs sessions had disappointing participatory numbers; the project was reviewed in April 2024 with a view to community consultation and delivery. Early indications are encouraging that the new approach is attracting young people. Trustees. report for the year ended 31 March 2024 Page 4 The summer activity programme was well received with high level of bookings and attendance. Sessions included Ready, Steady, Grow, Ninja warrior, cooking, an outdoor activity centre and tenpin bowllng- in total 112 young people attended. Cookery sessions were popular with young people facing new challenges such as using knives to chop ingredlents and trying new foods and flavours. that they may not have had the opportunity to experience. Some of the feedback included comments of l enjoyed learning how to use the bridge technique to chop ingredients. One negative was that one young person tried the croutons but did not like them, but at least he tried them! The project engaged with two Swale partners to extend the young persons, additional needs delivery at the healthy living centre. This had mixed outcomes. the younger session has stayed the course and is now operating under its own leadership. The young persons, sexual health sessions were well attended at the local college. Well Life Well Life has seen consistent growth this year. with the Community Gardener. Community Chef, and Everyday Active Champion expanding on their achievements with residents over the past eighteen months. They work individually in their respective roles and collaboratively as a team to assist residents in enhancing their health and wellbeing post-covid and during the ongoing economic challenges. The project has fostered connections with individuals, groups, and organisations, offering inclusive activities and support groups to residents across the Island. Each aspect of the project takes pride in the supportive Well Life community they have created. They offer activities which include, but are not limited to Community Gardening for well-being, cooking groups to develop culinary skills, prepare budget-friendly recipes. and foster social connections through shared meals. They also provide all residents wlth the chance to engage in free or affordable physical activities and health support groups. Communlty Chef The community chef remains dedicated to supporting residents by sharing their passion for teaching people how to prepare delicious, affordable, and healthy meals from scratch. Working with various age groups across the Island, they are enthusiastic about supporting the older and younger generations through food and cooking. The well-received Silver and Spice cooking group, initially ser4ing mostly recovering stroke patients, is now open to all individuals over 65. The fortnightly, six-week sessions have helped participants acquire fundamental cooking skills, explore new recipes, and sample different foods. The group enjoys cookin& eating together, and adopting a welcoming environment for new members. Former attendees offer support to newcomers. expanding the ever-growing social circle. Some attendees have also gained enough confidence to participate in other Sheppey Matters and Well Life activities and group5. Due to poor transport links from the Eastern end of the Island, the sessions are currently held at Leysdown Village Hall to enable participation from that area. avoiding the need for residents to travel across the Island to attend, which can be costly. Feedback from participant: "It gave me the opportunity to learn new recipes plus enables me to mix with a variety of people". Tru5tees' report for the year ended 31 March 2024 Page 5 Chef is also dedicated to sharing a passlon for cooking and healthy eating with the younger generation. Through free, hands-on cooking sessions, children aged 8 to 14 can enjoy learning durlng school holidays in partnership with Sheppey Matters youth provision. Additionally, the chef extended this initiative to 2- to 4-year-olds with two sessions at Minster playgroup and groups of year 6 pupils at Halfway Houses Primary School. The cooking activities, such as making pancakes with healthy toppings, fresh fruit salad, and winter soup, are immensely popular. Chef Imparts essential knowledge on basic hygiene, knife handling, and safety, allowing the children to cook independently, with expert guidance. After each session, just like the older participants, everyone gathers to enjoy the food they prepared together. Feeback from Playgroup Manager: "I think the children thoroughly enjoyed the sessions. We have even received pirtures of the plants os they took them home with them. Also, at the Abbey site we put the remainingfruit salad in little plastic cups and sent them home with the children. They were very excited to explain what was in them." Everyday Active Champion The Everyday Active Champion has continued to promote the benefits of regular physical activity. They are passionate about supporting people to take steps into what is the unknown or revisiting that time when they felt good in themselves. They promote the ethos that regular physical activity has proven health benefits, both physically and mentally, and when enjoyed can be uplifting and rewarding by bringing a great sense of achievement. With the cost-of-living situation as it is, the Everyday Active Champion has worked hard to provide taster sessions and introduce and promote low cost or free physical activity groups to Island residents. The free taster sessions have provided residents with the opportunity to 'try before they buy,, effectively trying activities first before committing to attending regularly and paying a monthly fee. Working with partners, the Everyday Active Champion has introduced residents to a variety of physical actlvities including outdoor Qigong (adapted Tai Chi), outdoor yoga, line dancin& walking netball, a youth fitness class and bowls and boccia, all of which have been well attended, with the added bonus of giving people the opportunity to socialise and meet new people. The Walking for Health programme has gone from strength to strength and now runs one weekly walk in Sheerness and Leysdown, a fortnightly walk in Rushenden, and three weekly walks in Minster, plus the addition of ad hoc weekend and evening walks. The programme offers walks with or without poles for those who Ilke to stride out and for those that enjoy a slower pace. The groups are led by trained volunteers and these walk leaders continue to be supported through a group leader WhatsApp group to exchange information. To further enhance inclusivity, a community buddy service to the groups was initiated by using existing walkers as volunteers. This was brought about because of local referrals who were struggling to go out and walk due to lack of confldence, caused by either a fear of falling or social anxiety since Covid. Feedback from walking group members. It's meant not spending such o lot of time on my own and walking with others is great." "It is very rewarding to see all wolker's mobillty improve and them moking new connections." "I hove goined more confidence, zestfor life ond very positive attitude to life." Trustees, report for the year ended 31 March 2024 Page 6 Thls year, prompted by feedback from women on the Island, the Everyday Active Champion set up the Menopause and Me sessions, providing resources for women going through the menopause. It is widely known that women's health is often overlooked, and the lack of support for menopausal women has been a recurring concern in local communities and the media. The activities on offer were a variety of fun and engaging sessions using local community-based services, such as an independent class-based gym centre, yoga instructor. therapists, a walking netball experience. a combined activity with oui Community Gardener and a newly trained Tai Chi instructor in a 'Chi and Gardening session,, and evening get-togethers. The aim was to provide targeted taster sessions that educate women on how and where they can access local groups that help improve their symptoms. Some of the feedback from participants who took part included 'understanding I'm not alone,. 'not to be so hard on myself and .1 didn't realise how much breathing could relax me ond my mind.. The Everyday Active Champion has also set up a much needed 'Escape the Pairb, course in the community, targeting individuals with back pain and knee/hip pain. These courses provided education and insight into how movement can reduce pain, peer sUPPOrt and a social environment to break isolation. These groups are supported by a monthly group led by the Everyday Active Champion and a volunteer from the VET (local GP) surgery, a specialised therapist in chronic pain. These monthly support sessions are open to those with other health conditions and aim to educate and empower those that attend to reduce their pain through a variety of methods, including distiartion, gentle movement. relaxation and practical support. Community Gardener The community gardening strand of the Well Life project has been instrumental in promoting wellness and community interaction through gardenlng. From April 2023 to December 2023, growing activities took place at the Sheppey Matters Community Allotment in Sheerne55 and from January 2024 activities moved to our Eastchurch Community Garden. East Kent Mencap Swale Hub members {four members and one support worker) continue to be regular participants in community gardening at our Eastchurch Hub and in Sheerness. They participate in a variety of gardening actlvities, which include sowing seeds, planting, weeding and nurturing plants. They grew their own vegetables and flowers at the allotment and used these skills in their own Hub Garden. The group has also helped to maintain and plant the large planters at Beachfields in Sheerness and are regular volunteers for Sheerness litter picks. Feedback from Day Centre Manager." Yhonk you so much for all of your help this year, the guys have thoroughly enjoyed their gardening sessions with you and have leornt lots of skills." The Crawford Centre members (five members and three support workers) continue to engage in community gardening artivities once a week throughout the year. They undertake a variety of gardening activities including growing and tending to crops at the Sheppey Matters allotment. Eastchurch Community Garden and in the Sheerness community greenspaces. Feedback from Day Centre Manager: None of this would happen without you, so w£3nted you to know how much you are apprecioted too ond the positive impact you hove on the guys a5 well as u5.- The Community Gardening project has engaged 40+ children aged between eight to 14 years during the school holidays. The young people were given the opportunity to plant crops. sow seeds. look after the plot and work together to make a scarecrow. In addition to this the Community Gardener joined Community Chef in providing gardening sessions at Minster playgroup with children aged between two to four years. Trustees. report for the year ended 31 March 2024 Page 7 Working with volunteers, the Community Gardening group has transformed the tired and neglected garden at our Eastchurch Community Hub into a vibrant, colourful space. The volunteers have worked really hard at their own pace and used their skills and passion to bring the garden back to life for the community who use it and to re-attract the wildlife through painting, planning, growing, and planting. Healthy Llvlng Centre All in all, another eventful year for Sheppey Healthy Living Centre! The cost-of-llvlng crisls hit Sheppey hard where many families had to make decisions whether to eat or heat their homes. Sheppey Matters supported those most in need by introducing many initiatives such as creating a warm space in the Waterfront room where the local community could sit in warmth throughout the day, access wifi and hot drinks and a weekly soup kitchen. The grub hub provided over 50 hot meals once a week where people could eat in or takeaway to reheat and eat with their families. Our annual big bash saw over 750 people walk through our doors at healthy living Cent￿ where we showcased 311 our projects and local support services that are available to acce55. We redistributed 138 pre-loved winter coats that had been donated, hosted monthly theme days including breast cancer awareness, Movember, Hearty Party supporting NHS national campaigns, fund raisin& offering free events such as health MOTS, taster sessions to improve health such as Zumba, line dancing, Cardiac rehab, and meditation to name a few. In the true spirlt of Christmas, Sheppey Matters collaborated with The Salvation Army and Swale Foodbank to deliver the gift of Christmas, with local schools each nominating 10 struggling families. Sheppey Matters had a giving tree appeal which saw over 150 new toys and gifts donated to the cause. The Salvation army created a pop-up shop event where the nominated families could pick one main present and two stocking fillers per child along with a Christmas hamper filled with goodies. During February, we relaunched the community wardrobe which previously gave access to free pre- loved school uniform once a month in a jumble sale fashion to creating a dedicated walk in wardrobe where donated uniform has been laundered and hung on rails and can be accessed on request or every week when doors are opened and staffed by volunteers. The opening hours coincide with Swale Foodbank that now operates out of the Healthy Living Centre every Wednesday alongside support services from Shaw Trust and Live Well Kent providing wrap around support to those accessing the foodbank. During the winter months Sheppey Matter5 delivered money matters, a small project offering a game plan to create and manage a budget and how to tackle debt. Trustees, report for the year ended 31 March 2024 Page 8 Case study- C, aged 57, Ilves on Sheppey, an area of high deprivation, and had heard from friends about our Wellness Wednesday sessions offerlng free soup and a roll so decided to come along and join in. After a friendly conversation C explained she was struggllng with finances and was unsure what to do, so we agreed to meet the following day once C had collected all her paperwork together. C returned Thursday with all her papers consisting of health records, benefit letters and old bank Statements. She explained she had some learning difficulties and was unable to read and write so was hoping I could help make some sense of it all. In the past C managed her finances by regularly visiting her local bank branch requesting mini statements to check ins and outs. However, the local branch closed late 2022 and C had lost track of where her money was going. C does not use internet banking as finds it overwhelming to operate and does not have a smart phone or wifi at home, so it was very odd when we contacted her bank to find out she had been registered paperless on bank statements. On looking through recent benefit letters, it became apparent C's Employment and Support allowance had been stopped after a period of time had passed where they were unable to make contact. C told me and had hospital discharge records to prove she had spent a substantial period of tlme in hospital recently undergoing bowel surgery. We called the Department of Work & Penslons and C's benefit was reinstated and back dated with immediate effect. We then discussed C's challenges around banking and decided to switch to another bank which is still present in local high street and was also offering a £200 switch fee which C qualified for, so I was able to further support her in switching bank account. On going through previous bank statements. it was clear C lived quite a frugal lifestyle. However, we were able to change tariff with her existing energy provider to a better rate and then used a comparison site to save C money on her contents insurance that she had always let roll over in previous years. We worked out together a simple budget sheet of monthly incomings and outgoings C could use to check statements against and then organised all her finance and personal paperwork Into a multiple pocket box file. C was really pleased with the seniice and later returned with a Christmas card her friend had helped her write. Sheppey Wheels A challengln8 but successful year for Sheppey Wheel5. During the second quarter of 2023 Sheppey Wheels had 22 community groups using the minibuses for day trips, to all over Kent and London. The success of these trips has resulted In many of those groups becoming regular hirers of our services throughout the rest of the year. SHIPPf¥ WME£IS With the release of the Spring/Summer brochure in April 2023 we introduced a new booking system for our day trips, which made the administration involved much more efficient. The new booking system also allows us to store our members data on a secure website. Page 9 Trustees, report for the year ended 31 March 2024 In May 2023 we collected the minibus we were kindly donated by Kent County Council, putting the fleet back up to three vehicles, which allowed us to increase the number of private hires and day trips, as well as providing a transport service for a local day care centre, without the additional costs of hiring a vehicle. During the summer months Sheppey Wheels experienced its first challenge. The corporate Blue Badge renewal was rejected following an update in the guidelines set out by the Department of Transport. Following the rejection, we were advised to ask our Day trip users to bring their own Blue Badges, and if they did not have one but were eligible to assist them with their application. This resulted in an increase in administration phoning all our private hires, and day trip users to see if they had their own blue badge, which in many case5 they did not as a lot of our users do not drive so had not needed to apply. Some of our users did then apply but the lead time of 15 weeks for blue badges caused some issues on trips where disabled passengers were on board but did not have a blue badge. Sheppey Wheels has appealed against the rejection twice and has now sought the advice of local councillors. The new brochure that was released in September, covered trips from October to March was a success with many trips being sold out. This brochure was built mostly on feedback and suggestions from the day trip users following management changes In September. The third quarter was full of challenge5 and successes, with just 24 hours, notice our transport service for 81ackburn Lodge care home ended, due to an emergency closure. This left a bus and a driver out of action with immediate effect. The temporary closure was announced with no time frame of reopening; we sought out extra work, private hires and day trips from November to February to cover the drivers, hours to ensure we would keep them employed and the minibus in use. Whilst this was a real challenge, we managed successfully to increase our day trips durlng the Christmas period, a majority of which were sold out, with long wait lists so we could run a second bu5. In the winter period, Sheppey Wheels also faced some maintenance issues across the fleet, which did impact financially and caused some trips to be affected. The repairs on all the buses did have an impact on the flnances for Sheppey Wheels, but this enabled forward planning for pricing increases to cover the unexpected costs that running a fleet naturally will have. The year ended on a high with a new contract taking passengers to Age UK Sheppe¢s increased day centre provision. This meant that the fleet was now back to its normal structure of one bus providing transport to a day care for the elderly, a school run bus for a local primary school and a bus for private hires and day trips for the residents of the Isle of Sheppey. Feedback- The drivers are alw(7ys on time, helpful and understanding as far as the young people ore concerned. They put the radio onfor them ond don't comploin if they geta little noisy. They are olways polite to staff ond young people ond don't complain if the activity over run5 or is a little late. They are a great bunch and a credit to Sheppey Matters Page 10 Trustees, report for the year ended 31 March 2024 -￿ 54LE5 SPAfkE The Sheppey Matters fleet- with thanks to Sheerness East Working Men's Club for parklng facilities. Sheppey Communlty Media Centre The media centre is the home of Sheppey FM 92.2, the charitys community radio station, broadcasting on FM and online to the Isle of Sheppey. The ststion actively encourages residents, group, and agency leaders to visit the centre and tell the community about their club, session, event, or hobby- anything that may interest listeners. Interviewees have included The Aviation Museum, 'Miles & Smiles, tran5POrt service for isolated people, the 'Oliver Fisher Baby ward,, 'Next Step Fostering,, Youth Resilience,, 'Child's Vision,, Dementia Friendly Social Hub, Therapy dogs, 'One You, health advisers, 'Riding the Storm'_ discussing mental health issues, Mencap, Launch It'_ a new initiative for young people, and the Island Works. Local issues and concerns are covered by our monthly 'Councillors On-Airf surgery, a quarterly surgery with Sittingbourne and ShePPe￿5 MP Gordon Henderson, and regular interviews with Kent Police, and family law advice with a local solicitor. There have also been work experience placements for young people from schools across Swale and Medway: Westlands, Fulston Manor, Oasis Academy, Borden Grammar, The Sittingbourne School, and Chatham Grammar. Roadshows are a popular support service for many island events, engagement covering 43 schools and charity events and supporting fundralsers for the Air Ambulance, Demelza Children's Hospice, Cancer Research UK, Ukraine, HMP prison officers, wellbeing, Meadowfields SEN school, Aspire SEN school, Alzheimer's Awareness, Remembrance Sunday service and HMS Wildfire remembrance service, WW2 commemorations, local carnivals and Christmas events. The yearfs highlight was in November 2023; the station was awarded the Community Media Association's UK'S 'Station of the Yearf for our community and health support services and a further gold award for our 'Community Impact Project- Rehabilitation into Education., Magic 1-2-3/ADHD & Me Engagement for the 123, ADHD & Me programme has continued to be in demand. The project manager has provided ADHD Awareness talks to Maidstone Hospital and several schools in the local area. The need for this programme is increasing due to the extensive wait times for a diagnosis. A variety of famllies have taken part in the programme with great success. We have seen many famllies and are currently working with five more who are due to finish in the next few weeks. Page11 Trustees, report for the year ended 31 March 2024 A boy (M) aged eight was experiencing challenges in the classroom due to having a recent diagnosis of ADHD. He was still in the process of working through titration to get to an optimised level and was finding it difficult. His mother was struggling with his behaviour, and it was obvious that the relationship was breaking down. We worked together to help him with understand why he becomes emotionally dysregulated and provided a host of strategies that he could implement without adult support- thereby providing him with control and autonomy. After the family completed the programme, the school reported a positive impact on his behaviour in school and his motherfs tolerance levels were increased due to understanding more about his ADHD and how she can support him better. The project is in its final year and is seeking continuation funding. Isle Connect You As people age, they often experience changes in their social and personal relationships. Children grow up and move away, friends and spouses may pass away, and physical limitations can make it harder to get out and socialise. These changes can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness, whlch can have negative impacts on both physical and mental health, increasing the risk of mortality, depression, and cognitive decline among older adults. Thi5 highlights the importance of recognising and addresslng these issues to support the well-belng of our ageing population. Isle Connect You completed the final year of delivery in September 2023 which supported the older generation with the issues isolation and loneliness brings. Nestled in the heart of Sheerness with outreach areas across the Isle of Sheppey a small team of four, all passionate about making a difference, created activities and meet ups that continued to support the Isle of Sheppey'5 older generation towards leading more enriched and happier lives. The project has been a lifeline for many of our customers. During the period April 23 - March 24, Isle Connect You had 62 referrals. We have seen participants engaging on their own Journey of self- discovery to build upon their independence and resilience. The activities and outings have given our participants an opportunity to embrace new ideas and explore pathways to more enriched and inclusive lifestyles. It was interesting to see that Minster was the highest area of interaction closely followed by Sheerness. This gave us insight into the areas that needed a streamlined focus for this project. We have facilitated a large and diverse number of actlvltles ranging from the ancestry project: unveiling familial origins - unearthing tales from the past and igniting conversations for a journev through time. IT sUPPOrt sessions - aimed to enhance digital literacy skills among individuals. We contlnued to provlde iPads and tablets along with trainin& support, and anti-scam awareness to ensure safety online along with weekly coffee morning meetups. We held resilience workshops enabling participants to understand how to create healthier boundaries and relationships. Page 12 Trustees, report for the year ended 31 March 2024 Intergenerational workshop the Grainy Grub club cooking within a primary school. Confidence befriending, swimming, driving lessons, emotional support, virtual zooms, Men's mental health groups, fitness and well-being sessions. bereavement support, falls prevention, arts and crafts, garden get togethers, day trips to local attractions, breakfast meet ups, and a celebrational events such as the Coronation. Our goal has been simple: empower participants to achieve their full potential while still maintaining their independence. For some, this has meant meeting new people and learning new skills. For others, it may be a more profound and challenging journey, involving the adaptation to life with health conditions. Our approach has always been to provide a gentle, nurturing environment that supports the unique needs of each individual. We have worked hard to create sustainable solutions that will benefit them well into the future. We have worked closely with Kent Community Wardens, Age UK, Kent Fire and Rescue, Imago, GP surgeries and social prescribers. Southern Housing, NHS health trainers and the Department of Work and Pensions to gain specialist SUPPOrt for members whilst on our projert. We have seen newFound friendships form which has led to an encouraging level of social interaction and support networks strengthened. Two of our members found love in meeting each other! They have moved in together and attend many of the sessions as a couple. Both reported that if it had not been for the project they would never have met. Another lady formed a friendship with another Eroup member, and they decided that they should spend the festive season together as they only had each other and did not want to feel so alone. They have since gone on to have two holidays together and remain good friends to this day. Page 13 Trustees, report for the year ended 31 March 2024 Several spin-off groups have emerged organically from participating in sessions with Sheppey Matters, inviting individuals to join in various activities such as meals and quizzes. Sheppey Matters has provided a platform for these groups to thrlve, growlng Independence among its members. The Isle Connect You community has played a crucial role in establishing voluntary groups, led by former members, to ensure lasting friendships and continuity as the project concludes, instilling a sense of longevity. Isle Connect You has become a reputable and trusted name deeply embedded In our local community, engaging members through community events and support networks. The project has significantly improved the mental health and well-being of participants, reducing stress levels, and enhancing overall happiness and life satisfaction. Members have demonstrated personal growth and skill development through workshops, activities, and events. Eight members have volunteered with us as a result of the project, inspired by their transformative experiences to support others on similar paths. Their lived experiences serve as evidence of the project's effectiveness in unlocking their full potential. Giving back has been a powerful motivator for them, enabling personal growth while assisting others. Active participation in community events and activities has empowered Individuals to take charge of their community's well-being, fostering a sense of ownership. Our personalised garden gate visits have been pivotal in understanding each participant's unique needs, driving our support approach. These visits have facilitated referrals to other support agencie5 and services, contributing to the overall enhancement of well-being. Success in reduclng health risks required a comprehensive, multifaceted strategy. i¥, I rA_¥ a The project concluded in September 2023, with funding later secured In December to allow us to continue our work In thls area. We received news of this successful funding from the National Lottery Communty Fund for a four-year project dedicated to supporting individuals over 60 dealing with isolation and loneliness. This led to the launch of 'Legacy recruitment efforts started in February 2024. The team hired two coordinators. an administration clerK and a Project Manager. They engaged with the community in February to map out available support seplices on the Isle of Sheppey, establishing partnerships for befrlending support. Referrals began in March, primarily from social prescribers, and a launch party was held to introduce the project to other voluntary sector professionals. We celebrated the funding from the National Lottery Community Fund with a session to thank the players- as without them this project would not be possible. The team did this by planting a variety of bulbs with our community volunteers, staff also gave their time to get Involved with this initiative. Page 14 Trustees. report for the year ended 31 March 2024 Connection is at the core of wellbeing-if people feel valued and part of something that has a purpose then their lives feel purposeful. We pride ourselves on being their eyes and ears- when we can see a positive change we act and do our very best to ensure they are listened to. We have gained vital skills and knowledge from Isle Connect You; Legacy has been a natural step towards the deeper support people so desperately need and have asked for. Miles and Smiles/Motability The Miles and Smiles projett fully launched to the public in April 2023. In the first three months we recruited 15 new members and carried out on average two trips per week to help boost our membership the team advertised at pop ups around the Isle of Sheppey, at supermarkets, local fairs, meeting with other charities, and organisations. 1411es and Smlles 29U During the summer months there was another increase of 15 new members, and six trips on average per week were carried out, mostly to medical appointments. After operatlng for a few months, the team highlighted some challenges when parking at the local hospitals. We established connections at the hospitals to assist our passengers when arriving, so we were not leaving the bus unattended when pulling up to the drop off points. This became vital when the corporate blue badge renewal was rejected, this has been successful since and our passengers get the assistance they need on arrival. Over the last few months of 2023, the number of members continued to grow, and we carried out another six trips per week on average. Whilst the workload remained steady there was still room for growth. Any downtime with the drivers or admin was spent promoting the project. The team visited a local day care centre to promote the service, resulting in some new memberships. During the final quarter of the year there was an increase in the number of trips we carried out to eight rips per week on average. Overall, this year has been successful for Miles and Smiles operationally. Any challenges have been quickly overcome; extra promotional work was carried out by our drivers to help boost our memberships, additional training was given to drivers in downtime, and the year ended almost running at Its full capaclty per week. l Destlnations of ourjourneys Aprll 2023- March 2024 182 Hospital ll Clinics 24 Dentists 12 Physio 8GP 7 Shopping 26 Social Page 15 Trustees, report for the year ended 31 March 2024 Feedback: -96% of users found our service easy to use. -98% found that our service helped them feel more connected to their communlty. -97% felt their confidence had grown from using our service. -100% would recommend our service to someone else who needed it. Structure• governance. and management. Constitution The Charity is constituted under a Charity Commission Scheme and is a registered charity number 1102847. Sheppey Matters is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated in March 2000, and registered as a charity in March 2004. b. Method5 of appointment or election of Trustees The management of the Charity is the responsibility of the Trustees who are elected or co-opted under the terms of the Trust Deed. The current policy of the trustees is to recruit new trustees from local groups, agencies, or individuals on the Isle of Sheppey. c. Pay policy for key management personnel. The policy is in line with similar charities in the local area. The pay policy for the charity is set by the board of trustees on an annual basis for all employees and key management personnel and takes into account the existing inflation levels, any minimum wage Increase allowed by the government, local pay levels for similar work, and the funds available to make an informed and realistic pay offer. Any award is 'across the board, to all staff (aside any increases for minimum wage). d. Risk management The Trustees have assessed the major risks to which the Charity is exposed and are satlsfied that systems and procedures are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks. The Trustees have considered what they believe to be the main risks the Charity is facing. These are deemed to be a5 follows: l. Reliance on one or few funders- the Charity has expanded its funder base to ensure the potential loss of one funder has a minimal effect (or as minimal as possible). The current wide range of funders is demonstrated earlier in this report. 2. Loss of key staff; staff are kept engaged and are valued by the Charity. It recognises that losing a staff member at the end of a period of funding can be detrimental to the Charity as skills are lost, so the Charity always endeavours to keep staff even If in a different role. It cannot afford to lose years of training and investment in a staff member. Page 16 Trustees, report for the year ended 31 March 2024 3. Cost of living crisis has challenged and stretched the charity to deliver services to the community, with little opportunity for the staff and volunteers to recover from the pandemic before being faced with the next round of issues and concerns. 4. Loss of public support; the Charity has worked hard over the years to establish itself a good name and high level of support from all areas of the local community. It regularly checks media and social media for adverse comments and keeps a close and strong relationship with residents, businesses, other charities, and community groups plus those in authority and influential positions (councillors. council leaders etc.). The charity was delighted to be awarded Queen5 Award for Voluntary Services-the MBE for voluntary groups and the Princess Royal Training Award. 5. Loss of use of the healthy living centre. the Charity holds a 25-year lease which expires January 2028. The lease extension will shortly be discussed with Swale Borough Council and is part of the Levelling Up Fund secured by the council. The date for the commencement of the work is expected to be by the end of December 2024. Meetings are currently being held with partners to fully understand the effect that the work will have on the charity. Sheppey Matters has been keeping its beneficiaries fully informed as planning evolves during the year. e. Plans for future periods The Tru5tee5 will continue to support the objectives of the Charity for the foreseeable future. The board of trustees has continually expressed its confidence in the charit¢5 delivery to the Sheppey community and full confidence in the ability and skills of the staff and volunteers to ensure this happens. The board will be seeking new and different funding streams during 2024/25 to strengthen the charitvs financial position as the cost-of-living crisis has increased the number of funding applications to grant providers, making success harder. f. Reserves pollcy The charity holds reserves for three separate areas. Restricted funds Unrestricted funds Designated funds The charity receives a mix of income throughout the year which sits in the restricted or unrestricted streams. The charity expend5 monies to support its projects and administrative work in the normal course of events. At the year's end, it may still hold monies that for restricted services are Still within the project's period of delivery Iwhich may not always be a financial yearl along with unrestricted incomes. Restricted funds are from grants and other monies so designated by the board of trustees as restricted. These funds are granted as varying times throughout the financial year and may crossover one or two financial years and are shown as carry-over in the annual accounts. The amount per project may differ from budget against actual as project delivery can vary during a twelve-month period. Page 17 Trustees. report for the year ended 31 March 2024 Unrestricted funds are earned from the charitvs own unfunded activities such as room hire which form the basis of the charitvs annual budgeting process. Designated funds are for specific reasons. The total reserves at the period end were £390,612 of which £304,521 were restricted funds leaving £86,091 available for general purposes of the charity. The reserves policy has been designed to ensure that the charity has an adequate basis to continue operating for the foreseeable future- Unexpected demand for funds due to an emergency or unforeseen bills. Additional day-to-day operational costs such as temporary staff. L055 of an expected or regular source of funding such as a grant or donation. Use of reserves can help buy the time required to seek an alternative source. Reserves may be used to supplement a grant or other source of income that does not cover the total cost of the project or capital expenditure or as a bridging fund should a project be required to start before a grant is received. The board of trustees seeks to hold a minimum of four months, fund5 at any time, being around £85,000 so that- In the event of any unexpected shortfall in income there is a reasonable amount of time available to seek alternative monies. The charity does have a wide and varied list of funders, so a loss of one funder may have an adverse effect on a project, but not necessarily the whole charity. Have funds avai13ble for any unexpected expenditure. An amount might be needed to cover 'troughs' in the cash budget. Money allocated for a specific event, such as redundancy. In the Trustees. vlew, the charl￿S reserves should provide it with adequate financial stability and the means for it to meet its charitable objectives for the foreseeable future. As at the year end, the CharIt￿S unrestricted reserves stood at £86,091. which is in line with reserves policy as set. The board of trustees regularly reviews Its level of reserves to ensure that the minimum levels are maintained. Given the recent challenges of the cost of living and the constant demand from the community for varying levels of support. the trustees are satisfied with the situation. The need for increased levels of reserves is a regular subject of discussion. Funding applications for core costs monies are regularly made to maintain or boost levels of unrestricted and reserve income. g. Financial review Income for the year amounted to £579,334 (2023: £822.558). Expenditure amounted to £632,15 (2023: £623,060). As a result, the charity generated a deficit of £52,817 (2023: surplus of £199,498}. As at year end, the charitys total reserves amounted to £390,613 {2023: £443,430). The financial year has been challenging for the charlty, but not unexpected given the worldwide, national and local issues affecting the overall cost of living, which has impacted on expenditure. The receipt of grants throughout the year can distort the income/expenditure figures, with profit and loss being reported on almost alternate years. Page 18 Trustees, report for the year ended 31 Marth 2024 The ongoing search for grants has become a bigger challenge with more charities seeking funding from a shrinking number of trusts, some of which are reducing monies available, temporarily ceasing rounds or closing completely. The board's decision to expand the number of funders rather than rely on a few has further helped the charity over the last two years. h. Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others. The charty has, during this financial year, held monies on behalf of the following community group5- Sheppey ADHD Eastchurch Allotments and Conservation Group The charity maintains a normal accountancy trail of the financial transactions carried out on the behalf of either group. Statement of Trustees, responsibilities The Trustees Iwho are also the directors of the Charity for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees, report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Klngdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under company law, the Trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity and of its income and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to: select suitable accounting policles and then apply them consistently. obserle the methods and principles of the Charitles SORP {FRS 1021 make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent. state whether appllcable UK Accounting Standards (FRS 102) have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements. prepare the financial statements on the going concern basls unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Charity will continue in business. The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explaln the Charity's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Page 19 Trustees, report for the year ended 31 March 2024 Disclosure of information to independent examiner Each of the persons who are Trustees at the time when this Trustees, report is approved has confirmed that: so far as that Trustee is aware, there Is no relevant audit information of which the charity's independent examiner is unaware, and that Trustee has taken all the steps that ought to have been taken as a Trustee to be aware of any relevant audit information and to establish thatthe charity's independent examiner is aware of that information. Independent Examiner The independent examiner, Samantha Rouse of Kreston Reeves LLP, has indicated her willingness to continue in office. The designated Trustees will propose a motion reappointing the independent examiner at a meeting of the Trustees. Approved by order of the members of the board of Trustees on on their behalf by: ) 11)Q024 and signed Mic Tru John Brown tee Page 20 Shoppey Matters IA company Ilmlted by guarantee) Independent examlner's report for tho year ended 31 March 2024 Independent examlnerfs report to the Trustees of Sheppey Matters (Ihe Charlty, I report to the charity Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 31 March 2024. Responsibilitles and basls of report As the Trustees of the Charity (and its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Ad 2006 (Yhe 2006 ACV). Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Charity are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Ad and are eligible for independent examination. I report in respect of my examination of the Charitys accounts carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 cthe 2011 Act,). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charty Commission under section 145{5>{b> of the 2011 Act. Independent examinerfs statement Since the Charty's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confimi that l am qualrfied to undertake the examination because l am a member of the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants, which is one of the listed bodies. I have completed my examination. I confinrj that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe: accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by 88Ction 386 of the 2006 Act. or the accounts do not accord with those records,. or the accounts do not comply with th8 accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a Irue and fail view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination., or the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities lapplicable to Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Stsndard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)]. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts lo be reached. This report is made solely to the Charitys Trustees. as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the Charity's Trustees those matters l am required to state to them in an Independent examiner's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Charity and the Charitvs Trustees as a body, for my worf( or for this report. Dated.. 26 November 2024 Samantha Rouse FCCA DChA Kreston Reevos LLP Chartered Accountants Montague Place. Quaysid8 Chatham Maritime Chatham Kent ME4 4QU Page 21 Sheppey Matters (A company limited by guarantse) Statement of financial actlvltles (Incorporatlng Income and expenditure account) for the year ended 31 March 2024 Unrèstricted fvnds 2024 Restrlcted funds 2024 Total funds 2024 Total funds 2023 Note Income from: Donations and legacies Charitable activities Investments Other income 4922 47.831 3,691 69 411,902 110,919 416,824 158,750 3,691 69 698,112 123,613 833 Total income 56,513 522.821 579,334 822,558 Expenditure on: Charitable activities 50.662 681,489 632,151 623,060 Totsl expendlture 50,662 581,489 632,1S1 623.CEO Net Incom61(expenditurel Transfers between funds 5,861 766 ($8,668) (766) (52,817) 199,498 14 Net movement in funds 6,617 (59,4341 (52,817) 199.498 Reconciliatlon of funds: Total funds brought fO￿ard Net movement in funds 79.474 6.617 363,956 (59,4341 443,430 {52,817) 243,932 199,498 Total funds carried forward 86,091 304,522 390,613 443,430 The Statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. The notes on pages 25 to 38 fom part of these financial statements. Page 22 Sheppoy Matters (A company limited by guarantse) Reglstered number: 03946296 Balance sheet as at 31 March 2024 2024 2023 Noto Fixed assets Tangib18 assets Current assets 11 48.401 59.325 Debtors Cash at bank and in hand 12 32,818 341.247 24.940 392,048 374.065 416,988 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 13 {31,853) (32.883) Net Current a$8ets 342.212 384.105 Total net assets 390.613 443,430 Charlty funds Restrided funds Unrestricted funds 14 14 304,522 86,091 363,958 79.474 Total funds 390,613 443,430 The Charity was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006. The members have not required the company to obtain an audit for the year in question in accordance with section 476 of Companies Act 2006. The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and preparation of financial ststements. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to entities subject to the small companies regime. The nanci statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by.. Michael John Brown Trustee The notes on pages 25 to 38 fom part of these financial stateffEnts. Page 23 Sheppey Matters (A company Ilmlted by guarantee) Statement of cash flows for the year end•d 31 March 2024 2024 2023 Cash flows from oporating activltles Net cash used in operating activities (note 16) (50,801) 155,022 Cash flows from Investing activities Dividends. interests and rents from investments 833 Net cash provided by Investlng activities 833 Cash flows from flnancing activities Net cash provlded by flnanclng activiti•$ Change In cash and cash oquivalents in the year Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year (50,801) 392,048 155,855 236,193 Cash and cash equival8nts al the end of the year Inote 17) 341,247 392,048 The notes on pages 25 to 38 fom part of these financial ststements Page 24 Sheppey Matters (A company Ilmitsd by guarantee) Notes to the flnancial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 General Infomiation Sheppey Matter8 is a charitable company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Sheppey Leisure Centre. Broadway, Sheerne88, Kent, ME12 1HH. The principal activlties of the Charity are as set out in the Trustees, ReporL Accounting pollcigs 2.1 Basis of preparation of flnanclal ststements The financial 8tatements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) - Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with th8 Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland {FRS 102} (effective 1 January 2019), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102} and the Companies Act 2006. Sheppey Matters meets the definition of a public benefit entty under FRS 102. As88ts and liabilities are initially recognised al historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy. The accounts are presented in round sterling. 2.2 Company statu8 The Charity is a company limited by guarantee. The members of the Charity are the Trustees named on page 1. In the event of the Charty being wound up, the liability in resp8Ct of the guarantee is limited to £1 per member of the Charity. 2.3 Going concern The Trustees assess wh8th8r the use of going concern is appropriate i.e. whether there are any material uncert8inties related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the ability of the Charity to continue as a going concem. The Trustees make this assessment in respect of a period of at least one year from the date of authorisation for issue of the financial statements and have concluded that the Charty has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and there are no material uncertainties about the Chsrity's ability to continue as a going concem, thus they continue to adopt the golng concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements. 2A Income All income is recognised once the Charty has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the incom8 will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably. Grants are included in the Statement of financial activlties on a receivable basis. The balance of income received for speclfic purposes but not expended during the Period is shown in the relevant funds on the Balance sheet. Where income is received in advance of entitlement of receipt, its recognition is deferred and included in creditors as deferred income. Where entitlement occurs before income is received, the income is a￿rued. Income tax r8coverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or d88ds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation. Income tax recoverable in relation to investment income is recognis8d at the time the investment income is receivable. Page 25 Sheppey Matters (A company Ilmlted by guarante• Notes to the flnanclal statements for the year end￿ 31 March 2024 Accountlng pollcles {contlnu•d) 2.5 Expendlture Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer 8conomi¢ benefft to a Ihird paty, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure on charitable activities is incurred on directly undertaking the activities which further the Charity's objectives. as well as any ass(￿lated support costs. All expenditure is inclusive of Irrecoverab￿ VAT. 2.6 Government grants Government grants relating to tangible r￿ed assets are treated as deferred income and released to the Statement of financial activities over the expected useful lives of the a888ts concerned. Other grants are credited to the Statement of financial activities as the related expenditure is incurred. 2.7 Interest recelvable Interest on funds held on deposit is included when r￿e1Vable and the amount can be measured reliably by the Charity,. this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the institution with whom the funds are deposited. 2A Taxatlon The Charity is Considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of 8 charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the Charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories Covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes. 2.9 Tangible fjxed assets and depreciation Tangible fixed assets costing £2,000 or more are capitslised and recognised when future economic benefits are probable and the cost or value of the asset can be measured reliably. Tangible fixed assets are inilially recognised at cost. After recognition, under the cost model, tangible fix8d assets ar8 measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. All costs incurred to bring a tsngible fixed asset into its intended working conditlDn should be included in the measurement of cost. At each reporting date the Charity assesses whether there is any indication of impairment. If such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is detennined to be the higher of its fair value less Costs to sell and its value in use. An impaiTment loss is r8cognis8d where the carrying amount exceeds the recoverable amount. Depr￿latIOn Is charged so as to allocate the cost of tangible fixed assets le5S their residual value over their estimated useful lives on the following bases.. Motor vehicles Fixtures and fittings 5 years straight line 5 years straight line Page 26 Shoppey Matters (A company limited by guarantee) Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 Accountlng pollcles {¢ontinued) 2.1 O Debtors Trade and other debtors are recognised at the setuement amount. Prepayinents are valued at the amount prepaid. 2.11 Cash at bank and in hand Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short-term highly liquid invesknents With a short maturity of three months or18ss from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account. 2.12 Llabllltles and provisions Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the Balance sheet date as a result of a past event. it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in setuement, and the amount of the sett18ment can be estimated reliably. Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the Charity anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as adVan￿d payments for the goods or services it must provide. Provisions are measured at the best estimate of the amounts required to Settle the obligation. Where th8 effect of the time value of money is material. the provision is based on the present value of those amounts, discounted st the pre-tax discount rate that reflects the risks specifrc to the liabiliiy. The unwinding of the discount is rewnised in the Statement of financial activities as a finance cost. 2.13 Financial instruments The Charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially rewgnised at transaction value and subsequentty measured at their settlernent value. 2.14 Penslons The Charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme and the pension charge represents the amounts payable by the Charity to the fund in respect of the year. 2.15 Fund accounting G8n8ral ￿ndS are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the Charity and which have not been designated for other purposes. Designated funds comprise unrestrided funds that have been set aside by the Trustees for particular purposes. The aim and us8 of each designated fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements. Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordan￿ with specifi¢ restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the Charity for particular purposes. The costs of raising and administering such funds are Charged against the sp8cific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is $8t out in the notes to the financial statements. Page 27 Sheppey Matters (A company limlted by guaranto8) Notos to th• financial statom•nls for the year ended 31 March 2024 Critical accounting estim8tas and areas of judgement Estirnates and judgements are continually evaluated and are based on historical experlence and other factors, including expectations of futur8 events that are believed to be reasonable undar the circumstsnces. Critical accounting estimates and assumptions= The Charity makes estimates and assumptions conceming the future. The resulting accounting estimates and assumptions will, by definition, seldom equal the related actual results. The estimates and assumptions that have a signlficant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year are discussed below. Tangible fi'xed assets The Chaiity has recognised t8ngible fixed assets with a carying value of £59,325 at the reporting date (see note 11 >. These assets are stated at their cost less provision for depreciation and impaiment. The Charity's accounling policy sets OLrt the approach to calculating depreciation for immaterial assets acquired. For material assets the Charity detemines at acquisition reliable estimates for the useful life of the asset, its residual value and decommissioning costs. These estimates are based upon such factors as th8 expected use of the acquired asset and market conditions. At subsequent reporting dates the Trustees consider whether there are any factors such as technological advancements or changes in market conditions that indicate a need to reconsider the estimates used. Where there are indicators that the carrying value of tangib18 assets may be impaired the Charity undertakes tests to detemiine the recoverable amount of assets. These tests require estimates of the fair value of assets less Cost to sell and of their value in use. Wherever possible the estimate of the fair value of assets is based upon obseNable market prices less incremental cost for disposing of th8 asset. The value in use calculation is based upon a discounted cash flow model, based upon the Charity's forecasts for the foreseeable future which do not include any restructuring activilies that the Charity is not yet committed to or significant future investments that will enhance the asset's perfomance. The recoverabl8 amount is most sensitive to the discount rate used for the discounted cash flow model as well expected future cash flows and the growth rate used for extrapolation purposes. Critical areas of judgement.. Lease commitments The Charty has entered into a range of lease commitments in respect of plant and equipment Th8 classification of these leases as either financial or operating leases requires the Trustees to consider whether the tems and conditions of each lease are such that the Charity has acquired the risks and rewards associated with the ownership of the underlying assets. Page 28 Sh•ppey Matters (A company limited by guarantee) Notes to the flnancial statements for the year ended 31 Pllarch 2024 Income from donation8 and legacies Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2024 2024 Total funds 2024 Total funds 2023 Donations Grants Government grants 4,922 11,778 400,124 16,700 400,124 20,977 538,026 139.109 4,922 411,902 416.824 698.112 Total 2023 19,621 678,491 698,112 Income from charftable actlvftles Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2024 2024 Total funds 2024 Total funds 2023 Charitable activities. see note 22 47.831 110,919 158,750 123,613 Total 2023 49,510 74,103 123,613 Investment income Unrestrlcted funds 2024 Total funds 2024 Total funds 2023 Bank interest receivable Investment income 3,433 258 3,433 258 833 3,691 3,691 833 Total 2023 833 833 Page 29 Sheppey Matters (A company limited by guarantse) Notos to the financial ststoments for the yèar ended 31 March 2024 4.500 61,184 General funds General Funds 9,159 56.513 (37,031) {3,734) 24.907 Total Unrestricted funds 79,474 56,513 {$0.662) 766 86,091 Restrlcted funds Restricted Funds (see note 22) 363.956 522,821 (581.489) (786) 304,522 Total of funds 443,430 579,334 (632.151 } 390.613 Page 33 Sheppey Matters (A company limited by guarantee) Notes to the financlal statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 14. Statement of funds (continued} stat•ment of funds - prlor year Balance at 31 March 2023 Balance at 1 April 2022 Transfers inlout Income Expenditure Unrestrlcted funds Designated funds Redundancy Reserye Fixed Asset Funds 11,450 74,005 11.450 58,865 2,101 (17,241} 2,101 {17,241) 85,455 70,315 General funds General Funds 35,571 69,602 (67.816) {28,198) 9.159 Total Unrestricted funds 37,672 69.602 (85,057) 57,257 79,474 Restrlcted funds Restricted Funds (see note 22) 206,260 752,594 (537,6411 (57,257) 363,956 Total of funds 243,932 822,196 {622,698) 443,430 Page 34 Sheppey Matters {A company limited by guarantse) Notes to the financlal ststements for the year ended 31 March 2024 15. Summary offunds Summary of funds- current year Balance at 31 March 2024 Balance at 1 April 2023 Transfers inlout Income Expenditur• Designat8d funds General funds Restricted funds 70,315 9,159 363,956 (13,631) (37,031) 1581,489) 4,500 (3,734 (7661 61,184 24,907 304,522 66,513 522.821 443.430 579.334 (632.151) 390,613 Summary of funds - prior year Balance at 31 March 2023 Balance at 1 April 2022 Transfers inlout Income Expenditure Designated funds General funds Restricted funds 2,101 35,571 206,260 {17,241) {67,816) (537,641) 85.455 <28,198) (57,257) 70,315 9,159 363,956 69,602 752,594 243.932 822,196 (622.698) 443,430 Page 35 Sheppey Matters IA company limited by guarantee) NotOS to the financial statements forthe year ended 31 March 2024 16. Analysis of net assets between funds Analysls of net assets between funds - current period Unrestrlcted Restricted funds funds 2024 2024 Totsl funds 2024 Tangible fixed assets Current assets Creditors due within one year 48.171 61.487 (23.567) 230 312,578 (8,286} 48,401 374,065 (31.853) Total 86,091 304,522 390,613 Analysis of net assets between funds - prior period Unrestricted funds 2023 Restricted funds 2023 Total funds 2023 Tangible r￿ed assets Current assets Creditors due within one year 58,865 41,810 (21,201) 59,325 416,988 {32,883} 375.178 (11,682) Total 79.474 363,956 443,430 17. Reconciliation ot net movement In funds to net cash flow from operating activfties 2024 2023 Net incomelexpenditure for the period (as per Statement of Financial Activities) (52.817) 199,498 Adjustments for: Depreciation charges Incresse in debtors Increasel(decrea8e) in creditors Fixed Asset Additions 15,598 (7,878) 11,030) {4,674) 19,112 (761) 12.011 {74,005) Net cash provlded byl(used In} operating activities (50,801 155,855 Page 36 Sheppey Matt•rs (A company Ilmited by guarantee) Notes lo the flnanclal statements for the yoar ended 31 March 2024 18. Analysls of cash and cash •qulvalents 2024 2023 ash in hand 341,247 392,048 Total cash and cash equivalents 341,247 392,048 19. Analysis of changes in not debt At 1 April 2023 Cash flows At 31 March 2024 Cash at bank and in hand 392,048 150,801) 341,247 392,048 (50,801) 341,247 20. Pension commltments The CharTty operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the Charity in an independently administered fund. The pension cost charge represents contributions payable by the Charity to the fund and amounted to £8,247 {2023: £7.617). There were amounts payable to the fund at the Balance sheet date (2023: £Nil). 21. Operating lease commitments At 31 March 2024 the Charity had commitments to make future minimum lease payments under non- cancellable operating leases as follows: 2024 2023 Not later than 1 year Later than 1 year and not later than 5 years 3,992 7.984 3.992 11,976 11,976 15.968 Page 37 Sheppey Matters (A company limitad by guarantee) Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 22. Related party transactions One of the Trustees, P Murray is also a trustee of Swale CVS, with C White K Pugh and being an employee of Swale CVS. During the financial year. Sheppey Matters incurred expenditure with Swale CVS of £39,660 {2023.' £18,123) and received income of £200 (2023.. £64). All of these transactions were conducted at am's length. At the balance sheet date Sheppey Matters is owed £1,465 (2023: Nil). C White is also a director of Children and Families. During the financial year Sheppey Matters has incurred expenditure of £36 (2023.. £156) and received income of £70 (2023.. £Nil) with this organisation. All of these transactions were conducted at arm's length. There were no amounts outstanding at the Balan￿ sheet date. (2023.. £Nil). P Murray is also a director of Swale Communty Leisure. During the financial year Sheppey Matters has incurred expenditure of £10,017 (2023.. £10,185} and received income of £3.435 (2023.. £4,577) with this organisation. All of these transactions were conducted at ami's length. At the balance sheet date Sheppey Matters is owed £445 (2023: £984). P Murray and N Martin are also trustees of Age UK Sheppey. During the financial year Sheppey Matters has incurred expenditure of £1,202 (2023: £1,980) and received income of £30 {2023: £90) with this organisation. All of these transactions were conducted at arm's length. There were no amounts outstanding at the Balance sheet date. (2023= £Nil). P Murray is also a trustee of E8Stern Sheppey Community Hub. During the financial year Sheppey Matters has incurred expenditure of £125 (2023: £Nil) with this organisation. All of these transactions were conducted at arm's length. Al the balance sheet date Sheppey Matters is owed £125 {2023: £Nil). Page 38 II'IJS Igls 1511111,*-1SlJYi ¥51112 51 i!Xl31 1>41!'P_ I,l!Ii Ill 341111I1- Sh•ppoy Mattern Notes to th• flnan¢lal statsments For tho ￿Or •ndod 31 March 2024 23. Unr•8trfcted fund•- C•ntr• funds Totsl 2024 Totsl 2023 FuAd• brought forward 79,474 37,672 Incomo and •ndowm¢nts from Grants DL)nations Room Hirp Travel and Membership SÈNces I Work Undertaken Investment Income Other Income 2,212 17A09 43.222 4,923 46,155 11.1221 1,581 3.691 1.285 833 5,372 Totsl income 56,513 69.602 Expondltur• on Bad Debts Bank Charges an¢J Interest Computer Expenses Depreoation Goods Glven a& Grants Hall l Room Hire Inswance Legal and Professional Fees Management Fees Motor and Travel Postage, Printing, Photocopying and Stationery Repairs. Maintenance and Equipment Staff Costs Sundry Expenses Telephone and Intemet Training utilities Work Undertaken 7.020 12081 6,216 15.368 1501 16,2411 558 129 117 {&546) 18,882 1.890 61 4,594 218 113,509) 136 4,699 3,055 61.142 5,126 1358) 150 5,604 369 (22,8151 660 11901 3.613 43,689 <2.821) 522 219 452 SLFbtotal 45.992 78,757 Support costs Auditors, rernuneralion Audilors. remuneration- nOn-a￿lt 4,670 6.300 Subtotal 4.670 6.300 N•t mov•m•nt in funds 5,851 115A55) Transf•rn b•lwè•n lund$ 786 57.257 Funds carrled fornard Page 38